Suppression and Suspicion

The Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon, Book 15

By: Mel Starr

Narrated by: Tim Bruce

Delve into the world of fourteenth-century England in this thrilling historical mystery, the fifteenth in the brilliant Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton.

Edmund Harkins has gone missing.

Few in Bampton liked him, knowing him to be a wife-beater and distinctly unsavory character, so when some hungry pigs unearth his corpse from a shallow grave, there is hardly an outpouring of grief.

As bailiff, it is Hugh de Singleton’s duty to bring Edmund’s killer to justice. But where is he to start investigating when almost everyone in the village has a motive? And when everyone is pleased to see the scoundrel dead, who knows how far they might go to help someone get away with murder?

To further complicate Hugh’s life, the Bishop of Exeter has appointed his nephew as Bampton’s new vicar. But as well as an obsession with discovering any heretical views Hugh might hold, he could not be more unpriestly—he not only acts appallingly with Lady Katherine’s maid, but is contributing to the unhealthy atmosphere of suppression and suspicion that has come to pervade the village …

Fast paced and full of twists and turns, Suppression and Suspicion is a brilliant medieval murder mystery perfect for fans of Susanna Gregory and Peter Ellis. Mel Starr paints an immersive and atmospheric picture of fourteenth-century England, and weaves a compelling mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page.

The fifteenth volume in the Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton, Suppression and Suspicion will be thoroughly enjoyed by long time fans of the series but can also be enjoyed as a standalone novel.

©2022 Mel Starr (P)2023 Blackstone Publishing

Another great story!

I still miss Arthur, but good to have his son stepping into the cast.
Did people during these times really not eat vegetables? Turnips, cabbage, carrots, leafy greens? Or have humble fruits like berries? Their diets seem very lacking. No kitchen gardens or eggs?

Always good

I’ve listened to them all and it’s fun to get to know the characters. This one was interesting because of how justice compassion were served.
Looking forward to Sir Hugh’s next adventure.

Best one yet

The writing, witticisms, the plot, all spectacular. The narration sublime. This narrator really captures the essence of Sir Hugh. Very well done

The journey is better than the ending

As with all of the Hugh De Singleton stories, I enjoy the arc of the story more than the resolution which is often complex. This one suffers from this problem more than most. The entire thing smacks of crimes being swept under the rug. A lazy lord does not put an end to vicious wife beating among his tenants; a corrupt priest seems to face no punishment. Still, Mel Starr has a relaxing, easy to follow style and the perfect narrator for his books, so I will gladly use my credits for any of the audiobooks he created in the future.

Loved it!

The author has developed the characters really well and the complicated plot did not disappoint. Truly looking forward to the next installment!

Disappointed

Unlike Starr’s previous books, this was a short, incomplete story, and quite unsatisfactory. Nothing was resolved. We are given a “foreshadowed” teaser of the next book, but, as told here, there is little to compel me to pick it up.