Cheryl R. (Spuddie) - , reviewed on 3/31/2010 + 412 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

First in a historical series set in and around Bampton, UK in the 1360's. The country is still feeling the effects of the devastation left by the Black Death that coursed its way through two decades previously. Surgeon Hugh de Singleton is trying to make ends meet in Oxford but finding the going difficult when he is offered a position in Bampton by the Lord of the castle there.

Not long after his arrival, a set of bones are found when the serfs are cleaning out the privy pit, first believed to be pig bones, and then believed to be the bones of a nobleman who had visited Lord Gilbert a few months previously and vanished. It turns out to be neither, as Hugh determines from observing the bones that they had belonged to a young woman. Lord Gilbert soon has Hugh working not only as the town's surgeon, but asks him to be his bailiff at the castle, and wants to know who those bones belonged to--as well as to discover what happened to his guest who disappeared. Hugh is a bit dismayed at the request, but is grateful for his position so does his best to solve both mysteries.

I really enjoyed this book a lot. This is about my favorite time period in history to read about, and this author is a historian and graces us with lots of wonderful detail that brings you right into the time period. That said, he's also a good writer--not dry and scholarly sounding like some attempts at fiction by historical experts can be--and tells an engaging tale featuring an interesting man in Hugh de Singleton.

The mystery itself wasn't too hard to figure out, although I did follow a couple of wandering paths away from the solution briefly. A thoroughly enjoyable foray--and I especially appreciated the author's glossary of terms. I read a lot of books set in the time period so knew most of them, but did learn a few new ones. Awesome!

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