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The Unquiet Bones

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The Unquiet Bones

By: Mel Starr
Narrated by: Steven Crossley
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About this listen

First in the medieval whodunnit series set in Bampton, Oxfordshire, during the plague years and featuring a newly qualified surgeon

Hugh of Singleton, fourth son of a minor knight, has been educated as a clerk, usually a prelude to taking holy orders. However, feeling no certain calling despite a lively faith, he turns to the profession of surgeon, training in Paris and then hanging out his sign in Oxford.

A local lord asks him to track the killer of a young woman whose bones have been found in the castle cesspit. She is identified as the impetuous missing daughter of a local blacksmith, and her young man, whom she had provoked very publicly, is in due course arrested and sentenced at the Oxford assizes.

From there the tale unfolds, with graphic medical procedures, droll medieval wit, misdirection, ambition, romantic distractions, and a consistent underlying Christian compassion.

©2008 Mel Starr (P)2019 by Blackstone Publishing Christian Fiction Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Medieval Mystery Middle Ages
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I've not finished yet but am thoroughly enjoying it so far. The narration is well-suited if not a tad mature for the main protagonist whom I gather is a young man. I'm listening at x1.15 which is ideal for me. Am hoping to finish before it expires from the plus catalogue but will likely spend the credit to discover the ending.

intrresting and engaging

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At last a medieval mystery that's exceedingly well researched, and sufficiently descriptive without rambling on over background minutia. Easily followed and very well plotted. Credible! Plotpoints very clearly and logically illustrated.

The narrator was excellent. The first person dialogue and voice changes were convincing. I really enjoyed looking up the obsolete words used at this time. The medical side is fascinating and equally, the role of bailiff. My view, superior to Sister Fidelma and Cadfael.

The lack of surplus adornment and convoluted spider web plotlines was greatly appreciated. I am turned off by books that unceasingly launch into prose at every opportunity as filling or padding. A great yarn well told, is what I want, and one that is inherently believable and interesting.

The author, in a very simplisic and circumspect way, suceeds in bringing vividly to life the time and place whilst involving the reader intimately with his characters. No razzamatazz, hearts and flowers, action aplenty stuff here, just courtesy, courtly respect juxtaposed with humbly superior yet fallible, sleuthing and investigation.

Highly recommended.

A Gem.

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Based on reviews I was eager to listen to this book.. and I was not disappointed. A wonderful storyline filled with murder, mystery, history, love, jealousy, betrayal and much more. Narration was excellent. Wonderful cast of characters and a storyline that kept me listening non-stop. Looking forward to the other books in this series.

A tale about everything!

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Evokes a time and era effectively with an intriguing mystery. Narrated expertly. Would seek out other’s by this author and narrator.

Entertaining

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The story itself was entertaining, with plenty of twists (some obvious, others not). Unfortunately, I found the narrator ... not really annoying, but rather pompous. He did well with the characterisations, but the general narration put me in mind of a nervous high school student reading out their work.

Great story

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