'Another slice of medieval skullduggery from the surgeon-turned-sleuth...
Master Hugh, surgeon and bailiff, is asked to provide a sleeping potion for Sir Henry Burley, a friend and guest of Lord Gilbert at Bampton Castle. Sir Henry--with his current wife, a daughter by a first wife, two knights, two squires, and assorted servants--has outstayed his welcome at Bampton.
The next morning, Sir Henry is found dead, eyes open, in his bed. Master Hugh, despite shrill accusations from the grieving widow, is asked by Lord Gilbert to determine the cause of death...which had nothing to do with the potion.
The sixth tale following Hugh de Singleton, Rest Not in Peace is sure to find its place among fans of detective and medieval historical fiction.'
My thoughts:
I do have to state early on that this book was a lot better than its predecessor The Tainted Coin. The author seemed to return the series to the way it was previously in this book and that made this reader happy. However, there is something going on here lately with the endings in this series. They always seem abrupt and not conclusive to the whole mystery. It seems like we get a conclusion, but that there is always one thing that isn't completely clear or completely wrapped up. That has been driving me bonkers. It was the same way with The Tainted Coin and now this one sort of ended the same way. I like when I finish the book for everything to have been neatly wrapped up and explained to me as the reader. I am seriously not getting that here.
This book places Hugh back in Bampton where he has to solve the murder of one of Lord Gilbert's guests at Bampton Castle. I seem to like the books more that have Hugh staying in Bampton versus traveling to different towns and cities. There is something like being at home when Hugh remains in Bampton and we get to see all of the old characters. I also felt that this book was a pivotal point in this series and that the author has some many exciting things in store for our main character. I can't wait to see how things play out and I have started reading The Abbot's Agreement as I have an advance reader's copy and can't wait.
This book was better than the previous one, but I am still confused on the way the endings are being so abrupt. That basically was the only thing that really bothered me about this book. Everything else was great, but the weird ending leaves me a little confused. Here's to hoping that the book I am reading now will end a little neater and make me a happy reader.
Overall Rating: 3.5
Title: Rest Not in Peace
Author: Melvin Starr
Series: The Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon #6
Publisher: Lion Fiction
Publication Date: October 1, 2013
Pages: 256
Genre: Historical Mystery
Get It: Amazon; Barnes & Noble
Disclaimer: This book was given to me by the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for my honest review. I reviewed this book without compensation of any kind. All thoughts and opinions are solely mine.