Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon #11
August 24th 2018, 224 Pages, Lion Fiction/Kregel
Print and Ebook
Master Hugh won the Black Prince’s favour when he helped ease the prince’s illness. Now, in the autumn of 1372, the prince is suffering a relapse and sends to Bampton for Master Hugh to attend him.
While at dinner in Kennington Palace, Sir Giles, the knight who escorted Hugh to London, is stricken and dies. Poison! Sir Giles is not popular, and there are many who would gladly see the fellow done away with… except for Prince Edward.The Black Prince feels a debt to the slain man because of his heroic behaviour at the Battle of Crecy, where the knight stood firm with the prince when the fight seemed of uncertain outcome.Despite caring little for Sir Giles, Master Hugh must once again place himself in jeopardy and seek to uncover the perpetrator of the crime...
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The
Eleventh installment in this ongoing Medieval Mystery series delivers
everything that readers have come to love. A detailed account of
everyday life and living in late 14th century England, for one. Only
this one is set in London instead of rural Oxfordshire, as is usual.
Specifically, its set in a place called Kennington
palace, once a Medieval royal residence, favoured by the Black Prince,
the famous son of Edward III.
Although, as the author says, he was not known as the Black Prince in his lifetime, and is referred to instead as the Duke of Cornwall.
There are also some good details about Medieval surgery and Medicine. The Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton would be sadly lacking without Hugh performing at least one operation in each book. I think the audience would complain! Don't let that put you off though, the surgeries are not described a gruesome or disgusting way. More in a sort of clinical manner one might expect from a medical professional. Yes, they had them in the Middle Ages!
Hugh also comes into conflict with a physician, which leads to some interesting discussion about the differences between surgeons and physicians, and a small helping of acerbic wit from Hugh, and one time even the Prince.
The mystery itself, at the heart of the story seems simple at first, but becomes more complicated as time progressed. I found myself a little confused, towards the end in fact. Needing to give a couple of passages a re-read. I tend to find that I don't read this series primarily for the mystery, but mysteries they are, and its kind of central to the story. I did not predict the culprit or the motive, so that's probably good, although something which could have been done earlier and better.
Recommended as always for all fans of this series. For the people who say they want vivid, accurate and well researched Medieval Fiction WHY haven't you read this series? There's more than enough to keep people interested who aren't normally into mysteries. Just reading the glossary can be really informative and fascinating.
Thanks to Lion Fiction for my copy of this book. I was not required to write a review, or a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.
Although, as the author says, he was not known as the Black Prince in his lifetime, and is referred to instead as the Duke of Cornwall.
There are also some good details about Medieval surgery and Medicine. The Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton would be sadly lacking without Hugh performing at least one operation in each book. I think the audience would complain! Don't let that put you off though, the surgeries are not described a gruesome or disgusting way. More in a sort of clinical manner one might expect from a medical professional. Yes, they had them in the Middle Ages!
Hugh also comes into conflict with a physician, which leads to some interesting discussion about the differences between surgeons and physicians, and a small helping of acerbic wit from Hugh, and one time even the Prince.
The mystery itself, at the heart of the story seems simple at first, but becomes more complicated as time progressed. I found myself a little confused, towards the end in fact. Needing to give a couple of passages a re-read. I tend to find that I don't read this series primarily for the mystery, but mysteries they are, and its kind of central to the story. I did not predict the culprit or the motive, so that's probably good, although something which could have been done earlier and better.
Recommended as always for all fans of this series. For the people who say they want vivid, accurate and well researched Medieval Fiction WHY haven't you read this series? There's more than enough to keep people interested who aren't normally into mysteries. Just reading the glossary can be really informative and fascinating.
Thanks to Lion Fiction for my copy of this book. I was not required to write a review, or a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.
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