Featured books

Featured Websites

.: Reader Views Kids

Provides book reviews, by kids, for kids

.: Inside Scoop Live

Provides live author interviews for podcast

.: Authors Access

Provides interviews with experts in the publishing industry

.: Midwest Book Review

Provides post-publication reviews

.: Reader Views

Provides book reviews and author publicity

.: LR Communication Design

Provides professional website design and development

.: Blogging Authors

Provides a place where writers and readers meet

.: Review The Book

Provides 5 books reviews on 10 different sites

.: Best Sellers World

Provides book reviews and author features

.: Feathered Quill Book Reviews

Provides book reviews and author features

reviews

A Trail of Ink

Mel Starr
Monarch Books (2010)
ISBN 9781854249746
Reviewed by Enid Grabiner for RebeccasReads (3/11)

In this thoroughly researched third chronicle, the reader is taken back to fourteenth century England where Hugh de Singleton, bailiff and surgeon, is reintroduced.  Young Hugh is requested by his former mentor, John Wyclif, an Oxford scholar and church reformer, to help recover his stolen collection of twenty-two books.  At that time it was considered a valuable set, worth quite a bit monetarily and precious to the owner.  Hugh is determined to solve the crime, but becomes dangerously in peril as he closes in on the culprits.  Physical attacks, kidnapping and murder heighten the excitement in his pursuit.

As he investigates, he also actively woos young, lovely Kate, the stationer’s daughter.  Strong-minded and confident, she infuses herself into the criminal foray.  Hugh’s relationship with her is one of mutual attraction and respect.  Although her father approves of him, one would think that in medieval times a father would look for a large dower for his daughter.  Certainly Sir Simon, an overbearing but moneyed knight, in competition with Hugh for Kate’s affections would have been perceived a wiser choice.  It seems very modern that the father would allow his daughter the freedom to choose her intended.

I was also very taken with Hugh’s relationship with his mentor and his employer, Lord Gilbert.  As he proves he is a trustworthy and likeable ally, they offer him responsibility, respect and affection. Hugh’s first person narrative reveals not just his strengths and determination, but his light-hearted self effacing comments round him out as a well developed individual. 

Add to the mystery and mayhem the development of charming characters, a detailed historical setting and medieval language, and the reader is beautifully provided a glimpse of time long gone.    

 

.: Blog
.: FTC Disclosure