Kendrick Wroe is found dead in the frozen Shill Brook. Most suspect he has been poaching Lord Gilbert's fish, though Sir Hugh finds reason to believe this may not be so . . .Then one of Kendrick's friends is slain; another seems to be in mortal peril, and in an apparent attempt to throw Hugh off the scent, his comely daughter Bessie is abducted. As the town drops all to find her, the tension steadily increases: a member of a plow team dies in mysterious circumstances, Kendrick's surviving friend is forced to flee for safety in Eynsham Abbey, and as events seemingly spiral out of control, it’s all Hugh can do to master his anxiety and uncover the killer... Mel Starr's latest novel is a thoroughly enjoyable medieval murder mystery. It may be appreciated on its own, or as part of the Hugh de Singleton series.

Once again, Mel Starr has created a wondrous portal to fourteenth-century England. His newest book is a welcome addition to the long-running series. A joy to read. -- Davis Bunn, internationally best-selling author on MASTER WYCLIFFE’S SUMMONS
Another exciting page-turner by Mel Starr. He beautifully depicts the sounds, sights and smells, as well as the emotions, of the medieval world in this welcome addition to his long-running series. -- Jill Dalladay, author of The Abbess of Whitby, on LUCIFER’S HARVEST
Time-travel from the safety of your armchair – with a murderous twist. Mel Starr’s eagerly awaited new Hugh de Singleton medieval mystery doesn’t disappoint his fans. Join everyone’s favourite physician-cum-bailiff as he endeavours to solve more dire fourteenth-century crimes. -- Toni Mount, author of the Sebastian Foxley murder mystery series on THE EASTER SEPULCHRE

Mel Starr (Author) Mel Starr is the author of the successful Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton series. He was born and grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. After graduating with a MA in history from Western Michigan University in 1970, hetaught history in Michigan public schools for thirty-nine years. Since retiring, he has focused on writing full time. Mel and his wife, Susan, have two daughters and eight grandchildren.