While no masterpiece, this was an enjoyable historical mystery. No aspects of this book stand out - the writing is good enough that it doesn't jar (like many sorry excuses for historical novels of today, which really are just badly written romance novels), the mystery itself is meager and easily solved, the characters are likable but forgettable. However, I enjoyed the setting (spatial and temporal)--I was transported to the 14th century English countryside--and thus, will probably give the sequels a shot. Mneh.As a student in the history of medicine and palaeopathology, I'm not really the target audience for this book. The things Starr wanted to go into detail about I already knew, whereas other bits that I thought he should explain were glanced over (the difference between a doctor and a surgeon for example). I think it's very obvious that this is an academic who has learnt to write as opposed to a writer who has researched medieval England. I think because of that, Hugh spends a lot of the plot being a vehicle for a history lesson as opposed to a character in his own right. However I did enjoy reading this book. It potters along nicely and it's not hard to read. The characters have the potential to be fully fleshed out which I believe with a bit more practice, and now Starr has the scene set and the background information laid I hope they will be developed, particularly Lady Joan. If you are a fan of historical murder mysteries I would recommend you read it. And whilst it's not what I would call a page turner I spent a lovely lazy afternoon on the sofa with a pot of tea and this book, and really isn't that what reading is all about?All in all I feel it was a lovely first novel and I will be reading the sequels.
Do You like book The Unquiet Bones (2008)?
A good book, actually very good. I just don't feel compelled to read the next in the series.
—Adriana
An enjoyable mystery set in the 14th century shortly after the plague. A solid 3.5 for me.
—joeca1127
This book definitely needed a bit more character.
—godsprincess12
