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  • A Corpse at St Andrew's Chapel

  • The Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon, Book 2
  • By: Mel Starr
  • Narrated by: Steven Crossley
  • Length: 10 hrs and 51 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (386 ratings)
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A Corpse at St Andrew's Chapel cover art

A Corpse at St Andrew's Chapel

By: Mel Starr
Narrated by: Steven Crossley
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Summary

A further episode in the Unquiet Bones series, following the life and fortunes of Hugh de Singleton, surgeon in medieval Bampton, Oxfordshire

Alan, the beadle of the manor of Bampton, had gone out at dusk to seek those who might violate curfew. When, the following morning, he had not returned home, his young wife Matilda had sought out Master Hugh de Singleton, surgeon and bailiff of the manor. Two days later Alan’s corpse was discovered in the hedge, at the side of the track to St. Andrew’s Chapel. His throat had been torn out - his head was half severed from his body - and his face, hands, and forearms were lacerated with deep scratches.

Master Hugh, meeting Hubert the coroner at the scene, listened carefully to the coroner’s surmise that a wolf had caused the great wound. And yet, if so, why was there no blood?

©2013 Mel Starr (P)2020 Blackstone Publishing

What listeners say about A Corpse at St Andrew's Chapel

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Unchallenging but entertaining

This is the second in this series. So far they’re fairly straightforward fun and that’s what I want from a book.
This one is based on murder, poaching and the rather hapless main character falling in love for the 20th time in 2 books.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
  • K
  • 11-11-20

The author doth protest too much.

There were hints of it in the first book in this series, but the pomposity in this book is overwhelming.
The surgeon-cum-bailiffe Hugh de Singleton morphs his narrative of what otherwise might be a jolly enough crime story into a prating, hypcritical treatise on the Protestant movement.
Yeah, yeah, we get it: the Catholic Church in Britain (and elsewhere) was currupt and self-serving. Yes, it was in need of reform, but if you wish to enlighten your reader about a particular historical period, why couch theories on it using 'unempeachable' language? Starr presents Thomas Wycliffe's theological position (a precursor to Luther) through Hugh's voice, and Hugh presents them in an, 'any right minded person couldn't possibly think other wise' kind of voice - you can virtually hear his jowls wobbling as he says these things. It is because of this that the novel's bias is obvious and unpalatable.
What makes it worse is that while criticising the injustices of the established church, Hugh has no problem in enforcing the same inequalities when they are present in the fuedal system. In fact, as the Bailiff he enforces them - with absolutely no irony. Hugh goes into great descriptions about the different removes of food that he enjoys at his Lord's table while making strong moral judgements about the common people who poach venison! He acknowledges the common folk are lucky to see meat once a week so thinks it’s fair to lay the blame on the church's greed - this at the same time as tucking into his fish, capons and tarts.
Starr may think that criticising a religious institution’s selfishness whilst upholding the state's hierarchal position is acceptable but he should not expect his readers to be naive enough to overlook the contradiction.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

NIce book but ...

I enjoyed the first book in the series, primarily because if you managed to forget the time shift and bearing in mind it's read by Steven Crossley, one can easily forget it's not a story about Matthew Shardlake. What's not to like?

This second book, although lovely to listen to and thoroughly enjoyable, is not exactly overflowing with a complex mystery. It left me wondering if I will buy the next in the series.

For such a great stylistic writer why on Earth such a poor plot? Such a shame.

Just noticed his books seem to get shorter after this. I think not - time to move on.



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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Fairness.

This is the only book I had left to read. I just had to meet Kate before they met for the first time. it is so interesting hearing about the life lead in medieval times. I get so wrapped up in the story, the details are finely drawn. Justice prevails.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent narrator and good story

I chose these books because Steven Crossley narrated them. This book is very absorbing and I could not wait to hear the next chapter about Bampton village and castle which came to life through the characterisation Steven put into his narration of the story. Loved it and I will be choosing more of the Hugh de Singleton Chronicles.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A Corpse at St Andrews’s

I loved listening to this medieval murder/mystery. It was interesting learning some new medieval words: leirwite - a fine for adultery, cresset - a metal holder for a fire torch, and mounted on a pole, containing oil, grease, wood or coal. Pannaging pigs. You can guess that one. But if not it is the practice of releasing pigs in a forest so that they can feed on fallen acorns, beechmast, chestnuts or other nuts.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good narration

The story was enjoyable and evocative of the era. but it was all brought to life superbly by the excellent narration.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A thought provoking, medieval mystery - can't wait for the next one.

I always check accuracy and can't fault it so I've learnt much.
I also appreciate the dissection of faith in respect to church views at the time - well done!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Most enjoyable…

Again our hero solves a mystery in his own way and style - let’s hope his attention to a certain lady shall be rewarded in the next book 😃

The narrator is doing a great job and one enjoys listening to his voice!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Second volume in a riveting series ...

Complex plot, well written, well crafted and thoroughly researched, and a likeable, relatable and believable cast of characters all combine to make this, the second volume in the "Unquiet Bones" series a really enjoyable read that's every bit as good as the first one ... The first episode was an Audible membership freebie, which I enjoyed so much that I was seduced into using one of my precious credits to actually buy this sequel ! And I've no doubt I'll be buying the third and the fourth volumes as well. Can't recommend this series highly enough.

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