The Abbot’s Agreement

The Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon, Book 7

By: Mel Starr

Narrated by: Tim Bruce

“My life would have been more tranquil in the days after Martinmas had I not seen the crows. Whatever it was that the crows had found lay in the dappled shadow of the bare limbs of the oak, so I was nearly upon the thing before I recognized what the crows were feasting upon. The corpse wore black.”

Master Hugh is making his way towards Oxford when he discovers the young Benedictine - a fresh body, barefoot - not half a mile from the nearby abbey. The abbey’s novice master confirms the boy’s identity: John, one of three novices. But he had gone missing four days previously, and his corpse is fresh. There has been plague in the area, but this was not the cause of death: The lad has been stabbed in the back. To Hugh’s sinking heart, the abbot has a commission for him....

©2014 Mel Starr (P)2020 Blackstone Publishing

Excellent

Life in an Abbey is very interesting. Heresy and schemes reign and who to trust? Murder and intrigue complete the journey to the truth

Narration lacking

There is better narration by Steven Crossley in the previous books. It is not as enjoyable to listen to this narrator.

Well written and read

I have loved following this story. Each book takes you into a part of the 1400’s that I didn’t know about.

Equally great narration! Listen till the end!

To those who miss Steven Crossley: i do, too! BUT Tim Bruce's narration was equally great if you just listened to the rest of the book! Be Kind, please. I definitely enjoyed this book and look forward to hearing more of Hugh DeSingleton's adventures!

New series narrator does just fine. Good story.

Persistence pays off for Hugh once again. He risks being wrong and us thus willing to change his conclusions as more facts shed light. This time he not only solves the murder, but uncovers a small sect of heretics at the Abbey.
And, by the way, the complainers who dis the narration are mere whiners. Sure, if you've been bingeing, you hope for the same voice and style you've come to expect. Of course Tim Bruce's voice (duh) and style are different! he's his own man. However, while not identical, the narration is excellent and I had absolutely NO difficulty recognizing the different voices whatsoever, including knowing whether it was Hugh or the Abbot speaking. I did find the the pace and tone at a speed of 1.1 worked better--for me, at least.