Saturday, March 12, 2011

BOOK REVIEW OF A TRAIL OF INK BY MEL STARR



A TRAIL OF INK


By Mel Starr


ISBN 978-1-85424-974-6


Published by Monarch Books


Reviewer Clint Walker



Today, I have the opportunity, thanks to a complementary book from the Litfuse ladies and Monarch Books, to review a book of fiction entitled A Trail of Ink written by Mel Starr. While this book may not be for everyone, for the right reader this book will be a stellar find.


A Trail of Ink is an extremely well-researched book of historical fiction. Set in Oxford, England in the 1300s, the book is a novel that mixes mystery and romance. The author uses just enough of 12th century dialect to make the book interesting, but not so much that the novel is unintelligible or inaccessible for modern readers. Also entertaining is the inclusion of John Wyclif in the story.


A lot of things happen in this book. This is, in part, due to the many occupations of the protagonist. Hugh de Singleton is at once a surgeon, a detective, and a bailiff (which turns out to be something akin to a business manager and chief of staff for a well-off Lord). Mr. Singleton is also attempting to court a young woman that he has had a crush on, and she becomes entwined in his investigative intrigue.


However, for some, wading through the historical peculiarities of A Trail of Ink will become cumbersome. For such readers, another author's work may be more appropriate.


Several others are doing reviews of this book. If you want more information on the book, check out the FACEBOOK page. Overall, I would give the book 3.5 stars on a 5.0 star scale.


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