Deeds of Darkness by Melvin Starr

December 26, 2021

Deeds of Darkness by Melvin Starr

When the Bampton coroner is found dead on the Oxford road, surgeon and bailiff Hugh de Singleton is tasked with finding the killer. He soon discovers that there is a band of goliards committing crimes in the area of Bampton Castle. Hugh must find the killer and bring justice for the coroner's family.

Goliards were medieval students or clerics who, for a variety of reasons, did not complete their studies. It may have been a matter of funding or boredom or poor scholarship or loss of patronage. Many of the goliards were younger sons of wealthy or noble families. While many goliards were traveling musicians, some formed gangs that went on crime sprees. Their prominent families them from punishment.

This is #10 in the Hugh de Singleton series. While the mysteries are relatively simple, the daily customs, characters, and atmosphere are the real draw of this historical mystery series. You can get lost in the 14th century - other series that take you back to the Middle Ages are the Crispin Guest noir mysteries and the Matthew Shardlake books.

Goliards