If not for the noisy crows, Hugh de Singleton would be well on his way and back as planned to his home in Brampton where he serves Lord Gilbert Talbot as surgeon and bailiff. His beloved wife Kate is expecting their second child after the season of celebrating Christ's birth and he wants to be with her for the delivery.

It is a cold and muddy late autumn day in 1368 as Hugh and Arthur, his loyal friend and groom to Lord Gilbert, make their way on horseback to Oxford where, after years of saving and longing, Hugh hopes to purchase a used Bible for 30 shillings. A gathering of crows is called a murder of crows, but while they both suspected something had died to attract the crows' attention, they certainly did not expect to discover a murder. With his relentless curiosity, Hugh could not resist investigating, yet he never thought they would discover what they did.

Shocked by finding the bird pecked body so close to Eynsham Abbey, a monastery just a half mile further down the road, he sends Arthur to notify them and get help. Later, at the monastery, Hugh reports to Abbott Thurstan after finding out the murdered man's identity. While the Abbott is ancient and close to dying, he is alert and wants the young monk's death properly investigated. Finding out Hugh's reason for his journey, the Abbott cannily offers a tempting arrangement: Would Hugh accept and come to investigate?

THE ABBOT'S AGREEMENT by Mel Starr reads as wonderfully as a stand alone mystery or as the much awaited seventh book in Starr's highly praised series of medieval mysteries, entitled The Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton. I can say this very truthfully as this is the first book by Starr that I read and I loved it so much, I had to read more of the earlier books in the series.

Much to the delight of his many fans (including me), Starr has the writing talent and story telling abilities to transport his many readers back in time to the fourteenth century and keep them there until the satisfying conclusion of this latest episode and adventure in Hugh's life. Starr, a former history teacher, has spent many years researching medieval history, especially that of medical practices and surgical equipment of the times. THE ABBOT'S AGREEMENT is abundant in interesting facts about medieval life as well as the ways of monasteries, complete with fears of heresy and secret societies.

Hugh is a very interesting character. He is likable, intelligent, quick witted, and very loyal to his principles and to his faith in God. His desire in wanting to spend all his savings to own his own Bible is not only telling about him, but also reflects the cost and limited access most people had to reading scriptures with their own eyes, if they read at all. While Hugh is concerned over not being with his beloved Kate, he is loyal to the Abbott and to justice. The plot moves quickly as Hugh is relentless in pursuit of the murderer. He has a number of suspects and his own share of enemies. Can he survive the ever present danger?

THE ABBOT'S AGREEMENT is wonderfully filled with an abundance of interesting tidbits about life in the mid- 14th Century that Starr skillfully and weaves into the story so well that you just feel as if you are reading Hugh's actual journal over candlelight. If you are already a fan of Starr's Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton or simply enjoy historical fiction and a good mystery, you are sure to relish the unusual murder in THE ABBOT'S AGREEMENT. Like good food and wine, THE ABBOT'S AGREEMENT is a treat not to be missed! Enjoy the times, the humour and the mystery! Not to be missed!