A Gift of Sanctuary: An Owen Archer Mystery [Hardcover]

Candace M. Robb (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1998

Medieval spy Owen Archer makes his sixth appearance--this time to investigatemurder and intrigues in his native Wales.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

Another labyrinth adventure for one-eyed Welshman Owen Archer (The Riddle of St. Leonards, 1997, etc.), captain of the Archbishop of Yorks retainers in 14th-century England. This time, Owen is to journey to Wales, his long-unseen homeland, to recruit archers for the Duke of Lancaster, bolstering the Dukes forces against a rumored (soon-to-come) attack on England by King Charles of France. Owen is accompanied by Geoffrey Chaucer, whose mission is to inspect and report on the fortifications at the Dukes Welsh castles, overseen by his steward John Lascelles. Traveling with them are Owens ailing father-in-law, Sir Robert DArby, and Brother Michaelo, the Archbishops secretary, both on a pilgrimage to St. Davids shrine. Owen is to meet with John de Reine, the stewards son, at Castle Carreg Cernen, but de Reines murdered body has been left at the Tower Gate of St. Davids. Owen and Geoffrey offer to escort the body, in company with Father Edern, to his fathers home at Castle Cydweli. Once there, a second killing occurs and Lascelles beautiful wife Tangwystl vanishes, along with Father Edern. Tangwystls father is Gruffydd, deeply involved in a money scam and said to have ties to the infamous traitor Owain Lawgoch. There are endless comings and goings, a surfeit of characters and conflicts, and much soul-searching as Owen rediscovers his roots, suffers a deep personal loss, identifies the killer, and prepares to return home. A literate, meticulously researched jumble of confusing subplots and unpronounceable names. In all, a disappointing sixth outing for this often enthralling author. -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Review

"A rich and satisfying novel...Robb deftly interweaves a complex story of love, passion and murder into the troubled and tangled fabric of Welsh history."--Publishers Weekly

"Compelling historical mystery...up to the standard set by master medievalist Ellis Peters."--Booklist

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 303 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr; First Edition edition (November 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312192665
• ISBN-13: 978-0312192662
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,645,267 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Simple List of Characters Would Help, August 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Gift of Sanctuary: The Sixth Owen Archer Mystery (Owen Archer Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

A dramatis personae would go a long way toward making this book easier to follow. I'm sure there's a historical or literary reason for many of the character names, but for a modern reader, especially one like me who is interrupted frequently by small children, simple names would be better. An editor could have helped Robb more than the Mediev-L listserv. Examples of confusion: Dafydd, Dyfrig and St. David's all introduced in one paragraph on page 23. (I had forgotten that Dafydd had been mysteriously introduced in the prologue because I'd read it on the previous day - oh, the life of a mom). Dafydd surely must be Welsh for David anyway. So what's the point? Then we have Nest & Cadwy, Dafydd's 2 dogs (who didn't need to be named at all) and Madog & Cadwal, Dafydd's 2 servants. I thought Madog & Cadwal were the dogs through the entire book. Well, you get my point about the names. By the way, I did thoroughly enjoy her earlier mysteries.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Candace Robb does wonders as always, February 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Gift of Sanctuary: An Owen Archer Mystery (Hardcover)

I have yet to be disappointed by one of Robb's books. She knows her subject perfectly, and uses her knowledge so that the story has just the right amount of the historical in it, along with the rest. Owen Archer is as "real" as ever, though I was a bit sorry not to see more of his life with Lucie and children. I also find the details referring to herbs, the apothecary etc, interesting and was sorry not to have more. Let's hope that Owen stays home in the next one!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating 14th Century Wales and a contrast between poets, February 5, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Gift of Sanctuary: An Owen Archer Mystery (Hardcover)

Although I missed Lucie and the apothecary motif, Owen's excursion into Wales was extremely interesting, particularly since it allowed Robb to give us the lovely contrast between the traditional Welsh bard and the courtly poet (Chaucer). As usual, Robb does her research and gives a source or two for those interested in delving into the actual history. The mystery itself in satisfyingly complex, and the soul-searching that Owen must do enriches an already sympathetic character. Highly recommended.