Customer Reviews

The Guilt of Innocents

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

You won't be disappointed with this latest Owen Archer medieval mystery, set in York during the winter of 1372. Historically authentic with a gripping tale of Machiavellian proportions. Fans of Candace Robb should grab this one.

I was so anxious for the next Owen Archer, which was unavailable in the USA, that I bought it in England! As usual Ms. Robb does not disappoint. It is a beautifully wrought mystery, very satisfying. This one stayed a little more close to home than some more recent installments, and I missed learning about new locales from the author. But it was nonetheless as great as ever - the characters are so deeply and richly drawn they feel and ring "real". Jasper's character and his relationship with Owen was a teensy bit sappy, I felt IMHO. And we didn't get as much emotion from Archer himself in this one until toward the end when he's in fear for Jasper's life. While we didn't get so much new here, this reader deeply appreciate the author's keeping this time period, characer, and historical detail alive!

More Owen Archer! Hooray!

Though I have loved all Candace Robb's Archer books, I think this is my favorite. Here Archer's foster son, Jasper, comes into his own, taking a key role in the action. His relationship with his foster father develops a touching but never maudlin side.

Add to that an unusual plot, new characters that it would be a joy to see in some yet-to-be-written books, and the return of Alisoun Ffulford to the story, and you have a read that's hard to put down. The characters and plot echoed in my head when I was not reading.

I am sorry that her books no longer seem to be published in America. You'd think that such a deft writer would find many fans on both sides of the pond.

It was wise of Robb to return to the Owen Archer Series. I have missed Owen and his family in their murder mysteries.

I have every one of this series. I found them well written. They kept me turning the pages and not wanting to miss the interaction of the characters with the history of the times. I found myself digging into the history of England and wanting to know more about the real people in the story.

This book, and the overall series, enables modern readers to see what life was like in the 14th century - both what was quite different, and things that don't change much. This volume in particular dealt with feelings of several of the characters, while supporting a sturdy plot.

I hope Candace Robb will continue to write about Owen Archer.

I have read all of the Owen Archer series. I got hooked on historical mysteries with the Cadfael series years ago. While Ms. Robb's novels lack the flair of the Cadfael novels, they are nevertheless good reads. The plots are compelling without being overly complicated. All of Ms. Robb's novels seem to take a few chapters to pick up speed so will take some patience.