The Riddle of St. Leonard's [Hardcover]

Candace Robb (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1997

When there is a spate of deaths and thefts at St. Leonard's Hospital in York that are not related to the plague, the Master of the hospital calls upon one-eyed master spy Owen Archer to solve the mystery."

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA. The protagonist in this, the fifth mystery in the series, is the one-eyed former archer, now spy, for Archbishop John Thoresky of York. The time is A.D. 1369, Edward is king, Queen Phillippa is dying, and the plague has returned for a third time. The Bishop's nephew, Sir Richard de Ravenser, is Master of the Hospital at St. Leonard's. Someone is murdering "corrodians," the elderly boarders of the institution, and the hospital faces financial ruin. Archer, unwilling to leave his apothecary wife during this resurgence of the plague, is nevertheless forced into service for Sir Richard. His mission is to investigate the murders in York. As the story is played out, Robb weaves in an abundance of historical detail. The vocabulary, life style, role of a "spital" (hospital), and the Church in society give color and authenticity to the novel. An author's note is also provided.?Carol DeAngelo, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Also set in 14th-century England, the Owen Archer series (e.g., The Lady Chapel, LJ 9/1/94) continues as the plague ravages York. The one-eyed Archer investigates rumors that not all the deaths at St. Leonard's Hospital have been caused by the pestilence. Involving and detailed; recommended.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press (November 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312169833
• ISBN-13: 978-0312169831
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,485,662 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finished it in one day!, January 4, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Riddle of St. Leonard's (Owen Archer Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

Wow, I've read this series of books hungrily.... in my car at lunch, while home sick in bed, during a snowstorm and power outage by flashlight, and now on a Saturday between chores.
No. 5, Riddle of St. Leonard's brings Bess Merchet back into the storyline as well as her uncle, Jasper & Brother Wulfstan. I was thrilled to see Jasper featured in the plot again, and found the mystery to be very compelling and a little bit dark with the history revealed behind Bess' uncle's life. An excellent book. Owen Archer is an interesting, well-written character. I was also happy to see Melisende featured, as well as Lucie's deceased husband and child mentioned again. Very good writing. Nice length, enough but not too much. Leaves the reader anxious to delve into the next book, no. 6 A Gift of Sanctuary!!

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars another winner, June 4, 1999

By 

J. D. Morris (Berwyn Heights, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Riddle of St. Leonard's (Owen Archer Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

Start with Apothecary Rose and read them all. Setting, characters and plot - all excellent.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fifth in the Owen Archer Series, March 9, 2007

By 

J. Chippindale (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Riddle of St. Leonards (Owen Archer Mysteries 05) (Paperback)

Candace Robb has read and researched medieval history for many years, having studied for a Ph.D. in Medieval and Anglo-Saxon Literature. She divides her time between Seattle and the UK, frequently spending time in Scotland and York to research her books.

York is very close to my own home and many of the places mentioned in the Owen Archer books are still there to be seen and of course Archbishop John Thorseby is mentioned in the records of York Minster. All this adds spice for me and helps me to picture the time and events that took place. This is the fifth novel in what is proving to be a captivating series.

The year is 1369. Edward is King of England and the much loved Queen Phillippa lies dying at Windsor. Night on 200 miles north in the city of York the harvest has failed and the plague has returned. In the heavy atmosphere and the fear from the plague superstition grips the citizen of York. Rumours are spreading that the spate of deaths at St. Leonard's hospital are no accident.

Several of the "corrodians," elderly people who have paid a sum of money to the hospital to care for them until their death have died in suspicious circumstances.. There has also been a number of thefts from the hospital. Sir Richard de Ravenser, master of the Hospital is well aware than a scandal could ruin the hospital and his own reputation also.

Anxious to get to the bottom of the matter he calls on the services of Owen Archer, a man who is gaining a reputation as a solver of mysteries. Owen is unwilling to get involved as he has his hands full helping his wife in her apothecary shop, which is being besieged daily by the people of the city seeking cures and preventatives to keep them free of the plague.