The Riddle of St. Leonard's

This is the fifth Owen Archer book and this one has our intrepid mystery solver dealing with a problem that he won’t be able to fix no matter what he does – the plague has returned. Owen can do all he can but there will be no effort he can put forth to stop it from its path. But that is not the only issue facing Owen in this tale.

St. Leonard’s is the medieval version of a long term care facility but it seems that people who have paid for their care are dying ahead of their time. If this got out it could mean problems that are just not needed in a time a plague. People count on the hospital and scandal could be devastating.

This volume brings back some old characters and introduces some new ones and I have to admit losing track in show more places. I’ve been enjoying the series immensely but this one wasn’t as good as the last one. I don’t know if I can put my finger on why – maybe the mystery wasn’t as intriguing, maybe the new characters weren’t as noteworthy. It was still a solid book and I’m looking forward to Owen’s next adventure and mystery. show less

1369 York St Leonard’s hospital is suffering from thefts, and the death of some of their corridians. Are the deaths connected to the lack of hospital funds. The Master of the hospital, Sir Richard Ravenser, summons Owen Archer, the soldier-spy, to investigate the scandal before it ruins him.
Meanwhile the plague seems to be sweeping through the area of York.
Another entertaining and well-written book in this series, with its likeable characters.

Of all the Owen Archer mysteries, this is one that has stuck with me. This is a darker and heavier story, with the fear and insecurity that plague brings to York acting on all of the characters lives.

I can't believe I have waited for over a year to try and review this book. I am trying to remember the story, I gave it 4.5 stars so I must have thought it was very good, so I want to do it justice!

There was some interesting murders, some bad pestilence running a muck and a lay sister that was accused of prostitution all getting mixed together. As I remember more, it really was a very good episode in the series, maybe one of the best to this point. If you've liked any of the previous ones, this one should be a must read.

Kept me diverted for 4 flights on a business trip.

I found the ending disappointing.

La quinta entrega de las aventuras de Owen Archer el capitán de arqueros retirado que se gana la vida haciendo de espía para el arzobispo de York se desarrolla cuando la gran peste asolaba a Inglaterra. En tiempos tan funestos, lo único que desean Owen y su esposa, la boticaria Lucie, es evitar que la terrible epidemia se lleve a algún miembro de su familia. Sin embargo, el director del hospital de San Leonardo, a su vez sobrino del arzobispo de York, tiene para Archer planes muy diferentes. En los últimos tiempos, a raíz de las extrañas muertes de algunos inválidos internados desde hacía mucho tiempo, corren rumores de que la dirección del sanatorio, agobiada por los costes excesivos en un momento en que las arcas están show more vacías, ha conspirado para deshacerse de estos pobres enfermos indefensos. Ante la magnitud de la acusación, ¿quién sino Owen Archer es capaz de descubrir al verdadero culpable de estos abominables crímenes? show less