A Gift of Sanctuary

This sixth entry in the Owen Archer series moves our hero out of his usual milieu and has him returning to the land of his birth – Wales. England is at war with France and Owen is dispatched to find 40 archers to help protect a vulnerable area. He takes off with Geoffrey Chaucer so again we have that wonderful mix of fictional and historical characters blending beautifully together to tell a tale.

Of course nothing can go easily or as planned when it comes to our intrepid hero. Where would he be without a mystery to solve? In this case though the deaths aren’t as focal as is Owen’s feelings about being back in Wales. It brings up a range of emotions for a man who is not used to being overly introspective. He is also away from his show more Lucie for a long period of time and he – and the reader if truth be told – misses her terribly. She really does add to the stories.

I found this book to be back on track from the last one which was good, but it was one that I didn’t enjoy as much as the others. A Gift of Sanctuary is full of great characters both old and familiar and some new ones that bring a depth to the story. It’s never easy to go home again whether you are a fictional hero or an everyday person. It leaves Owen with much to consider and that only benefits the reader. show less

Maybe I shouldn't have jumped in so late in the series, but I found that there was an awful lot of complex historical politics to wade through quite early in the book and very few if any engaging characters. Perhaps it suffers from the non-appearance of Owen's wife.

I didn't enjoy this as much as the earlier Owen Archer novels, I think probably because it did not feature the usual York characters and settings. None of the SW Wales characters really grabbed me and this was rather a chore.

1370 Owen Archer and Geoffrey Chaucer are sent to St. David's in Wales by the Duke of Lancaster. To recruit archers, inspect fortifications and investigate, John Lascelles, the Duke's steward. But a body discovered causes complications.
An enjoyable historical mystery with a large cast of characters.

Candace Robb's series following Owen Archer, Captain of achers in medieval England , works as a spy for his master, the archbishop of York bishop, solving mysteries, and in the process being a good and loving husband to his formidable apothacary wife, who often comes to his aid, helping to untangle and resolve the most unfathomable murders.

A nice detective story in the medieval times.

It was really hard to follow the story. The names were confusing.