- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Minotaur Books; First Edition edition (April 15 2000)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0312974779
- ISBN-13: 978-0312974770
- Product Dimensions: 17 x 10.2 x 2.8 cm
- Shipping Weight: 136 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #440,545 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
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.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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
"Compelling historical mystery...up to the standard set by master medievalist Ellis Peters."--Booklist
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
Owen Archer ached from days of riding. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
Owen Archer ached from days of riding. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Much to think about.,
By
This review is from: A Gift of Sanctuary: The Sixth Owen Archer Mystery (Paperback)
I think this is my favorite so far of the Owen Archer series. It certainly gives one much to think about. Although A Gift of Sanctuary takes place in Wales and lacks the Archbishop's Spy Owen's charismatic wife, Lucy, the apothecary, it does expand on the characters of her father Sir Robert D'Arby and of the Archbishop's secretary, the mercurial Brother Michaelo. These are characters with which the reader has become familiar in earlier works. When the elderly knight and the irritating brother are thrown together as companions on pilgrimage to a sacred site in Wales and travel with Owen who is on a mission for the Duke of Lancaster, the reader has the opportunity to know them better. Both individuals grown in depth throughout the story, adding human interest to the story of murder and love betrayed. Indeeed, the story focuses as much on the development of these two people as it does on the mystery itself.Haunting too is the tale of Owen's long separation from his family and of the many changes that are wrought by time in one's absence from home. In the years during which the action takes place, travel is a dangerous pursuit undertaken only rarely and then usually for religious or commercial reasons. Most people had not travelled more than a few miles from their home. For Owen, who left home years before to become an archer for the Duke of Lancaster, returning home to Wales is a bitter sweet experience at best. Interesting too is the reintroduction of the poet Chauce--he appeared in an earlier story as well--and of a Welsh bard (with whose name I am unfamiliar). Both add some comic relief to the story, especially Dafydd ap Gwilym who plays a wise fool throughout. I took a class in Middle English, reading Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, when I was working on my MA in history, and although I struggled through the unfamiliar and vaguely familiar words of the poetry, I never learned much about the man himself. Robb's recreation of his personality, while it may not be perfectly accurate is probably not far from the truth. Again the author provides an interesting summation of the history of the period, including the political climate of the Welsh-English frontier of the 14th Century.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bravo! Wonderful! I laughed out loud, I cried...,
By A Customer
This review is from: A Gift of Sanctuary: The Sixth Owen Archer Mystery (Paperback)
How do I rate the best thus far in a series of 5-star books?!?! If there were more stars, this book would get them from me. I read it in one day, devoured it like Belgian chocolates. What can I say? I loved the journey through Wales, the pilgrimage. It was great to meet Martin the Fleming again (Jasper's old friend). Sir Robert and Michaelo were wonderful. Tangwystl, yes what a beautiful name. It was fascinating to find out Owen's feelings upon revisiting Wales, crossing the Severn, meeting up with countrymen and family. The author does a phenomenal job of characterizations. The bard Daffyd was fascinating, as were his friends Cadwall and the two dogs. Great books, all of them so far, but this is my favorite. I've been to Wales and this book captures the mystery perfectly!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another great Owen Archer tale,
By Susan K. Hughes "wordwright" (San Antonio, TX USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: A Gift of Sanctuary: The Sixth Owen Archer Mystery (Paperback)
This series is a wonderful one with vividly drawn and sympathetic characters, interesting plots, and plenty of intrigue. It's just a shame that the U.S. publisher does not keep up with Robb's U.K. publisher. I'm such a big Candace Robb fan, I order her books from Amazon.com.uk and am presently completing The Cross-Legged Knight--the eighth in the series, in case anyone wants to pick it up used before U.S. publication.
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