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lisaebetz's review
4.0
The second in the Owen Archer mystery series. Some time has passed since the first book. Owen is enjoying his apprenticeship as an apothecary, but he still owes allegiance to the Archbishop which propels him, reluctantly, into solving another murder. The fact that he has doubts about his abilities as a detective makes hims a more likable sleuth.
The author does a good job of fleshing out the 14th century world in which Owen lives. Some of the motivations seem awfully modern, but perhaps people haven't really changed all that much.
The author does a good job of fleshing out the 14th century world in which Owen lives. Some of the motivations seem awfully modern, but perhaps people haven't really changed all that much.
lauraellis's review
4.0
The second in the medieval series about Owen Archer and his wife the apothecary Lucie Wilton. In this one, Owen is trying to “unravel” the murder of a wool merchant, and its connection to the murder of another member of the wool merchant’s guild, while his boss the Archbishop is tangling with Alice Perrers, the mistress of the aging Edward III. The author goes to pains to be as historically accurate. It’s a nice and enjoyable portrayal of medieval life—and its women.
grayduck's review against another edition
Reviewed 8/6/2007
I picked this book up, on a whim, from the browsing section of the library. I have not read many mysteries - but I was intrigued by this one. I wondered what a Medieval Murder Mystery would be like. I've got my qualms about historical fiction in which the characters have mysteriously modern sensibilites for medieval people (I've griped about this often in the last few years - The Canterbury Papers comes to mind) so I was concerned that I was just getting myself into another situation in which I'd be disillusioned and unhappy with the book.
I never really felt like I was getting a medieval literary experience with this book. But that wasn't a bad thing at all - it was completely enjoyable. The book begins from the perspective of a young boy who works for an acting troupe on Corpus Christi. He witnesses a murder (a murder most foul!) and so begins our story. Owen Archer is a retired soldier who would rather be working in his wife's apocathery shop...but he has unfortunately gained the trust of the Archbishop Thoresby, who puts him in charge of the investigation into the murder (most foul!).
It wasn't hard to figure out who were the bad guys in this mystery, but it didn't become apparent to me WHY the murder (most foul!) happened. I enjoyed the relationship between Owen and his wife, Lucie; Owen and Thoresby; Lucie and her friend Bess; and hoping that Jasper (the boy who goes into hiding after witnessing the murder...most foul) makes it out of the fray in one piece.
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. This is the second in the series - I didn't know that when I picked it up. Apparently the first book, Apothecary Rose, introduces how Owen and Lucie get together, as well as goes into how Owen wound up in the service of the Archbishop. I enjoyed these relationships - I wish I'd have read the first book before picking this one up. And I hope the author writes more!
I picked this book up, on a whim, from the browsing section of the library. I have not read many mysteries - but I was intrigued by this one. I wondered what a Medieval Murder Mystery would be like. I've got my qualms about historical fiction in which the characters have mysteriously modern sensibilites for medieval people (I've griped about this often in the last few years - The Canterbury Papers comes to mind) so I was concerned that I was just getting myself into another situation in which I'd be disillusioned and unhappy with the book.
I never really felt like I was getting a medieval literary experience with this book. But that wasn't a bad thing at all - it was completely enjoyable. The book begins from the perspective of a young boy who works for an acting troupe on Corpus Christi. He witnesses a murder (a murder most foul!) and so begins our story. Owen Archer is a retired soldier who would rather be working in his wife's apocathery shop...but he has unfortunately gained the trust of the Archbishop Thoresby, who puts him in charge of the investigation into the murder (most foul!).
It wasn't hard to figure out who were the bad guys in this mystery, but it didn't become apparent to me WHY the murder (most foul!) happened. I enjoyed the relationship between Owen and his wife, Lucie; Owen and Thoresby; Lucie and her friend Bess; and hoping that Jasper (the boy who goes into hiding after witnessing the murder...most foul) makes it out of the fray in one piece.
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. This is the second in the series - I didn't know that when I picked it up. Apparently the first book, Apothecary Rose, introduces how Owen and Lucie get together, as well as goes into how Owen wound up in the service of the Archbishop. I enjoyed these relationships - I wish I'd have read the first book before picking this one up. And I hope the author writes more!
vesper1931's review against another edition
4.0
1365 York and the day of the Corpus Christi procession. A man is killed and a young boy is a witness who now is in danger. Then there is another death. Archbishop Thorseby instructs Captain Archer to investigate.
Another enjoyable well-written mystery in this series
Another enjoyable well-written mystery in this series
laurion's review
4.0
This was a reread. I'm rereading much of the series in anticipation of getting to the last few books I never read when I got them.
bjerz's review
5.0
I love finding little gems like The Lady Chapel at my neighborhood library's annual book sale, for 50 cents! What a great read. Fascinating, engaging, engrossing, full of well rounded, believable characters, The Lady Chapel is a delight. I look forward to reading more of the Owen Archer series!
mfred's review
4.0
I picked this up on a free books shelf at a friend's house and after finishing it, I ran out and got all of the Owen Archer books.
This book is entertaining for the suspenseful plot, natch, but also engrossing for the great characters and vivid setting. Robb does an amazing job of bringing medieval England to life.
This book is entertaining for the suspenseful plot, natch, but also engrossing for the great characters and vivid setting. Robb does an amazing job of bringing medieval England to life.
nick_borrelli's review against another edition
5.0
Another great entry. More people should be reading these books. I used to think that Ellis Peters wss the gold-standard in the medieval mystery genre, but Candace Robb is making me question that after the first two books in the Owen Archer series. Simply wonderful.
mimsy42's review
3.0
Nice medieval mystery with enough political complexity to keep it interesting and a slightly flawed hero worth another look in the other books in the series.
julieputty's review
Writing that alternates flat and clumsy. Glaring plot holes that no one seems eager to fill. There just isn't anything here to keep me involved.