Reviews

The Apothecary Rose by Candace Robb

rojo25's review against another edition

3.0

First, the writer’s knowledge and writing of the period is outstanding. As far as a mystery? Not a good one.

carbonaden's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

maryrobinson's review against another edition

3.0

The first entry in a historical mystery series set in Medieval England. This was a great set-up, involving characters from the church elite and royalty, with a master archer and young woman apprenticed to her apothecary husband playing detectives. Good writing, great characterization.

winters's review

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

1.0

bojnberry's review against another edition

http://bojnberry.ca/~berry/blog/?p=360[return][return]Updated the link, and copied the text here...[return][return][return]The Apothecary Rose is a mystery set in 1300s England, York to be exact. It follows our hero, a half blind ex-archer who is employed by the Archbishop of Canterbury to discover why and how one of his wards had died. There was foul play afoot, and Archer has to discover it, as well as gain the trust of the female apothecary that he is using as a front.[return][return]This book was interesting enough. It was a bit light of substance, for instance I did not really get the feeling that the action was taking place in medieval times from the interactions of the characters, and I felt that most of the characters were one dimensional, and used only as plot devices.[return][return]That being said, I read the book in one sitting. The scenery was very well done, and did give a sense of place and time, and the pacing as the end of the book approached picked up nicely. The climax came a bit early, though, leaving a bit of an awkward denouement. This was probably to help set up the next book (which I have beside me, The Lady Chapel), but still, Ms. Robb could have saved it for then.

jenaly's review against another edition

5.0

I really liked this book and am anxious to read more of the series! Good mystery plot woven into the medieval historical setting. I like how the author presents a story that transports the reader back 700 years but bridges to modern understanding. In other words, just enough historical flavoring without confusing me! Highly recommended for those who enjoy the historical mystery genre.

gmdacunha's review against another edition

mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

michelleful's review against another edition

4.0

Pretty good medieval mystery with an interesting protagonist. My only real beef with it is that the whodunnit is a bit weak as it turns out that

Spoiler

the murderer in question was obviously the person responsible from the start, without there being any real possible competing candidates

. Owen also had quite a bit of help from various parties being unexpectedly willing to cooperate with him, which I thought diminished my sense of his competence. Still, it was pretty interesting - I've always liked medieval mysteries - and will be looking for the second.

lisaebetz's review against another edition

5.0

What does a welsh archer do when he loses an eye and no longer trusts his ability as a soldier? He volunteers to look into a mysterious murder which might be more complicated than it first appears.
This is the first in the Owen Archer series, set in England during the turbulent reign of Edward III. After losing his eye, Owen is trying to reinvent himself, but at the same time he must navigate sticky political realities as his old liege dies and he must choose who to serve.
And on top of it all, he might be falling in love...

walking_reader's review against another edition

2.0

Romanzo senza infamia e senza lode: l'ho trovato piacevole ma speravo di poter essere maggiormente immersa nell'ambientazione medievale, mentre purtroppo ci sono poche descrizioni di ambienti, usi e costumi dell'epoca. La storia in sé è anche simpatica, si indaga sulla morte del pupillo dell'arcivescovo, ma non ho trovato un gran coinvolgimento; non so se proseguirò con la lettura degli altri romanzi che compongono la serie.