I delitti della cattedrale

Owen Archer #7

by Candace Robb

Anno del Signore 1370. Un macabro delitto profana il santuario di St. David,nel Galles. Cynog - il miglior scalpellino della cattedrale - viene trovato impiccato a un albero del cimitero. Le sue mani, che sapevano dare vita alla pietra trasformandola in sculture meravigliose, giacciono ora inerti, una lungo il fianco, l'altra legata a un ramo con un nodo da marinaio. Gli indizi convergono su Piers, rivale in amore di Cynog. Ma il capitano Owen Archer, incaricato di far luce sul delitto, sospetta che dietro il movente passionale si celino ben più torbide trame politiche. Corre infatti voce che Cynog avesse legami con i ribelli che cospirano per preparare il ritorno del "Liberatore", il principe chiamato a cacciare gli inglesi dal Galles.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical, Medieval, Fiction, Crime

426 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Storyteller, mythweaver, author of the Owen Archer, Kate Clifford, & Margaret Kerr mysteries. Primary residence, medieval York.

I blog about writing, medieval history, writing women's stories, and feature new scholarship in my field at candacerobbbooks.com, and share loads of medieval news, folklore, and whimsy on my facebook page, Candace Robb

Reviews

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This enormous exciting medieval mystery is the 7th volume of the delightful "Owen Archer" series, from the wonderful author, Candace Robb.

Storytelling is of a top-notch quality, the warlike and treacherous atmosphere, places and surrounding landscapes of York, England, and St David's in South Wales come superbly off the pages, and all characters, whether they are real historical or well-developed fictional, come vividly to life within this tale of murder and mayhem.

At the beginning of the book you'll find well-drawn maps of York and St David's in the 14th Century, as well as a very informative Glossary.

At the back of the book you'll notice historical details concerning this eventful medieval mystery, and these are superbly documented and explained by the author within the Author's Note.

The book starts off with a prologue which is set in the year AD 1370, with doubts about life and love expressed by Cynog, the stonemason at St David's and of the tomb for Sir Robert, and the outspoken doubts are witnessed by his colleague, Ranulf de Hutton.

The story itself is divided into two main parts, with one being in St David's and surroundings in South Wales, where Owen Archer is manipulated by clerics during his investigation into the murder of Cynog, and the brothers Piers the Mariner and Captain Siencyn, and by the local militia with at their head a man named, Hywel, in an effort to convince him to join the quest and fight for a free Wales, all for the Redeemer, Owain Lawgoch, and during his investigations he's thwarted from different sides, but in the end he will be able to reveal the culprit(s) behind the murders, while at the same time he's being tormented with doubts about staying in Wales or going back to his wife, Lucie, and their children, Gwenliann and Hugh in York, but its love that will prevail in the end.

The other main part is in York and at the Manor at Freythorpe Hadden, where Lucie Wilton, Owen's wife, is tested to her limits, first by coming to terms with the death of her father, secondly the serious decline in health of her Aunt Phillippa, and thirdly the troubles and thefts at the Manor, due to a treacherous individual, and that will lead to more violence and various killings, before after a well worked out plot the major and minor culprit(s) will be caught and brought to justice by the Archbishop John Thoresby.

Very much recommended, this is so far in style the best in the series for me, a fast-paced and intriguing thrilling mystery, and to do this episode justice I like to call it: "A Most Formidable (Owen & Lucie) Combined Enterprise"!

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

maybe I am now done with this series as nothing compels me to follow further down the Owen/Lucie road

[Raven Haired Girl]

Robb provides plenty of Welsh history, Owen explores his roots as he makes a pilgrimage to Wales ultimately causing quite a stir.

Robb shines in her well developed characterization. You sense the anguish and concern as characters are challenged by loyalty. Robb penetrates her casts thoughts and feelings, raw emotions giving dimensionality, as they question inner turmoil. I liked the tension in the relationship of Owen and Lucie, made this more than a mystery, especially with the familiarity of the characters with each installment. The plot is a maze of dramatic twists, roadblocks unearthed at every turn, intrigue keeping your interest. The plot merges with sub plots involving the main characters, in the end it falls together wonderfully. Robb's endings always tease just enough to make way for the next in this well crafted series.

Visit Raven Haired Girl for more reviews & giveaways

[MBP · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't think this was up to the high standard of the previous books in this series. Well-researched as always, with maps and an author's note at the end, but slower paced. I agree with previous reviewers that it's also darker, but I think the series has been moving in that direction for a while now, and I like that. And (speaking of dark) I wished there was more of Archbishop Thoresby and Brother Michaelo; they've been developing in intriguing ways, and I think they should have their own book!

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Spy for the Redeemer is fast paced right from the beginning.
While Owen is away in Wales Lucie, his wife, is troubled by accusations made against her apothecary. Then she gets news that her father has dies. She goes to visit her aunt and fins troubling news. while visiting the manor is attacked. Lucie's friend and neighbor offers his steward to help out. The steward is very obviously attracted to Lucie and with Owen away from home Lucie faces temptation wile trying to figure out who is behind the attack.

[Marjorie Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book where Owen is still in Wales, but it also takes us back to York and Lucie’s life. Found this less confusing to follow than previous book, but I enjoy reading all of them. Great stories, wonderful interesting characters and the accurate history mixed is is a great bonus. Wonderful series.

[Morris-Ken Hines · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great finishing up the book before this one

I enjoyed this b took greatly learning about the rest of the troubles in St David's. I really liked all of the spying that went on in this book.

[Gareld Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A split story with Owen chasing down a murderer in Wales while wife Lucie tries to hold down the home front, and especially the family home as it is besieged by outlaws. There were a few points I didn't care for: Owen producing the critical clue, seemingly out of thin air, which cracked the case, and Lucie being so unsure of herself that she depends on handsome strangers and her young apprentice. I liked the history lesson on Wales and its politics. The author must have experienced dealing with a person developing dementia as her descriptions of Aunt Phillippa seemed spot-on. I am curious what the author was planning to do with Iolo as he seemed to get further integrated into Owen's story as it went along only to eventually be cast off, probably never to be heard from again. I am really enjoying this series and look forward to reading the next installment.

[Chequers · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ho ripreso in mano la Robb che non leggevo da anni, mi ricordo che non la consideravo all'altezza di Ellis Peters e la serie di Cadfael, ma comunque la ricordavo come una lettura piacevole.
Sono cambiata io? Che noia! Il periodo storico e' appena accennato, ci sono piu' personaggi del solito ma solo di contorno, la storia traballa...che peccato!

[Natalie J. Sadow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the history

I love to imagine how things were in days gone by and that’s part of these stories, along with intriguing mysteries that make me wonder whodunnit til the end.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm truly enjoying this series, although I entered into midway through, starting with book 6. Set during the time of Chaucer, Owen Archer is a former archer, who when blinded in one eye, became a steward to an Archbishop. His wife, Lucie, is an apothecary. In book six, Archer undertook a pilgrimage with his father-in-law to Wales, Archer's native country.

After completing his pilgrimage, including seeing a vision in the well, Archer's father-in-law dies. This book picks up there, with Archer still in Wales, and Lucie in England. Intrigues, spies, robbers, and the clergy all figure in this book. Well worth the read!

--
I reread this book after starting at the beginning of the series. Knowing more about the characters made the story even more engaging. If you enjoy the history of England and Wales, this book is well-worth reading!

[Argum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Owen is still in Wales, but this time Lucie gets alternate chapters. The man Owen commissioned to cut Sir Robert's tomb has been found hanged. The archdeacon thinks its something else and forces Owen into investigating. Soon more of the plotting of Owain are involved. Meanwhile someone has attacked Sir Robert's home apparently looking for something. Tildy is left in charge as Phillipa is getting a bit senile and can't be in charge in such circumstances. Not my favorite but better than the last

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Candace Robb's Owen Archer mysteries seem to be getting darker. Her characters are full of doubts. It's realistic if not pleasant. I didn't enjoy this one as much as some of her earlier books in the series.

In A Spy for the Redeemer we find Owen still in Wales questioning his own political/familial loyalty and assigned to find a murderer. Meanwhile, Lucie's back in York dealing with a teenager, an attack against her ancestral home, and doubts of her own.

[deni Tomgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read, live this series all the characters well formed, I enjoy the familiarity of York. The plot is intriguing and divided between lucie and Owen as they both share anxieties at being apart and suffering family loss, as well as solving mysteries and murders. Will have to seek more in the library as this is the last of the series in the house.

[Tex-49 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Conferma dell'impressione avuta nella lettura de "La rosa del farmacista": Candace Robb non è all'altezza di Ellis Peters, infatti non lo ritengo un thriller medioevale, in quanto come racconto avventuroso ambientato nel medioevo si può leggere piacevolmente, ma l'intreccio da giallo non mi ha soddisfatto per niente, non mi sembra un'indagine avvincente e ben architettata!

[Cyrenius H. Booth Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this historical mystery series. The plots alternate between a woman who runs and apothecary in 1370's York and the adventures of her love interest, a former soldier, now fixer for a powerful figure in the church. Some titles in the series are stronger than others, but overall, good reads, with a lot of well researched detail about the time period.

[Liisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much darker and deeper than the other stories in this series, it actually is the second in a two-parter that stretches from York all the way to St. David's in Wales. This is the first time Robb addresses the dual citizenship that Owen feels as a servant of Edward III and a Welshman.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1370 Owen Archer is instructed by Archdeacon Rokelyn of St. David's to find the murderer of the stonemason Cynog before he will be allowed to leave with his men. Meanwhile back in York, Lucy Wilton has her own troubles to contend with.
An enjoyable historical mystery

[ELzabeth Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

From start to finish the author never fails to keep the reader involved with the two 'adventures ' being played out. Luckily all worked out well! Each book keeps the reader fascinated from start to finish.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance, mystery, political intrigues, and adventure set in 1370 Wales and England.

[Janey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story, well told as always.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a different mystery being set in medieval times. A nice change of pace!

[🌒JFosbookboss🌒 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Half of this book is really good and binge worthy! The other half was pretty boring, so I found myself reading every other chapter in the second half of the book . When an author decides to center a series around a couple, it’s rather important that they stick to that formula. This was the second time a book in the series where the couple was dealing with separate crimes due to one traveling. So naturally the spouse with most of the usual supporting cast (which we have grown to know and like) swallowed my interest whole over their partner who crime surrounded random ppl I hadn’t heard much of no really cared about. I love that the author puts so much thought and energy into her characters, and even closes with a personal authors note explaining the decision to separate this couple again, and balancing the plot of two stories in separate locations. Plus always speaking as if they are real ppl and doing what is best for them! Love it!

[Andreas Schmidt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Un libro tutto sommato abbastanza noioso. Ambientazione medievale. La scrittrice ha chiaramente tendenze sdolcinate femminili, che rendono il testo piuttosto noioso, carico di inutili sentimentalismi, forse soltanto le donne in questo romanzo si comportano da vere donne (tant'è che un protagonista è donna). La struttura a capitoli è piuttosto insensata; non ho mai apprezzato i romanzi divisi in capitoli che hanno un titolo. Già la storia è frammentata, con i capitoli si divide in compartimenti stagni. Verso le ultime 50 pagine la frammentazione aumenta, l'autrice in questo caso vuole chiudere una decina di storie parallele, il problema è che lo fa in parti da una pagina ciascuna, rendendo ancora più noioso un finale noioso di per se.

[Libbie Harr · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this seventh book about Owen Archer and his family, Owen has been separated from Lucie for several months. The year is 1370 and he has been in Wales, the land of his birth. Owen has been forced by the local archdeacon to find the murderer of Cynog who was working on the tomb of Lucie's father. Villains and political loyalties are questioned. No one is to be trusted. Poor Lucie has problems of her own. She has been accused of giving the wrong medicines to an ungrateful gossip who becomes jaundiced. Lucie must also protect an aging aunt who has been caring for the estate of Lucie's late father. She also must find the villains who have set fire to the estate. Lots and lots of medieval history!

[Morgana LeFay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ho deciso, cosa mai fatta prima, di recensire insieme gli ultimi libri di questa serie. Il motivo è molto semplice: non ne posso più.
Per quanto brava, l’autrice mi ha esasperata, ha esaurito tutta la mia passione e pazienza di lettrice.
Basta, basta, basta!
Non se ne può più di questa storia trascinata fino allo spasmo.
Non sono casi distinti, come quelli di Hercule Poirot, qui è una telenovela infinita costellata di morti e casi sempre più improbabili e meno credibili.
Manca lo slancio, l’evoluzione dei personaggi, la fantasia creativa.
Molte parti dei libri sono descrizioni noiose e ridondanti, le scene d'azione hanno perso il loro effetto.
A un certo punto sembra che Candace Robb abbia scritto questi libri perché doveva scriverli e non perché voleva scriverli.
Li rileggerei? No.

[Alison Burnhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent series

If you like history this series will certainly tick all the boxes. Excellent characters that you care deeply about, their way of life in particular, and their adventures. Congratulations to the author on the thorough research to get the facts right, and yet entertain so completely.

[Luca Morandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carino, primo che leggo di questa autrice e mi è piaciuta la parte finale di analisi storica che ha spiegato i personaggi reali del libro e alcune situazioni che potrebbero essere realistiche.
La storia di per sé è abbastanza tranquilla, qualche colpetto di scena qua e là la rende leggibile.
Forse a mio parere il finale un filo affrettato

[Jena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book with a very intriguing beginning and interesting characters but the story just fell flat for me at the end. I guess I just didn't find the Welsh vs English tensions all that thrilling or flushed out.

[Katrin V · Rating 3 out of 5]

The historical plot was too convoluted. I would have been better off reading the author's note before I read the book. I think I have a blockage with Welsh names too, so probably muddled characters. Her historical details are very good, but this book was disappointing for me.