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Gareth & Gwen Medieval Mysteries #2
The Uninvited Guest
It is the winter of 1143 and all is not well in the court of Owain, King of north Wales. His future in-laws are untrustworthy, the Norman lords on his eastern border are restless, and among his wedding guests lurks a cold-blooded killer. Gareth and Gwen have marriage plans of their own, but their love will have to wait while the pair race to separate truth from lies, friends from foes, and unravel the mystery before King Owain—and his new bride—fall victim to their uninvited guest.
371 pages, ebook
First published February 18, 2012
365 people are currently reading
576 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Woodbury
162 books749 followersWith over a million books sold to date, Sarah Woodbury is the author of more than forty novels, all set in medieval Wales. Although an anthropologist by training, and then a full-time homeschooling mom for twenty years, she began writing fiction when the stories in her head overflowed and demanded that she let them out. While her ancestry is Welsh, she only visited Wales for the first time at university. She has been in love with the country, language, and people ever since. She even convinced her husband to give all four of their children Welsh names.
Sarah is a member of the Historical Authors Fiction Cooperative (HFAC), the Historical Novel Society, and Novelists, Inc. (NINC).
She makes her home in Oregon.
Sarah is a member of the Historical Authors Fiction Cooperative (HFAC), the Historical Novel Society, and Novelists, Inc. (NINC).
She makes her home in Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
February 7, 2013
Good mystery, wonderful characters. And now I have a crush on this fictional version of Hywel ap Owain Gwynedd :-)
November 17, 2024
On the eve of King Owain's wedding to Cristina, there is an assassination attempt thwarted by Gareth. It's up to this knight and his soon to be wife, Gwen, to figure the plot out as murder and vanishing suspects cause chaos in Aber.
Sometimes, sequels can feel forced and give a different feel than the first. Not so with this one! It builds on the world the author had built up in the first book and expands it. The characters are the ones we came to know before, and the mystery set before them is one that kept me guessing right to the end.
Gareth and Gwen work together perfectly in pursuing the murderer. They each have their strengths and weaknesses. They are eager to finally be married, but of course, murder and mayhem get in the way. Together, they weed out a traitor in King Owain's court. (Still not used to the majority of these names!)
This is a series for anyone who enjoys clean writing, medieval maids and knights, and a good mystery. The audio version is a lot of fun to listen to as well!
Sometimes, sequels can feel forced and give a different feel than the first. Not so with this one! It builds on the world the author had built up in the first book and expands it. The characters are the ones we came to know before, and the mystery set before them is one that kept me guessing right to the end.
Gareth and Gwen work together perfectly in pursuing the murderer. They each have their strengths and weaknesses. They are eager to finally be married, but of course, murder and mayhem get in the way. Together, they weed out a traitor in King Owain's court. (Still not used to the majority of these names!)
This is a series for anyone who enjoys clean writing, medieval maids and knights, and a good mystery. The audio version is a lot of fun to listen to as well!
August 30, 2024
If you like medieval mysteries, this is an excellent series filled with drama and intrigue. Garth and Gwen work to solve mysteries as a couple who eventually marry. Lots of twists and turns that still keep in mind the historical perspective. Harken’s back to the basics of crime scene investigation.
May 23, 2022
Another good mystery. I like how this series builds on the previous book. It has character development, friendships, alliances and growth of experiences through Life.
This mystery was an interesting continuation of this series. King Owain is about to be married but crimes and murder attempts curse the upcoming nuptials.
I enjoyed the different elements of this story and how they were revealed and came together. As the story advances and the characters grow on me, each book becomes more interesting
This mystery was an interesting continuation of this series. King Owain is about to be married but crimes and murder attempts curse the upcoming nuptials.
I enjoyed the different elements of this story and how they were revealed and came together. As the story advances and the characters grow on me, each book becomes more interesting
November 22, 2012
A Gwen & Gareth mystery. This one is more complicated yet, and keeps you guessing to the end. And there are two weddings amidst all of the treason and betrayals.
September 9, 2023
I'm usually not good at figuring out who the culprit is, but I guessed this one right away from the first page the character shows up, So there really wasn't much "mystery" in the book for me, because I spent most of it wondering how Gareth, Hywel, and Gwen could be so stupid because I felt like the answer was staring right in their faces, repeatedly.
Also, the whole thing felt super weird to me.
Also, the pacing feels way off.
I'll continue on to the next book, but if that one isn't any better, I can't see myself going on with the series.
Also, the whole thing felt super weird to me.
Also, the pacing feels way off.
I'll continue on to the next book, but if that one isn't any better, I can't see myself going on with the series.
March 27, 2020
Speaking of medieval mysteries...
This one takes place in roughly the same era as the Brother Cadfael mysteries. It would have been much harder for me to decipher the Norman side of their internal conflict without the combination of descriptions from bith series of books.
I prefer this one, though. For one thing, it's in Wales that the action occurs. For another, there is a woman who is doing the detecting here, not just men.
The story revolves around am attempted murder of the King, and on the heels of this, finding the dead body of a cousin of the king's fiance is found stuffed into a chest in a closet. Not long after that, a man is found in the tiled bath room (left over from the old Roman baths upon which the castle had been built), where a patch of water deliberately placed, caused him to fall & hit his head hard enough to kill him. Gwen & her fiance, a knight who serves the younger son of the king, work with that prince to unravel the mystery.
There are a lot of twists and turns in the plot before the threads are all brought together & a conclusion is reached. This happens in part becaise the problem is often not wjat answers are found, but what questions are being asked.
This is part of a series of 5 books woth these same protagonists, wjo, in parallel with the Brother Cadfael musteries, occur in early medieval times, but on the other side of the border.
This one takes place in roughly the same era as the Brother Cadfael mysteries. It would have been much harder for me to decipher the Norman side of their internal conflict without the combination of descriptions from bith series of books.
I prefer this one, though. For one thing, it's in Wales that the action occurs. For another, there is a woman who is doing the detecting here, not just men.
The story revolves around am attempted murder of the King, and on the heels of this, finding the dead body of a cousin of the king's fiance is found stuffed into a chest in a closet. Not long after that, a man is found in the tiled bath room (left over from the old Roman baths upon which the castle had been built), where a patch of water deliberately placed, caused him to fall & hit his head hard enough to kill him. Gwen & her fiance, a knight who serves the younger son of the king, work with that prince to unravel the mystery.
There are a lot of twists and turns in the plot before the threads are all brought together & a conclusion is reached. This happens in part becaise the problem is often not wjat answers are found, but what questions are being asked.
This is part of a series of 5 books woth these same protagonists, wjo, in parallel with the Brother Cadfael musteries, occur in early medieval times, but on the other side of the border.
September 10, 2017
Entertaining continuation of the series
I enjoyed the first story in this series, and this second one keeps up the standards! Not only does Ms Woodbury give us a rich cast of characters, we’re in a medieval castle in Wales for a royal wedding, with an attempted murder and two bodies found in unexpected places.
There’s enough detail to give us an impression of some aspects of life at the time, some which seem familiar and others pretty alien. We have the mystery of the murders being investigated and solved, with twists and turns along the way.
I listened to the Audible audiobook version, and thought the narrator made a decent job of the Welsh accents, which can’t be easy for someone not that familiar with them, and her pacing and “feeling” was spot-on.
I enjoyed the first story in this series, and this second one keeps up the standards! Not only does Ms Woodbury give us a rich cast of characters, we’re in a medieval castle in Wales for a royal wedding, with an attempted murder and two bodies found in unexpected places.
There’s enough detail to give us an impression of some aspects of life at the time, some which seem familiar and others pretty alien. We have the mystery of the murders being investigated and solved, with twists and turns along the way.
I listened to the Audible audiobook version, and thought the narrator made a decent job of the Welsh accents, which can’t be easy for someone not that familiar with them, and her pacing and “feeling” was spot-on.
March 9, 2019
This Grand Adventure did not disappoint! The twists and turns kept me enthralled and holding my breath.
Sarah Woodbury takes you back and opens up the Medieval world of Europe. Interesting, dangerous, and a wonderful place to visit, but I would not like to live there!
In my fantasy I think I could try for the love of a Noble Knight like Gareth, but alas I am no Gwen and I am sure to disappoint the Noble Knight.
I did get my HEA ending with the enchanting wedding of Gareth and Gwen. For some strange reason weddings make me cry, any and all. They can be complete strangers, and I still cry. And so it was a happy ending with happy tears.
Sarah Woodbury takes you back and opens up the Medieval world of Europe. Interesting, dangerous, and a wonderful place to visit, but I would not like to live there!
In my fantasy I think I could try for the love of a Noble Knight like Gareth, but alas I am no Gwen and I am sure to disappoint the Noble Knight.
I did get my HEA ending with the enchanting wedding of Gareth and Gwen. For some strange reason weddings make me cry, any and all. They can be complete strangers, and I still cry. And so it was a happy ending with happy tears.
January 7, 2025
In this second installment of the author's medieval mystery series, the knight Gareth, and the bard's daughter, Gwen, are once again working together to solve not one murder, but two, along with finding the man who tried to assassinate King Owain.
There is plenty of adventure with a plot infused with intrigue, and while the author interjects enough relevant detail to establish a medieval setting, the dialogue and character actions often project a certain modernity that dismisses the time period feeling.
There are more than a dozen books in this series and it will interesting to see how Gareth and Gwen will fare as a married sleuth team.
There is plenty of adventure with a plot infused with intrigue, and while the author interjects enough relevant detail to establish a medieval setting, the dialogue and character actions often project a certain modernity that dismisses the time period feeling.
There are more than a dozen books in this series and it will interesting to see how Gareth and Gwen will fare as a married sleuth team.
July 29, 2018
Twelfth century Wales is a lace of rivalries, extended families, political plots and chivalry. When the bodies start piling up the day before King Owain's wedding, Gareth & Gwen move into action. While Gareth follows a boy who tried to assassinate Owain, Gwen interviews everybody in the castle. As was true with the first book in this series, the denouement is less important than the search. The number of potential plotters is great and winter is cold in ales, but Gareth and Gwen prevail in time for their own wedding.
February 1, 2023
Given the complicated family relationships in Wales during this time period, I do recommend you read the first book in this series. Family weddings tend to be complicated and not everyone will be happy, especially between a King and his cousin.
What follows are murders seemingly without reason just before the wedding, After Garth and Gwen save the King from the first assassin on the eve of his wedding, they quickly figure out there is a deeper plot. So, Gwen and Garth begin digging into who is really behind both the murders and stopping the wedding.
What follows are murders seemingly without reason just before the wedding, After Garth and Gwen save the King from the first assassin on the eve of his wedding, they quickly figure out there is a deeper plot. So, Gwen and Garth begin digging into who is really behind both the murders and stopping the wedding.
March 10, 2025
Owain, King of Wales, is getting married to Cristina. During the feast the day before the wedding , a young man tries to stab Owain, but is prevented by Gareth. Cristina finds a servant dead in the bath house, and the next day, Cristina finds her wedding dress in tatters and when Gwen investigates the cries, discovers Endi, Cristina’s cousin and bridesmaid, dead in a trunk. Needless to say, Owain calls off the wedding so Hywel, Gareth and Gwen can investigate. In the course of the investigation, Gareth is almost killed, but the trio perseveres.
July 31, 2020
The Uninvited Guest
On the eve of the King's marriage to Cristina Gareth stops an assassin. But then two people are found murdered and Gareth and Gwen find themselves trying to solve the mystery.
Yet again Sarah Woodbury has written a book which is action packed from the start. The characters of Gareth and Gwen are stronger than in the first book, and the story is fast paced.
Highly recommended.
On the eve of the King's marriage to Cristina Gareth stops an assassin. But then two people are found murdered and Gareth and Gwen find themselves trying to solve the mystery.
Yet again Sarah Woodbury has written a book which is action packed from the start. The characters of Gareth and Gwen are stronger than in the first book, and the story is fast paced.
Highly recommended.
November 2, 2023
Better Than Now With a Lot Fewer Tools
I loved the characters of Gareth and Gwen. They were very memorable and smart using limited tools available to detectives in the medieval timeframe in which they were working.
It is a detective story, unusual because of the author's choice of the tenth and eleventh centuries when the tale occurred.
I noticed that Sarah Woodbury has a mastered the time period and has many books on the subject.
I gave this 5 stars.
I loved the characters of Gareth and Gwen. They were very memorable and smart using limited tools available to detectives in the medieval timeframe in which they were working.
It is a detective story, unusual because of the author's choice of the tenth and eleventh centuries when the tale occurred.
I noticed that Sarah Woodbury has a mastered the time period and has many books on the subject.
I gave this 5 stars.
March 16, 2025
Owain, King of north Wales and his bride-to-be are celebrating a feast on the night before their wedding, when the king is attacked by a knife-wielding assassin. Gareth foils the attempt but it becomes clear that this is part of a larger conspiracy. Gwen and Gareth eventually discover who is behind the plot and can finally go ahead with their own long-delayed wedding. I don’t think it was necessary for the author to harm Gareth so grievously in the course of the story.
March 29, 2025
I like the medieval Wales aspect of this series very much but as I have been listening them as audiobooks, the reader just puts me off so much that I can't continue. I'm not sure if it was due to her that this book seemed tedious. Somehow I just got bored with the people and the happenings.
It IS tedious to listen to someone who makes Welsh people sound like they're from India and also makes the characters seem childish and whimpering. Such a shame.
It IS tedious to listen to someone who makes Welsh people sound like they're from India and also makes the characters seem childish and whimpering. Such a shame.
May 25, 2018
Good follow up book. I like that there is a romantic relationship with main characters but that isn’t much of the story. Trysts and deceit (usual castle stuff) are written about so the author isn’t prude, but the writing is not sexual or even sensual or flowery, these are mysteries not romance novels.
April 20, 2022
Guest
I loved the action, mystery, and the love story that ms.Woodbury presented. It's everything I had hoped for in this series. And now comes book number three .....staring
me in the face...begging to be read. It is worth anyone's to take the time to read this series.....always/p griffith
I loved the action, mystery, and the love story that ms.Woodbury presented. It's everything I had hoped for in this series. And now comes book number three .....staring
me in the face...begging to be read. It is worth anyone's to take the time to read this series.....always/p griffith
November 3, 2022
I still very much enjoyed this author, the story flowed well and kept the reader guessing.
The characters are fun, I love their methods to solve crimes.
Gareth and Gwen are so lovely together and I am pleased they got their wedding.
Overall it did not take long to read and I would continue this series.
The characters are fun, I love their methods to solve crimes.
Gareth and Gwen are so lovely together and I am pleased they got their wedding.
Overall it did not take long to read and I would continue this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2023
Medieval mystery solvers
Love the characters that came back and some of the end hijinks. Lots to be said of actions and incentives in the courts if that day.
Romance level: kisses but this ain't about romance alone. This is a rich story with history, family, nobel and common, responsibility, murder mystery, and yes love too.
Love the characters that came back and some of the end hijinks. Lots to be said of actions and incentives in the courts if that day.
Romance level: kisses but this ain't about romance alone. This is a rich story with history, family, nobel and common, responsibility, murder mystery, and yes love too.
May 24, 2025
It was the night before King Owain's wedding day when a guest tried to stab him in the banquet hall. Gareth was able to stop the attempted murder just in time, and the would-be assassin put into jail. However, the same evening, a bridesmaid and a servant were both killed. The assassin escaped from his cell, and Gareth and Gwen determined to catch him and find out who was behind this treachery.
November 13, 2018
Really love this series of books, the mystery aspects of the story is done really well with clues revealed here and there, including a few red herrings. All the additional information about life in medieval Wales and England is amazing to learn.
June 7, 2018
Another wonderful story.
I have become a big fan of Sarah Woodbury and her stories of Gareth, Gwen and Hywel. I love the characters and setting. Her stories take you back into a time and opens up a world that time forgot. Great job Sarah.
I have become a big fan of Sarah Woodbury and her stories of Gareth, Gwen and Hywel. I love the characters and setting. Her stories take you back into a time and opens up a world that time forgot. Great job Sarah.
September 17, 2019
Great
This was a great clean story with a mixture of murder and intrigue. Sarah always writes great historical novels ! And her interviews on her website adds more depth to her stories.
This was a great clean story with a mixture of murder and intrigue. Sarah always writes great historical novels ! And her interviews on her website adds more depth to her stories.
July 21, 2020
This is a fun follow up to the previous book. It’s a nice easy read with a neat mystery to solve. Knowledge of medieval Wales is not necessary, but it would be a little helpful to understand the places and people mentioned.
July 22, 2020
Adventures abound!
Gwen & Gareth set out to solve mysteries that wrap you up in their intensity, intrigue & involvement. Fun and frequent twists and turns keep you riveted to the pages. Enjoy!
Gwen & Gareth set out to solve mysteries that wrap you up in their intensity, intrigue & involvement. Fun and frequent twists and turns keep you riveted to the pages. Enjoy!
July 15, 2021
Mystery, Murder and Marriage
Gareth and Gwen are once again pulled into a murder mystery. Will King Owain get married? Who is trying to kill him and why? Will Gareth live to attend *his* own wedding? Read to find out.
On to the next book in the series...
Gareth and Gwen are once again pulled into a murder mystery. Will King Owain get married? Who is trying to kill him and why? Will Gareth live to attend *his* own wedding? Read to find out.
On to the next book in the series...
August 10, 2022
Excellent sequel
I loved the first book of the sedries, , as well as the sample of this book..
Well crafted,, true to the period (the same time as the Brother Cadfael mysteries) and with a cinematic presentation.
I loved the first book of the sedries, , as well as the sample of this book..
Well crafted,, true to the period (the same time as the Brother Cadfael mysteries) and with a cinematic presentation.
October 11, 2022
I don't think I've ever read a book that has lesser sense of time and place than this one. With very little effort, the reader could place this story in any period in history. Which, by the way, is not a good thing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews