A Gift of Sanctuary

Owen Archer #6

by Candace Robb

Medieval spy Owen Archer and his companion, Geoffrey Chaucer, join a pilgrimage to the Welsh cathedral of St. David's to inspect the Duke of Lancaster's fortifications against the threat of a French invasion and uncover a mystery involving treason, a mysterious disappearance, and murder. 10,000 first printing.

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

303 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1998

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 very exciting and captivating mediaevel mystery is the 6th volume of the wonderful "Owen Archer" series, from the US author, Candace Robb.

Storytelling is once more of a superb quality, all characters, whether they are real historical or great fictional, are very lifelike and believable, and they come all splendidly to life within this fantastic mystery of murder and mayhem, and the surroundings of St David and Cydweli in South-Wales, where this story is situated, come beautifully off the pages.

At the beginning of the book you'll find well-drawn maps of South-Wales, with places like St David and Cydweli, with surrounding areas and other places in the 14th Century, as well as a very informative Glossary.

At the back you'll notice an Author's Note with great historical details, and these are wonderfully documented and explained by the author.

The book is set in the Spring of the year AD 1370, and we find Owen Archer and the King's man (spy), Geoffrey Chaucer, in South-Wales to investigate rumours of treason within the household of the Steward, John Lascelles.

Also in their company are Owen's father-in-law, Sir Robert, and Brother Michaelo from York, both on pilgrimage to St David and other places in a bid to seek forgiveness for past sins.

What is to come is a very intriguing mediaeval mystery, in which Owen Archer and Geoffrey Chaucer are brought into a web of deceit within the household of John Lascelles, the Duke of Lancaster's Steward, and while investigating the betrayal to King Edward III within a tide of tension and murder, they will have to use their wits and cunning to answer the important questions that will reach them, ending with a very entertaining plot in which they will be able to solve this mystery of treachery and murder resulting in the catching of the culprit.

Very much recommended, for this is another superb addition to this great series, with a really nice touch being the reunion between Owen and his youngest brother, Morgan, and his wife, Elen, and the peace and rest for Lucie's father, Sir Robert, and not to forget the famous Welsh Bard, Dafydd ap Gwilym, and because of all these wonderful ingredients I like to call this episode: "A Very Intriguing Welsh Archer Outing"!

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I missed Lucie in this telling. Even Owen seemed to have a reduced role whilst Chaucer seemed to flounder. I definitely did not enjoy this book as much as others in the series. No spoilers, just self minders = Owen finally has opportunity to visit family in Wales.

[dOnnabud · Rating 5 out of 5]

I dig learning historical facts, especially about day-to-day living conditions and social mores, while being tantalized by fascinating mysteries I feel compelled to (attempt to) resolve. Candace Robb's stories are consistently captivating, and this Owen Archer mystery carries on her vibrant tradition of diving deep into passions and politics, society and religion; this time it's 1370, in Wales (land of my ancestors)! Geoffrey Chaucer and Dafydd ap Gwilym (one of the most notable Medieval Welsh poets) are prominent in this tale.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read the prior Owen Archer books and enjoyed them. I was happy to read a number of the reviews of "A Gift of Sanctuary" in which reviewers found the novel has too many characters, a very convoluted plot, and a mystery they didn't care much about. Until I read these reviews, I thought it was me, but it turns out it's not me, it's "A Gift of Sanctuary." I always enjoyed the series for it's historical glimpse into the 14th century and the character of Owen Archer, his family, and close associates. This book provided a bit of Archer's back story, but it was so deeply immersed in Wales and Welsh culture, it was impenetrable and very difficult to follow. Even the addition of Geoffrey Chaucer as one of Archer's companions on this journey to Wales didn't really make it more interesting. The cast of characters was huge, difficult to know as individuals, and their Welsh names universally impossible to pronounce. The plot twisted around all those characters and made next to no sense to the modern reader who didn't share the socio-political sensibilities of 14th century England and Wales and France. It was a hard read, and if I hadn't enjoyed all the previous books, I don't think I'd read another. I have hope that soon things will return to fascinating normal with Archer.

[J.J. Rusz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Candace Robb’s medieval mysteries are always admirable history, and “A Gift of Sanctuary” is no exception. In it, she gives readers a detailed look at politics, religion, and life in fourteenth-century Wales. Owen Archer comes home after several decades in the service of English kings and prelates.

But I found this mystery impenetrable: too many characters and actions pulling in different directions and just a few of them interesting enough to care about. I wouldn’t have finished the book without the Kindle’s search function. There are satisfying moments in the novel, but solving its mystery is not one of them.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book as much as the others in the series. The plot was too convoluted for me to follow, and there were too many characters. As a result, I wasn’t terribly interested in the story. The next in the series looks to be more of the same, so perhaps I am done with Owen Archer, at least for now. It’s a shame, Robb is a good writer and her series characters are likeable.

[Gareld Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another enjoyable book in this series. While missing some of the usual characters (wife - Lucie, the tavern owner and her husband, ward - Jasper, the archbishop), the new characters and the additional insights into Sir Robert, Geoffrey Chaucer, and Martin, the Flemish spy, were well done and appreciated. Owen Archer is now on business in Wales for his first trip home in many years. He hopes to track down all of the family members he has lost track of and also take his father-in-law on a pilgrimage to St. David's before he dies. One body is found, and another severely injured man is found who is suspected to be the first man's murderer. Different people in the story learn different pieces of this puzzling mystery. It becomes Owen's job to track down all of the appropriate pieces and tie collect all of the information to solve the murder. Well done!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not in York this time, Owen goes back to his native Wales and of course, finds mysteries to solve.

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

While it definitely doesn't rank as the worst book I've ever read (or tried to read) A Gift of Sanctuary violates one of my personal "rules" for what makes a mystery good/great. It's a blatant case of too many cooks spoiling the broth. There are a multitude of characters connected to the mystery of a man's death, all of whom have their own agendas. One in particular seems to have no motive for his involvement other than causing discomfort for the local nobility.

Because of all of the people/agendas/motives the waters are so completely muddied that the solution hardly seems like one at all. It seems more like a cop-out.

[NuNu · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my sixth Owen Archer book and the first where I found myself totally disappointed. The characters you have come to know in the first five books are missing and yhere are so many new characters introduced that it was hard to keep track. Hopefully #7 will return with some of the usual characters and a more enjoyable mystery.

[Darcey Tomasino · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to follow

Had this come with some background prior to the story, it would have been more enjoyable. I had trouble with all the new characters and often wondered what the point was. I did enjoy the references to the Canterbury tales.

[Debra Bottelberghe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed

I typically am intrigued by the Owen Archer books but without Lucie, the children and the apothecary shop, I found this book exhausting. Trying to keep all of the names straight was impossible.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually love these historic novels, including others of this series.
This one had too many characters that I felt I should be able to remember and be able to place historically, it made it too complicated for my ADHD brain to keep track of who was who and distracted from the story.

[Veronica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although well written with a good plot, the complex names kept me confused as to who was who. There was also a flat dull tone to the plot that made this story more difficult to read.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

love that the author chose to include Chaucer in the tale.

[Diana Bustamante · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy this series but this one was a bit of a slog. I found that I couldn’t get interested nor did I understand what was happening. I abandoned it with slightly over 100 pages to go.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this novel, Owen and company are traveling to Wales on a Pilgrimage and a "Pilgrimage." They fully intend to worship at a sacred pool, but are going to do a little spying on the way... However, their plans are interrupted when their contact turns up dead. Owen has a reputation, now, and is requested by the authorities to solve the man's death.
Owen confronts treachery, beautiful women, and an internal struggle in his quest to solve his contact's death.
It was nice to get to know more of Owen in this book. He came into York in the first novel fairly mysteriously, and readers never got to know him better until now. We meet some of his family, an old frenemy, and witness his internal struggle between his love for his family and his desire for his Homeland to be free.
The mystery in this novel was well-done, as is consistent with Candace M Robb, and readers won't want for any excitement or plot twists. I very much enjoyed this novel and eagerly await Owen's next adventure.
Read my full review at samiamreadingandreviewing.wordpress.com.

[Jazzysmum · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this the 6th offering in the Owen Archer series, Owen is far from home in Yorkshire and has returned to his homeland Wales.
There is a small accompanying group that we have met before; Sir Robert -Owen's father in law, Bro Michealo, the Archbishop of York's secretary and Geoffrey Chaucer - the 14th century author of the "Canterbury Tales."

This book contained lot of "extra" characters and storylines, who's point of view and the author's need to tell - for me confused the story. I found myself skipping bits - Especially the Welsh poet Dyfdd- who's travels/ storyline I felt detracted from the story rather than, add to it.
Too many characters and subplots which while adding to the story as a whole just made the story plod.

No Lucie, the Archbishop or the Taverners in this one.

[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.

[Sarah Niebuhr Rubin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvelous continuation of Owen Archer’s story, taking the reader home with him to Wales, bringing his skills and allegiances with him, but pining just right for his wife and children. And even here, far from home and those who would ask him to solve a crime, Owen’s skill precedes him, and he is drawn into doing just that.

I love everything about this, but perhaps most the way Owen grapples internally with his uncertainty, being so long from Wales and being back, being home and the chance to see family and yet being far from the home and new family he has made. Beautifully written.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Exceptionally confusing book in this normally good series. The Welsh names, and the history were killers -- especially without the Xray feature for Kindle. I had to continually do a search on the names, some of which were exceedingly similar. Unfortunately when you are reading a series, you have to keep going with it because inevitably something important to the character happens in the book. This was no exception. I plan on continuing with the series unless this becomes a regular thing.

[Leslie Conner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so informative of the Middle Ages, life, culture, politics, religion and law. A Gift is Sanctuary is an intriguing adventure with a difficult mystery, old and new characters, Welsh landscape, family and hardships. It includes quite a cast of well developed supporting roles. Candace Robb is such a talented storyteller weaving in historical details to inform her readers. I’m impressed with her skill and lively tales.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating historical fiction set York, England in the late 1300's. The Black Death has mostly passed, though it makes a recurrence in this installment and the confusing politics of church and state take center stage, as well as medicine as was practiced by apothecaries.

The plots are a fascinating mix, the character absorbing. A great series. On to the next...

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1370 Owen Archer and Geoffrey Chaucer are sent to St. David's in Wales by the Duke of Lancaster. To recruit archers, inspect fortifications and investigate, John Lascelles, the Duke's steward. But a body discovered causes complications.
An enjoyable historical mystery with a large cast of characters.

[India · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was not as interesting to me. I am halfway through the book and it has been mostly conversation and very little mystery. I really liked The Nun's Tale so I know this author can be really good. This one just was not as interesting.

[Laura Mak · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant

Brilliantly written, engrossing unput downable. Thoroughly enjoyed it and especially the Welsh settings and people. Really recommend. Look forward to reading more about Owen Archer.

[Madge · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5

[K.L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spent in Wales, didn't enjoy it as much as the York based ones

[Marilyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Long winded, dull, convoluted and boring

[🌒JFosbookboss🌒]

Had to hang it up too slow…