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Owen Archer #16
A Lion's Ransom
Who stole the king's coronation gift? Owen encounters murder, secrets and spies as he attempts to recover a missing gold lion.
'A standout . . . Robb reinforces her place among the top writers of medieval historicals' - Publishers Weekly Starred Review
York, 1377. Owen Archer is called upon when a lion created by the goldsmiths of York as a gift for King Richard’s coronation is stolen.
A CITY’S ROAR.
The missing lion isn’t the only thing causing outrage in the city. Rumours of merchant spies passing on information to the French and Spanish persist. And then a body is spotted floating in the river . . .
TO CATCH A THIEF . . .
Is there a connection between the theft of the lion and the drowned man? The murder of a suspected spy raises further questions. Are the thief and a ferocious killer the same person? Owen’s quest for answers leads him to uncover passion, betrayal, fiercely guarded secrets . . . and to one of the most powerful men in the land.
A page-turning, intricately plotted medieval mystery from a master storyteller, perfect for fans of PAUL DOHERTY, ELLIS PETERS and C.J. SANSOM.
'A standout . . . Robb reinforces her place among the top writers of medieval historicals' - Publishers Weekly Starred Review
York, 1377. Owen Archer is called upon when a lion created by the goldsmiths of York as a gift for King Richard’s coronation is stolen.
A CITY’S ROAR.
The missing lion isn’t the only thing causing outrage in the city. Rumours of merchant spies passing on information to the French and Spanish persist. And then a body is spotted floating in the river . . .
TO CATCH A THIEF . . .
Is there a connection between the theft of the lion and the drowned man? The murder of a suspected spy raises further questions. Are the thief and a ferocious killer the same person? Owen’s quest for answers leads him to uncover passion, betrayal, fiercely guarded secrets . . . and to one of the most powerful men in the land.
A page-turning, intricately plotted medieval mystery from a master storyteller, perfect for fans of PAUL DOHERTY, ELLIS PETERS and C.J. SANSOM.
- GenresHistorical Mystery
252 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 6, 2026
54 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Candace Robb
48 books511 followersStoryteller, 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
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 14, 2026
York is astir!
Its 1377. Captain Owen Archer is called to a robbery. The goldsmiths of York had decided to gift the new King Richard with a golden rampant Lion. Gold smelted down from collected gold coins, designed and created by their guild members.
Now the Lion is missing!
The goldsmith, Gold master Harrigan, the current master of the guild whose job it was to finish the article, had neglected Owen’s instructions to store the object in the treasury where it would be guarded. And now, disaster!
The quest for the troublesome golden lion will lead to the death of an artist, the finding of a body in river, intrigue, and other associated problems, including the Duke of Lancaster, the Fleming merchants, and reaches back to the Castilian fleet.
Owen finds himself going from one crisis to another in his investigations.
Another great Owen Archer read!
A Severn House ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Its 1377. Captain Owen Archer is called to a robbery. The goldsmiths of York had decided to gift the new King Richard with a golden rampant Lion. Gold smelted down from collected gold coins, designed and created by their guild members.
Now the Lion is missing!
The goldsmith, Gold master Harrigan, the current master of the guild whose job it was to finish the article, had neglected Owen’s instructions to store the object in the treasury where it would be guarded. And now, disaster!
The quest for the troublesome golden lion will lead to the death of an artist, the finding of a body in river, intrigue, and other associated problems, including the Duke of Lancaster, the Fleming merchants, and reaches back to the Castilian fleet.
Owen finds himself going from one crisis to another in his investigations.
Another great Owen Archer read!
A Severn House ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
January 10, 2026
Owen Archer, Captain of the Guards for the city of York in 1377, takes his responsibilities seriously. But his duties to his family, his city, AND to be the eyes and ears in the North of Princess Joan, the mother of the new and very young King Richard II, often pull him in multiple, conflicting, directions.
And that’s certainly true in this latest entry in the long-running series, even though Archer’s part of the story takes place entirely in York and the surrounding area. At least he gets to sleep in his own bed at night – when he gets to sleep at all.
This mystery begins not with a dead body, but with a missing one. Not a human body, but the solid gold body of a lion, made by the goldsmiths’ guild of York, intended to be a gift for the newly crowned king.
The golden lion was supposed to be under lock and key. It was supposed to be safe. But the Guildmaster didn’t take nearly as many precautions as he promised Archer that he would, so an enterprising thief managed to steal the lion while the Guildmaster and his apprentices were distracted by a party that should never have been held so close to such an obvious prize.
While it’s all the master goldsmith’s fault, and he’s going to end up paying for that fault in multiple ways, that doesn’t stop pressure from being placed on Archer to find the golden lion before it’s gone – out of reach either by simple geography or smelted down for its valuable metal.
But that theft is not the only case weighing down on Archer. His wife and daughter found a dead body floating in the river, with obvious signs that the victim had been helped to his demise. In the process of tracking down the victim’s identity and the cause of his death, another man is brutally tortured and murdered. The second death might be linked to the first, or to the theft – but one or both might be linked to rising tension among the merchants’ guild as calamity at sea has followed in the wake of the jostling for power at court. The coastline on which England depends for her livelihood isn’t as secure as it was under the old king, and too many enemies are aware of that fact.
Which leads, by multiple routes, to the true source of Archer’s unease. “Woe to the country whose king is a child,” or so goes the proverb. There is chaos at court as the old king’s remaining sons and supporters scrabble for power under a new, young king who is immature and easily influenced. None yet know it, but the infighting between John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster, and Sir John Neville, Baron of Raby, set the first pieces on the board for the family feud that history would refer to as the “Wars of the Roses”.
While that conflict is a century in Archer’s future, in his present he is forced to reckon with Neville’s growing power and influence on the young king, as one of the victims in the mystery that Archer has to solve was a spy, a thief, and Neville’s bastard son. Information that Archer will have to tell the man and pray that his family and his city survive the wrath of a powerful noble with growing influence on the king and the kingdom they both serve.
Escape Rating A: One of the things I love about the Owen Archer series is the place that it is set. York is one of those places where, if you listen carefully, you can hear history walking beside you. While the history that one feels today is the life of Archer’s own time, it’s also true that in the series, Archer and the other characters are very aware of their own histories, as well as the foment and ferment of the time in which they themselves walk.
(I know parts of the above sound a bit fanciful, but it feels right to me all the same. Particularly as I read the first book in this series, The Apothecary Rose, on a trip to York many moons ago.)
Because this story isn’t just about Archer’s present. As has been true in the past couple of books in the series, A Fox in the Fold and A Snake in the Barley, this story manages to solve its mysteries, hint at the future in the growing tensions at court and the (as it turns out correct) fears about the immaturity and outright petulance of the new king, and take a much deeper dive into the personal past of one its long-running characters, Archer’s friend Martin Wirthur. A man who has kept his secrets close to his vest for decades – because those secrets tell a much different – and considerably more villainous – story than the one that Wirthur has presented to his friend.
A Lion’s Ransom is Wirthur’s redemption story, and it works even though the reader never gets the full picture of his sins. We don’t need to and neither does Archer. But Wirthur’s attempt to do as much good as he can in what remains of his life allows the reader to see parts of the city where Archer is not welcome, gives the reader an intimate view of Archer and his wife’s Lucie’s home life with their children, AND provides a surprisingly neat bow for tying off this portion of what likely become Sir John Neville’s growing part of the political story in which this series is set.
Which is also the other thing I love about this series. The way that, while the mysteries may be local, the wider world has a huge influence on the overall story and that the series allows us to see those events from the perspective of the people upon whom the fallout will fall. It’s not about the court, but it clearly shows how chaos and power grabs at court affect the lives of people we can identify with and empathize with.
I always love returning to Archer’s York, and this particular entry in the series had me from the opening. The combination of Archer’s investigation, his running himself ragged to keep all the investigations in motion, AND his fears for his friends and family in the midst of local unrest, along with the missives from court giving him yet more to worry about in the future, made for a very tasty, and absolutely compelling, brew of a story.
I can’t wait to see what trouble comes for Archer in his next investigation – hopefully this time next year.
Originally published at Reading Reality
And that’s certainly true in this latest entry in the long-running series, even though Archer’s part of the story takes place entirely in York and the surrounding area. At least he gets to sleep in his own bed at night – when he gets to sleep at all.
This mystery begins not with a dead body, but with a missing one. Not a human body, but the solid gold body of a lion, made by the goldsmiths’ guild of York, intended to be a gift for the newly crowned king.
The golden lion was supposed to be under lock and key. It was supposed to be safe. But the Guildmaster didn’t take nearly as many precautions as he promised Archer that he would, so an enterprising thief managed to steal the lion while the Guildmaster and his apprentices were distracted by a party that should never have been held so close to such an obvious prize.
While it’s all the master goldsmith’s fault, and he’s going to end up paying for that fault in multiple ways, that doesn’t stop pressure from being placed on Archer to find the golden lion before it’s gone – out of reach either by simple geography or smelted down for its valuable metal.
But that theft is not the only case weighing down on Archer. His wife and daughter found a dead body floating in the river, with obvious signs that the victim had been helped to his demise. In the process of tracking down the victim’s identity and the cause of his death, another man is brutally tortured and murdered. The second death might be linked to the first, or to the theft – but one or both might be linked to rising tension among the merchants’ guild as calamity at sea has followed in the wake of the jostling for power at court. The coastline on which England depends for her livelihood isn’t as secure as it was under the old king, and too many enemies are aware of that fact.
Which leads, by multiple routes, to the true source of Archer’s unease. “Woe to the country whose king is a child,” or so goes the proverb. There is chaos at court as the old king’s remaining sons and supporters scrabble for power under a new, young king who is immature and easily influenced. None yet know it, but the infighting between John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster, and Sir John Neville, Baron of Raby, set the first pieces on the board for the family feud that history would refer to as the “Wars of the Roses”.
While that conflict is a century in Archer’s future, in his present he is forced to reckon with Neville’s growing power and influence on the young king, as one of the victims in the mystery that Archer has to solve was a spy, a thief, and Neville’s bastard son. Information that Archer will have to tell the man and pray that his family and his city survive the wrath of a powerful noble with growing influence on the king and the kingdom they both serve.
Escape Rating A: One of the things I love about the Owen Archer series is the place that it is set. York is one of those places where, if you listen carefully, you can hear history walking beside you. While the history that one feels today is the life of Archer’s own time, it’s also true that in the series, Archer and the other characters are very aware of their own histories, as well as the foment and ferment of the time in which they themselves walk.
(I know parts of the above sound a bit fanciful, but it feels right to me all the same. Particularly as I read the first book in this series, The Apothecary Rose, on a trip to York many moons ago.)
Because this story isn’t just about Archer’s present. As has been true in the past couple of books in the series, A Fox in the Fold and A Snake in the Barley, this story manages to solve its mysteries, hint at the future in the growing tensions at court and the (as it turns out correct) fears about the immaturity and outright petulance of the new king, and take a much deeper dive into the personal past of one its long-running characters, Archer’s friend Martin Wirthur. A man who has kept his secrets close to his vest for decades – because those secrets tell a much different – and considerably more villainous – story than the one that Wirthur has presented to his friend.
A Lion’s Ransom is Wirthur’s redemption story, and it works even though the reader never gets the full picture of his sins. We don’t need to and neither does Archer. But Wirthur’s attempt to do as much good as he can in what remains of his life allows the reader to see parts of the city where Archer is not welcome, gives the reader an intimate view of Archer and his wife’s Lucie’s home life with their children, AND provides a surprisingly neat bow for tying off this portion of what likely become Sir John Neville’s growing part of the political story in which this series is set.
Which is also the other thing I love about this series. The way that, while the mysteries may be local, the wider world has a huge influence on the overall story and that the series allows us to see those events from the perspective of the people upon whom the fallout will fall. It’s not about the court, but it clearly shows how chaos and power grabs at court affect the lives of people we can identify with and empathize with.
I always love returning to Archer’s York, and this particular entry in the series had me from the opening. The combination of Archer’s investigation, his running himself ragged to keep all the investigations in motion, AND his fears for his friends and family in the midst of local unrest, along with the missives from court giving him yet more to worry about in the future, made for a very tasty, and absolutely compelling, brew of a story.
I can’t wait to see what trouble comes for Archer in his next investigation – hopefully this time next year.
Originally published at Reading Reality
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I thank NetGalley and Severn House for an advance reader copy of A Lion’s Ransom. All opinions and comments are my own.
Author Candace Robb’s latest Owen Archer medieval mystery is a study in the whys and wherefores of politics and more as the child-king Richard II begins his reign, and those around him flight and maneuver for power and prestige. Given that some of that prestige involves a priceless gift to the king that’s gone missing in his hometown of York, it’s no wonder that Captain Archer has his hands full negotiating shady characters and entitled nobles who broke no opposition in A Lion’s Ransom, sixteenth in the ever-entertaining series.
And never mind thievery, what about the rumors of French and Spanish spies? It’s enough to make one turn tail and disappear from town, but our man is made of sterner stuff. Good thing, because there’s also murder in the mix. The plot twists and turns to bring these elements together, highlighted by a detailed study of medieval people and places.
There’s jealousy, and hatred, and threats that Owen must contend with, even as he watches over his family and friends to keep them safe. In the end, the truth is ferreted out, and choices are made. Secrets are hidden and uncovered, as our author sets up and offers clues for readers to think about and decipher, alongside her protagonist. Readers will enjoy matching wits with Captain Archer as he embarks on another fast-paced and compelling tale in A Lion’s Ransom.
Author Candace Robb’s latest Owen Archer medieval mystery is a study in the whys and wherefores of politics and more as the child-king Richard II begins his reign, and those around him flight and maneuver for power and prestige. Given that some of that prestige involves a priceless gift to the king that’s gone missing in his hometown of York, it’s no wonder that Captain Archer has his hands full negotiating shady characters and entitled nobles who broke no opposition in A Lion’s Ransom, sixteenth in the ever-entertaining series.
And never mind thievery, what about the rumors of French and Spanish spies? It’s enough to make one turn tail and disappear from town, but our man is made of sterner stuff. Good thing, because there’s also murder in the mix. The plot twists and turns to bring these elements together, highlighted by a detailed study of medieval people and places.
There’s jealousy, and hatred, and threats that Owen must contend with, even as he watches over his family and friends to keep them safe. In the end, the truth is ferreted out, and choices are made. Secrets are hidden and uncovered, as our author sets up and offers clues for readers to think about and decipher, alongside her protagonist. Readers will enjoy matching wits with Captain Archer as he embarks on another fast-paced and compelling tale in A Lion’s Ransom.
January 15, 2026
I have read the Owen Archer series from the beginning and this latest instalment is a worthy addition. Why do I love it so much?
The characters are all well rounded, even minor actors have personality. The tales are set in a period of history that has not been overdone (think Tudor, not another one!).
You are not bogged down in too much explanation of the political aura of the time - just enough to flavour the story. And, not least, I know well York and the surrounding area - I can see the 14th century streets as I read. I’ve actually visited the remains of Sheriff Hutton castle.
To anyone reading this as a standalone, go find the others in the series, you won’t regret it
The characters are all well rounded, even minor actors have personality. The tales are set in a period of history that has not been overdone (think Tudor, not another one!).
You are not bogged down in too much explanation of the political aura of the time - just enough to flavour the story. And, not least, I know well York and the surrounding area - I can see the 14th century streets as I read. I’ve actually visited the remains of Sheriff Hutton castle.
To anyone reading this as a standalone, go find the others in the series, you won’t regret it
December 10, 2025
1377 The Goldsmith Guild decided to craft a golden lion to gift to the new king but it is stolen when it is not kept safe. But this mistake is not the only problem that Owen Archer has to deal with. There are rumours of spies in the area, and several deaths to also investigate. Is there aconnection between all the events.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its cast of likeable and interesting characters. Another good addition to this very enjoyable series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its cast of likeable and interesting characters. Another good addition to this very enjoyable series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 11, 2026
The author paints a vivid picture of 14th century York and the political tensions of the time. Owen Archer has different mysteries to solve - the theft of a gold statue, a few murders, finding spies and traitors - and the author does an excellent job bringing together all of the threads. This is the latest in a long-running series, but I believe can be enjoyed by someone new to reading Candace Robb's books, although the development of recurring characters and their relationships is one of the strengths in all of the books. Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for the eARC.
October 28, 2025
Another great story in the Owen Archer series. I have loved them all. This one is set, as usual in York and revolves around the theft of a golden lion, created by the goldsmiths for King Richard's coronation.
There are numerous plots interwoven in and around the main one, which add to the overall intrigue. I love the depiction of 12C York and the mix of social and political history surrounding the main issue of the golden lion. Such a good read!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC
There are numerous plots interwoven in and around the main one, which add to the overall intrigue. I love the depiction of 12C York and the mix of social and political history surrounding the main issue of the golden lion. Such a good read!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC
December 22, 2025
A new Owen Archer story. A precious golden lion is stolen and Owen Archer has to investigate. Along the way he encounters various people with a motive to steal it. Filled with familiar characters from previous books and some new people, this is a wonderfully evocative story. You can almost feel the rain and the tiredness of the people. Thoroughly recommended. With thanks to the author, Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Lion's Ransom by Candace Robb wasn't for me. It perhaps should've been called "Petty People." This book was work to get through, I did not care about the characters or the consequences if the protagonist failed to solve the mystery, and did not feel transported into a different time. I volunteered to read this because it was compared to Sansom's Shardlake books, this is not accurate.
January 11, 2026
Love this series
I look forward to a new c.s.robb books. I love the characters in this series but I did have a little bit of trouble keeping up with the newer characters. Maybe it's because it's been a while since the last book but I had some trouble with who was who. Nevertheless I enjoyed
I look forward to a new c.s.robb books. I love the characters in this series but I did have a little bit of trouble keeping up with the newer characters. Maybe it's because it's been a while since the last book but I had some trouble with who was who. Nevertheless I enjoyed
November 29, 2025
Another outstanding addition to the Owen Archer series by Candace Robb. Each book in the series is stellar, and this is no exception. The character development is perfect and she carries readers along with the ongoing lives of the various recurring characters. It was good to meet up once again with Martin Wirthir, a favourite of mine, although alas minus Ambrose - another favourite. This is historical fiction at its absolute best, and I look forward to the next in the series.
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book, in return for an unbiased review.
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book, in return for an unbiased review.
October 17, 2025
Lion’s Ransom is the sixteenth book in the series by Candace Robb that features
Owen and his family. This series never gets old. The new young king has been appointed and it is a time of change, yet change never stops murder. Owen and his men, and friends and family work to find the murderer before another one happens. You don’t have to read the first to enjoy the book, but if you have the time I would suggest you start at the beginning to see the relationships grow.
Owen and his family. This series never gets old. The new young king has been appointed and it is a time of change, yet change never stops murder. Owen and his men, and friends and family work to find the murderer before another one happens. You don’t have to read the first to enjoy the book, but if you have the time I would suggest you start at the beginning to see the relationships grow.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews