What do you think?
Rate this book
Gareth & Gwen Medieval Mysteries #10
The Favored Son
November 1147. Gareth and Gwen have again been called to a castle belonging to Robert, Earl of Gloucester, this time by Prince Henry, who insists his uncle was murdered. Allying with Normans doesn't come easily to Gareth and Gwen, but initial doubts are swept aside as more losses come to light. Because Robert's death has upended the balance of power in England, friends and foes alike have a vested interest in keeping the truth from coming out, and it is up to Gareth and Gwen to stop the killer before he claims another victim--and maybe a country.
The Favored Son is the tenth Gareth & Gwen Medieval Mystery.
The Favored Son is the tenth Gareth & Gwen Medieval Mystery.
345 pages, ebook
Published January 21, 2018
166 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Woodbury
168 books758 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 22, 2024
An enjoyable story - until Cadwaladr turned up! However, I pushed through my dislike of him and enjoyed the ending of the story and the solution to the crimes. Very good.
July 1, 2024
The Favored Son is the tenth book in the Gareth and Gwen Medieval Mystery series.
This time, Gareth and Gwen and the small group of knights known as the Dragons which Gareth heads are out of Wales and away from King Owain and Prince Hywell and their masters at the court of Gwynedd for the entire book. Instead, they are at Bristol Castle in England where they have been summoned by Prince Henry of England, son of the Empress Maud, to investigate the death of his uncle, Robert, Earl of Gloucester. The Earl was Empress Maud’s strongest supporter in her contest with her cousin Stephen for the throne of England.
Prince Henry thinks someone hurried his uncle, who had been ill for a long time to an unnaturally early grave, and has requested Gareth and Gwen’s assistance to prove his theory and discover who was responsible. Henry’s cousin, William, who is to replace his father as Earl of Gloucester is not at Bristol when the two Welsh sleuths arrive, but he does not think there was any unnatural assistance in the death of his father.
They discover right away that one of the reasons for Henry’s suspicions is that two of the Earl’s closest servants died shortly after he did. Then, before they are even done talking to Henry, word comes that the castle steward, Sir Aubrey, has been killed by a stone falling from the castle battlement.
More people turn up dead over the next couple of days. Gareth and Gwen, assisted by their adopted sons, Llelo and Dai, and Prince Henry’s bastard half-brother, Hamelin, discover a couple more bodies. Llelo is involved particularly deeply in this investigation, especially since, Gareth gets corralled into some sort of meeting of all the English lords in the area where he meets the new Earl William, newly returned from visiting his other castle. Shockingly, King Owain’s renegade brother, Cadwalader, turns up at this meeting too. Nobody trusts him, but he doesn’t get caught doing anything this time. In fact, he is unaccountably friendly to Gareth, which is just creepy.
The investigators discover a lot of reasons for the various murders, including spying, a possible love affair, gambling debts, and so on. The death that was presumed to be a suicide turns out not to have been a death at all, and this person swears that Earl Robert was not murdered at all. Prince Henry admits his error, and he and his cousin William are reconciled. I’d say everything ends up well, but the meeting of the lords was to decide what they wanted to do about attacking King Stephen. And Cadwalader is still about; no telling what that means for the peace of the land.
This time, Gareth and Gwen and the small group of knights known as the Dragons which Gareth heads are out of Wales and away from King Owain and Prince Hywell and their masters at the court of Gwynedd for the entire book. Instead, they are at Bristol Castle in England where they have been summoned by Prince Henry of England, son of the Empress Maud, to investigate the death of his uncle, Robert, Earl of Gloucester. The Earl was Empress Maud’s strongest supporter in her contest with her cousin Stephen for the throne of England.
Prince Henry thinks someone hurried his uncle, who had been ill for a long time to an unnaturally early grave, and has requested Gareth and Gwen’s assistance to prove his theory and discover who was responsible. Henry’s cousin, William, who is to replace his father as Earl of Gloucester is not at Bristol when the two Welsh sleuths arrive, but he does not think there was any unnatural assistance in the death of his father.
They discover right away that one of the reasons for Henry’s suspicions is that two of the Earl’s closest servants died shortly after he did. Then, before they are even done talking to Henry, word comes that the castle steward, Sir Aubrey, has been killed by a stone falling from the castle battlement.
More people turn up dead over the next couple of days. Gareth and Gwen, assisted by their adopted sons, Llelo and Dai, and Prince Henry’s bastard half-brother, Hamelin, discover a couple more bodies. Llelo is involved particularly deeply in this investigation, especially since, Gareth gets corralled into some sort of meeting of all the English lords in the area where he meets the new Earl William, newly returned from visiting his other castle. Shockingly, King Owain’s renegade brother, Cadwalader, turns up at this meeting too. Nobody trusts him, but he doesn’t get caught doing anything this time. In fact, he is unaccountably friendly to Gareth, which is just creepy.
The investigators discover a lot of reasons for the various murders, including spying, a possible love affair, gambling debts, and so on. The death that was presumed to be a suicide turns out not to have been a death at all, and this person swears that Earl Robert was not murdered at all. Prince Henry admits his error, and he and his cousin William are reconciled. I’d say everything ends up well, but the meeting of the lords was to decide what they wanted to do about attacking King Stephen. And Cadwalader is still about; no telling what that means for the peace of the land.
October 25, 2018
Gareth and Gwen are invited to Bristol castle by Prince Henry who is sure his uncle, Robert of Gloucester, has been murdered. So this book puts them well outside their comfort zone as the Welsh are generally looked down upon by the Normans, and even by the Saxons, and they do have something of a mixed reception.
Over the course of the book we see more of their growing adopted sons Llelo and Dai, and of 'The Dragons' who have accompanied them and, like the proverbial bad penny, Cadwaladr turns up.
As the mystery unfolds it is interesting to see the future Henry 2nd; at this point still at war with his cousin Stephen as the agreement that he would ascend to the throne on Stephen's death had not yet been made.
All in all this series continues to be eminently readable and is, unlike many long series, not losing its edge or becoming predictable or dull.
Over the course of the book we see more of their growing adopted sons Llelo and Dai, and of 'The Dragons' who have accompanied them and, like the proverbial bad penny, Cadwaladr turns up.
As the mystery unfolds it is interesting to see the future Henry 2nd; at this point still at war with his cousin Stephen as the agreement that he would ascend to the throne on Stephen's death had not yet been made.
All in all this series continues to be eminently readable and is, unlike many long series, not losing its edge or becoming predictable or dull.
June 9, 2018
I generally enjoy these Gwen and Gareth novels a lot (5 stars) , but this one left me a bit cold. I felt there were long stretches where not much happened. This may be due to Woodbury’s increasing tendency to allocate a separate chapter to each of a number of characters.
This worked fine when it was two perspectives. We now get it from upwards of 6-7 characters, some of who are pretty peripheral. And, the time it takes to set up each new character means less plot movement.
It almost seems that the author is setting up spin-off books.
It was still a good book, just not on a par with previous ones.
This worked fine when it was two perspectives. We now get it from upwards of 6-7 characters, some of who are pretty peripheral. And, the time it takes to set up each new character means less plot movement.
It almost seems that the author is setting up spin-off books.
It was still a good book, just not on a par with previous ones.
October 10, 2021
If it weren't for the poor editing, I might have given this book at 5. I loved it. Mostly I loved that other characters are taking a greater part of the story. Gareth and Gwen are still central but his story gives a greater role to their adopted sons, Llalo and Dai, as well as to the members of the newly-formed Dragons, a group of soldier-spies. They don't do much spying but they provide some more meat on the bone for this series. This book adds more of the English history which was interesting. And the plotting was well done.
February 2, 2018
Excellent
U always enjoy a Sarah Woodbury book, and this is no exception. Gwen and Gareth and their growing family enter into another investigation in not one, or two, but five murders....or are they murders? Set in medieval England during the bitter time of King Stephens reign. The story opens right after Robert if Gloucester 's death, and moves at a rapid pace.
Do yourself a favor and dive into this series with book one. You won't regretvur!
U always enjoy a Sarah Woodbury book, and this is no exception. Gwen and Gareth and their growing family enter into another investigation in not one, or two, but five murders....or are they murders? Set in medieval England during the bitter time of King Stephens reign. The story opens right after Robert if Gloucester 's death, and moves at a rapid pace.
Do yourself a favor and dive into this series with book one. You won't regretvur!
March 31, 2025
Gareth and Gwen along with their children the Dragons and Angharad have come to Bristol Castle at the behest of Prince Henry, who believes his uncle, Robert, Earl of Gloucester, was murdered. As they investigate, there is another death, thought to be murder. And they begin to find the English more hospitable than they had originally believed. There are two more murders and a treasonous plot discovered before all becomes clear.
July 9, 2018
I am never disappointed in her books. She takes history and makes it alive with well drawn characters, vivid interaction and a good mystery. once again she brings back a hated character, who weaves through this series and leaves us wondering what he is up to this time, knowing it will be trouble. I can't wait for the next book.
March 20, 2021
November 1147. Gareth and Gwen have been called to Bristol Castle by Prince Henry, son of the Empress Maud. As he believes his half uncle Robert, Earl of Gloucester was murdered. Then within a couple of days his valet and wife died. On their arrival the steward has now been killed.
Another entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its group of likeable characters. A good addition to the series
Another entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its group of likeable characters. A good addition to the series
Read
February 20, 2026Another Good One
They are back over the border in this one. We are watching them lose their ( understandable) Welsh discomfort with Normans and getting more insights into the Stephen/Maud war. Llamo and Dan are coming into their own and the Dragons have some good character development. Plus, a great, unexpected ending! Great fun.
They are back over the border in this one. We are watching them lose their ( understandable) Welsh discomfort with Normans and getting more insights into the Stephen/Maud war. Llamo and Dan are coming into their own and the Dragons have some good character development. Plus, a great, unexpected ending! Great fun.
February 1, 2018
History brought to life
I know I'm biased and believe Sarah Woodbury is the best story teller in this genre. You fall in love with her character's, and the settings for the tales. How well did I enjoy this book? All I can say is, is the next one ready?
I know I'm biased and believe Sarah Woodbury is the best story teller in this genre. You fall in love with her character's, and the settings for the tales. How well did I enjoy this book? All I can say is, is the next one ready?
October 3, 2018
A Favorite Author , never fails .
Having read several of Sarah Woodbury:s novels , I have invariably enjoyed her work.
Gareth and Gwen novels are favorites of mine and getting more attractive every time as their family increases
.
Having read several of Sarah Woodbury:s novels , I have invariably enjoyed her work.
Gareth and Gwen novels are favorites of mine and getting more attractive every time as their family increases
.
June 16, 2018
Excellent read
I love alI of Sarah's books. I feel a closeness to Gareth, Gwen & their family. I feel like I'm right there with them! Thanks Sarah! U R an incredible author.
I love alI of Sarah's books. I feel a closeness to Gareth, Gwen & their family. I feel like I'm right there with them! Thanks Sarah! U R an incredible author.
January 25, 2019
Complicated, with a rip roaring ending.
July 5, 2019
Better and Better
Read this series. It just gets better and better...I am addicted...on to book 11! I cannot wait and it will be hard to wait for #12!
Read this series. It just gets better and better...I am addicted...on to book 11! I cannot wait and it will be hard to wait for #12!
January 26, 2020
I like this series. And I intend to reread the whole series in one go, to prepare me for the next book in the series.
March 31, 2023
I liked the expanding roles of the other characters. This book had the feel of actual history threading through the fiction. Its amazing what a downward spiral the villain was on.
May 7, 2024
A very good murder mystery with our familiar dective duo plus a new addition. All this in a location that was unexpected.
May 3, 2020
Still enjoying this series and dreading its end!
October 8, 2023
I have always enjoyed the Gwen and Gareth mysteries. The characterization is good, the mystery is engaging and the history is fascinating.
March 28, 2018
Loved this new addition to the series, what made it even better was the fact that there were chapters from many different characters points of view which allowed for a better understanding of them.
September 15, 2024
Another fascinating Gwen and Gareth mystery.
December 22, 2025
Embellished history but really interesting mixing of history and imagination.
February 3, 2018
Invited to Bristol castle to investigate suspicious deaths in the household of the Earl of Gloucester, Gareth and Gwen find themselves having to deal with the English again, both Norman and Saxon. Prince Henry (later to be King Henry ll) has called for their help when he fears the earl's death was not natural, especially as his valet and maid both died a few days later. Things get complicated when more bodies appear after the arrival of the Welsh contingent. Nursing a new baby, Gwen isn't as active in this book as usual, but her eldest foster son, Llelo has a chance to shine. Gareth leads the investigation but finds himself in the difficult position of having to be polite to Cadwaladr (responsible for killing Prince Rhun in an earlier book).
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews