The Nun's Tale

Owen Archer #3

by Candace Robb

Spring 1366, Beverley, England--a ghostly pale young woman claims to be the resurrected Joanna Calverley, a nun who died of a fever some months before. It would be a matter for the Church alone, were it not for the murders that seem to follow in her wake.

Owen Archer finds the case a frusterating one. Dame Joanne is by turns cagey and hysterical, whiel always clutching her secrets tightly. And worse yet, the nun's keepers ask Owen's pregnant wife, Lucie, to use to healing skills on Joanna's behalf, placing the Archer family in gravest danger...
Spring 1366, Beverley, England--a ghostly pale young woman claims to be the resurrected Joanna Calverley, a nun who died of a fever some months before. It would be a matter for the Church alone, were it not for the murders that seem to follow in her wake.

Owen Archer finds the case a frusterating one. Dame Joanne is by turns cagey and hysterical, whiel always clutching her secrets tightly. And worse yet, the nun's keepers ask Owen's pregnant wife, Lucie, to use to healing skills on Joanna's behalf, placing the Archer family in gravest danger...

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

355 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

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

[Blaine DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Candace Robb's series about Owen Archer gets better with each book. Preliminary details of characters are now behind us and so Robb can concentrate on a very involved story line, and one that keeps us guessing throughout the book. This is the story who arrives wearing a blue mantle (cloak) that she insists was given to her for protection by Mary Magdalene? She insists she received this when she was buried alive almost 9 months prior to her return. Is she mentally disturbed, is she suffering a trauma, or was she really buried alive and did she rise from the dead thanks to Mary Magdalene?? Really well done, with a story that involves both Owen Archer and his, now pregnant wife and apothecary, Lucie. As Lucie seems to be the only person that our nun Joanna trusts, Owen is off trying to find mercenaries and people involved with Joanna's condition. Well written and a very interesting book, I find this book much better than her first two, more readable in my mind, and I am excited to read the remainder of this series, in which she has just published book #14!

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This amazing historical mystery is the 3rd volume of the wonderful "Owen Archer" series, which are set in and around York, England, from the author, Candace Robb.

At the beginning of the book you'll see a well-drawn map of 14th Century Owen Archer's York, and not to forget an informative Glossary.

At the book of the book you'll notice an Author's Note, where the historical details concerning this story are superbly documented and explained by the author.

Storytelling is of a wonderful quality, the characters, whether real historical or great fictional, come all vividly to life within this tale of mayhem, murder and incest, while the atmosphere of the times and people's superstitions and believes are all pictured in a very believable fashion.

The book starts off with a prologue, which is set in June, AD 1365, and in which one of our main characters, namely the nun, Dame Joanna, is acting strangely when nearing the house of a man called, Longford.

The main story starts in Late May, in the year AD 1366, almost a year later, and this same nun, Dame Joanna, reappears in York dishevelled and in some kind of madness, due to her deathly ordeals in this last year, but her words are so troublesome and confusing, so much so that Owen Archer is set to investigate this woman's story by his boss, the Archbishop of York, John Thoresby.

What is to come is an intriguing, psychological and emotional mystery, in which Owen Archer is sent to Beverley, Leeds and Scarborough to see and speak to family, the Percies, and others to find answers to happened to this Nun, and while digging for the truth, with the help of his wife, Lucie Wilton and Infirmarian, Brother Wulfstan, they will get to the bottom of the Dame Joanna's sad and violent life-story, and in the end the truth will be revealed in a very exciting plot and executed in a most wonderful and formidable fashion.

Very much recommended, for this is an excellent addition to this series, and what this episode is concerned I like to call it: "A Truly Fascinating Lethal Nun"!

[Diamond Cowboy · Rating 5 out of 5]

full review later.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do like this series as the history is on target. There was probably a bit more emotionally charged drama than I prefer, and since this is just the second book I've read from this older series, I will wait to decide if I will tackle all the books.

[Eustacia Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I said that I wanted to read the next Owen Archer book fairly soon, so I did! I have to say, though, The Nun’s Tale is the darkest book from Robb that I read so far!

Owen Archer should be at home with his wife, Lucie, as they prepare for the arrival of their first child. Unfortunately, a nun called Joanna claims to have been resurrected and given the cloak of the Virgin Mary. The cloak, while blue, is clearly new but the matter of Joanna’s supposed resurrection is disturbing and the trail of deaths that follow her even more so. Of course, Thoresby sends Owen to find the truth of the matter.

Like I mentioned at the start, this book is fairly disturbing. The truth of the matter is fairly shocking, but I think the darkest part of the book is Joanna’s character. Her exact mental state is unclear, but it’s clear that she is suffering from a mental illness of some kind. It’s pretty painful to see her suffer like this and the more I learned about her, the more I found her a pitiful character. I’ve always thought the Owen Archer mysteries were fairly realistic in how they dealt with the times but this was especially painful in its realism (at least, how realistic it felt!). A lot of Joanna’s character ties in with the resolution so I don’t dare to discuss too much in case I spoil the book, but let me know if you need a trigger warning, I’ll be happy to DM you them!

Since I read this fairly soon after The Lady Chapel, I managed to see how this book fit in with the previous books. Not only is Lucie pregnant, Thoresby’s feud with Alice Perrers also continues, albeit on a milder scale, and causes him to form alliances that will probably impact future books in the series. One alliance he forms is with the Duke of Lancaster, and I found that interesting because I read a biography of Katherine Swynford, his second wife, and know a little about what happened. It was also interesting to see Geoffrey Chaucer in the book too!

Overall, I found this to be a fascinating and dark murder mystery. While the books were never cosy mysteries, The Nun’s Tale definitely tackles a few difficult issues and I found this to be a very impactful read.

This review was first posted at Eustea Reads

[Leslie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked Robb's first two books in this series but this one was poorly crafted. The story was overly involved, repetitive, excessively grisly in detail, and unrewarding for those who stuck with it hoping it would have been worth it. I am sorry to leave the appealing Owen Archer and his wife Lucy in her company but will not be back soon!

[Laura Edwards · Rating 2 out of 5]

The nun's tale was a very convoluted tale. About halfway through I grew very bored with the book. I cared nothing for most of the characters, had little sympathy for Joanna and just wanted the whole thing to end, each revelation being more disgusting than the last. Did not enjoy this one much at all.

The only pluses were the writing style and the sense of time and place. But the story itself was awful, repetitious, confusing and plodding.

[〰️Beth〰️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a big fan of mystery books but I am loving this series. The attention to historical detail is great and the character development over the first three books is excellent for both the main and secondary characters.

[Shauna · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have read most of the books in this series. The cover calls it a medieval murder mystery but there is no whodunnit as such. The story revolves around a nun who fled her convent a year before and now returns, badly beaten and seemingly mad. I think the author wanted to write about the history and political machinations of the time as there is no actual murder, just a series of disappearances that may or may not be murder. I felt like giving up halfway through but kept hoping things would get better- they didn't.
If you are interested in that period in European history and are happy with the author's manipulation of facts to suit her interpretation of it( Geoffrey Chaucer makes an appearance in the book!) then you may enjoy it but those wanting a proper whodunnit will be disappointed.

[Raven Haired Girl]

Robb strikes again with another fabulous mystery in this series. Possessing a wicked edge, numerous twists and Robb's signature character development you will be enthralled. Robb's endings are always fulfilling, enough to stir anticipation for the next installment in this impressive series.

Familiar characters reappear, along with a few well-known historical figures such as John of Gaunt and Geoffrey Chaucer. Impeccable research along with a splattering of unknown information provides an educational experience in tandem with a wonderful reading journey.

Well crafted mystery series all will enjoy.

Visit Raven Haired Girl for more reviews & giveaways

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young nun reappears at her abbey insisting she has died and been resurrected so that she can return the relic she stole when she ran off the year before. Poor Owen, currently training archers for the king’s son, is dragged away from that work and his very pregnant wife Lucy to figure out what had really gone on.

Messier than the previous two, I had trouble tracking what was going on with frequent POV changes. There seems to be a lot of gratuitous violence here but perhaps it is absurd to suggest that in what is, after all, a murder mystery.

[Cindy Close · Rating 2 out of 5]

The nun in question seemed to be an afterthought through most of the book, with the author instead deciding to add new characters in almost every chapter of the book. I'm not a fan of that, so found it difficult to stay engaged in this one. I think I'll pass on this author's other books.
I was only going to give one star, but gave another simply for the character of Lucie. She was ahead of her time, and seemed the only reasonable character in this convoluted story.

[رواية · Rating 2 out of 5]

سنة 1365 هربت احدى الراهبات من دير و ذهبت إلى بيت احدهم
و لكن بعد فترة توفيت الراهبة و اختفى سيد المنزل
تدعي خادمة المنزل انها رأت شبح الراهبة
و بعد فترة تظهر الراهبة و يكون جسد أحد آخر في قبرها
يا ترى ما هي القصة
المشكلة كانت في التمطيط و الحشو الزائد في الرواية مما افقدني متعة القراءة

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

More medieval murder and mystery and very enjoyable it was too.

[P.D.R. Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Owen Archer novel. This one is a little irritating as the Nun spends all her time bleating that she doesn't know what happened and I felt like shaking her!

Another good complex plot, lively action, good pace and the usual characters. My one complaint is that the characters don't seem to grow and change from novel to novel as they would in real life! Often the trouble with a series.

Anyone enjoying Mediaeval mysteries will enjoy this novel, and for Owen Archer fans, it is a must read.

[Jae Berry · Rating 1 out of 5]

In short: awful. There is so much pointless dialogue in this book that when the characters start to speak I actually groan. Pages and pages of torturous, insipid dialogue is evidently the author’s sole idea for moving the story. The Owen Archer character and Lucie are well drawn but the idiotic nun, contrary to the book’s title, actually has no tale. This book is a sterling argument for the necessity of rewriting. Author would have been better off losing the nun and writing the story around Jasper. OMG save yourself and don’t buy this this.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reread.

Sometimes, as with the previous book, the politics or mystery gets a bit too labyrinthine. And a few too many 'fade to blacks' between the main couple for me, such that it became a refrain rather than a relationship definition element.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

By the end of this book, I was ready to throw the nun back in the grave myself.

[Art Enyedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Nun's Tale is the third tale in the Owen Archer series. It is set in 14th century England, during the reign of King Edward III. Owen Archer is a former archer, who was blinded in one eye and now has retired to a second career in the northern city of York. Officially, Owen Archer is an apprentice apothecarist, learning from his wife the herbs and plants used for healing. But Archer actually works as a henchman for John Thoresby, the Archbishop of York. When troubles arise, Thoresby sends Archer to investigate.

Troubling news has reached Archbishop Thoresby of York. Joanna Calverley, a nun from the Clementhorpe convent, claims to have arisen from her grave. She is cloaked a blue shawl - which Joanna claims is from the Virgin Mary. Joanna says that she was a sinner in her first life - she stole a relic, a bottle that contains the breast milk of the Virgin Mary, and now Joanna has been returned to life in order to return the stolen relic. Unfortunately, there is a the troubling matter of dead men that lie fallen in the wake of this resurrected woman. Fearing turmoil amongst the gullible populace, Thoresby calls on Archer, telling him to investigate the nun's claims, while also learn who killed the men.

Archer is not a willing troubleshooter. His wife, Lucie, is quite pregnant, and Archer wants to be around her during the last months of the pregnancy. But an archbishop is not to be defied, so soon Archer in on the case.

Joanna is ill and held in the infirmary in York. Because Lucie is an apothecarist, she is the closest thing medieval York has as a doctor, so Archer's wife is brought into the case of the resurrected nun. Indeed, Joanna seems willing only to talk to Lucie, not the monks and nuns of the infirmary. Not that Joanna's words make much sense. Much to Archer's frustration, Joanna talks in only the vaguest of term about people, places and times. Archer needs to track down murderers, and Joanna clearly lets on more than she will reveal. But when Archer presses for more information, Joanna will retreat into proclaiming mystical nonsense, or plead exhaustion.

Archer ends up following leads, and reluctantly finds himself drawn away from York and Lucie. Dead men are identified, the fate of missing men is discovered, and eventually he unravels the sequence of events, as violent men had attacked each other; and what Joanna's part was in all of these crimes.

This novel does a lot to develop the characters of the ongoing series - Owen Archer and Lucie, their adopted son Jasper, and Lucie's father, Sir Robert. Also some of Archer's companions from when he worked as a bowman in the King's service. We learn more about Archbishop Thorseby, and a few hints are given as to why he distrusts the new mistress of King Edward III so much.

I liked Robb's descriptions of life in medieval England. In the same vein as Peter's portrayal of England in the Brother Cadfael series, the Owen Archer books have a lot of details of how people lived and thought back then (visitors try to see Joanna in the infirmary, in the hopes of touching the blue shawl and receiving a miraculous cure.) What I didn't like so much was the endless evasions of Joanna. One of the characters, frustrated when talking to Joanna and receiving her non-answers, has the impulse to pick her up and shake the truth out of her. I entirely understood his impulse! But the series is strong enough that I hope to read the next book, The King's Bishop, in the series (which is now up to 14 books).

[Morgana LeFay · Rating 2 out of 5]

A dispetto delle recensioni positive che potrete trovare in rete su questo libro, la mia è una recensione che va controcorrente.
Può darsi che io sia una lettrice con aspettative molto alte, o forse una che non si sofferma alla superficie delle cose, ma ho percepito in questo terzo romanzo della serie un’enorme fatica nel progredire.
Al punto che, com’è accaduto ai tempi di Harry Potter, ho pensato seriamente che l’autrice fosse stanca e volesse abbandonare la saga ma per motivi editoriali non avesse potuto farlo. Ecco così un romanzo faticoso, lento, spesso troppo ingarbugliato.
Ed è un romanzo dove il protagonista Owen Archer non ha spazio, se non nell’ultimissima parte del libro. Uno spazio comunque marginale.
Per darvi un’idea, è come leggere un giallo di Poirot dove Poirot non risolve un bel nulla.
A chi è dato allora tutto lo spazio della narrazione?
A Lucie, la moglie di Owen, e Joanna, la folle suora non più vergine (a dire il vero è proprio una poco di buono) ladra di reliquie e cospiratrice di assassinii.
Per quanto l’autrice sia una studiosa di storia medievale, ho notato che si è presa un po’ troppe libertà nel voler creare queste donne “girl power”, troppo audaci e indipendenti per l’epoca.
Militano molto anche i personaggi secondari, rendendo sempre più paludosa la lettura.
La cosa veramente peggiore però è che si intuisce già nelle prime cinquanta pagine cos’è successo e per le restanti si aspetta un colpo di scena che non c’è per arrivare già a quello che si era capito.
Rileggerei questo libro? No.

[Sarah Hearn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Owen Archer and Lucie Wilton and I like how the author has described medieval York; she takes trouble with the history, which matters to me a lot, but I’ve read two in quick succession so I think I’ll lay off for a bit. I enjoy the writing and the characters but not to the point where I want to stay there with them indefinitely. Short, sharp bursts of Owen Archer and his ludicrous obsessions are enough for me.

This time, I found I was annoyed with Dame Joanna, the eponymous nun, and her prevarications and ersatz madness and by the end, I found I could believe anything about her and her “adventures” quite easily. I’m not a person that requires happy endings or lovable characters but I also don’t necessarily want to waste too much time with the unlovable. Joanna was a conniving bitch and I don’t buy that she was as crazy as she wanted everyone to believe. Maybe the author overdid that. I did like that Robb didn’t let anyone poo-poo Joanna’s belief in her blue mantle. Faith was strong back then and people were ready and willing to believe in the power of relics and the likelihood of their efficacy, as willing as they were to believe that mistletoe at the door of a bedroom would bring peaceful sleep or that powdered angelica root in the corners would drive away demons. That’s what I mean about getting the history right.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bewildering book but mostly because it follows a bewildering main character, one whom I would think had at least a narcissistic personality disorder of some sort, if not some complicating factors with it. Truly, I am with Owen on this one, it is only God Who keeps Lucie safe from a fallen nun surrounded by death and delusional, biolent, and fearful by turns.
Luci is pregnant with their first child in this tale, and even Magda seemsnto habe some misgivings about this fallen nun and the stress.on Lucie. Adding to the mix, the now reverend mother of the convent and school into which Lucie was sent as a very young girl after her mother's death, was once an older schoolmate of Lucie's, and not a pleasant one by any means...more a tattle tale and a bully. This shows the Peter Priciple oredared its being put into written form ("In any organization, a person will rise to the level of their incompetence"). Wulfstan is still the infirmarian, with a well trained successor named Henry, still polishing his skills a bit while he may. You see, Dame Joanna, the un-nun, isn't back in their convent but in St. Mary's guesthouse.
Owen has no choice but to follow the supposedly temporarily resurrected nun's scattered clues, as he has no others, but as always, his instincts are good and he soon manages to figure out enough of her twists and turns to ask someone more and sane enough questions to puzzle out a few leads and follow them.
If it is dizzying to read, it must have been more dizzying to write and piece together. Hars.off.to the author!.I am wondering how the author held it together enough to finish the book, but finish it she did.
I was unable to obtain a copy of the 2nd book from the library, so perhaps this one would have made a.tiny bit more sense had I been able to do so. But it does get all stitched together by the end. Still, it is like trying to repair a crazy quilt with no idea of the size it was originally, the fabrics used, etc. You get a reasonable facsimile, but you wonder if you missed any pieces, go over it, and still aren't sure. Definitely, and literally as well as figuratively, a psychological thriller.

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

14th century, York, England. A nun runs away from a convent, gets sick at the home of a relic dealer, is given last rites and buried. A year later, she shows up dirty, smelling of decay, clearly mentally ill, and wearing a blue mantel she claims was given to her by the Virgin Mary. Something smells rotten, and it isn't just her. Owen Archer, ex-soldier and sometimes reluctant spy for the Archbishop, is called upon to figure out what the heck is going on. Historically, there actually was a nun in 1318 who ran away and faked her own death (although this novel is set a few decades later). Unfortunately, I was able to figure out early on what the nun's great sinful secret was and got a little impatient waiting for Owen and his wife to figure it out. While the novel was loaded with real people and real events, all the inter-relationships and intrigue could get confusing without a play card.

[Gareld Butler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting mystery set in 14th century England. The main characters are Owen Archer, a former archer turned detective now that he lost an eye when attacked by someone he was trying to arrest, and his wife, Lucie, an apothecary in York. Between the two of them they must solve a series of murders associated with a nun who left the convent and is apparently the cause of the murders, if not the murderer herself. Unfortunately, she is almost completely out of her head and not much help in their search for the murderers. This book moves along at a leisurely pace but provides an interesting historical perspective on the politics (including religious politics) and people of the era. The solution was satisfying, and I like the characters of Owen and Lucie. I look forward to more books in this series.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book in the Owen Archer series and I find myself thoroughly attached to Owen and Lucie. Their understated relationship is the highlight of these stories.

This is quite a dark book, with Joanna’s story being very tragic. In the author’s note she explains that an entry in the history of a nunnery inspired the story. As always, I think she does a great job interweaving actual history with fictional characters and events and as a whole I am really enjoying this series.

I am not entirely sold on the story in here, but I still enjoyed the experience and I just find the characters so believable! I also think that these types of medieval mystery make great escapism. There is something cosy about them, even when, like this one, the stories can be quite disturbing.

I am looking forward to reading the next one, though I am not quite sure yet when that will be.

[Jazzysmum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of murders and a mysterious nun are the problems that confront Owen Archer, former Captain of Archers for the Duke of Lancaster and his apothecary wife Lucie Wilton.

The Nun's Tale from the title proves to be one of blood, mental problems and old and broken alliances.
It is hard to decipher what this tale is from the truths and half truths that are spoken by said nun.
Lucie takes a front role in this web and it is good to see her more into a central position, using her skills and knowledge.
Owen is not pleased at this, as Lucie is pregnant, - a dangerous thing in the 13-14th century, but Lucie knows how much she can endure. As Owen finds out - his wife is made of stern stuff.

A great read with old friend characters and some new ones.
Highly recommended for those who like and enjoy this genre.

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am hoping this is just a hiccup in what is normally a very good series. I did finish it, so it was reasonably good and I like the main characters, Owen and Lucie, and I like the premise of Owen being an investigator, past archer for the kingdom, and apprentice apothecary to his wife Lucie. Add in the fact that it's a historical mystery and it shows a time that I knew little to nothing about.
This one had so many twists and turns and a character that had me wanting to smack her upside the cranium she was so horrid and spoiled.
The political machinations were exhausting and the plot a bit convoluted but I kept reading because I have faith in the author. I will keep reading the series as I find the books.

[Becks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 3rd in the series, each one is slightly better. Main characters Owen, Lucie, Bess, Archbishop Thorseby, continue to be developed. I can say this book moves a bit faster than the first two, with a more intricate plotivolving a rather twisted nun that keeps you guessing. Being a medieval mystery, the author has done a masterful job of setting the historical context, illustrating the dangers of everyday life, how much of the world was unknown, the power of the church, the pitfalls and perks & political gamesmanship involved in absolute monarchy, ( similar to the power plays of current political systems) the power of nature (i.e freezing due to a fall on the way to the privy at night), and the fragility of life in the 14th century.

[Libbie Harr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first Owen Archer mystery and I was totally thrilled. Since it is the third in the series, I have ordered the first two. The books clearly take place out outside of London in the middle 1300's. Talk about historical fiction! Owen, married to the lovely and pregnant Lucie, is a retired soldier working for a bishop. The mystery surrounds a run away nun who finally returned to her convent - suicidal, and the many corpses who were in her wake. With the help of the famous Geoffrey Chaucer, who is acting as a spy for King Edward, Owen is constantly adding clues to the fate of the corpses. For mystery readers, this promises to be a great series.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful example of good historical mystery—the way it should be, as opposed to the way it often is. This author knows her stuff, is an expert in literature of the period, but doesn’t bang the reader over the head with period detail, the way Anne Perry and others do.

This is set in Edward III’s reign, while the Black Prince is an adult, but alive and healthy. The detective is Owen Archer, a spy for the Archbishop of York, aided by his wife Lucie Wilton, an apothecary. And the plot itself is very complex—you don’t find out what really happened until the very end.

And of course the title is an allusion/salute to Chaucer.