The Bone Jar

Owen Archer #10.5

by Candace Robb

Owen Archer returns in a mesmerizing short story about the danger of false miracles and the treachery of true believers.

Magda the Riverwoman has called Owen Archer to her island hut in the middle of the River Ouse with a special favor—to guard a jar of human bones. No one in York is greedier than the relic dealers, the insatiable charlatans who sell flesh and bone as miracle cures, but Magda will not sell the remains at any price. Instead, she asks Owen to protect the jar and keep one eye out for the dark figure that has been watching the island, waiting patiently for the right moment to strike…

THE BONE JAR is sure to delight long-time fans of Candace Robb’s Owen Archer series and provide first-time readers with a gripping introduction to her beautifully rendered world of treachery and intrigue, set in medieval England.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Medieval

15 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 3, 2016

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

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story in which Owen and two others are taught a lesson by Magda, the wise woman.

[James Garman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Owen Archer and his wife Luci, live in small village in the York area in not quite clear period during the middle ages. Luci is pregnant and has some issues, but Owen is worried so when he hears that Magda Digby, the local midwife and general medical expert summons him, he sets out as quickly as possible thinking that something could be wrong with his wife.

However, when he gets there, he finds out that it another job, she wants him to do for her, so he goes back the next to watch her house to keep some bones from being stolen that she is guarding to prevent them from being sold as relics. She believes they need a good Christian burnial for the wellbeing of the friends and neighbors. So, Owen captures the thief but it turns out the one he catches is really not really the thief. He is a decoy.

The story is a sweet one, and everybody means well it seems. It displays loyalty even in medieve days and a respect for the beliefs of others. I recommend the story on that basis.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps three and a half stars.

I liked this little short story though the ending was unexpected. I think I’ve read something about Owen before though I’m not sure about how much I liked it.

[Jim · Rating 1 out of 5]

This reads like it should be a chapter in a bigger mystery. So far that's the only mystery!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://klishis.com/reading/archives/1...

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short, but an interesting set-up.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief little gem of a story, more akin with Aesop’s tales than with the Archer series, but a tiny addition to that enjoyable series.

[Kellie Hudson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short story, wasn't sure what to expect but could have done with a bit more, ending seemed rushed.

[Leslie Conner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magda Digby always knows more than you think possible. She gives the series an Interesting emphasis and is such a protector, as well as, a master healer so necessary to the era.

[Michael Wojciehoski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fools

Sweet, easy read. Trust, fools, swindled, job well done. Read that this was AI driven. Definitely a short, short story.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very short story, and though this is marked as 10.5 all internal clues indicate a much earlier date in the Owen Archer timeline, probably during Lucie’s first pregnancy. In many ways it is a practical joke Magda pulls on Owen, and while it shows a different side of both characters, it seemed completely random.

[patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bone Jar is a very short story. Magda asks Owen Archer to stay at her home while she is away for the night. She wishes him to guard her jar of bones from a thief who wishes to sell them as relics instead of burying them. Candace Robb delivers in this short story.

[RyooT · Rating 3 out of 5]

just too short
also the fit into the timeline is not entirely clear

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

short

This story was interesting but too short. i am not sure that anyone could tel! if they wanted to read the books from thos sample.