A Gift of Sanctuary: The Sixth Owen Archer Mystery

I think this is my favorite so far of the Owen Archer series. It certainly gives one much to think about. Although A Gift of Sanctuary takes place in Wales and lacks the Archbishop's Spy Owen's charismatic wife, Lucy, the apothecary, it does expand on the characters of her father Sir Robert D'Arby and of the Archbishop's secretary, the mercurial Brother Michaelo. These are characters with which the reader has become familiar in earlier works. When the elderly knight and the irritating brother are thrown together as companions on pilgrimage to a sacred site in Wales and travel with Owen who is on a mission for the Duke of Lancaster, the reader has the opportunity to know them better. Both individuals grown in depth throughout the story, adding human interest to the story of murder and love betrayed. Indeeed, the story focuses as much on the development of these two people as it does on the mystery itself.Haunting too is the tale of Owen's long separation from his family and of the many changes that are wrought by time in one's absence from home. In the years during which the action takes place, travel is a dangerous pursuit undertaken only rarely and then usually for religious or commercial reasons. Most people had not travelled more than a few miles from their home. For Owen, who left home years before to become an archer for the Duke of Lancaster, returning home to Wales is a bitter sweet experience at best.Interesting too is the reintroduction of the poet Chauce--he appeared in an earlier story as well--and of a Welsh bard (with whose name I am unfamiliar). Both add some comic relief to the story, especially Dafydd ap Gwilym who plays a wise fool throughout. I took a class in Middle English, reading Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, when I was working on my MA in history, and although I struggled through the unfamiliar and vaguely familiar words of the poetry, I never learned much about the man himself. Robb's recreation of his personality, while it may not be perfectly accurate is probably not far from the truth. Again the author provides an interesting summation of the history of the period, including the political climate of the Welsh-English frontier of the 14th Century.

I have yet to be disappointed by one of Robb's books. She knows her subject perfectly, and uses her knowledge so that the story has just the right amount of the historical in it, along with the rest. Owen Archer is as "real" as ever, though I was a bit sorry not to see more of his life with Lucie and children. I also find the details referring to herbs, the apothecary etc, interesting and was sorry not to have more. Let's hope that Owen stays home in the next one!

Although I missed Lucie and the apothecary motif, Owen's excursion into Wales was extremely interesting, particularly since it allowed Robb to give us the lovely contrast between the traditional Welsh bard and the courtly poet (Chaucer). As usual, Robb does her research and gives a source or two for those interested in delving into the actual history. The mystery itself in satisfyingly complex, and the soul-searching that Owen must do enriches an already sympathetic character. Highly recommended.

In 1370 Owen Archer has mixed feelings about returning to his birthplace Wales, a land he has not visited in years. Owen is not returning for a pleasure visit. Instead, he has been assigned to select forty archers to make up two vintaines to help fight off the expected French invasion. He also escorts his father-in-law on a pilgrimage to the Welsh St. David's Cathedral. John the Gaunt assigns Geoffrey Chaucer to accompany Owen on his quest. While in Wales, they need to determine whether the Duke of Lancaster can stop an invasion. However, even before they arrive, things go wrong. Treachery is everywhere and murders have occurred, leaving it up to Owen to uncover the culprit's identity in order to ascertain who remains loyal to John. A GIFT OF SANCTUARY, the sixth Archer Medieval mystery, is a great and complex who-done-it. The mystery elements and the feel of the era are brilliantly described. The characters add much realism and having Chaucer as a major player blended into story line is a gift that makes the novel seem even more genuine. However, what makes this one of the top tales in this superb series is the incredible execution by Candace Robb is the in depth personalities of Archer's family. This novel is right on target.Harriet Klausner