A Spy for the Redeemer

Stay and work for the 'redeemer' of Wales or return to his beloved Lucie in York. Anyone who knows anything about Welsh history will understand why Owen is drawn to stay in Wales. Wales was always searching for its William Wallace and its Robert the Bruce. Is Owain Lawgoch that man? Owen must decide for himself.

York is very close to my own home and many of the places mentioned in the Owen Archer books are still there to be seen and of course Archbishop John Thorseby is mentioned in the records of York Minster. All this adds spice for me and helps me to picture the time and events that took place. Late spring 1370 and Owen Archer is about to leave Wales havaing completed his work for John of Gaunt, but his plans are ruined by a mysterious suicide. His wife Lucie who owns an apothecary shop in York is saddened by her husband's absence and worried about allegations made against her. Also angered by his absence John Thorseby, Archbishop of York orders Owen to return. But Owen's stay in the land of his fathers has created divided loyalties in him and a Welsh rebel would like Owen to stay and fight and never return to York.

Beyond the wonderful writing, there is amazing plot, divided loyalties, real emotions, intrigue, always unexpected twists, realistic problems filled with drama. I loved this book as much as Robb's previous 'Owen Archer' novels. The way in which this author manages to convey the thoughts and myriad of motivations behind her characters never ceases to amaze me. Everyone is so real with their own loyalties, and their own interests. Even Owen and Lucie's relationship is made all the more special to this reader because of the true way in which the author conveys their own doubts sometimes about each other, sometimes about themselves. I am enchanted by Wales and Owen's roots there. I'm intrigued by St. David's and the Welsh history of the time.I can't wait to read the next book. And I'm considering going back to APOTHECARY ROSE and starting all over again. These mysteries are wonderful.

For Candace Robb's legion of Owen Archer fans, "A Spy for the Redeemer" will hold nosurprises: this seventh episode of her series featuring Owen, the former soldier and nowone-eyed spy for Archbishop Robert Thoresby of York, finds himself embroiled in anotherof his 14th century intrigues. And, as with the other six, this one is absorbing and full ofinterest-holding elements.Once again, Owen is sent on an errand for his Archbishop, this time to Owen's homecountry of Wales, where treason, murder, and more mayhem abound, and he is caught upin the webs of deceit, Church intrigue, and local loyalties. Indeed, Owen, for a while, istempted to stay and fight for his native lands, certainly a treasonous act there.And back in York, Owen's wife Lucy, a local and successful apothecary, finds her own lifeeven more complicated. Aside from missing her husband and trying to run her ownhousehold, she finds she is the victim of some malicious gossip, gossip that questions herown professional abilities, her husbands loyalty to the Crown, and her relationship with ahandsome and accommodating neighbor. These ingredients make for a very complex andcomplicated life for her.Yet, with the usual Robb finesse, both Lucy and Owen are able to overcome theirdifficulties, as one would imagine. Overcoming their problems is never in doubt, of course,but it is how they are overcome that provides the interest. Robb's ability to createcharacters that are believable and interesting keeps her stories alive. "A Spy for theRedeemer" will come as no surprise to readers already familiar with the series; for newreaders, this trip down history lane will be a pleasant experience...

Candace Robb writes an excellent mystery ripe with historical detail. She draws interesting and sympathetic characters that really engage the reader. We care what happens to Robb's characters. This is the most recent of the series to appear in the U.S., but "The Cross-Legged Knight" is available in the U.K. and, being a real Robb fan, I order her novels from the U.K. The argument has been made that "Spy" doesn't include as much of Owen's apothecary wife, Lucy, since much of it is set with Owen on a mission to his homeland of Wales, and that the volume suffers for it, but he's back in Kent and she's fully involved in "Knight." I thoroughly enjoy this series. Interested in a used "Knight"?