A Gift of Sanctuary (Owen Archer, #6) by Candace Robb

A Gift of Sanctuary (Owen Archer, #6) Reviews

• 
  Clemens Schoonderwoert

  This very exciting and captivating mediaevel mystery is the 6th volume of the wonderful "Owen Archer" series, from the US author, Candace Robb.
  
  Storytelling is once more of a superb quality, all characters, whether they are real historical or great fictional, are very lifelike and believable, and they come all splendidly to life within this fantastic mystery of murder and mayhem, and the surroundings of St David and Cydweli in South-Wales, where this story is situated, come beautifully off the pages.
  
  At the beginning of the book you'll find well-drawn maps of South-Wales, with places like St David and Cydweli, with surrounding areas and other places in the 14th Century, as well as a very informative Glossary.
  
  At the back you'll notice an Author's Note with great historical details, and these are wonderfully documented and explained by the author.
  
  The book is set in the Spring of the year AD 1370, and we find Owen Archer and the King's man (spy), Geoffrey Chaucer, in South-Wales to investigate rumours of treason within the household of the Steward, John Lascelles.
  
  Also in their company are Owen's father-in-law, Sir Robert, and Brother Michaelo from York, both on pilgrimage to St David and other places in a bid to seek forgiveness for past sins.
  
  What is to come is a very intriguing mediaeval mystery, in which Owen Archer and Geoffrey Chaucer are brought into a web of deceit within the household of John Lascelles, the Duke of Lancaster's Steward, and while investigating the betrayal to King Edward III within a tide of tension and murder, they will have to use their wits and cunning to answer the important questions that will reach them, ending with a very entertaining plot in which they will be able to solve this mystery of treachery and murder resulting in the catching of the culprit.
  
  Very much recommended, for this is another superb addition to this great series, with a really nice touch being the reunion between Owen and his youngest brother, Morgan, and his wife, Elen, and the peace and rest for Lucie's father, Sir Robert, and not to forget the famous Welsh Bard, Dafydd ap Gwilym, and because of all these wonderful ingredients I like to call this episode: "A Very Intriguing Welsh Archer Outing"!
• 
  Kathy

  I missed Lucie in this telling. Even Owen seemed to have a reduced role whilst Chaucer seemed to flounder. I definitely did not enjoy this book as much as others in the series. No spoilers, just self minders = Owen finally has opportunity to visit family in Wales.
• 
  dOnnabud

  I dig learning historical facts, especially about day-to-day living conditions and social mores, while being tantalized by fascinating mysteries I feel compelled to (attempt to) resolve. Candace Robb's stories are consistently captivating, and this Owen Archer mystery carries on her vibrant tradition of diving deep into passions and politics, society and religion; this time it's 1370, in Wales (land of my ancestors)! Geoffrey Chaucer and Dafydd ap Gwilym (one of the most notable Medieval Welsh poets) are prominent in this tale.
• 
  Amy

  I did not enjoy this book as much as the others in the series. The plot was too convoluted for me to follow, and there were too many characters. As a result, I wasn’t terribly interested in the story. The next in the series looks to be more of the same, so perhaps I am done with Owen Archer, at least for now. It’s a shame, Robb is a good writer and her series characters are likeable.
• 
  Gareld Butler

  Another enjoyable book in this series. While missing some of the usual characters (wife - Lucie, the tavern owner and her husband, ward - Jasper, the archbishop), the new characters and the additional insights into Sir Robert, Geoffrey Chaucer, and Martin, the Flemish spy, were well done and appreciated. Owen Archer is now on business in Wales for his first trip home in many years. He hopes to track down all of the family members he has lost track of and also take his father-in-law on a pilgrimage to St. David's before he dies. One body is found, and another severely injured man is found who is suspected to be the first man's murderer. Different people in the story learn different pieces of this puzzling mystery. It becomes Owen's job to track down all of the appropriate pieces and tie collect all of the information to solve the murder. Well done!
• 
  J.J. Rusz

  Candace Robb’s medieval mysteries are always admirable history, and “A Gift of Sanctuary” is no exception. In it, she gives readers a detailed look at politics, religion, and life in fourteenth-century Wales. Owen Archer comes home after several decades in the service of English kings and prelates.
  
  But I found this mystery impenetrable: too many characters and actions pulling in different directions and just a few of them interesting enough to care about. I wouldn’t have finished the book without the Kindle’s search function. There are satisfying moments in the novel, but solving its mystery is not one of them.
• 
  Michael

  I have read the prior Owen Archer books and enjoyed them. I was happy to read a number of the reviews of "A Gift of Sanctuary" in which reviewers found the novel has too many characters, a very convoluted plot, and a mystery they didn't care much about. Until I read these reviews, I thought it was me, but it turns out it's not me, it's "A Gift of Sanctuary." I always enjoyed the series for it's historical glimpse into the 14th century and the character of Owen Archer, his family, and close associates. This book provided a bit of Archer's back story, but it was so deeply immersed in Wales and Welsh culture, it was impenetrable and very difficult to follow. Even the addition of Geoffrey Chaucer as one of Archer's companions on this journey to Wales didn't really make it more interesting. The cast of characters was huge, difficult to know as individuals, and their Welsh names universally impossible to pronounce. The plot twisted around all those characters and made next to no sense to the modern reader who didn't share the socio-political sensibilities of 14th century England and Wales and France. It was a hard read, and if I hadn't enjoyed all the previous books, I don't think I'd read another. I have hope that soon things will return to fascinating normal with Archer.
• 
  Patricia

  While it definitely doesn't rank as the worst book I've ever read (or tried to read) A Gift of Sanctuary violates one of my personal "rules" for what makes a mystery good/great. It's a blatant case of too many cooks spoiling the broth. There are a multitude of characters connected to the mystery of a man's death, all of whom have their own agendas. One in particular seems to have no motive for his involvement other than causing discomfort for the local nobility.
  
  Because of all of the people/agendas/motives the waters are so completely muddied that the solution hardly seems like one at all. It seems more like a cop-out.
• 
  NuNu

  This was my sixth Owen Archer book and the first where I found myself totally disappointed. The characters you have come to know in the first five books are missing and yhere are so many new characters introduced that it was hard to keep track. Hopefully #7 will return with some of the usual characters and a more enjoyable mystery.
• 
  Rebecca Cresswell

  love that the author chose to include Chaucer in the tale.
• 
  Diana Bustamante

  I enjoy this series but this one was a bit of a slog. I found that I couldn’t get interested nor did I understand what was happening. I abandoned it with slightly over 100 pages to go.
• 
  Morgana LeFay

  Ho deciso, cosa mai fatta prima, di recensire insieme gli ultimi libri di questa serie. Il motivo è molto semplice: non ne posso più.
  Per quanto brava, l’autrice mi ha esasperata, ha esaurito tutta la mia passione e pazienza di lettrice.
  Basta, basta, basta!
  Non se ne può più di questa storia trascinata fino allo spasmo.
  Non sono casi distinti, come quelli di Hercule Poirot, qui è una telenovela infinita costellata di morti e casi sempre più improbabili e meno credibili.
  Manca lo slancio, l’evoluzione dei personaggi, la fantasia creativa.
  Molte parti dei libri sono descrizioni noiose e ridondanti, le scene d'azione hanno perso il loro effetto.
  A un certo punto sembra che Candace Robb abbia scritto questi libri perché doveva scriverli e non perché voleva scriverli.
  Li rileggerei? No.
• 
  Jennifer

  Exceptionally confusing book in this normally good series. The Welsh names, and the history were killers -- especially without the Xray feature for Kindle. I had to continually do a search on the names, some of which were exceedingly similar. Unfortunately when you are reading a series, you have to keep going with it because inevitably something important to the character happens in the book. This was no exception. I plan on continuing with the series unless this becomes a regular thing.
• 
  Deborah

  Fascinating historical fiction set York, England in the late 1300's. The Black Death has mostly passed, though it makes a recurrence in this installment and the confusing politics of church and state take center stage, as well as medicine as was practiced by apothecaries.
  
  The plots are a fascinating mix, the character absorbing. A great series. On to the next...
• 
  Susan

  1370 Owen Archer and Geoffrey Chaucer are sent to St. David's in Wales by the Duke of Lancaster. To recruit archers, inspect fortifications and investigate, John Lascelles, the Duke's steward. But a body discovered causes complications.
  An enjoyable historical mystery with a large cast of characters.
• 
  India

  This one was not as interesting to me. I am halfway through the book and it has been mostly conversation and very little mystery. I really liked The Nun's Tale so I know this author can be really good. This one just was not as interesting.
• 
  Madge

  2.5/5
• 
  K.L.

  Spent in Wales, didn't enjoy it as much as the York based ones
• 
  J 🍂🍃FOSBookGoddess 🍂🍃

  Had to hang it up too slow…
• 
  Elena

  Coinvolgente come gli altri.
• 
  Patty

  This sixth entry in the Owen Archer series moves our hero out of his usual milieu and has him returning to the land of his birth – Wales. England is at war with France and Owen is dispatched to find 40 archers to help protect a vulnerable area. He takes off with Geoffrey Chaucer so again we have that wonderful mix of fictional and historical characters blending beautifully together to tell a tale.
  
  Of course nothing can go easily or as planned when it comes to our intrepid hero. Where would he be without a mystery to solve? In this case though the deaths aren’t as focal as is Owen’s feelings about being back in Wales. It brings up a range of emotions for a man who is not used to being overly introspective. He is also away from his Lucie for a long period of time and he – and the reader if truth be told – misses her terribly. She really does add to the stories.
  
  I found this book to be back on track from the last one which was good, but it was one that I didn’t enjoy as much as the others. A Gift of Sanctuary is full of great characters both old and familiar and some new ones that bring a depth to the story. It’s never easy to go home again whether you are a fictional hero or an everyday person. It leaves Owen with much to consider and that only benefits the reader.
  
  4.5
• 
  Jim

  This is the sixth Owen Archer mystery, the first I have read and possibly the last. This is a Medieval mystery set in the late Middle Ages. Owen Archer is working for the Duke of Lancaster, looking to recruit archers in South Wales for his master and also to check if the defences are sufficient should a French fleet invade. Owen Archer is of Welsh origin but hasn’t been back to his homeland for fifteen years. He is accompanied on his mission by a certain Geoffrey Chaucer. The pair intended to meet with John de Reine one of Lancaster’s men from Cydweli, but they arrive too late as Reine has been murdered. Owen Archer maybe Welsh but he lacks the wit and wisdom of Cadfael. The mystery isn’t especially gripping, I wasn’t anxiously turning the pages, and I found a lot of the Welsh names (like Dafydd, Dyfrig and Gruffydd) confusing, despite having lived 5 years in Wales myself. The setting seems authentic and there is a lot of description of Medieval apothecary (I note the first book in the series is “The Apothecary Rose”). In addition to Geoffrey Chaucer, a famous Welsh bard of the time Dafydd ap Gwilym has a cameo role.