Candace Robb's historical mysteries are some of the best available. She did her PhD (ABD) studies in Medieval and Anglo-Saxon literature and has continued her research anew with each of her books.
The Owen Archer series is set in the late 1300's, a period that has long interested me. When I read The Apothecary Rose, the first in this series in 2015, I was captivated by the fictional characters, plot, and the intertwining with the historical characters from the time: Henry of Lancaster, John Thoresby-Archbishop of York and Lord Chancellor of England, and John of Gaunt. Each book expanded on the genuine history of the time and the historical figures who influenced that history.
Robb's Author Notes are a wonderful addition to each book. Using actual events, people, and customs, she doesn't load the plot with overly detailed explanations, but does include the information if you are more interested. I always am.
The Riverwoman's Dragon is the 13th in the series and takes place in 1375 as an outbreak of the plague has the population of York in fear.
from description: "May, 1375. Owen Archer returns from London to find York in chaos. While the citizens are living in terror of the pestilence which is spreading throughout the land, a new physician has arrived, whipping up fear and suspicion against traditional healers and midwives."
Magda has been a blessing as a wise woman and healer--treating the ailments of York for years, delivering babies, using herbs to treat illnesses, and working with Lucie, Owen Archer's wife and local apothecary. But Magda is a pagan, not a Christian. With fear flamed by the plague and a man claiming to be a doctor, many of York can be persuaded to turn against her.
When Magda is accused of murder, Own must find a way to protect her and find the villain.
There are several interesting threads in this installment, and we learn a little more about Magda's background.
Another excellent addition to Candace Robb's Owen Archer series. Start with the first book, and maybe, like me, you will keep wanting more.
read in August; review scheduled for Oct. 3.
NetGalley/Canongate Books/Severn House
Historical Mystery. Nov. 2, 2021. Print length: 256 pages
Thanks for introducing me to this author and series. I'm putting it on my TBR list because it sounds just my cup of tea.
ReplyDeleteThe Owen Archer series has excellent, well-researched characters and plots. I've enjoyed every book in the series. Candice Robb always keeps me engrossed!
DeleteThis series does sound fascinating. And I love that nursery rhyme quote. I don't think kids even learn nursery rhymes any more. At least the ones I work with don't. It's sad.
ReplyDeleteI love the time period and the characters Candace Robb writes about. You are right, Lark, many children don't know nursery rhymes any more, and the only fairy tales they know are from Disney. It is sad.
DeleteI look forward to giving this series a try.
ReplyDeleteI love good historical mysteries, and Candace Robb is among the best in the genre. I hope you will give the first book a try!
DeleteYeah I like reading author's notes especially with historical fiction ... just interesting details. I read a couple plague books this past year!
ReplyDeleteOften I do a google search on an individual or incident, then find the author has a note at the end about it. Especially with historical fiction, I love getting more detail. It isn't surprising that authors (and readers) have again become intrigued by plague and pandemic books! I've read a couple as well. :)
DeleteFor some reason, I never really cottoned to Owen, but I have enjoyed Robb's Margaret Kerr and Kate Clifford series.
ReplyDeleteI need to try Robb's other series, but I do love this one!
DeleteThis series sounds really good. I don't think I've read a mystery set in the 1300s before, so that has me super intrigued.
ReplyDeleteIt is an interesting series, and I love the characters. York is a beautiful walled city, and York Minster is a gorgeous cathedral!
DeleteWow, that's a mind-boggling quote about young readers. I never made that connection, but it seems logical that it would work that way because it shows an affinity for words and storytelling at a young age. That series sounds good; I know just about zero about that period of world history, so it might be an eye-opener in more ways than one.
ReplyDeleteI do think it's important to learn nursery rhymes and that a parent take the time to read a little Mother Goose to children. :)
DeleteI love English history and have always found that period particular period fascinating. Robb does such a good job of engaging the reader and blending the history in so skillfully.
This sounds like an interesting series. I'm always impressed with authors who go out of their way to research for their books. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a great series, and there is always an intriguing mystery to solve. :)
DeleteI know I've read some of your reviews of this author and I still haven't discovered her myself yet. Ugh. Too many books. This one sounds so good.
ReplyDeleteThe way Robb combines history with great plots and illustrates the problems that remain the same generation after generation is so clever. Corruption in government and/or Church, jealousy, pettiness, hatred and fear of people who are different-- all the contemporary problems were the same hundreds of years ago. Using real events and real people, Robb connects us through the centuries.
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