Owen Archer! One of my favourite medieval characters!
A Choir of Crows (Owen Archer Mystery #12) by Candace Robb
As always I'm intrigued by Owen and Lucie Archer, their children, their apprentices and cohort of friends, living their lives in medieval England, bearing up under an often fraught political scene.
It's late 1374 and York is in uproar. Alexander Neville is coming to be installed as Archbishop of York, a powerful position. One that strengthens the might of the Neville's.
Two dead bodies are found and Owen is tasked to investigate quickly before important personages reach York. A third quickly occurs. Time is of the essence.
Ambrose Coates a gifted Welsh crwth player and a friend to river woman and healer Magda Digby has returned, his movements stealthy and secretive. He's accompanied by a talented, nay gifted singer he was playing with in a musical troupe. A singer with the voice of an Angel! They'd been forced to flee from the troupe. For some reason the singer is a person of interest to many.
Unfortunately Ambrose becomes embroiled in the murder of Ronan, Alexander Neville’s vicar. Further information makes it seem likely that men of Sir John Neville, Knight of the Garter, Admiral of the North, Steward of the King’s Household, and Alexander's brother, are somehow involved. Mystery surrounds the singer Ambrose has been protecting, particularly as John Neville's thugs appear to be pursuing them. What is it about this person that is so important?
Then there's Ambrose himself. What is his part? It seems he might be up to his old tricks, spying, and gathering information. But for whom?
With a change of power happening in York, Owen has his hands full. Walking a tightrope between the powerful factions, the Neville's and the Percy's, solving the puzzles strewn in his path, without losing the place he'd 'of late assumed. Two roles, one as Prince Edward’s spy in the North, and one as the captain of the city bailiffs.' Both crucial. Before this is done Owen 'will feel the familiar shower of needle pricks across his blind eye,' a premonition of things to come. More and more Owen is remembering Magda's injunction to him, to Bird-Eye as she names him, to pay heed to his 'clear-seeing.' This other sense will stand him in good stead.
And the Choir of Crows? Well that's equally as fascinating.
Another solid story about this fascinating family of medieval England caught up in the political maelstrom of the times.
A Crème de la Crime ARC via NetGalley
****
It's late 1374 and York is in uproar. Alexander Neville is coming to be installed as Archbishop of York, a powerful position. One that strengthens the might of the Neville's.
Two dead bodies are found and Owen is tasked to investigate quickly before important personages reach York. A third quickly occurs. Time is of the essence.
Ambrose Coates a gifted Welsh crwth player and a friend to river woman and healer Magda Digby has returned, his movements stealthy and secretive. He's accompanied by a talented, nay gifted singer he was playing with in a musical troupe. A singer with the voice of an Angel! They'd been forced to flee from the troupe. For some reason the singer is a person of interest to many.
Unfortunately Ambrose becomes embroiled in the murder of Ronan, Alexander Neville’s vicar. Further information makes it seem likely that men of Sir John Neville, Knight of the Garter, Admiral of the North, Steward of the King’s Household, and Alexander's brother, are somehow involved. Mystery surrounds the singer Ambrose has been protecting, particularly as John Neville's thugs appear to be pursuing them. What is it about this person that is so important?
Then there's Ambrose himself. What is his part? It seems he might be up to his old tricks, spying, and gathering information. But for whom?
With a change of power happening in York, Owen has his hands full. Walking a tightrope between the powerful factions, the Neville's and the Percy's, solving the puzzles strewn in his path, without losing the place he'd 'of late assumed. Two roles, one as Prince Edward’s spy in the North, and one as the captain of the city bailiffs.' Both crucial. Before this is done Owen 'will feel the familiar shower of needle pricks across his blind eye,' a premonition of things to come. More and more Owen is remembering Magda's injunction to him, to Bird-Eye as she names him, to pay heed to his 'clear-seeing.' This other sense will stand him in good stead.
And the Choir of Crows? Well that's equally as fascinating.
Another solid story about this fascinating family of medieval England caught up in the political maelstrom of the times.
A Crème de la Crime ARC via NetGalley
****
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