When Owen Archer loses the sight in one of his eyes, his military career under the duke of Lancaster is over. Or so it would seem, until the duke employs him in other ways. Once the old duke dies, Archer is unsure of his future. He’s recruited by the Archbishop of York and Lord Chancellor, Thoresby, to investigate a pair of murders in St. Mary’s Abbey, just outside York’s city walls. One of the victims is Thoresby’s ward and Thoresby isn’t content with the cause of death. He sends Owen to figure out what’s really happened by apprenticing him to the apothecary and giving him an entrance into the world of medieval York.
This may have been the only time in my entire life that I have not needed the map on the first few pages of this book. I’m absurdly familiar with medieval York and given that my classes are held on top of the former grounds of St. Mary’s Abbey, this book had a special thrill for me. I loved the medieval atmosphere. These characters walk through places I go every day and it’s exciting to imagine it as they would have seen it.
I liked those characters, too. I can see a bit of Owen Archer’s legendary appeal, about which I have heard much. (I read this on the recommendation of Nan Hawthorne, by the way!) I enjoyed the ambiguity about many of them, particularly Lucie, and how the truth was eventually revealed. Even the supporting characters like Bess didn’t fall flat. The Archdeacon made me feel very uncomfortable, but I think that was the point.
As far as writing goes, I felt it was a bit plain. I could certainly imagine medieval York, but it’s hard for me personally to say whether I had such an easy time because I’ve tried before and am very familiar with the city or because the author did a brilliant job imagining it. It’s hard to say, but I do think the prose was the weakest point. The story was good enough for it to vanish, as should happen, but I found it hard to immerse myself at the beginning before the plot got rolling.
I would recommend this to other people who like their historical fiction set firmly in the middle ages and probably to those who like medieval mystery as well. As for me, I’m looking forward to the next in the series. Though it is out of print, you can buy The Apothecary Rose used on Amazon.
Sounds like something I would like. Your review convinced me but especially your last paragraph.
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Since I don’t read much historical fiction, this one doesn’t sound like a good match for me. I think the cover and your review are great, though.
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not a huge fan of historical fiction either, but of any era th middle ages would be my fav perhaps…
but I found it somehow amusing that you would actually be that familiar with medieval York, so as to not need the map.
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I began reading this series several years ago, and recently read the second book in the series. It’s enjoyable, isn’t it?
It’s funny how, if you know a book’s settting well, you can picture it in your mind’s eye perfectly. I’m like that about 19th century New York City–last year I read a book called Metropolis, where I could literally see the setting before me. Scary, but it made the book that much more enjoyable for me in the end.
The cover of this book alone would be nearly enough to sell me. But middle ages! Ambiguous characters! I’m convinced. It’s too bad about the writing, but it sounds like the story makes up for that.
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I have this series sitting on the shelf, one of these days I have to get to it!
Any chance you will be going down to the London Book Fair?
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This looks great!!!! Thank you for the review – I’m adding it to my TBR pile! I love the Middle Ages.
Although you didn’t absolutely love this one, the time period sounds interesting. Is there another book you would recommend that is set in the same time period, but with more solid writing?
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