Candace Robb is the author of the Owen Archer mysteries set in 14th century York, which have won critical acclaim in the US, England, and throughout Europe. Publisher’s Weekly has said: “Robb is uncommonly good at period atmosphere, immersing the reader in the everyday horrors of the plague…” The eighth Owen Archer mystery, The Cross-legged Knight, brings back William of Wykeham, whose appointment to the bishopric of Winchester is the subject of the earlier book in the series, The King’s Bishop. He has escorted to York the heart of an elderly knight who died as a political prisoner in France. The knight’s family accuses the bishop of siphoning off part of the ransom that might have saved Sir Ranulf. Owen becomes the bishop’s protector after he is nearly injured in the cathedral, but his role is complicated when a fire in the bishop’s townhouse takes the life of a friend of his wife Lucie, who resolves to investigate the fire. Praise for The Cross-legged Knight:
The Guardian: "It's ... the Machiavellian intrigue that makes this such an enjoyable read. When the iron curtain came down people said the spy-thriller genre was dead. They were wrong. This is as full of intrigue as a Deighton or a Le Carré."
Booklist: “Once again, Robb provides the reader with an evocative and suspenseful whodunit thoroughly bolstered by a wealth of authentic historical detail.”
Publisher’s Weekly: “The author's enthusiastic research lends realism to the time and place…”
Kirkus Reviews: “Robb's usual lively, endearingly detailed evocation of late-14th-century England, along with a convincing plot and a believable cast of characters, make this one of the veteran webspinner's better outings.”
In Candace Robb’s second series she follows Margaret Kerr, a young Scottish woman in 13th century Edinburgh, as her life is utterly changed by the conflict between the Scots and Edward I. The Fire in the Flint, the second book in young Margaret Kerr’s wartime chronicle, is published 4 December 2003 in the UK. The English close her uncle’s inn after an old man is murdered nearby, on the very night that someone searches the belongings of Margaret’s father and husband that were stored at the inn. Her search for the murderer takes her home to Perth and into William Wallace’s camp to the north. Candace is currently writing the third book in the series, A Cruel Courtship.
Praise for the first installment, A Trust Betrayed:
Publishers Weekly: “the alluring first of a new series placed in 13th-century Scotland… With meticulous attention to historical details,… the author lovingly re-creates medieval Edinburgh.”
Romantic Times, 4 stars: “…the first in what promises to be an exciting new series... those who love historical novels and all things Scottish are going to enjoy this new series.”
Kirkus Reviews: “Imagine Braveheart without Mel Gibson: that's what Dame Margaret Kerr of Perth is facing at the close of the 13th century and the opening of this new series.”
The Scots Magazine: “it's the atmosphere of the entire book which is memorable, that and its sharply-drawn characters… the first of a series set in these turbulent times. Good news! It would be a great pity to lose sight of such a colourful cast.
The List (Scotland’s Time Out) says, “Candace Robb's seven volumes of mysteries set in medieval York are renowned for their exacting research, and this first episode in what will doubtless be a long-running Scottish saga is no different... Margaret is sparky and sympathetic, treading a dangerous path... Thirteenth-century Edinburgh comes off the page cold and convincing, from the smoke and noise of the tavern kitchen to Holyrood Abbey under a treacherous abbot.”
Midwest Book Review "Exciting....Readers can trust that Candace Robb will never betray their belief in the quality of her historical novels."
Booklist "Intrigue abounds....Robb's captivating blend of history and mystery vividly evokes medieval Scotland."
By clicking on the book covers below, you can read synopses of the books and find links to book sites selling the volumes.
updated 14 December 2003 by Webmaster
NEWS FOR THE MILLENIUM
Select book below for more information
| biography | newsletter | events | recommended reading | 14th century York | links |
