Friend or foe? The character of Owen's old friend is called into question when he mysteriously vanishes from the king's mission after a page is murdered.York, 1367. Owen Archer and his old comrade, Ned Townley, are each leading companies of the king's men north of York to Fountains and Rievaulx abbeys respectively, on a mission to win the support of the powerful abbots for William of Wykeham becoming the Bishop of Winchester.A CRIME OF PASSION?But trouble stalks Ned Townley - Sir William of Wyndesore's men at Windsor suspect he killed a page in a jealous rage over his betrothed. Is the rumour true?SOME SECRETS MUST BE PROTECTED AT ANY COST.When Ned and a friar in his party go missing, Owen is drawn into the intrigue surrounding his friend. As further disturbing events occur, Owen uncovers a dangerous, scandalous secret that stretches to the highest level of the court.THE OWEN ARCHER MYSTERIES1. The...

Is an innocent act behind a tragedy? Owen Archer investigates when a drowning in the River Ouse leads him on a chilling trail involving a boy's stolen scrip and a valuable golden cross.York, 1372. When river pilot Drogo stole young Hubert's scrip, Hubert's friends swore they would get it back. But their worthy endeavour is brought to an abrupt end when Drogo is viciously attacked and left to drown in the River Ouse.DEADLY SECRETS RISE TO THE SURFACE . . .Is Drogo's murder linked to the missing scrip? And where is Hubert? As the scrip is recovered and the river gives up a terrible secret, Owen becomes intrigued by a missing gold cross pendant Hubert carried in his scrip to remind him of his mother.A GOOD LUCK CHARM OR A SINISTER WARNING?Hubert's seemingly innocent act leads to dark revelations as Owen unravels a shocking chain of misfortune and murder linked to Hubert's precious possession. Can he discover the truth in...

An act of kindness or unforgivable treason? Owen Archer investigates a murder in Wales with links to a controversial offer of refuge.Wales, 1369. Owen Archer is travelling to Wales on a mission for the Duke of Lancaster, recruiting archers in anticipation of King Charles of France's invasion of England. Joining him are Brother Michaelo, Geoffrey Chaucer and his father-in-law, Sir Robert D'Arby, who is on pilgrimage to the shrine of St David.A JOURNEY DEEP IN THE FOREST ENDS WITH A TERRIBLE DISCOVERY.When the body of John de Reine, one of the Duke of Lancaster's men, is found at the gate of St David's, the bishop asks Owen to return the corpse to John's father, Sir John Lascelles.TREACHERY. PASSION. MURDER.Could John's death be linked to his father's decision to grant sanctuary to a man accused of harbouring a French spy and the wounding of a mysterious pilgrim? As Owen investigates, he uncovers betrayal, treason, acts...

Will the death of a prominent knight lead to the Bishop of Winchester's downfall? Owen Archer investigates threats, scandal and murder after Sir Ranulf Pagnell dies in France.York, 1371. William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester, has made many enemies since York knight Sir Ranulf Pagnell died imprisoned in France while Wykeham negotiated his ransom. After escorting Sir Ranulf's body back to the city, Wykeham realises that his own life is in grave danger.VENGEANCE IS COMING . . .The bishop's woes increase when one of his properties in the city is set alight, with horrific consequences. Was it a thoughtless act of revenge or a deliberate murder? Why was someone searching for important documents in the house just before the fire, including those linked to the Pagnells?A DEADLY DECEPTION.As Owen investigates, he uncovers a shocking secret linked to Sir Ranulf's terrible fate. A secret someone is prepared to go to any lengths to...

Will the Archbishop of York's final days be spent in peace? As the race to be his successor gathers pace, Owen must catch a determined killer who dwells among the archbishop's guests at Bishopthorpe Palace.York, 1373: While the Archbishop of York, John Thorseby, lies gravely ill, the Princess of Wales visits him at Bishopthorpe Palace with an entourage from the royal household.A GATHERING TO DIE FOR.Princess Joan's presence in York gives the king's enemies an opportunity to strike, but it seems that danger lies closer to home when one of her servants is discovered dead. Was it an accident, or does a murderer lurk among the guests?THE STAKES COULDN'T BE HIGHER . . .As Owen investigates the other members of the princess's travelling party, a heinous act is discovered in the palace woods. Someone is determined to influence the choice of Thoresby's successor . . . Can Owen Archer catch the culprit and ensure that the...

It is the year of our Lord 1363. And in the cathedral city of York people are dying in mysterious circumstances. But there seems to be a common thread - the herbal remedies dispensed by Nicholas Wilton, Master Apothecary. The first victim is an anonymous pilgrim. But when a highborn nobleman dies after taking the same potion the authorities decide to act. Dispatched to York, in disguise, to unravel the mystery, Owen Archer, former Captain of Archers, apprentices himself to the Apothecary. But it is from Wilton's beautiful wife Lucie that he must learn the arcane secrets of the trade. Slowly but surely Owen begins to uncover the truth. And when the deaths continue he realises to his horror he must count Lucie among the suspects.

When two bodies are discovered in the grounds of York Minster shortly before the enthronement of the new archbishop, Owen Archer is summoned to investigate. December, 1374. With the great and the good about to descend on York for the enthronement of Alexander Neville as the new archbishop, the city authorities are in a state of high alert. When two bodies are discovered in the grounds of York Minster, and a flaxen-haired youth with the voice of an angel is found locked in the chapter house, Owen Archer, captain of the city bailiffs, is summoned to investigate. Tension deepens when an enigmatic figure from Owen's past arrives in the city. Why has he returned from France after all these years - and what is his connection with the bodies in the minster yard and the fair singer? Before Owen can make headway in the investigation, a third body is fished out of the river - and the captain finds himself with three mysterious deaths to solve before the all-powerful...

1374. When a prominent citizen is found dead in the woods, rumours spread like wildfire that wolves are running loose throughout the city. Persuaded out of retirement to investigate, Owen Archer is convinced that a human killer is responsible. Teaming up with Geoffrey Chaucer, Owen's enquiries will draw him headlong into a deadly conspiracy.

Is nowhere safe in York? As the plague wreaks havoc on the city, Owen Archer must solve a puzzle involving scandal, theft and murder sweeping through a local hospital.York, 1369. As pestilence rages through the city of York, strange things are afoot at St. Leonard's Hospital. Corrodians are dying in mysterious circumstances and riches belonging to the hospital have been stolen.AN EVIL THAT KNOWS NO BOUNDS.When a fire claims the life of a corrodian and badly injures another, it's clear it was no accident - both men were violently attacked. With a suspicious death and a lay sister suspected of being behind the thefts, Sir Richard de Ravenser, Master of St. Leonard's, appeals to his uncle, the Archbishop of York, for Owen Archer's help.A RIDDLE WITHIN A RIDDLE . . .Can Owen restore harmony to the hospital? To solve the riddle of St. Leonard's, Owen must first solve a puzzle linked to one of the victims . . .THE OWEN...

Does absence always make the heart grow fonder? An unexpected death and a chilling murder extend Owen Archer's stay in Wales, with dramatic consequences for both himself and his wife, Lucie.Wales, 1370. Owen has completed his latest mission for the Duke of Lancaster, but his plan to return home is thrown into peril when the young stonemason carving the tomb of Owen's late father-in-law, English knight Sir Robert D'Arcy, is discovered hanged.A TREASONOUS ACT.The Archdeacon of St. David's wants Owen to find out whether Cynog was executed due to his support for the would-be Welsh redeemer, Owain Lawgoch's, rebellion against English rule. Prolonging his stay in Wales means that Owen will be unable to deliver the news of Sir Robert's death to Lucie in person, but can he really leave her father's tomb unfinished?LOYALTIES QUESTIONED . . .As Owen investigates Cynog's links to Lawgoch, he finds himself questioning his own...

A blood-curdling murder in the minster grounds proves to be a difficult case for Owen Archer when a young witness goes missing.York, 1365. The Corpus Christi Day pageant is winding down when Owen Archer is summoned to see John Thoresby, Archbishop of York. Wool merchant Will Crounce has been violently murdered - his throat slit and his right hand cut off. Terrified eight-year-old, Jasper de Melton, saw it all - including the woman in a hooded cloak who led Crounce to his death.A MYSTERIOUS WOMAN. A GRUESOME WARNING.The archbishop wants Owen to speak to Gilbert Ridley, a fellow mercer who was seen arguing with Will the night he died. But when Ridley dines with the archbishop in recognition of his generous gift to the minster's Lady Chapel, a terrible event follows.YOU CAN RUN, BUT YOU CAN'T HIDE . . .Where are the mysterious woman and young Jasper? As Owen attempts to unlock the mystery, he uncovers a deadly conspiracy...

Owen Archer suspects an old adversary is on his tail as he seeks to solve the mystery surrounding a dead body found on the road to York."A standout . . . Robb reinforces her place among the top writers of medieval historicals" - Publishers Weekly Starred Review October, 1376. Owen Archer is summoned by sheriff Sir Ralph Hastings regarding a stripped and bloodied body discovered on the road north to York. Could it be connected to an attack on a carter and his labourers who were transporting stone destined for St Clement's Priory? The carter fled, but his men stayed to fight and are now missing. Is the victim one of them?At first Owen believes the catalyst for murder and menace in York is the arrival of the political pariah William Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester. But he soon suspects that a formidable and skillful adversary from his past has arrived in the city, thrusting him and...

England still in tumult at the start of the fifteenth century, as Kate Clifford finds herself working to prove the innocence of her longtime confidante.It is deep winter in York, 1400, the ground frozen, the short days dimmed with the smoke from countless fires, the sun, when it shines, low in the sky. It is rumored that the Epiphany Uprising, meant to relieve the realm of the Henry the usurper and return King Richard to the throne has, instead, spelled his doom. As long as Richard lives, he is a threat to Henry. So, too, the nobles behind the plot. The ringleaders have been caught, some slaughtered as they fled west by folk loyal to Henry, and the king's men now search the towns for survivors. A perilous time, made worse for Kate Clifford by the disappearance of Berend, her cook and confidante, shortly after Christmas. Her niece saw his departure in a dream—he said he was honor bound to leave. Honor bound—to a former lord? One of the nobles who led...

God's will or the Devil's work? Owen Archer investigates a young runaway nun who claims to have been resurrected, setting a series of dark discoveries and violent deaths in motion.York, 1365. Dame Joanna Calverley of Leeds fled St. Clement's Priory with its precious relic - the milk of the Virgin - and died of fever soon after in Beverley.A MIRACLE RESURRECTION?Joanna is dead and buried . . . isn't she? Not according to housemaid Maddy, who finds Joanna in her master's house almost a year after her burial. Joanna claims to have risen from the dead and is seeking to return to the convent with the relic. Why did she disappear? Where is Will Longford, the master of the house? And how is the trail of death and destruction that follows linked to her supposed resurrection?THE TRUTH WON'T STAY BURIED FOR EVER . . .As Owen attempts to make sense of Joanna's troubled riddles, he unravels a dark family secret and the shocking...

Expertly recreating the social and political upheavals of late medieval Europe and the increasing power of the wealthy merchant class, acclaimed author Candace Robb introduces a new series starring Kate Clifford, a woman forged on the warring northern marches of fourteenth century England.Political unrest permeates York at the cusp of the fifteenth century, as warring factions take sides on who should be the rightful king—Richard II or his estranged, powerful cousin in exile, Henry Bolingbroke. Independent minded twenty-year-old Kate Clifford is struggling to dig out from beneath the debt left by her late husband. Determined to find a way to be secure in her own wealth and establish her independence in a male dominated society, Kate turns one of her properties near the minster into a guest house and sets up a business. In a dance of power, she also quietly rents the discreet bedchambers to the wealthy, powerful merchants of York for nights with their...