A Fox in the Fold

Starred review from September 19, 2022
In Robb’s excellent 14th Owen Archer mystery featuring Capt. Owen Archer (after 2021’s The Riverwoman’s Dragon), Archer, an experienced soldier and a devoted family man, seeks to keep order in 14th-century York. The first sign that a new danger has come to York is the discovery of a dead man just outside the city gates, naked and covered with stab wounds. When Archer learns the murdered man was one of a party coming from far away Winchester to deliver special stones to a Benedictine convent, he suspects there are some serious agendas at work. One of the men Archer must now contend with is William Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester, who’s been “a catalyst for death in the city.” But even worse, other newcomers to York include an enemy from Archer’s past, from a time long before he became captain of the bailiffs. What makes this entry a standout are the supporting characters, all of them carefully nuanced, and the emotions boiling up in Archer, who must fight to protect his wife and children as they become targets of violence. This is a mystery with both high stakes and a layer of true feeling. Robb reinforces her place among the top writers of medieval historicals. Agent: Jennifer Weltz, Jean V. Naggar Agency.

September 1, 2022
An old enemy returns to haunt the Duke of Lancaster's retired captain of archers. Owen Archer, captain of archers of the city of York, survived an attack by one of his men when he was in service to the duke, married, and raised a family that may now be in danger. His children, 19-year-old Jasper and 10-year-old Gwen, are on the outs because Jasper blames Gwen for telling their parents that he spent the night with Alisoun, his longtime love, even though Gwen says she didn't do it. It only gets worse once Alisoun admits to having slept with her mentor Dame Magda's great-grandson and maintains that although she loves Jasper, she wants to pursue her career helping poor folks with her healing skills. When a body is found outside the city, Owen is asked to investigate. The man who was killed may have been part of a group bringing a cart of special stones to St. Clement's Priory, a gift from Bishop Wykeham, who's had a difficult relationship with the powers that be ever since the death of the king. Found in the cart are expensive stone carving tools which are later identified as belong to the brother of Rhys, a young man living with the Archers while he fixes their garden wall. Owen is shocked when he realizes that one of the men who stole the cart was most likely Raymond, the traitorous archer whose attack cost Owen his eye. He plays a cat and mouse game, trying to protect his family while hunting a dangerous killer and navigating political pitfalls. A detailed ramble through 1376 York peopled by a brace of engaging characters.

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