A Vigil of Spies

A Vigil of Spies

Author: Candace Robb

Publisher: Severn House Publishers Ltd

Published: 2024-02-20

Total Pages: 359

ISBN-13: 1448313333

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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 archbishop's final days are spent in peace? THE OWEN ARCHER MYSTERIES 1. The Apothecary Rose 2. The Lady Chapel 3. The Nun's Tale 4. The King's Bishop 5. The Riddle of St. Leonard's 6. The Gift of Sanctuary 7. A Spy for the Redeemer 8. The Cross-Legged Knight 9. The Guilt of Innocents 10. A Vigil of Spies 11. A Conspiracy of Wolves 12. A Choir of Crows 13. The Riverwoman's Dragon 14. A Fox in the Fold


The Riverwomans Dragon

The Riverwomans Dragon

Author: Candace Robb

Publisher: Severn House Publishers Ltd

Published: 2021-10-01

Total Pages: 273

ISBN-13: 1448305632

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When the wise woman Magda Digby is suspected of murder, Owen Archer sets out to prove her innocence in this intricately plotted medieval mystery. May, 1375. Owen Archer returns from London to find York in chaos. While the citizens are living in terror of the pestilence which is spreading throughout the land, a new physician has arrived, whipping up fear and suspicion against traditional healers and midwives. With the backing of the new archbishop, he is especially hostile towards Magda Digby, the wise woman who has helped and healed the people of York for many years. At the same time, Magda is uneasy about the arrival of two long-lost kinsfolk. Though they say they are seeking her help, she senses a hidden agenda. Magda’s troubles deepen when she discovers a body in the river near her home – and finds herself under suspicion of murder. Days later, fire rips through a warehouse in the city. Amongst the charred debris lies the body of a man – not burned, but stabbed in the back. Could there be a connection to the corpse in the river? Determined to prove Magda’s innocence, Owen sets out to find answers – but the more he uncovers, the deeper the mystery becomes . . .


A Spy for the Redeemer

A Spy for the Redeemer

Author: Candace Robb

Publisher: Diversion Publishing Corp.

Published: 2015-07-28

Total Pages: 365

ISBN-13: 1626819815

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A “fascinating [and] evocative” novel of crime and intrigue in fourteenth-century England and Wales (The Plain Dealer). It is late spring in the year of our Lord 1370, and Owen Archer is anxious to leave Wales for home. His mission for the Duke of Lancaster complete, he attempts to arrange safe passage on a ship sailing for England—but the hanging of a stonemason interrupts his plans. On the surface, it appears the young man was driven to suicide by a broken heart, but to Owen the signs all point to murder. As his investigation stretches on, however, Owen finds himself drawn into the influence of the leader of a Welsh rebellion whose manifesto speaks to his heart, and a choice is offered to him: join or die. Meanwhile, at home in York, Owen’s wife, Lucie, is troubled by rumors that her husband’s long absence is permanent—as well as threats by a customer who claims she was poisoned by a physic from the Wilton apothecary. And while her husband remains distant, Lucie will be sorely tempted by the attentions of a friend’s steward, even as she uncovers a shattering betrayal in her own household . . . “A pleasing medieval series.” —Library Journal


The Nun's Tale

The Nun's Tale

Author: Candace Robb

Publisher: Diversion Publishing Corp.

Published: 2015-07-28

Total Pages: 420

ISBN-13: 1626819777

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“Engrossing . . . Imbued with the flavor of English medieval life, Robb’s story melds true events with fiction to create a gripping historical mystery” (Publishers Weekly). When young nun Joanna Calverley dies of a fever in the town of Beverley in the summer of 1365, she is buried quickly for fear of the plague. But a year later, Archbishop Thoresby learns of a woman who has arrived in York claiming to be the resurrected nun, talking of relic-trading and miracles. And death seems to ride in her wake. The archbishop sends Owen Archer to retrace the woman’s journey, an investigation that leads him across the north from Leeds to Beverley to Scarborough. Along the way he encounters Geoffrey Chaucer, a spy for the king of England, who believes there is a connection between the nun’s troubles, renegade mercenaries, and the powerful Percy family. Back in York, however, Owen’s wife, Lucie, pregnant with their first child, has won the confidence of the mysterious nun and realizes that there are secrets hidden in the woman’s seemingly mad ramblings . . . Based on an enigmatic entry in the records of Clementhorpe Nunnery, this authentic, gripping mystery conjures a fourteenth century ripe with forbidden passions and political intrigue. “[Robb] lives up to the standard set by master medievalist Ellis Peters.” —Booklist


Conspiracy of Wolves

Conspiracy of Wolves

Author: Candace Robb

Publisher: Severn House Publishers Ltd

Published: 2019-06-01

Total Pages: 255

ISBN-13: 1448302242

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When a prominent citizen is murdered, former Captain of the Guard Owen Archer is persuaded out of retirement to investigate in this gripping medieval mystery. 1374. When a member of one of York’s most prominent families is found dead in the woods, his throat torn out, rumours spread like wildfire that wolves are running loose throughout the city. Persuaded to investigate by the victim’s father, Owen Archer is convinced that a human killer is responsible. But before he can gather sufficient evidence to prove his case, a second body is discovered, stabbed to death. Is there a connection? What secrets are contained within the victim’s household? And what does apprentice healer Alisoun know that she’s not telling? Teaming up with Geoffrey Chaucer, who is in York on a secret mission on behalf of Prince Edward, Owen’s enquiries will draw him headlong into a deadly conspiracy.


A Gift of Sanctuary

A Gift of Sanctuary

Author: Candace Robb

Publisher: Macmillan

Published: 2000-04-15

Total Pages: 324

ISBN-13: 9780312974770

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Geoffery Chaucer joins one-eyed spy Owen Archer on a journey to the Welsh cathedral of St. David's. Trouble precedes the party to St. David's: At the gateway to the city, a man is found stabbed to death, his shoes filled with pale sand. Another murder and the disappearance of the steward's wife cause Owen to take action--and to question his own loyalties. Martin's Press.


A Vigil of Spies

A Vigil of Spies

Author: Candace Robb

Publisher: Diversion Publishing Corp.

Published: 2015-07-28

Total Pages: 335

ISBN-13: 1626819831

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A Welshman in fourteenth-century England must unravel murder and palace intrigue in this “pleasing medieval series” (Library Journal). Archbishop Thoresby of York, the second most powerful cleric in England, lies on his deathbed. The end of his life is seen by the great families of the North as a chance to promote one of their own as his successor—and Thoresby himself announces he will leave the matter to the dean and chapter of York. On the eve of this decision, the dying archbishop agrees to a visit from Joan, Princess of Wales, wife of the Black Prince, heir to the throne of England. Thoresby’s captain of the guard, Owen Archer, has no doubt that trouble will follow. As soon as the company rides into the palace yard he is proved right: they arrive burdened with the body of one of their party, and Owen finds evidence the man’s death was no accident. Within days of this discovery, a courier carrying an urgent message for the archbishop is found hanging in the woods. With guards surrounding the property, it is clear the murderer walks among the palace guests. The powerful Percy and Neville families are well represented in the entourage, including a woman who remembers an afternoon tryst with Owen as much, much more. Even the princess’s son is suspect. As Owen races to unmask the guilty and rid the palace of the royal party, his final wish for his lord is that he might die in peace . . . “As always, Candace Robb writes a powerful story intertwined with genuine characters of the day.” —Historical Novels Review


A Choir of Crows

A Choir of Crows

Author: Candace Robb

Publisher: Severn House Publishers Ltd

Published: 2020-07-01

Total Pages: 279

ISBN-13: 1448304458

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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 Neville family arrives in York.


The King's Bishop

The King's Bishop

Author: Candace Robb

Publisher: Severn House Publishers Ltd

Published: 2024-01-09

Total Pages: 401

ISBN-13: 1448313279

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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 MYSTERIES 1. The Apothecary Rose 2. The Lady Chapel 3. The Nun's Tale 4. The King's Bishop 5. The Riddle of St. Leonard's 6. The Gift of Sanctuary 7. A Spy for the Redeemer 8. The Cross-Legged Knight 9. The Guilt of Innocents 10. A Vigil of Spies 11. A Conspiracy of Wolves 12. A Choir of Crows 13. The Riverwoman's Dragon 14. A Fox in the Fold


The Archaeologist was a Spy

The Archaeologist was a Spy

Author: Charles Houston Harris

Publisher: UNM Press

Published: 2003

Total Pages: 472

ISBN-13: 9780826329370

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Sylvanus G Morley (1883-1948) is widely known as an influential Mayan archaeologist. This intriguing book shows that he was arguably the greatest American spy of World War I. Morley came to the attention of the Office of Naval Intelligence in 1916, when reports that German agents were establishing a Central American base for submarine warfare first surfaced. Morley's field research provided the ideal cover for reconnoitring throughout the region. He made several extended research/intelligence-gathering trips along the Caribbean coast of Central America starting in 1917 and forwarded detailed reports and maps to ONI. While he found no noteworthy German activity, his activities permit the authors of this book to reconstruct the way ONI identified, recruited, placed, and debriefed field agents, nearly 150 of whom, many with academic ties, were funnelling data to ONI by the close of World War I. In a final chapter, Sadler and Harris extend the story of academic participation in intelligence work through the 1930s into the founding of 'Wild Bill' Donovan's Office of Strategic Services (OSS) at the beginning of World War II.