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Title: The Apothecary Rose

Subtitle: Owen Archer Series, Book 1

Author: Candace Robb

Narrator: Derek Perkins

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-27-17

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 9 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

In the year of our Lord 1363, two suspicious deaths in the infirmary of St. Mary's Abbey catch the attention of the powerful John Thoresby, Lord Chancellor of England and Archbishop of York. One victim is a pilgrim, while the second is Thoresby's ne'er-do-well ward, both apparently poisoned by a physic supplied by Master Apothecary Nicholas Wilton. In the wake of these deaths, the archbishop dispatches one-eyed spy Owen Archer to York to find the murderer. Under the guise of a disillusioned soldier keen to make a fresh start, Owen insinuates himself into Wilton's apothecary as an apprentice. But he finds Wilton bedridden, with the shop being run by his lovely, enigmatic young wife, Lucie. As Owen unravels a tangled history of scandal and tragedy, he discovers at its center a desperate, forbidden love twisted over time into obsession. And the woman he has come to love is his prime suspect.

Members Reviews:

Two series for the price of one!

I now have read all the books in this series that are available from Amazon. Book 8 is unavailable and I can't figure out why. I believe a person will enjoy the series if read in order but the books can stand alone. The hero in the series is a bumbling fellow, though hale and hearty and strong and ... well... sheriff-like. Two threads converge and diverge throughout this book and all the others in the series so that the mystery parts and the apothecary parts were both fascinating to me, almost two series for the price of one. But they don't get in the way of one another at all. Most of the characters, good, bad, hopeless, are well drawn. I cannot think of anything that proved to be a waste of my time. Are the books classics, to be treasured for all time? No, probably not, but I read 'em all, didn't I? So they were the perfect sort of mystery for those of use who like the genre and a stuck at home for freaking ever. Are they as good as the Cadfael books? In my opinion, no, but they make for an entertaining, fast read that will hold the attention, and satisfy readers who are looking for a historical mystery. There is plenty of attention to the people of the times, their habits and personalities, and their curious sense of loyalty to their "betters", and defense against their "lessors". Are they torn-bodice tales? Nope, but there is a lot of action as the hero has, um, needs. He's not Detective Carella from the 87th Precinct, but i hope you will give one a try.

An Amusing Bore

I brought this book along on a trip, and the best I can say is that it was easy to fall asleep to.

The writing style mixes out-of-place Americanisms with attempts at archaic English. The story doesn't work well as a mystery, because the action is way too slow, and you already know the villain's identity halfway through. It doesn't work as a novel, because the characters are shallowly written--almost puppets. You don't really care about them. The reader knows that a love affair is coming, but it comes way too late, and lacks the heat and passion that would have given it interest.

Contrast this with Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael series, set about 100 years earlier. There, you don't need an author's note--politics and wars in the wider world, weaponry and technology, are part and parcel of each story. The action is fast-paced, the characters fully fleshed-out individuals.