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Owen Archer books in order: the complete series
Looking for Candace Robb’s Owen Archer books in order? Look no further!
Set in medieval Britain, the series follows former Army Captain Owen Archer, who retired after losing an eye in the wars in France. But Owen isn’t living a life of peace and quiet. The skills he’s picked up mean that he’s attracted the attention of powerful people across the land, keen to use him for their own ends.
If you love history and mystery then Candace Robb’s Owen Archer series is perfect for you. Robb paints a vivid picture of 14th century York, but the characters remain incredibly relatable, meaning fans of more contemporary stories will find plenty to love.
Here are all of Candace Robb’s Owen Archer books in chronological order!
Candace Robb’s Owen Archer books in order:
The Apothecary Rose by Candace Robb
1. The Apothecary Rose (1993)
York: 1363: people are dying in mysterious circumstances. However, there seems to be a common thread – the herbal remedies dispensed by Nicholas Wilton, Master Apothecary. Dispatched to York to unravel the mystery, former Army Captain Owen Archer apprentices himself to the Apothecary, learning the secrets of the trade from Wilton’s beautiful wife Lucie.
When the deaths continue, he realises to his horror he must count Lucie among the suspects…
The Lady Chapel by Candace Robb
2. The Lady Chapel (1994)
While York celebrates the feast of Corpus Christi, a man is murdered, his right hand gruesomely severed.
Tasked with finding the killer, Owen is unsure where to turn first. His only witness is a young boy, his only suspect a mysterious hooded woman – and neither can be found. And soon he finds himself ensnared in a plot devised by very powerful masters…
The Nun's Tale by Candace Robb
3. The Nun’s Tale (1993)
When young nun Joanna Calverley dies of fever in the town of Beverley, they waste no time in burying her, fearing the plague. But nine months later a woman turns up claiming to be Joanna, saying she faked her own death.
When murder follows close on her heels, Owen is sent to Leeds and Scarborough to do some snooping, while his wife Lucie tries to discover the events of Joanna’s missing months. Can they unravel the mystery before the next death?
The King's Bishop by Candace Robb
4. King’s Bishop (1996)
March 1367: King Edward is impatient. He wants William of Wykeham confirmed as Bishop of Winchester, but Pope Urban V is stalling. Owen Archer finds himself heading a deputation from York to Fountains Abbey, to win support for Wykeham from the powerful Cistercian abbots. But then a murder in Windsor throws everything in the air.
Suddenly Owen is having to deal with some dangerous characters, including the King’s mistress, Alice Perrers. Can he extricate himself from a web of deceit and reveal the truth?
The Riddle of St. Leonard's by Candace Robb
5. The Riddle of St. Leonard’s (1997)
The much loved Queen Philippa lies dying at Windsor, and the plague has returned to the city of York. In an atmosphere of fear and superstition, rumours spread that a spate of deaths at St Leonard’s Hospital in the city is no accident.
With plague rife and the city’s inhabitants besieging his wife, the Apothecary, for new cures, Owen Archer is unwilling to become involved. Especially as there seems to be too little to link the deaths to each other. But careful enquiries reveal a further mystery connected to one of the victims, and suddenly Owen is drawn in…
A Gift of Sanctuary by Candace Robb
6. A Gift of Sanctuary (1998)
1369: a pilgrimage wends its way to the sacred city of St David’s. Owen accompanies the party to recruit archers for an upcoming fight against the French. But he has another, covert mission: to discover whether the Duke’s steward at Cydweli is a double agent for the Welsh rebels.
Then a body in the Duke’s livery is found at the city gates. And when Owen rides on to Cydweli, he finds the household of the steward and his beautiful young wife rocked by a theft from the exchequer. He must work fast to investigate charges of treachery, infidelity and murder if he’s to prevent further deaths.
A Spy for the Redeemer by Candace Robb
Owen is preparing to leave Wales, his work for John of Gaunt completed. Meanwhile, in York, Lucie is disheartened by her husband’s long absence and concerned by allegations against her apothecary. Then Brother Michaelo brings upsetting news, forcing her to journey to her father’s manor outside the city. Increasingly desperate, she accepts the company of a stranger…
All the while, Owen’s stay in the land of his birth has made him rethink his loyalties. Will he stick to his task, or take up arms for his homeland?
The Cross Legged Knight by Candace Robb
8. The Cross-Legged Knight (2002)
The Bishop of Winchester is bringing home the remains of local magnate Sir Ranulf Pagnell after his death in France. The family very publicly hold the bishop responsible for the death, and then an accident in the grounds of York Minster nearly kills him. Just a few days later his home is found ablaze. When the body of a young woman is discovered in the undercroft of the house, scandal threatens to destroy the Bishop, and Owen is called in to help.
The spy is troubled. Stationing guards in front of the smouldering remains, he starts to ask questions that some people would rather leave unanswered…
The Guilt of Innocents by Candace Robb
9. The Guilt of Innocents (2007)
A man has drowned in the River Ouse. It soon becomes clear that his death was not an accident. But why would anyone want to kill a humble river pilot?
Owen Archer is quickly brought to the scene by his adoptive son, Jasper, and is immediately drawn into the case. But right from the start he realises that it isn’t a simple question of one victim, one suspect. Then another body is found in the river. As Owen and Jasper get closer to the truth, they find their own lives in danger…
A Vigil of Spies by Candace Robb
10. A Vigil of Spies
The Archbishop of York lies dying. Owen Archer is determined to ensure that his lord’s last days are as peaceful as possible, but his plans are thrown into disarray when the Princess of Wales turns up in the city. Within minutes of her arrival a member of the royal party is murdered.
Then, only days later, a messenger carrying urgent letters is found hanging in the woods. As Owen races against time to find the murderer, he starts to realise that nobody is safe…
A Conspiracy of Wolves by Candace Robb
11. A Conspiracy of Wolves (2019)
When a member of one of York’s most prominent families is found with his throat torn out in the woods, rumours spread that wolves are running loose. Persuaded to investigate by the victim’s father, Owen Archer is convinced that a human killer is responsible. But before he can gather evidence to prove his case a second body is discovered, stabbed to death.
Is there a connection? What secrets are contained within the first victim’s household? And what does apprentice healer Alisoun know that she’s not telling?
A Choir of Crows by Candace Robb
12. A Choir of Crows (2020)
With the imminent enthronement of Alexander Neville as the new Archbishop of York, city authorities are on high alert. When two bodies are discovered in the grounds of York Minster and a youth is found locked in the chapter house, Owen Archer is summoned to investigate.
Then, 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?
The Riverwoman's Dragon by Candace Robb
13. The Riverwoman’s Dragon (2021)
A new physician has arrived to York, whipping up fear against traditional healers. With the backing of the new archbishop, he is especially hostile towards Magda Digby, the wise woman who has healed the people of York for many years. Magda’s troubles deepen when she discovers a body in the river near her home – and finds herself under suspicion of murder.
Determined to prove Magda’s innocence, Owen sets out to find answers – but the more he uncovers, the deeper the mystery becomes…
A Fox in the Fold by Candace Robb
14. A Fox in the Fold (2022)
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 his family into grave danger, and his investigation becomes a race to uncover the truth before his old nemesis destroys all he holds dear.
There you have it – all Candace Robb’s Owen Archer books in order! How many have you read? Let us know in the comments below…
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I have listened to 10 of these book, I have an eye condition which prevents me from reading for long, when are the last 3 going to be recorded