1370 Owen Archer and Geoffrey Chaucer are sent to St. David's in Wales by the Duke of Lancaster. To recruit archers, inspect fortifications and investigate, John Lascelles, the Duke's steward. But a body discovered causes complications.
An enjoyable historical mystery with a large cast of characters. ( )

It was really hard to follow the story. The names were confusing. ( )

A nice detective story in the medieval times. ( )

This sixth entry in the Owen Archer series moves our hero out of his usual milieu and has him returning to the land of his birth – Wales. England is at war with France and Owen is dispatched to find 40 archers to help protect a vulnerable area. He takes off with Geoffrey Chaucer so again we have that wonderful mix of fictional and historical characters blending beautifully together to tell a tale.

Of course nothing can go easily or as planned when it comes to our intrepid hero. Where would he be without a mystery to solve? In this case though the deaths aren’t as focal as is Owen’s feelings about being back in Wales. It brings up a range of emotions for a man who is not used to being overly introspective. He is also away from his Lucie for a long period of time and he – and the reader if truth be told – misses her terribly. She really does add to the stories.

I found this book to be back on track from the last one which was good, but it was one that I didn’t enjoy as much as the others. A Gift of Sanctuary is full of great characters both old and familiar and some new ones that bring a depth to the story. It’s never easy to go home again whether you are a fictional hero or an everyday person. It leaves Owen with much to consider and that only benefits the reader. ( )

El año 1370 no se presenta nada halagüeño para Inglaterra. Pasada la terrible Peste Negra y apenas recuperado el reino de sus devastadores efectos, otras amenazas se vislumbran en el horizonte. Ante la inminente invasión de las tropas del rey Carlos de Francia, el duque de Lancaster sospecha de la fidelidad de su aliado el duque de Gales. Así pues, Owen Archer, antiguo capitán de arqueros y ocasional espía del arzobispo de York, es llamado de nuevo para servir al trono. Esta vez deberá acudir a Gales, su tierra natal, con el supuesto fin de reclutar ballesteros para las tropas del duque de Lancaster y visitar la catedral de San David, aunque su verdadero propósito sea indagar la lealtad de sus paisanos. En su peregrinaje le acompañan su suegro, sir Robert Du2019Arby, y nada menos que Geoffrey Chaucer, el genial creador de Los cuentos de Canterbury, a quienes pronto se unirá el gran rapsoda galés Dafydd Gwylim. Pero las cosas no siempre salen según lo previsto. Nada más llegar, uno de los contactos secretos aparece muerto, lo que pone en peligro toda la misión.