Poisoning the Angels

One-eyed, but rakishly handsome all the same, quondam soldier Owen Archer spies first for the Duke of Lancaster and then for the Archbishop of York in this well-researched, though labored, launch of a medieval mystery series. Disguised as an apothecary's apprentice, Owen is sent to learn what killed a distinguished pilgrim in the infirmary of St. Mary's abbey. When a second, similar murder occurs, the roster of suspects balloons to an unwieldy size. Among them: Wulfstan the ``infirmarian;'' the apothecary's wife, whom Owen secretly admires; the summoner Digby and his odorous mother; Bess the innkeeper; Anselm the sinister gay prelate; Lady Jocelyn, a hard-boiled high-level harlot; a few odd historical personages and many more. Despite their colorful roles, this lot exudes no more life than paper dolls in period dress; the story itself writhes around myriad plots and subplots, stalling occasionally in repetitions, musings or cliches. On the plus side, 14th-century York is carefully established with Chaucerian details, holding promise for Owen Archer yarns to come. (Oct.)