The Nun's Tale: An Owen Archer Mystery

In this engrossing tale of 14th-century England, a runaway nun dies and is buried, but is subsequently found alive under mysterious, and worldly, circumstances. As several related murders follow, the Archbishop of York, who is also Edward III's Lord Chancellor, sends his spy and agent Owen Archer, most recently encountered in The Lady Chapel, to unravel the mystery. Archer must determine the links between the nun, Dame Joanna Calverley, and her dubious saviour, Will Longford, former member of the Free Companies and possible traitor in England's looming war with France over the Spanish crown; also at issue is traffic in stolen relics. Owen's pregnant wife, apothecary Lucie Wilton, becomes involved when she is asked to help heal the now mad Joanna. A murder in Joanna's family and the possible involvement of the highly placed Percy family deepen the mystery. Imbued with the flavor of English medieval life, Robb's story melds true events with fiction to create a gripping historical mystery. (Oct.)