The Riverwoman’s Dragon by Candace Robb is the 13th book in the Owen Archer series. When the wise woman Magda Digby is suspected of murder, Owen Archer sets out to prove her innocence in this intricately plotted medieval mystery.
Title: The Riverwoman’s Dragon
Author: Candace Robb
Series: Owen Archer #13
First Published: October 1, 2021
Publisher: Severn House
Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery,
Acquired: from blog tour organiser, Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours
*** Thank you to Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours and the publisher, Severn House, for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. ***
May, 1375. Owen Archer returns from London to find York in chaos. While the citizens are living in terror of the pestilence which is spreading throughout the land, a new physician has arrived, whipping up fear and suspicion against traditional healers and midwives. With the backing of the new archbishop, he is especially hostile towards Magda Digby, the wise woman who has helped and healed the people of York for many years. At the same time, Magda is uneasy about the arrival of two long-lost kinsfolk. Though they say they are seeking her help, she senses a hidden agenda.
Magda’s troubles deepen when she discovers a body in the river near her home – and finds herself under suspicion of murder. Days later, fire rips through a warehouse in the city. Amongst the charred debris lies the body of a man – not burned, but stabbed in the back. Could there be a connection to the corpse in the river?
Determined to prove Magda’s innocence, Owen sets out to find answers – but the more he uncovers, the deeper the mystery becomes…
Returning to Owen Archer’s world
I first discovered the world of Owen Archer when I read the 11th book in the series, A Conspiracy of Wolves (click here to read my review of that book) and I was hooked. The author has a knack for writing brilliantly immersive historical fiction. As with her previous books, the dialogue, the setting, the descriptions – it all feels very realistic and seamlessly transports the reader into the past. Once again, Robb makes 14th century York come alive.
Don’t get me wrong, the story isn’t bogged down with lots of descriptions or explanations – it’s a perfect balance of giving you enough information to imagine everything in your mind, but not too much that you feel like you’re taking a history lesson. The pacing is quick and gripping and I never wanted the story to end.
Coincidentally, while we are in 1375, it felt just a bit like I was still in 2021 because York in The Riverwoman’s Dragon is dealing with a plague and York is in the throes of fear and panic (sound familiar?). It doesn’t help that a stranger—who claims to be a doctor—arrives in town and stirs up fear and suspicion towards traditional healers and midwives, including Magda and Owen’s own wife, local apothecary Lucie (again, sound familiar 2021?).
I’m a huge fan of the Owen Archer series, mainly because it is historical fiction done well, but also because I really enjoy Owen Archer’s character, and his interactions with the supporting characters around him.
Getting to know Magda Digby
Magda has been a minor character through most of the series, and I really liked getting to know more about her. I have always found her a wise and interesting character and learning more about her background in this story, which makes her a main character, was a nice surprise.
I think that a long-running series needs ways to keep the books interesting and putting the spotlight on a supporting character that has been around for so long was a great move.
And while The Riverwoman’s Dragon can definitely be read on its own, there are a lot of relationships and characters that have been built up slowly during the past 12 books, so it’s a much richer and rewarding story when you have read the series from the start. Even if you do start the Owen Archer series with this book, I highly recommend you go back and check out Book 1, The Apothecary Rose.
Like many of Robb’s books, The Riverwoman’s Dragon is not a straightforward story. There are A LOT of twists and turns, red herrings and suspicious characters. I love that I always have a hard time figuring out who the eventual villain is whenever I read this series and I was not disappointed with the eventual solution.
Read The Riverwoman’s Dragon for yourself
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About the Author
I’m Candace Robb, a writer/historian engaged in creating fiction about the late middle ages with a large cast of characters with whom I enjoy spending my days. Two series, the Owen Archer mysteries and the Kate Clifford mysteries, are set in late medieval York. The Margaret Kerr trilogy is set in early 14th century Scotland, at the beginning of the Wars of Independence. Two standalone novels (published under pseudonym Emma Campion) expand on the lives of two women in the court of King Edward III who have fascinated me ever since I first encountered them in history and fiction.
I am a dreamer. Writing, gardening, walking, dancing, reading, being with friends—there’s always a dreaming element.
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Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, October 18
Guest Post at Novels Alive
Tuesday, October 19
Excerpt at Books, Ramblings, and Tea
Thursday, October 21
Interview at Passages to the Past
Friday, October 22
Excerpt at I’m All About Books
Tuesday, October 26
Excerpt at Books & Benches
Wednesday, October 27
Review at Bookfrolic
Excerpt at The Cozy Book Blog
Thursday, October 28
Interview at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals
Friday, October 29
Review at Coffee and Ink
Monday, November 1
Review at Passages to the Past
Giveaway
Enter to win a copy of The Riverwoman’s Dragon by Candace Robb! We have 1 copy available to the US and 1 to the UK.
The giveaway ends on November 1st. You must be 18 or older to enter.
So happy you enjoyed The Riverwoman’s Dragon! Thank you for hosting the tour!
Amy
HF Virtual Book Tours