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jarichan's review against another edition
3.0
Ein netter und kurzweiliger historischer Krimi mit einer interessanten Hauptfigur und einem Handlungsstrang, den ich nicht erwartet hätte. Zwar fehlte mir in der Geschichte ein wenig die Spannung und vor allem auch das historische Flair (die Geschichte hätte, abgesehen von ein paar klitzekleinen Details, auch zu einer anderen Zeit spielen können), dennoch fühlte ich mich nicht gelangweilt und wurde im Grossen und Ganzen gut unterhalten.
elinoah's review against another edition
2.0
I had to buy this book in paper format, because there is no ebook version. So that was a downer. I did get bored about 3/4 of the way through. I think she is a great writer (the book was well written) but the plot kinda sucked. I thought it was going to be a mystery. We found out who committed the murder at the beginning of the book and did not really find out the why until the end and it was extremely anti-climatic. Not sure if I will go for the second one, since I have to order these books in from abesbooks or someplace like that.
deetjitro's review against another edition
4.0
[b:The Apothecary Rose|26091119|The Apothecary Rose (Owen Archer #1)|Candace Robb|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1439434232l/26091119._SY75_.jpg|165862] is set in York, somewhere around York Minster and St Mary’s Abbey. It was mentioned in the book that the construction of the Minster is yet to finish. So, I assume this would be around the 1360s(?). I’m not sure as there are several segments of constructions going on in the Minster. However, the first recorded church on the site originated in 627. In this story, the monks were still housed at St Mary’s Abbey, about two hundred years before that Tudor one goes rampage on all monasteries and churches in 1539.
I quite like the way Candace Robb storytelling style. Writing in a definitely different vibe from Kate Mosse—which is good; variations are always welcomed—Candace is more delicate and careful. I feel as if Candace Robb wrote this story by choosing her words wisely but it didn’t diminish the degree of seriousness of the problem displayed.
I don’t think that treating this book as something that has an ending is the correct way. I mean, it’s a series. Obviously, there’d be a continuation to the story. Characters will develop, hearts will be broken, murders will continue, and scandals will be made.
I also don’t have historical notes on this one. York is York since it was Eboracum. The history is known as every inch of the city has a piece of history. Why do you think I picked it as the topic for my thesis? Rich history, the abundance of reading materials, and again: York is York.
Full review: ici
I quite like the way Candace Robb storytelling style. Writing in a definitely different vibe from Kate Mosse—which is good; variations are always welcomed—Candace is more delicate and careful. I feel as if Candace Robb wrote this story by choosing her words wisely but it didn’t diminish the degree of seriousness of the problem displayed.
I don’t think that treating this book as something that has an ending is the correct way. I mean, it’s a series. Obviously, there’d be a continuation to the story. Characters will develop, hearts will be broken, murders will continue, and scandals will be made.
I also don’t have historical notes on this one. York is York since it was Eboracum. The history is known as every inch of the city has a piece of history. Why do you think I picked it as the topic for my thesis? Rich history, the abundance of reading materials, and again: York is York.
Full review: ici
siria's review against another edition
1.0
This could have been a mediocre-to-average historical murder mystery (though of more the whydunnit than whodunnit variety), with a decent sense of place to compensate for the absolutely rote central romance. However, and ruined whatever mild interest I had in seeing how things unfolded. I won't be seeking out the rest of the series.
Spoiler
having the murderer's villainy and queerness be so explicitly linked, complete with flashback to childhood sexual abuse and incestuous desires, was grossrojo25's review against another edition
3.0
First, the writer’s knowledge and writing of the period is outstanding. As far as a mystery? Not a good one.
carbonaden's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
maryrobinson's review against another edition
3.0
The first entry in a historical mystery series set in Medieval England. This was a great set-up, involving characters from the church elite and royalty, with a master archer and young woman apprenticed to her apothecary husband playing detectives. Good writing, great characterization.
winters's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.0
bojnberry's review against another edition
http://bojnberry.ca/~berry/blog/?p=360[return][return]Updated the link, and copied the text here...[return][return][return]The Apothecary Rose is a mystery set in 1300s England, York to be exact. It follows our hero, a half blind ex-archer who is employed by the Archbishop of Canterbury to discover why and how one of his wards had died. There was foul play afoot, and Archer has to discover it, as well as gain the trust of the female apothecary that he is using as a front.[return][return]This book was interesting enough. It was a bit light of substance, for instance I did not really get the feeling that the action was taking place in medieval times from the interactions of the characters, and I felt that most of the characters were one dimensional, and used only as plot devices.[return][return]That being said, I read the book in one sitting. The scenery was very well done, and did give a sense of place and time, and the pacing as the end of the book approached picked up nicely. The climax came a bit early, though, leaving a bit of an awkward denouement. This was probably to help set up the next book (which I have beside me, The Lady Chapel), but still, Ms. Robb could have saved it for then.