Today I am taking part in the blog tour for the book “A conspiracy of wolves” by Candace Robb, organised by Love Book Group.
TITLE: A CONSPIRACY OF WOLVES
AUTHOR: CANDACE ROBB
GENRE: MYSTERY
BLURB
1374. When a member of one of York’s most prominent families is found dead in the woods, his throat torn out, rumours spread like wildfire that wolves are running loose throughout the city. Persuaded to investigate by the victim’s father, Owen Archer is convinced that a human killer is responsible. But before he can gather sufficient evidence to prove his case, a second body is discovered, stabbed to death. Is there a connection? What secrets are contained within the victim’s household? And what does apprentice healer Alisoun know that she’s not telling? Teaming up with Geoffrey Chaucer, who is in York on a secret mission on behalf of Prince Edward, Owen’s enquiries will draw him headlong into a deadly conspiracy.
EXCERPT:
He could smell it now, the strong, metallic scent. It took a great deal of blood to overpower the ripeness of the early autumn marsh. The scent spooked the horses, and it took much coaxing to lead them closer to the body. The guards had covered their noses and mouths with rags – more for the swamp odors than for the blood, Owen guessed. Some believed the pestilence came from the odor of decay.
‘Tie up the horses by that stand of trees,’ Owen ordered Michaelo. ‘Then come and join me by the body. Be ready to record my observations.’
Lifting the rag from his mouth, one of the guards said, ‘Well met, Captain Archer, well met. We did not hope to see you so soon.’
‘I am here to record the condition of the victim and the surrounding woods. What are your orders concerning the removal of Master Hoban’s body?’
‘The sheriff is sending a cart. We are to take it to Swann’s home on Coney Street.’
Michaelo joined them. ‘It would be a help if I might sit to write,’ he said.
The man fanning the flies nodded in the direction of an uprooted stump.
‘That will do.’ Michaelo waited, but when no one rushed to bring it to him, he reluctantly fetched it, dragging it a few feet.
‘Closer,’ said Owen. ‘It is better if you see for yourself what I am describing.’
With a sigh, Michaelo bent to the work of dragging it up to where Owen stood. Brushing off his hands, he sat down with grace and drew a wax tablet and stylus from his pack.
Owen crouched beside the body and nodded to the guards to lift the cloak away. Hoban’s pale gold hair was matted with blood, his comely face twisted in pain and terror above an unÂnatural rictus that had been carved across his throat. Michaelo breathed in sharply at the sight but made no complaint. Nor did he gag. All good signs.
Before beginning his examination, Owen bowed his head over Hoban’s body. ‘O Lord, I beseech you to receive him with love, and give comfort and ease to his wife, Muriel, his unborn child, and his father, Bartolf, who have lost one dear to them,’ he prayed.
Michaelo and the guards responded with ‘Amen.’
Owen used the hilt of his dagger to lift Hoban’s chin, gingerly, for there was little left connecting the head to the body.
‘Large dogs. Or wolves,’ said one of the men. ‘Ripped out his throat.’
Quietly, for Michaelo’s ears, Owen corrected the account. ‘A man wielding a knife slit Hoban’s throat ear to ear.’
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Candace Robb has read and researched medieval history for many years, having studied for a PhD in Medieval & Anglo-Saxon Literature. She divides her time between Seattle and the UK, frequently visiting York to research the series. She is the author of ten previous Owen Archer mysteries and three Kate Clifford medieval mysteries.
THANK YOU
