Unfortunately for Margaret Kerr of Perth, her books may always be compared to Robb's Owen Archer series, even if the comparison is somewhat unfair. Margaret Kerr is not Owen Archer-- she is young and inexperienced, often jumps to conclusions too quickly, and makes hasty decisions putting quite a few people at risk. Her husband has gone missing in Edinburgh; her cousin-in-law who went off to find him comes back dead (and mutilated), so she sets off for Edinburgh ostensibly to figure out why. But really, Margaret's story is the story of why Scotland is at the brink of civil war with England. Cheekily put, A Trust Betrayed is Braveheart but starring a woman and with historical accuracy. Now I am not much of a fan of the mystery genre, but I go out of my way to find and read Robb's books. They go so far beyond genre conventions to tell true-to-life stories about people living in real historical events and settings. A Trust Betrayed succeeds in bringing Medieval Scotland to life much as the Owen Archer series brought York and Wales to life.
Margaret Kerr’s husband is missing, and his cousin has been murdered. It is 1297, and war is spreading between the English and the Scots. Margaret travels to Edinburgh, hoping to learn something of her husband’s whereabouts and her kinsman's death. Edinburgh is occupied by the English forces, and Margaret must tread carefully to avoid trouble with the English as well as with supporters of the two rivals for the Scottish throne. In this first book in a series, author Candace Robb has painted a vivid picture of 13th century Edinburgh; the damp bone-chilling cold, the dim dirt-floored homes, and the treacherous streets. The characters are interesting and believable; I hope they are fleshed out a bit more in later books. The book was an enjoyable and quick read, although I had the feeling that it was written in order to give a back story to the other books in the series.
What do You think about A Trust Betrayed (2002)?
It's set in medieval Scotland with a female protagonist, Margaret Kerr. It wasn't as satisfying as her Owen Archer novels and was obviously written as the first in a series because some prophecies of Margaret's mother, now retired to a convent, are left unresolved. Having a mystic was a nice element. I was annoyed at how the main character seemed to misjudge other people in the story, though. I wasn't sure if this was because of her youth and inexperience or if the reader was supposed to agree with her. Maybe I'll read the sequel and give her a shot to grow on me.
—Heather
A historical mystery in 13th century Scotland, Candace Robb’s A Trust Betrayed, the first book in the Margaret Kerr series, is a hit. Candace’s book is full of secrets and suspense, leaving readers wondering what will happen next. With enticing characters and an intriguing story of a women who goes in search of her missing husband, readers will enjoy this thrilling tale in the first book in the Margaret Kerr series. I would recommend this novel to readers that thoroughly enjoy a book filled with mystery and intrigue.Series: Margaret KerrGenre: historical; mystery; crime; European literature; Scotland; cultural; 13th centuryPublisher: Mysterious PressPublication date: October 26, 2000Number of pages: 255Other books in the series:2-The Fire in the Flint3-A Cruel CourtshipContent Rating: PG-13 (mystery and a bit of violence/crime)Book Rating: 4 starsA review copy of this book was provided by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours.
—Sydney
