Another great stand alone read by Rhys Bowen. A page turner. Always learn interesting history about the time period in her stand alone books as well as her series and this one was no exception. The resiliency and sacrifices made by the English during WWII is overwhelming and this story is yet another example.

In The Rose Arbor, Rhys Bowen tells a gripping historical mystery set in two timelines: the 1940s and 1968. The story follows Liz Houghton, an obituary writer who dreams of becoming a reporter. When a 15-year-old girl goes missing, Liz and her flatmate Marissa decide to investigate.

As they dig into the case, they find a link to three children who disappeared during WWII. The way the past and present connect adds excitement to the mystery, keeping readers guessing as Liz and Marissa gather clues.

Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Rose Arbor.

This standalone book by Rhys Bowen is a gem! I love the way that Rhys weaves a fictional mystery with true occurrences from WWII. I really feel as if I learned a bit more about WWII while reading this interesting mystery.

This book was a DNF for me. I got to 30% and decided it was not for me. Hopefully it will be a good fit for someone else!

I was unable to get myself into this story. Normally I love historical fiction and maybe I would’ve had an easier time getting into it if I had listened to an audio version instead of trying to read the ebook.

The year is 1968, and obit writer Liz Houghton seizes a chance to break back into the newsroom when a young girl’s disappearance captures the city’s attention. Partnering with her best friend/roommate, Marisa (who is also one of the officers on the case), Liz uncovers a chilling link to an unsolved mystery from WWII, when 3 girls went missing during an evacuation. As Liz digs deeper, she is drawn to the abandoned village of Tydeham, linked to the girls' disappearance, and begins to unravel disturbing secrets that suggest a connection to her own past.
***
... If my OCD would let me DNF books, this would be a STRONG contender. What the F did I just read? What was the point of this book? I'm so shocked that such a beloved and renowned author wrote this? The plot fell so utterly flat, and it really did have potential. And the ending - my GOD, that ending - made me batty. I thought the story started off slow, but I kept with it because I thought it would take off, given the premise... And that ended up being a big, fat NOPE. There was too much going on with this book, I don't understand what was trying to be accomplished because it wasn't even particularly entertaining for the majority of the story.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book inreturn for a reviw based upon my honest opinion.

Liz writes obituaries and comes upon a story about an incident decades before during an evacuation when two girls go missing. She decides she wants to look into the missing girl and the story takes her to Tydeham, whwre she finds more than she thought she would. This was a wonderful book. It had a great characters and storyline. I look forward to more books by this author

Journalist Liz has been banished to obituaries due to being too good an investigator and she is desperate to get back to real news. When her room-mate, a detective at the Met, is sent to the south to follow a lead in the disappearance of a young girl, she decides to tag along. The older male cop is not happy, especially when Liz suspects there is a connection to a series of missing children during WWII. It has haunted him that he and the other cops were unable to solve the mysteries.

What shocks her is when she gets to the abandoned village that was destroyed in the prep for D-Day, she has a strong and inexplicable memory. She is told by her father that she has never been there so is she suddenly channeling ghosts. The son of the destroyed manor meets her and the two form a bond. She is convinced there is a body buried on the grounds. When it is dug up the question then becomes who was she and how is she connected to Liz. What she discovers will turn her entire life upside down as well as answer many questions that had remained for over 20 years.

The twists and turns in the story will knock you off your feet as much as they did her. It is not until the end that she will get closure but her world will never be the same. Five purrs and two paws up.

This dual timeline historical fiction mystery was intriguing and multi-layered. The story is mainly set in 1968 where Liz Houghton, an obituary writer is hoping to crack the case of a missing girl and earn her way into the newsroom. Flashbacks to 1943 occur throughout the book creating further curiosity about a possible connection between Lucy's disappearance and the disappearance of girls from London during the evacuation. This one definitely kept me on my toes, and although I had a suspicion about one part of the mystery, I definitely didn’t have it all figured out. There is also a dash of romance in this one, which was fun, and I can see the potential for future books involving these characters. This was my first book by this author, which is surprising because she has several others out that I hope to check out at some point.

Pick this one up if you enjoy:
-dual timeline
-historical fiction
-strong female MC
-crime/mystery
-sweet romance
-villages in the UK

Rhys Bowen always writes the best historical fiction ever!. Smooth, concise, beautiful and always with the perfect character development.
First, special thank you to Netgalley for the gifted e-copy in exchange of my honest review. The Rose Arbor is a heartwarming and captivating story of suspense and mystery wrapped in a very intricate historical fiction element. The plot focused on a young girl during the WWII time who disappeared. Her story inspired Liz, an aspiring young writer and Marissa her flat mate who is a police officer to follow her story, dug up the forgotten leads and eventually took them to a small village where they worked to uncover the secrets and mystery from years ago.

True to Rhys Bowen's nature, this was beautifully and delicately crafted. I was having fun reading the whole thing and was very invested in the outcome. I have read multiple reviews "hinting" for it to be a series. If that is true, I would not miss the sequel and will be looking forward to more of Liz and Marissa's adventure!

This was a very creepy and somewhat disturbing story. I've read a few of Rhys Bowen' s books before and this one definitely has a darker tone. It was very fascinating to learn about the abandoned city of Tydeham. Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

I did receive an advance copy of The Rose Arbor by Rhys Bowen through Net Galley, and it is a delightful book. Liz Houghton is a young newspaper reporter who has been assigned to write obituaries and knows she has more interesting stories in her. Her roommate is Marissa, and she is a police officer who has been assigned to investigate the disappearance of a young girl. It is a dual timeline with 1943 and 1968. It's a mystery not just about this little girl, but three other little girls who disappeared when they were sent out of London to safety during WWII. Even Liz discovers her life may not be what she has always known. Far-fetched, yes, but sometimes that is what makes an interesting story. It's four stars and worth the read.

An obituary writer turned investigative reporter stumbles onto a connection between the disappearance of a little girl and a cold case of three missing girls from twenty-three years earlier. The secrets uncovered leave a variety of lives upended as the mysteries unfold. Set in London in 1968 with a glimpse at life in England during WWII, The Rose Arbor is a recommended read for Rhys Bowen fans, new and old alike.

This was my first read by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I appreciated the dual timeline, as it’s one of my favorite things in any book. Liz was such a strong female character, which I also admire! This was a well-written book that I’d recommend to anyone seeking a good historical fiction mystery.

Not sure what it was about this but it failed to hold my interest. It sounded interesting and I love Rhys Bowen’s various mystery series but I couldn’t connect with Liz and found the story to be a bit dry. The premise was fascinating but it was very slow moving and, while it was tied up nicely in the end, it was too little, too late for me.

In the realm of historical mysteries, Rhys Bowen has carved out a niche for herself with her compelling narratives and strong female protagonists. Her latest offering, “The Rose Arbor,” is no exception to this tradition. Set against the backdrop of 1968 London, the story plunges readers into an engrossing tale that intertwines a contemporary investigation with secrets dating back to World War II.
Liz Houghton, the protagonist of “The Rose Arbor,” finds herself in the monotonous world of obituary writing, yearning for a breakthrough that would catapult her into the bustling newsroom. The disappearance of a young girl presents Liz with just such an opportunity. Accompanied by her best friend Marisa, a police officer on the case, Liz’s pursuit of the truth leads them to Dorset. Here, they stumble upon a chilling connection to a decades-old mystery involving three girls who vanished during their evacuation from London—one found murdered and two never seen again.
Bowen’s narrative prowess shines as she deftly weaves the present-day investigation with the wartime past, drawing readers into the desolate village of Tydeham. Once requisitioned by the military and now abandoned, Tydeham becomes more than just a setting—it emerges as a silent witness to the long-buried secrets that Liz is determined to uncover. The author’s ability to create a sense of place is so potent that the village itself feels like a character, imbuing the story with an atmosphere that is both haunting and vivid.
As a fan of Rhys Bowen’s work, I found “The Rose Arbor” to be a refreshing departure from her previous novels. While it retains the hallmark elements of a historical mystery, there is an added layer of suspense that elevates it to the realm of a historical thriller. The plot is unique and meticulously crafted, ensuring that the suspense remains taut throughout the narrative.
Bowen’s characters are, as always, endearing and relatable. Liz Houghton stands out as a testament to Bowen’s skill in creating strong, intelligent women who drive the story forward. Her determination and journalistic instincts make her an engaging character whom readers will root for as she delves deeper into the enigma of Tydeham.
“The Rose Arbor” is a testament to Rhys Bowen’s storytelling abilities, with her descriptive writing transporting readers to another time and place. The novel captivates with its blend of history and suspense, leaving one eagerly anticipating future works from Bowen’s imaginative mind. For those who have followed her previous works, this novel is a thrilling addition to her repertoire. For newcomers, it serves as a perfect introduction to the enchanting worlds that Bowen creates.

My first book by this author .What a great story .The grass may not always be greener on the other side .One may question if you had chose another path then where would you be .It also shows sometimes you may not get over the past unless close the door .Ben dying gave Harper a new life to love with their son.Maybe things work out just as it should.

Rhys Bowen always writes an atmospheric, character driven novel, and the Rose Arbor didn't disappoint. My imagination led me down several dead ends as I tried to figure out what was going on with the central theme of this story. Along with newspaper writer Liz Houghton and her roommate, detective Marisa, I dreamed up some wild theories about what had happened to the missing girls. I suspected the wrong people, and was ultimately surprised by the plot resolutions. The dual time-line that had a wartime village being evacuated to serve as target practice for the British army was interesting and connected well to the present day mystery.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Although I don't think this is the best book this author has written I still enjoyed it and I always go for any books that by her. The dual timeline worked well and I particularly enjoyed the parts where she felt recognition from her own past but couldn't fit the pieces together. A good storyline and interesting characters made it an enjoyable read

Rhys Bowen has become a very reliable author for me over the past few years. I have enjoyed reading The Molly Murphy mysteries and a few of her standalone novels. The Rose Arbor was no exception. It was a well written historical fiction mystery that followed a dual timeline. Rhys Bowen never ceases to impress me with her strong female characters that she creates for her books. In The Rose Arbor, Liz Houghton was not only a strong young woman but she was determined, confident, intelligent and capable. I was in awe of her never ending tenacity. She possessed an unrelenting desire to prove that she was not only competent in her role as a newspaper reporter but that she deserved the position that she had been denied. The Rose Arbor took place in both 1968 and in the 1940’s during World War II. It was set in London and in a tiny little fishing village called Tydeham. The Rose Arbor was loosely inspired by actual places and events that existed and occurred during World War II.

Liz Houghton and her flatmate, Marisa had met years ago in school. Marisa had attended the school on a scholarship. The girls came from completely different backgrounds and upbringings but they became loyal and steadfast friends. In 1968, Liz and Marisa had become flatmates despite Liz’s parent’s hope that Liz would remain living in their home. Marisa had followed in her father’s footsteps and had become a police officer and Liz was working for the Dailey Express Newspaper in London. Liz had recently discovered the hard way that uncovering a noteworthy story was not always rewarded. In Liz’s case, it removed her from the role of reporter and placed her in the department that’s sole responsibility was writing obituaries. Not only was Liz’s career aspirations in journalism in a slump but the man that Liz had developed feelings for had followed a job opportunity that led him to Australia. Liz had hoped that she would have heard from him but not a single word came. Her hope for a future with this man was diminishing very fast. On top of all of that, Liz’s mother was suffering from the beginning stages of dementia.

Liz was at a real impasse with everything she was dealing with when she learned that Marisa was going to Dorset to investigate a lead about a missing little girl named Lucy Fareham. Marisa was accompanying Detective Inspector Jones on this investigation. The police department had received a tip that a little girl fitting Lucy Fareham’s description had been sighted in the Dorset area. Liz started to formulate a plan in her head. She knew that if she was able to find little Lucy, she would regain the respect she had lost at the newspaper. After much persuasion, Liz was able to convince Marisa to allow her to follow her to Dorset. When Liz bumped into Marisa and Detective Inspector Jones, Liz and Marisa would act surprised. Liz knew that this was her opportunity to show her supervisor what she was capable of doing. The morning Liz put her plan in action, she called her office and told them that she was sick and not coming into work.

In the early 1940’s, England’s armed forces were searching for the best place to practice their drills for the possibility of an invasion by Germany. The fishing village of Tydeham in Dorset seemed as good a place as any for this purpose. Its inhabitants were given two weeks to pack up their possessions and to find somewhere else to live. The village of Tydeham consisted of a church, schoolhouse, pub, modest cottages and the main house known as Tydeham Grange. There was a total of eight families that resided in Tydeham. In addition, Tydeham was located on the coast and had the land features that the British armed forces were looking for that would replicate the situations that they might face if confronted by the Germans. Before the war started, most of Tydeham’s inhabitants earned their living by fishing. Most of the people who lived in Tydeham, had lived there their entire lives. Some families had lived in Tydeham for generations. Their orders were that they had to evacuate before October 8, 1943. Some of the people of Tydeham went to live with relatives. Others were offered council houses to live in. The people of Tydeham were promised that nothing bad would happen to their homes and that they would be allowed to return once the war ended. Unfortunately, those were empty promises.

After a few days of separately tracking down leads about young Lucy Fareham’s disappearance, Liz convinced Detective Inspector Jones and Marisa to let her accompany them to a place called Tydeham where someone claimed to see a child in the back of a car matching Lucy’s description. The car had been seen headed toward Tydeham. The town of Tydeham was still considered a restricted area. If they wanted to access the town, they would have to get the army’s permission. The army agreed and even provided an escort for DI Jones, Marisa and Liz. As the three were driven to Tydeham, DI Jones told Marisa and Liz about three little girls who had disappeared during World War II years. During the war, many children were evacuated from the city to the countryside. Of the three little girls, two were never found. One of them was found dead near the train tracks. Liz became equally obsessed with solving the fates of these young girls who disappeared during the war as she was with trying to find Lucy. When DI Jones, Marisa and Liz reached Tydeham, what they saw was shocking. The town had been obliterated. Liz immediately felt as if she had been in Tydeham but she knew the possibility was unlikely. She would have been about two years old in 1943. There was something though that was so familiar and yet foreboding at the same time about the town to Liz. After a disappointing outing, Marisa and DI Jones left the next morning. Liz decided to stay on for another day or so. She felt compelled to go back to Tydeham again. When she found herself by Tydeham Grange, the manor house, Liz felt a presence and remembered things that happened there when she was a very young girl. Then someone was standing over her. James Bennington had come out of nowhere and scared her to death. As Liz began to recover from her scare, she turned white as a ghost and began to tremble as she saw a vision of someone that had been buried in the rose garden under the rose arbor. Could Liz’s visions be accurate? What would the local police discover? Would Liz discover a romance with James Bennington?

The Rose Arbor by Rhys Bowen was suspenseful and kept me guessing as Liz tried to figure out what had happened to young Lucy Fareham. She was determined to also discover what had happened to the three young girls that disappeared during World War II. Their cases had never been solved. Liz knew that DI Jones felt like he failed those three little girls and their families that disappeared during their evacuation. Could she help DI Jones get closure after all the time that had lapsed? I admired Liz’s character and how she grew in confidence and ability over the course of the story. The Rose Arbor was an enjoyable historical fiction mystery that I highly recommend.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read The Rose Arbor by Rhys Bowen through Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.