I’m a great fan of this author and this book was as good as anything else she has written. She writes with realism and such descriptions that with a few words she tell you a lot. Loved it.

It was 1943 when the tiny village of Tydeham on the south coast of England, was requisitioned by the military to use as invasion practice. The tenants and owners of the properties were given two weeks to vacate, to move somewhere else with only the belongings they could carry. There was anger and tears, devastation and heartache - but they were told they could return after the war. What they weren't told was that the ammunition used would be live...

In 1968, budding newspaper reporter, Liz Houghton, was investigating three missing children from back in the war years. Her flatmate, Marisa, was a police officer and with a young girl currently missing, Liz wondered if they were connected. Travelling to Devon, she accompanied Marisa and her DI to the small, abandoned village of Tydeham, where she suddenly had memories of having been there before. She knew the name of the old pub and knew the rose arbor in the grounds of the old manor house. What was going on? Liz was determined to find answers - her career at the paper depended on it. But so did some children, both from long ago and one who'd been missing for two weeks.

Based on a true story, The Rose Arbor is an outstanding read by Rhys Bowen, one I thoroughly enjoyed. I couldn't put it down, needing to know what was happening. Liz is an excellent character, with determination and grit, as well as being known for not taking orders - pushing her all the way. I think The Rose Arbor would be a great start to a new series! Highly recommended.,

With thanks to NetGalley & Lake Union Publishing for my digital ARC to read.

Liz Houghton wants to do investigative journalism. For no fault of her own, she has been relegated to obituaries. She is not giving up the fight though. When a little girl goes missing, and there is a sighting of her, Liz joins her police friend Marisa and the wary DI to unofficially go behind the scenes to find the girl.

When the conversation turns to three little girls who went missing during the war, Liz’s interest is piqued, whether there are any links. Liz also wonders why the village of Tydeham and especially the abandoned area (requisitioned by the military) brings back a flashback memory of her as a two year old. Equally perplexing is that her flashback leads to the discovery of a body and the strange news that her father insists that she had never visited this part of England as a child.

The story has several strands woven together with Liz as its focus. The present day disappearance of Lucy and the hidden story of Lucy’s mother. The disappearance of three little girls and the fact that it is a cold case now after decades of investigation, the romance that arises between James and Liz and the fact that Liz’s childhood was built on a facade of lies, leading to the murder of a young woman and later Liz’s own mother, that Liz’s father feels that it is all perfectly justified because he just wanted to protect his wife (and their reputation). It is a lot to put together in one story but it is a cohesive whole.

The settings were very descriptive and characterization was spot on.

In 1968, obituary writer, Liz, finds herself with an opportunity to get involved with a search for a missing girl, which leads her to Dorset.

While there, she starts to have flashbacks that some people believe could be psychic channeling, but Liz is certain they are memories. Her father assures her that they never visited Dorset when she was a young child and it’s impossible that she could recognise the area, but when she recognises a burial site and a skeleton is unearthed, she knows she needs to find out the truth.

I loved the writing, the immersive descriptions of Dorset (I live here) and the characters. Through Liz’s memories, the story is also told in part in 1943, when children were being evacuated to Dorset.

The story is captivating with plenty of intrigue, gripping twists, fabulous historical fiction and a drop of romance. Thoroughly enjoyable.

4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Rhys Bowen and Lake Union for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Bowen does a fantastic job of telling this story without shifting timelines. I was fascinated through the entire read, and really enjoyed the mixture of two genres: crime and historical fiction.
I will definitely be recommending this book!

This book struck me as grimmer in some ways than Bowen's other books set in the same time period. The idea of the town that was abandoned and then destroyed, combined with the mother's mental problems, the deprivation of the time, and the protagonist's woo-woo of seeing a body buried seemed to overwhelm the underlying romance. I also didn't believe that the police would go along with her so easily.

An intriguing dual time line historical mystery that moves between 1968 and 1943, The disappearance of. young girl sends Liz, an obit writer who aspires to more, to a small village with secrets dating back to WWII, when other young girls disappeared. It's a good read which uses the WWII secrecy to advantage. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Rhys Bowen for early access in exchange for an honest review. What a unique story. It’s marketed as historical fiction but it read more like a mystery with historical elements. The story follows obituary journalist Liz Houghton who learns of a missing girl and she wants to be the one to break the story. The writing was great and I found the historical elements to be super interesting as it didn’t focus on the normal aspects of a World War II story. The author did a good job at sprinkling in information at the right time. The characters were all interesting and I was eager to learn what had happened. Would recommend!

4/5 Stars

Wow! This was not as I expected. This is a clear winner, and a perfect setup for Marissa and Liz to have other adventures in London. Marissa is a police detective and Liz is an investigative reporter. They are also roommates. They are an interesting pair, and I look forward to more of their cases. This one has lots of interesting aspects, that you don't see how they will pull together, but Rhys is a master. This takes war torn England, and has a great setting for a murder, and kidnapped child, a child who remembers where the body is buried, and 3 other missing children, past and present. This is a highly recommended five stars!

Whew this one was a slog for me. Despite The Rose Arbor being just slightly over 300 pages, I felt like I might never finish. While there was a mystery (or several really) to solve, I didn't even feel compelled to keep reading to find out what happened. I felt like the dialogue was very trite, and the plot was completely outlandish. I've really liked Bowen's other books that I've read, so I'm hoping this was just a one-off, because I would not really recommend this one to anyone.

Thank you Netgalley & Lake Union Publishing for an eARC♥️

Wow, this book is like I hit the jackpot - it's got everything I love! Historical fiction, mystery, and suspense all come together in a thrilling narrative that had me hooked from start to finish. I'm a huge fan of Rhys Bowen, and her latest novel does not disappoint💓

The dual timeline narrative is expertly woven, switching between 1968 and World War II with ease. I love how Bowen slowly reveals the connections between the past and present, keeping me on the edge of my seat.

In 1968, Liz Houghton is an obituary writer with a nose for news, and she's determined to break into the newsroom with the story of a young girl's disappearance. As she digs deeper, she uncovers a dark mystery that dates back to the war. I was fascinated by the historical aspect of the novel, and I appreciated the attention to detail. The way Bowen describes the abandoned village of Tydeham, requisitioned by the military during the war, is haunting.

This book is like I hit a bingo - it's got all my favorite elements! Historical fiction, mystery, suspense, and a dual timeline narrative all come together to create a story that's engaging, addictive, and impossible to put down. If you're a fan of any of these genres, you'll love this book. And if you're a fan of Rhys Bowen like me, you won't be disappointed. Can't wait for her next one!

As a longtime fan of mysteries, I was thrilled when I picked up "The Rose Arbor" by Rhys Bowen. Set against the backdrop of 1968 London and the haunting remnants of a wartime village, this book offers a compelling blend of suspense and history that kept me riveted from the first page.
I felt an immediate connection with Liz Houghton, a passionate obituary writer at the Daily Express who yearns to break into the world of serious journalism. Liz's frustration and determination mirrored my ambitions, and as I followed her through the gritty streets of London to the mysterious village of Tydeham, I couldn't help but root for her. When a young girl, Lucy Fareham, goes missing, Liz seizes the opportunity to investigate, enlisting the help of her best friend Marisa, a police officer who is crucial to the unfolding drama.
The dual timeline structure of the narrative was a masterstroke by Bowen. Seamlessly weaving between 1968 and the haunting echoes of 1943, when three young evacuees disappeared, adding layers of depth to the storytelling. I found myself flipping back and forth between the timelines, eagerly piecing together clues and trying to decipher how the past was intricately linked to the present. The way Bowen illuminated the repercussions of war on tiny communities was moving, making Tydeham more than just a backdrop; it became a character in its own right.
The author’s depiction of the abandoned village and the unsettling atmosphere that surrounded it was incredibly vivid. I felt the chilling weight of history as Liz explored its ruins, a sense of nostalgia mingling with unease. The village’s requisitioned history added a poignant layer to the mystery—what secrets were buried beneath those crumbling walls? And why did it seem so familiar to Liz, who was just a toddler when the area was deserted?
Bowen deftly creates a web of tensions and eerie coincidences, inviting readers to question everything. Was there a serial killer at work? What happened to the other girls from decades ago? The pacing was just right—suspenseful without feeling rushed, allowing me to savour every revelation. The characters were well-drawn, especially Liz, whose relentless quest for the truth and the personal stakes she faced made her journey all the more compelling.
Ultimately, "The Rose Arbor" is a blend of mystery, historical intrigue, and emotional depth. Rhys Bowen has crafted a story that lingers in the mind, wrapped in the shroud of lost memories and chilling discoveries. This novel is a gem that will appeal to anyone who loves a rich, atmospheric tale with secrets waiting to be unearthed.

"An investigation into a girl's disappearance uncovers a mystery dating back to World War II in a haunting novel of suspense by the bestselling author of The Venice Sketchbook and The Paris Assignment.

London: 1968. Liz Houghton is languishing as an obituary writer at a London newspaper when a young girl's disappearance captivates the city. If Liz can break the story, it's her way into the newsroom. She already has a scoop: her best friend, Marisa, is a police officer assigned to the case.

Liz follows Marisa to Dorset, where they make another disturbing discovery. Over two decades earlier, three girls disappeared while evacuating from London. One was found murdered in the woods near a train line. The other two were never seen again.

As Liz digs deeper, she finds herself drawn to the village of Tydeham, which was requisitioned by the military during the war and left in ruins. After all these years, what could possibly link the missing girls to this abandoned village? And why does a place Liz has never seen before seem so strangely familiar?"

Oh, I just have to know what Liz finds out!

This story is set in 1968, with flashbacks to 1943. Liz Houghton is a journalist, & her friend Marisa is a detective. Liz is a good investigative journalist. She’s fortunate, sometimes due to coincidences, to piece together, & hypothesise correctly, the events of the past. This is a suspenseful mystery full of secrets, lies, lost & hazy memories, & many unanswered questions. There’s sadness & hope, with a potential romance

I love historical fiction and have enjoyed books from Rhys Bowen in the past. Unfortunately The Rose Arbor was more of a miss for me.

Reporter Lizzie is looking for her next big story to get her back into the newsroom after being demoted to obituaries. Her best friend Marisa is assigned to a buzzy case of a missing girl and Lizzie tags along to investigate herself. What she finds in a small abandoned town leaves her with more questions than answers, and those questions involve her own past as well.

Unfortunately the book became very disjointed to me. Lizzie mysteriously remembers a body being buried, and when the police find what she remembers this part of the plot is then put on the back burner for an extensive period of time. Lizzie then chases leads in attempts to find other girls who have gone missing over the past few decades.

I don’t want to spoil the book for others but I found Lizzie’s methods and outcomes to be very random and coincidental. This book felt like a mess of a wild goose chase and while I was curious at first I eventually became frustrated and impatient.

The Rose Arbor by Rhys Bowen is a wonderful novel written in her gorgeous and descriptive style. Set in 1968 London with flashbacks World War II, it is historical fiction with misty swirls of mystery. Love that combination. This has got to be one of the most beguiling covers there is! What's inside lives up to it.

In 1968 London, Liz, a determined journalist working in obits can't help but dream bigger. She's struck by the case of a young girl's disappearance and approaches her close friend for guidance and help. Marisa is a police officer whose male counterparts believe they are better suited for a man's job. But Marisa's position opens doors for Liz. In her investigation, Liz discovers so much more including intense feelings of deja vu and a remarkably sad WWII story. The village of Tydeham had no choice but leave their homes and livelihoods in the hands of the military for practice scenarios. In the midst of the war, three young girls disappeared. Liz is determined to peel back the layers to reveal the truth, regardless of repercussions. Though two decades later, the village is in tatters, its voices of the past reverberate in Liz's mind.

The story is based on true events, a deserted village ravaged by live ammunition in practice. The characters are interesting and believable. I like how the mysteries connect and flashbacks are well integrated. The murder aspect is...dare I say?...fascinating.

My sincere thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this captivating novel.

The Rose Arbor by Rhys Bowen is a Historical Fiction set in 1968 where Liz Houghton, a journalist recently demoted to obituary writer, becomes motivated to break a captivating story of a young missing girl in order to win back her seat at the journalists table. However, what she doesn't know but soon finds out is that this young girls disappearance could be the key to three girls who disappeared over two decades prior.

As Liz continues to uncover more details in the investigation, her initial selfish motivations for becoming involved slowly shift to those of wanting to help families find closure for the things they once lost. Rhys Bowen intertwines historical fiction with mystery and a sprinkle of supernatural capabilities in this one.

This was a captivating story that immediately draws you in wanting more. There were so many layers and complexities that came together so well in the end and although it wasn't entirely surprising to figure out the coincidences and connections it was a fun journey to be a part of nonetheless.

I have two major disappointments with this book, mainly regarding the ending. First, the supernatural ability component that Liz discovers she has was never really resolved or wrapped up. At one point you feel as if this could be a turning point in the investigation as Liz realizes she has this ability & it could help detectives answer questions of the distant past. But once the investigation of the young missing girl is over, it's never really explored further and left me wanting more closure or answers in this regard.

In addition, Liz's father and the bomb that was dropped about his involvement in Liz's childhood and her own mothers death seems completely out of the blue. It happens so quickly and Liz also seems as if it doesn't affect her as much as it should. I would be lying if I said the entire storyline of Liz's familial history & the mystery behind it throughout the entire book is necessary. It feels rushed and like an afterthought.

Overall, I really devoured this one and fell in love with Rhys Bowen's writing. I would love to reach more from her in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley for the E-Arc in return for an honest review.

This one wasn't as successful for me as some of this author's other works. I really enjoyed her last one. There was just too much going on. It started very slow and was a bit long too.

I've been meaning to try one of Rhys Bowen's books for quite some time now, and I saw it as a sign when her newest story The Rose Arbor appeared on Netgalley. I really liked the sound of the premise with the missing girl case, the journalist angle and the possible connection to a couple WWII cold cases... And I'm definitely glad I decided to add The Rose Arbor to my shelves now, because I ended up having an excellent time reading it!

This story is mainly set in 1968, where we follow journalist Liz Houghton and her best friend Marisa, a detective assigned to the missing girl case, as they try to find where Lucy disappeared to. I really enjoyed this angle, as it's very much Liz's POV and not the official investigation we follow. Instead, we only see glimpses of that investigation, and the main focus is on Liz using her sources and instincts to try and discover what happened to the little girl. This means that The Rose Arbor is more a historical mystery than a thriller, although the story doesn't shy away from darker topics either.

Through the WWII cold cases, we also travel back to 1943 as we learn more about the three little girls who went missing during the war. This includes a couple flashback chapters in between the 1968 timeline; they enriched the plot for me as well as adding yet another mystery to solve. Both timelines are intriguing in its own way, and the descriptions of the settings and circumstances really made both come alive. It was fascinating to learn a little about Tydeham and the fact that whole villages were requisitioned during the war... I was aware of some of the bigger mansions being repurposed, but not whole villages just for training purposes.

It was very easy to warm up to Liz Houghton as a main character, and I like how she wasn't afraid to step on some toes in her search for the truth. Marisa made for a great ally, and I liked their dynamics during the plot. There is also a dose of romance to help balance out the more serious topics, although it isn't too overpowering and the main focus is still on the missing girl cases both past and present. There is also another mystery that pops up later on though, which will hit very close to home indeed for Liz... I confess it was quite predictable and I guessed what happened early on, but I still enjoyed the journey itself.

If you enjoy well written historical mysteries with a dose of romance as well as family drama, I can definitely recommend The Rose Arbor. I will be looking forward to dive into her backlist next, and I can already tell you Rhys Bowen will appear on my list of favorite new author discoveries of 2024.

Among the best of Bowen’s standalone novels! Rhys Bowen’s The Rose Arbor is a fascinating, well plotted, fast-paced tale that showcases once again Bowen’s status as a master storyteller. I was drawn in to the story from the first pages and loved the spunky, intelligent, and creative newspaper reporter, Liz, who had been demoted to writing obituaries, and her roommate and best friend, policewoman Marisa. Set primarily in England in the late 1960s, the novel intertwines a myriad of mysteries - several dating back to World War II - set against a backdrop of a Devonshire village requisitioned and destroyed by the British Army during the War. The result is quite a compelling story.

I did feel as though the ending was a bit rushed, and might have been more impactful had Liz’s relationship with her family been more developed. That said, this book is highly recommended to fans of Rhys Bowen’s novels and to those who enjoy historical mysteries featuring strong, independent women.

Many thanks to NetGalley and to Lake Union for the complimentary electronic ARC. Opinions are my own.