Title: The Rose ArborAuthor: Rhys Bowen
Published by: Lake Union Publishing on Aug. 6, 2024
Genres: Historical Fiction
Pages: 379
Format: Paperback
Source: Firefly Distributed Lines
Book Rating: 9/10
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 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?
Review:
Captivating, atmospheric, and rich!
The Rose Arbor is an absorbing, engaging tale set in England during 1943 and 1968 that takes you into the life of Liz Houghton, a young writer who, after tagging along with her police officer roommate to the desolate village of Tydeham to try and find a missing girl, stumbles across some deep dark family secrets of her own when she becomes engrossed in solving a twenty-five-year-old cold case involving three little girls from London who seemingly vanished without a trace while being evacuated to the countryside during the war.
The prose is eloquent and expressive. The characters are independent, intelligent, and driven. And the plot is a compelling, tender tale about life, loss, family, secrets, desperation, tragedy, deduction, friendship, duplicitous behaviours, and wartime sacrifices.
Overall, The Rose Arbor is an immersive, intriguing, touching tale by Bowen that is the perfect choice for anyone who loves an intricate mystery set against the backdrop of war.
This novel is available now.
Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.
Thank you to Firefly Distributed Lines for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
About Rhys Bowen
Rhys Bowen’s work has sold close to 10 million copies, in over 30 languages. She has been nominated for every major mystery award and has won multiple Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Awards. A complete list can be found here.
Her books include the Royal Spyness and Molly Murphy historical mysteries, as well as several international bestselling stand-alone novels.
Photo: Douglas Sonders
