Review: The Rose Arbor by Rhys Bowen
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The Rose Arbor by Rhys Bowen takes readers on a compelling journey through time, blending the mysterious disappearance of a girl in 1968 with secrets hidden during World War II.
Bowen’s talent for creating vivid settings and engaging, complex characters is again on display in this dual-timeline historical fiction mystery. With a unique plot full of unexpected twists, this book promises to satisfy both longtime fans and newcomers to Rhys Bowen’s work.
Review In A Nutshell
I gave this book 4 stars out of 5. My full review is below, but here are some highlights:
- A dual-timeline historical mystery set in 1968 and during World War II.
- Protagonist Liz Houghton, an obituary writer, investigates the disappearance of a young girl linked to a decades-old mystery.
- Atmospheric settings, especially the eerie village of Tydeham, create a haunting backdrop.
- Strong, relatable female characters, with Liz driven by her journalistic ambitions.
- Suspenseful plot with twists that kept me guessing until the end.
- A dash of romance adds a lighter element but could be more developed.
- The story drags slightly in the middle but remains an engaging read overall.
Publisher’s Synopsis of The Rose Arbor
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?
My Full Review: The Rose Arbor by Rhys Bowen
What I Liked
The Setting: The atmospheric backdrop of The Rose Arbor stands out as one of the novel’s strengths. The story moves fluidly between 1968 London and the desolate wartime village of Tydeham, which has been abandoned since its evacuation for military purposes in the 1940s. Bowen excels at making settings feel alive—Tydeham, in particular, almost acts as a character in its own right, with its eerie, empty streets holding onto the weight of its tragic history. The contrasts between the bustling newsroom environment of 1968 and the ghostly quiet of the village heighten the sense of suspense and mystery.
The Characters: Rhys Bowen is known for her strong, intelligent female protagonists, and Liz Houghton is no exception. As an obituary writer striving for more, Liz is relatable, determined, and easy to root for. Her friendship with Marisa, a police officer, adds depth to the story, and the dynamics between these two women are enjoyable to watch as they navigate both their personal and professional lives. Liz’s character development is subtle but effective, making her journey through the mystery—and her pursuit of journalistic success—engaging from start to finish. The additional layers of her family history and the dash of romance feel natural without overshadowing the main narrative.
The Plot/Storylines: The plot of The Rose Arbor is masterfully woven between the two timelines, with each thread offering clues that slowly unravel the greater mystery. Bowen keeps the suspense taut throughout, and the story is multi-layered, ensuring that readers remain invested in both the contemporary investigation and the historical mystery of the missing girls. The connections between the disappearance in 1968 and the wartime events of 1943 are cleverly revealed, and the twists kept me guessing right until the end. I particularly appreciated the historical details, which added depth to the story without feeling overwhelming.
What I Didn’t Like
While I thought The Rose Arbor was a great read, I did find the pace to drag slightly in the middle. Some of the historical flashbacks could have been more concise, as they occasionally interrupted the flow of the modern-day investigation. Additionally, while Liz’s romance subplot added a lighter element to the story, it felt somewhat underdeveloped and could have been explored more fully. However, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise strong novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.
My Review Rating For The Rose Arbor
I gave this book 4 (Thoroughly Enjoyable) out of 5 stars.
Conclusion
The Rose Arbor by Rhys Bowen is an atmospheric and engaging historical mystery that keeps readers guessing until the very end. With its strong female lead, clever dual timelines, and a dash of romance, this novel is sure to please fans of historical fiction and crime alike. Whether you’re already familiar with Bowen’s work or discovering her for the first time, this book is a rewarding read that intertwines the past and present in a way that feels both seamless and gripping.
Rhys Bowen does such a great job with her historical fiction books. For a bit of a laugh along with your historical fiction, don’t miss the Royal Spyness series. I promise you’ll love Lady Georgiana. But that’s not all that Rhys Bowen has in store for you.
