In This Edition of
The BookBrowse Review
Contents
Highlighting indicates debut books
Discussions are open to all members to read and post. Click to view the books currently being discussed.
Literary Fiction
Historical Fiction
Short Stories
Essays
Poetry & Novels in Verse
Thrillers
Romance
Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Speculative, Alt. History
Graphic Novels
Biography/Memoir
History, Current Affairs and Religion
Science, Health and the Environment
True Crime
Travel & Adventure
Other
Mysteries
Thrillers
Romance
Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Speculative, Alt. History
Graphic Novels
History, Current Affairs and Religion
| Readers: |
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?
Here are some of the recent comments posted about The Rose Arbor.
You can read the full discussion here, and please do participate if you wish.
Be aware that this discussion will contain spoilers!
Did you believe Liz’s father’s version of the events? Do you think he responded correctly once he found out Liz knew the truth about her origins? What would you have done in his shoes? In Liz’s? (15 responses)
I think her father skirted the truth somewhat. The basic framework may have been close, but there were too many inconsistencies. He was used to getting his own way and he told what was beneficial to him and, probably, his conscience. Liz must have been so conflicted - he had raised her in a ... - PamelaHD
Early on, Liz finds out that the man who’s been romancing her is married. She confronts him later in the book. What did you think of this conversation? How would you have handled it? (18 responses)
She did an OK job, however, I would not have been so civil - freyah
For what audience would you recommend The Rose Arbor? Are there other novels you’d recommend that are similar to this one, either in content or writing style? (15 responses)
It's definitely a book that would be enjoyed by other fans of historical fiction, as well as mystery lovers who are willing to suspend their disbelief in significant respects. There were some aspects of the storyline that didn't work for me and, frankly, there was A LOT going on in this ... - JHSiess
If you were making a movie of The Rose Arbor, who would you cast in the various roles? (3 responses)
I could see Joey King portraying Liz, but I don't have strong ideas for the other characters - JHSiess
If you were to write a sequel to The Rose Arbor, what elements would it include? (12 responses)
I think that a sequel to this book would have to be Liz and Marisa working together on mysteries but I'm not sure they are strong enough characters to carry another book - mtnluvr
James and Liz discuss how coincidental it was that they met. Do you believe in fate or coincidence? Was there a time in your own life where things might have turned out differently, based on something small that occurred to sway your actions? (10 responses)
Everyone makes decisions on a daily basis that can have life changing consequences. If I had been home to receive that phone call, if I had decided to change jobs , if I had chosen to go to a different school. All of these things (and more) could have resulted in significant changes in ... - irisf
Liz isn’t sure if she’s having real flashes of memory or channeling one of the missing children. Mr. Bennington observes that his late wife would try to contact their dead son. Do you believe it’s possible to contact the departed? (19 responses)
I can't say that I believe or disbelieve. I do think some people feel the need to believe at certain times in their life and for some it brings a sense of peace - lauriem
Liz’s father asks her to move home several times throughout the novel, both before and after her mother’s death. Why do you feel this was? Did you think there was any motivation beyond simply missing his daughter? (14 responses)
I suspected the father from the begnning and his ongoing attempts to get Liz to move back home reeked of a desire to control her. And, since my suspicions were correct, I'm sure he was concerned about being able to keep an eye on Liz, monitor her activities, and prevent her from learning the ... - JHSiess
Marisa is amazed no one saw Lucy go missing. Do you think this has changed much in large cities since the 1960s? Do you think people are more or less likely to notice something amiss? (19 responses)
I think this would really depend on the community as some communities are much more connected than others - lauriem
Marisa, Liz and Army Corporal Dave discuss the hippie movement, which none of the characters seem to support. Do you think this accurately reflects the views of the time period? What did you think of the portrayal of the 1960s counter-culture? (11 responses)
The depiction of ATTITUDES TOWARD the 1960s counterculture movement are accurately portrayed, but the actual movement was depicted in stereotypical terms. I remember it well because I lived here in California, just 90 minutes from San Francisco, and went to "the Haight." I saw what was ... - JHSiess
Overall, what did you think of The Rose Arbor? (31 responses)
I enjoyed the novel and learning some new historical information. It was interesting to have the modern-day timeline take place in the 1960s. This was the first novel I've read by Rhys Bowen and I would be interested in picking up more of her work - lauriem
To get a better view of the village, Liz climbs past a barbed wire fence. Did this surprise you? If you’d been in her position, would you have dared do likewise? (14 responses)
Liz tooks risks I would never have taken, including climbing that barbed wire fence and walking around the village knowing that there were unexploded shells and land mines that she could inadvertently detonate on the premises. Nope. Wouldn't catch me there under any circumstances. But if she ... - JHSiess
To get involved with the case of Little Lucy, Liz suggests pretending to accidentally bump into Marisa in Dorset, and have Marisa invite her to tag along with her and DI Jones (p.19). What did you think of this plan? (17 responses)
This example and a few other times in the story I felt that Liz took advantage of Marisa and put her in uncomfortable situations. It did, however, serve the means of advancing the story! - lauriem
Two of the girls in the story were raised by someone other than their real mothers. Do you think either would have been happier being raised by their birth mothers? (7 responses)
I don't think in Jenny's case she had an unhappy or unhealthy upbringing. She was well-adjusted, so who can say that she would have been happier with her parents?
As for Liz, again, not enough is known about Alice to answer that question. Her parents were both very... - JHSiess
Were there any quotes that stood out to you, or anything you highlighted? Why did those passages connect for you? (2 responses)
"Isn't it funny how small concidences can alter a whole life?" - JHSiess
Were you aware of the WWII practice of taking over villages and using them for target practice? If not, did this surprise you? (31 responses)
I read a lot of historical fiction and I've read about properties being taken over for quartering soldiers but not for target practice. So sad for the families that are displaced, especially with the thoughts that they could some day return to their homes and village - lauriem
What did you think about Liz’s attitude toward her employment at the newspaper? What would you have done, job-wise, if you’d been in her shoes? (19 responses)
I could understand the discontent Liz felt. However, her actions seemed rather reckless and did not exhibit an appropriate work ethic, especially for the time period - lauriem
What did you think about the resolution to Jenny’s storyline (“[N]o good can come of recriminations at this point” p. 340). Do you think all parties acted with good intentions? (10 responses)
That was the most believable and emotionally resonant aspect of the story. Jenny's "aunt" did a great job raising her because she was intelligent, reasoned, and compassionate, not to mention forgiving. She decided to take an honorable approach that would have the best outcome for all ... - JHSiess
What did you think of Liz’s idea to create an “Obituary of a Murdered Village” (p.170)? (22 responses)
It was a clever idea that gave her a chance to showcase her journalism skills and to help shine a light on the historical significance of the village and its residents - lauriem
When any of the former residents of Tydeham discuss their relocation, they don’t seem bitter. Why do you think this is? How do you think most would react to similar deprivations today? (14 responses)
Even though the residents weren't happy about relocating, they seem to feel they were doing their part during a time of war. I think today's population would also surprise us and make the best of it if a time of war required relocation - lauriem
"Bowen is adept at writing mysteries filled with intriguing clues, satisfying solutions, expertly captured historical settings, and a little romance. A must-add to popular mystery collections." —Library Journal (starred review)
"The Rose Arbor is a complex and intriguing mystery that dares the reader to unravel the clues before the protagonist, London reporter Liz Houghton, with plenty of intrigue for any seasoned mystery reader, and smart, exquisite prose for those who luxuriate in the beauty of the written word. Take it on your vacation, but be prepared for late nights." ―Robert Dugoni, New York Times and internationally bestselling author of the Tracy Crosswhite series and A Killing on the Hill
Rated 
of 5
by
maurconn
Historical Fiction Mystery
I haven’t read many books by Rhys Bowen but this one was very intriguing. It is very well written in two time lines. A tale of mystery, suspense and secrets that kept me turning the pages.
1968 London, Liz Houghton is a newspaper reporter, when a young girl goes missing.
This could be her big chance of getting back to the newsroom after being assigned as an obituary writer. Her roommate Melissa is a police officer. If she could just get the scoop she could redeem herself. She follows Melissa to the village Tydeham, which was requisitioned by the military during WWII and left in ruins.
They discover that during this time children were evacuated from this area. Three children also went missing. One was murdered, the other two were never found.
Is there a connection to the current case? While walking through the ruins Liz has memories of being in this village before. But why, she never lived near this place.
She questions her parents but they have no answers. Liz needs to seek the truth.
I love this multilayered story filled with mystery and suspense that kept me guessing. This was a very enjoyable read. I look forward to reading more novels by Rhys Bowen.
Rated of 5
by
Cindy R
A page turner!
I've read and enjoyed Rhys Bowen's previous novels and was thrilled to receive an advance copy of her new one, THE ROSE ARBOR (LakeUnion). First of all, I was excited to read a novel with two strong female protagonists.
Liz Houghton is a failing journalist searching for a scoop that'll get her taken seriously and out of writing obituaries. A young girl disappears and Liz sees reporting on it as a chance to get into the newsroom. She'll have to do it on her own time and with her own money. It turns out her best friend, Marise is the lead detective assigned to the case. Liz finds herself drawn to a small village, Dorset, where three girls disappeared in the evacuation of WWII. One was found murdered near a train line, the other two were never found. As Liz digs deeper, she learns Dorset is in ruins. The military took it over and forced the towns' people to move during WWII.
THE ROSE ARBOR is a historical mystery with a heavy government and military influence. The characters are well-developed and the plot hooks from the start. I couldn't wait to read the next page, culminating in a satisfied end. I'm looking forward to Bowen's next novel.
Rated 
of 5
by
SusanR
Historical Fiction Mystery
This well written novel has an intriguing main character and a page turning plot. It's dual time line with one time line in 1943 and the other in 1968. Most of the action takes place in 1968 with the 1943 time mainly used for background to the story. The book also had several similar mysteries going on at the same time as the main character traced several missing girls - both in 1943 and 1968.
Liz is an obituary writer at a London newspaper. It's certainly not the job she wanted but after she made a big mistake with a story she'd written, she was assigned the job of writing death notices. Her best friend and roommate Marisa is a police officer. When Marisa tells Liz that she's going to Dorset to follow up on a clue about a missing girl in London, Liz sees this as a chance of getting a scoop on the story of the missing girl. They don't find the missing girl from London but they do find out about 3 young girls who went missing in 1943 when children from London were sent to the country for safety to get away from the bombing of London. One girl had been found murdered but the other two cases had never been solved. Liz begins to wonder if there is a connection between the 1943 missing girls and the girl currently missing from London. Liz and the police get permission to enter a village that the Army requisitioned in 1943 in hopes of finding clues. Strangely, Liz feels like she's been there before but how is that possible since she was only 2 years old when all of the people were told that they had to leave the town? The more Liz digs into the mysteries of the missing girls, the more familiar the small town becomes to her. Is there a connection between the missing girls and is there a reason that Liz is having flashback memories when she's in the town? The questions don't all get answered until near the end but it's a real page turner until all of the answers are uncovered.
I really liked Liz and her friendship with Marisa. Liz wanted to be a news reporter and she kept reaching for the goal despite her bosses feelings. She and Marisa both fight the prejudice against women that is rampant in both of their jobs. Liz was tenacious in trying to solve the mysteries of the missing girls and never gave up. This book had mystery, a bit of romance and lots of secrets. I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Rated of 5
by
Jill
Engaging Read
THE ROSE ARBOR by Rhys Bowen
Thanks to BookBrowse and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC book of this to read.
Loved the beautiful cover art on the jacket of this book and also on the book itself. Really beautifully done.
Female empowerment is important to Rhys Bowen’s characters. I like that she writes of women who’ve been underestimated and bringing them into the spotlight; as she has done with this story of Liz Houghton. London: 1968. Liz has been doing her job perfunctorily as an obit writer at a London newspaper. When a young girl goes missing, Liz already has a scoop because her best friend, Marisa, is a police officer assigned to the case. Liz thinks this could possibly be her break in journalism.
Liz accompanies Marisa to Dorset, where another disturbing discovery is made from over two decades earlier. Three girls disappeared when the military requisitioned the village of Tydeham during the war and left it in ruins. Liz is drawn to this village and isn’t sure why. The place seems strangely familiar though she’s never seen this village. Why is this so? And why after all these years would there be a link to the missing girls here?
A mystery fused in history, with plot twists, romance, family issues, secrets, misogyny, the chaos of the government program that moved children away from unsafe villages/cities, and the sacrifices the citizens endured during wartime. The character descriptions and dialogue felt very authentic to me. This is my first read by Rhys Bowen and enjoyed the narrative and I am looking forward to reading more of her books.
Rhys Bowen is the New York Times bestselling author of more than sixty novels, including The Paris Assignment, Where the Sky Begins, The Venice Sketchbook, Above the Bay of Angels, The Victory Garden, The Tuscan Child, and In Farleigh Field, the winner of the Left Coast Crime Award for Best Historical Mystery Novel and the Agatha Award for Best Historical Novel. Bowen's work has won sixteen honors to date, including multiple Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Awards. Her books have been translated into many languages, and she has fans around the world, including more than seventy thousand Facebook followers. A transplanted Brit, Bowen divides her time between California and Arizona.
Your guide toexceptional books
BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
