The Rose Arbor: A Novel

Rhys Bowen has once again created an incredible story set in two timelines, with mysteries in each. In 1968, reporter Liz Houghton, deciding to pursue the solution to the present-day disappearance of a little girl in order to change the trajectory of her career, finds herself immersed in solving the mysterious disappearances of three little girls during WWII and in a puzzling mystery of her own. This book is more than just the solving of the mysteries of the disappearances of these children, it is an examination of mother-daughter relations. In several cases throughout the story, Liz is put into the position of judging who should be the mother and how much is okay to reveal of what she’s found out. In every case, including her own, a mother made a choice that affected the life of her daughter, occasionally with deadly results. Liz really grew on me as the story progressed. I’d love to see her again. If the author ever wants to write a book about Liz’s best friend, Detective Constable Marisa, I think we could get a peek at the determined reporter’s future.

It is 1968 and a young reporter, her detective roommate and a missing little girl are the beginnings of a story that began over twenty years ago. Four missing little girls, three from during the war in 1943 and one now that brings back memories of failure to a veteran policeman. The intricate weaving of past and present and the motives and lies uncovered will keep you intrigued till the last page. This is one I will read again because the unraveling of secrets and plot deserves it.

Rhys Bowen's latest standalone mystery spans time and space with story elements set in 1943 Tyneham (a village in Dorset) and 1968 London. Reporter Liz Houghton struggles to solve the mystery of a missing child in 1968 that might be connected to missing children who disappeared in 1943. Led by information from her policewoman roommate, Liz begins exploring Dorset for clues about Little Lucy that lead her to suspect the missing child might be held in the ruins of Tyneham, a village requisitioned and destroyed by the Army in 1943. What unfolds are parallel tales of villagers displaced from homes their families had lived in for generations, children displaced by the war, and displaced children lost in the wartime shuffle from city to country. During her investigation, Liz meets the son of the displaced Lord of the village manor and together they explore surprising yet believable clues that tie Liz to Tyneham.

The Tyneham-during-the-War part of this story really intrigued me. I've heard of noble families whose manor houses were requisitioned but I'd never really thought about ordinary people displaced by the war or how terrifying relocation must've been for children being sent away from the Blitz. They were put on a train by their parents and traveled without supervision. Many simply wore a name tag for identification, like Paddington Bear. At each stop, some children were claimed by local families and given shelter. Those who weren't taken in stayed on the train until the next stop. Imagine being a child in that situation, wondering who would take you in, what life with those strangers might be like, and not knowing if you'd ever see your parents again. Then there are the children who disappeared along the way. What happened to them? Bowen does a masterful job contrasting three disappearances.

Like Bowen's other books, the complex characters are realistic and interesting as they deal with unexpected challenges in their lives. The story is complete but leaves the reader hoping it’s the beginning of a new series so one can see what happens to the characters after the resolution of the mystery. The 1968 setting is interesting because from a 2024 perspective, it is a historical mystery. Even if the reader can't remember 1968, the descriptions of fashions and society leave the reader wanting to spend more time in 1968 England with those characters. It would be fun to watch Liz live through women's liberation the other huge cultural changes that were just starting in 1968. One can only hope that THIS will be the standalone that becomes the first in a new series.

I liked the war history with the descriptions about the impacts on and feelings of the folks affected by the war. People from all walks of life had their lives changed by government actions as well as from bombings and fears of attacks. The complexity of life during war times was well described as well as how love and need for love drives behaviors. The core love story was a feel-good part of the book. I really enjoyed the story.

Rhys Bowen never disappoints! This book has multiple mysteries covering decades. The way the author puts it all together works quite well. The main character is well developed. The combination of the horror of destruction of entire villages, the loss of families, the missing children, and secrets creates a book that is a pleasure to read, even with the sadness. There is hope, and found answers in the book that covers 1943 and 1968.

I absolutely loved Rhys Bowen's latest mystery! This standalone novel is set in 1968 England and follows Liz Houghton, a reporter eager to revive her journalism career by solving the case of a missing child who might be linked to other disappearances from 1943.

While visiting Tyneham, a village seized and subsequently destroyed by the Army during WWII, Liz experiences a sudden memory of being there as a very young child and witnessing something shocking. This revelation leaves her with multiple mysteries to unravel: a current investigation into a missing girl, the search for answers about children who vanished during the war, and her own quest to uncover the truth behind her childhood memories.

To add to the intrigue, Liz encounters a man whose father lived in Tyneham’s grand manor before the village's evacuation. He joins her in her pursuit of the truth about the children displaced by the war.

The choice to set the story in 1968 is perfect, as it adds a layer of complexity to the investigation. Without the convenience of cell phones and computers, the characters must rely on traditional sleuthing methods. Additionally, with many people still around who remember the war, their recollections bring a vivid authenticity to the narrative.

One of the reasons I especially loved this book was the mystery surrounding Liz’s childhood memory of Tyneham and her seemingly impossible quest to uncover the truth. Bowen masterfully weaves together multiple storylines, making for a gripping read that keeps you guessing until the very end.

The Rose Arbor by Rhys Bowen Historical fiction, multi-time line. A child disappears in 1968 and the city is captivated, worrying about their own children’s safety. Liz Haughton is a reporter wasting her skills assigned to Obituaries. Tired of being treated as if she has no skills, Liz follows a friend and police officer to Dorset. They find a history of missing children and Liz is plunged into personal memories and a compelling need to find answers about the ruins of the village of Tydeham.

An intriguing mystery investigation without the benefit of today’s technological advances. It’s also many years into the past and finding the right questions and people to talk to could be like a drop in a bucket of water. Maybe it’s small town or sheer luck, but she finds the first answer which makes her keep following any connections she can find. Luck or skill? You’ll know the answers before Liz does, but the story is still skillfully crafted and worth reading.

This is an interesting novel that bounces back and forth a bit between WWII and the 1960s. It is well-written, perhaps a hair too coincidental, but definitely interesting, perhaps especially to someone who only remembers the 60s through a child's eyes, WWII, not at all, but whose childhood still has some ties to that time, through family and adult friends of family. It's interesting, how our parents' past experiences form us, how we remember little things from early childhood and as adults, can see how we were influenced by a war that ended many years before our own births. The novel isn't perfect but I'm very glad to have read it.