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The Rose Arbor

A Novel

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The Rose Arbor

By: Rhys Bowen
Narrated by: Nicola Barber
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Summary

An investigation into a girl’s disappearance uncovers a mystery dating back to World War II in a haunting novel of suspense by the best-selling 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 who is 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?

©2024 Janet Quin-Harkin, writing as Rhys Bowen (P)2024 Audible, Inc. 20th Century Cosy Historical Historical Fiction Mystery Women's Fiction England Disappearance War Village
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I liked the speed of the story - things happened, rather than led up to or reviewed. I didn't like how so many characters and English counties and villages all matched up so neatly - for me, the tying of every plotline together was just too overdone.

the links between generations

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When I started the book I assumed it would be more focussed in a WW2 backdrop. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the unfolding of a triple mystery. Great & engaging writing.

Fabulous mystery!

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I enjoyed the way the story did cross timelines, but at times felt I was listening to an Enid Blyton story with detailed descriptions of sandwiches etc.
It was overall a pleasant listen,but the lack of detail around various experiences left one not fully connecting with actual experiences. I would listen to a book of hers again, though. The narrator did a good job with different accents.

Based on a real town

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