“Instantly absorbing, suspenseful, romantic, and stylish—like binge-watching a great British drama on Masterpiece Theater.” —Lee Child, New York Times bestselling author
Winner of the Agatha Award for Best Historical Novel, the Macavity Award for Best Historical Novel, and the Left Coast Crime Award for Best Historical Mystery.
World War II comes to Farleigh Place, the ancestral home of Lord … Farleigh Place, the ancestral home of Lord Westerham and his five daughters, when a soldier with a failed parachute falls to his death on the estate. After his uniform and possessions raise suspicions, MI5 operative and family friend Ben Cresswell is covertly tasked with determining if the man is a German spy. The assignment also offers Ben the chance to be near Lord Westerham’s middle daughter, Pamela, whom he furtively loves. But Pamela has her own secret: she has taken a job at Bletchley Park, the British code-breaking facility.
As Ben follows a trail of spies and traitors, which may include another member of Pamela’s family, he discovers that some within the realm have an appalling, history-altering agenda. Can he, with Pamela’s help, stop them before England falls?
Inspired by the events and people of World War II, writer Rhys Bowen crafts a sweeping and riveting saga of class, family, love, and betrayal.
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A very entertaining WW2 mystery with a nice underlying romantic thread. A very easy read.
Loved it!! I love Rhys Bowen’s Royal Spyness series, and this is absolutely in the same vein. It’s an easy but very enjoyable read! Bowen has a fabulous handle on historical fiction, which makes the story even more fun. It’s well written and not too predictable. I definitely recommend it!
World War II hits a small village in England when the body of a soldier if found in a field. His parachute failed to open, resulting in his death, but people begin to question who he is. MI6 assigns Ben Cresswell to the case since he grew up in the area. Will he find a clue among his friends and neighbors to something much bigger?
This is a very simple plot teaser for a book that incorporates Bletchley Park and Paris in 1941 into the story. The multiple viewpoints allow us to easily follow all the action and watch as everything is skillfully woven together for the great climax. The characters are strong, but the real star here is the setting. I felt like I was actually living in 1941 while reading the pages of this book.
This is a fun WWII spy story.
This book was a fun read. Part Agatha Christie, part Downton Abbey in a WWII British setting. It even had a few scenes in Paris with a Chanel-like Fashion designer living at the Ritz.
I thoroughly enjoyed this WWII novel. There weren’t any big surprises for me. I figured out early on who the bad guy was and who all the good guys (and girls) were. But that didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the story. It’s told from the POV of multiple characters, and it all had a nice flow.
I listened to the audiobook version of the novel. The narrator, Gemma Dawson, does a wonderful job! Top drawer! (heard in a British accent).
I listened to the audio of this book awhile ago and I still think of it from time to time. The story was charming and engaging, and rooted in WW2 history. Well done.
This novel was a guilty pleasure for me. I loved the WWII, English country estate setting. I loved the spies, the glamour, the larger-than-life drama. Something was off…… there were a lot of unrealistic twists and turns, but like I said….. guilty pleasure, and there’s nothing wrong with that on a rainy weekend!
As with other Rhys Bowen books I’ve read, this was fabulous! I loved the authentic WWII back drop and the fascinating characters. The story includes intrigue, romance, and a few splendid twists! Can’t wait to read more in this series.
I love your books! They are so fun to read
I loved this book! The writing was so vivid, and informative.
This book has a little bit of everything in it. It took me a little while to get into it — maybe the halfway point? — but things picked up, and by the time I reached chapter 33, I couldn’t put it down. Much of what I typically share in my review intro are points I’d like to make in the following sections, so let’s just move along there, shall we?
What I liked about “In Farleigh Field”:
A good blend of genres – Historical fiction. Spies. A little romance. Mystery. There were a lot of elements but they mixed well for the telling of this story.
Author’s note – One element I look for in historical fiction is an explanation from the author about which details are noted facts and where there were creative liberties taken to tell the story. That little bit of information gives me confidence that I can still learn from these historical novels which I enjoy for that very reason.
The characters – There were a lot of them (I’ll get to that later) but I found most of them either likable or necessary to the story.
There was good action in the second half – Once we got the foundation built, the story itself kept moving and held my interest, keeping me invested in the outcome.
I got a “historical drama” fix – In the world of Downton Abbey, but closer in timeline to Call the Midwife, two shows I’ve loved watching, I felt like this book held very much the same tone, something that was familiar, comfortable, and quite enjoyable for me.
The insight – The fact that I was kept guessing throughout the book as to who was involved in the suspected plot caused me to appreciate what it must have felt like to live in Britain during World War II, wondering who was loyal and who may have been harboring German sympathies. There were so many characters that gave me pause as I sought the answers alongside Pamma and Ben.
What I didn’t care for:
Too many characters – While I see the purpose of so many characters muddying the waters of investigation, this also made slow start and left most of them underdeveloped.
A bit too much focus on sex – It seemed unnecessary to the telling of the story. A few subtle references would have sufficed, as it did feed into one particular turn of events, but some of it felt as though an editor or the author was adding it in because it “sells” and that made it feel inauthentic.
The ending – While there was some resolution and that part was mostly satisfying, the ending still came as abrupt, with dangling storylines that could possibly indicate a sequel, but didn’t feel enough for a cliffhanger. It was a bit odd.
This was my first full-length novel by Bowen. I found it more fleshed out and satisfying than the short story I read previously. While she isn’t my favorite author of this genre, I did enjoy the tone and plot of the book, so I will be picking up another of her novels at some point, I’m sure.
Bowen has crafted a captivating historical mystery. The twists and turns kept me turning the pages.
NOTE: Mild profanity.
I borrowed a copy from my local library. I’ve expressed my honest opinion.
I love Rhys Bowen’s novels. Her stories offer great mystery and romance, but also show why fascism is horribly wrong–and why good people fight it. Yet she doesn’t preach or hit readers over the head with this message. By writing with a historical backdrop, however, especially during great wars, she provides a passionate reminder that people of character don’t give in to bigotry, injustice, unkindness and hate. I sincerely appreciate this underlying theme of her novels. It was evident throughout “In Farleigh Field,” and I deeply appreciated it. Thank you, Rhys, for writing with such courage, truth and hope. Your stories are always worth the investment!
Too trite, too many cliches. I know that Bowen sells many books and has quite a following, but I feel the writing and story telling is for an audience with little knowledge of the history of this time in England, like young adults. I found myself shaking my head on numerous occasions while I read through the book.
Love this authors way of writing, this is an interesting read.
A good book that takes place in England.
Interesting view of the home front in Britain early in WW2. Very descriptive.
Rhys Bowen is now my new favorite author (for today). Last week it was Jeffery Archer, ha ha ha. Her writing is just great. You can actually place yourself into the story or if not in the story as the person watching from the sidelines and know exactly what is happening and just feel everything. The story line was so good and fast moving. Others have given reviews of the story line, but I always want to know why it was so good.
I remember staying up late each night until I had finished it and then reading on my lunch hour to “find out what happens.” It seems WWII is my favorite genre and there are so many books out there about WWII that I am now very particular what I pick up to spend my time with reading. If the story doesn’t grab me immediately, well, that one doesn’t get read. I seldom give 5 stars, but in the case of Rhys Bowen’s books, it is easy to rate them. I have not tried her mysteries and the series. When a book ends, I want it to end. I can heartily rate Rhys Bowen’s books 5 stars, but I can’t rate them according to preference.
Loved it! Great read for readers interested in entertaining WW2 novels without too many gory details of the war. The twists and surprises are many.