A very powerful and moving story that made World War 2 come alive for me. The bombing, the rationing, the chaos, losses, the personal sacrifices and triumphs. Rhys Bowen has written a fascinating mystery about a terrible time in history and has still managed to give it that wonderful historical cozy feel. Her descriptions of people, places and events of the time feel very real. She captures the sense of loyalty, duty and betrayal most splendidly. This is a book that will stay with you and one you will not want to put down. This is one not to miss.

Rhys Bowen has painted a broad canvas, and it's filled with action, suspense, and the period detail and fascinating characters that she's known for. With a length of almost four hundred pages, I am happy to report that I wanted it to go on for at least another hundred. There are many characters in this story, and although I didn't have a speck of trouble keeping them all straight, inevitably one or two whom I was most interested in got (what felt like) short shrift.

Two of the period details that I really appreciated were Bowen's giving readers a feel for living in an English country house during the war, and how there were so many clandestine agencies at work in England-- and they were all trying to keep what they were doing secret from all the other agencies.

Even though there's not really anything trailblazing in In Farleigh Field, it is such a joy to read that it doesn't matter. Danger. Spies. Traitors. Romance. Everything combines for an absorbing read that is finished much too quickly. Readers can pit their skills at playing Catch the Spy and form their own close attachments to one or more of the characters. My favorites? The youngest daughter, Phoebe, and her partner-in-crime Alfie, a young Cockney boy evacuated to Farleigh Place due to the Blitz.

Are there any fellow fans of Susan Elia MacNeal's Maggie Hope series reading this? I think you'll love In Farleigh Field (and so will most of the rest of you)!

First, I have to say I loved the cover! I loved seeing Farleigh Place on the cover with the planes flying over it. It gives you an impression of what’s to come in the novel. Even though Farleigh Place is fictional, the cover gives you an idea of how huge the home is.

When you first open In Farleigh Field you see a Cast of Characters. When I saw that I wondered what I got myself into as it shows a large cast. Don’t let that list intimidate you, as it is not really necessary, though it did help me and I did reference it from time to time.

Farleigh Place is the main setting of In Farleigh Field with Lord Westerham and his family. Farleigh has become a headquarters for British soldiers. A deceased parachutist is found on the property by Alfie, who is staying with the gamekeeper, and Lord Westerham’s youngest daughter Phoebe. The parachutist is found in a soldier’s uniform but is almost immediately suspected to be a spy, and Ben Creswell is assigned to investigate. Ben is a family friend and MI5 operative. He is also in love with Pamela who is Lord Westerham’s middle daughter, but she loves Jeremy Prescott, whom Ben is also friends with. Who this soldier was and if he was actually a spy is the main mystery of the novel though it is not the sole story:

Unknown to her family, Pamela is working at Bletchley Park which is the central site for British code breakers. Second oldest daughter Margot is living in Paris with her lover Count Gaston de Varennes. She is studying fashion and finds herself stuck between freedom and the Gestapo.

The stories all come together at the end of the novel. The book focuses on the family drama and there is a love triangle involved. This is a character driven novel, so if you are looking for a lot of action this is not the book for you. There is some action throughout the novel, but not as much as I expected with the premise. The last few chapters are packed with action as Rhys Bowen worked towards the conclusion. I found myself reading those last few chapters with anticipation, wanting to know what was going to happen.

You really get to know the characters throughout the novel. I did find myself wanting more of Pamela with her work at Bletchley Park and more of Margot and her life in Paris. I also really liked Phoebe.

Historical Fiction is not a genre I read often, but I will read it if I find the premise of the book intriguing. I have started to read more of Historical Fiction these past few years thanks to my sister in law Arleigh. Her website is http://historical-fiction.com/. I enjoyed reading In Farleigh Field. I find myself wanting to know what happens with these characters next!

In Farleigh Field is recommended.

**I received an e-arc copy from Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley and an arc copy via Little Bird Publicity. Thank you so much for my copies!

In Farleigh Field turned out to be a very different read to what I had been anticipating. There is absolutely nothing wrong when such a thing happens, though, especially when I come to have a lot of fun with the book.

Most World War Two books I have read in the past have been of the high-octane, endless action variety. They pull you in from the start and every moment is filled with tension and suspense. Whilst In Farleigh Field takes a number of aspects from such books – spies, double agents, questionable characters, and mystery, to name a few – it doesn’t feel like many of the other historical fiction books I have read in this time period. It is a much lighter read, a cosy read in comparison to most.

Therefore, you should know in advance that this is not a heart-stopping mission through enemy territory. Rather, this is a much lighter read looking at the dynamics back home.

In fact, this story almost felt as though it could have fit any time period. The story was one that could have worked in a variety of ways; all that was needed was for the specific time period to be selected so that the necessary references could be made. Note, I’m not pointing this out as a flaw: I’m merely making an observation. It is one of those situations that can easily be twisted to tell a variety of tales, yet you’re getting no complaints about the way in which this one was told. It worked wonderful in the time it was set, giving us a cast of great characters against a wonderful backdrop.

From the start we’re pulled into the story, curious to see how things will play out. I admit that certain things were obvious from the get-go, but the specifics left me curious as to certain aspects of the story. Yes, I knew one of the people involved; but I knew there were more, and it was these others I was interested in puzzling out. Moreover, I was curious to see how all the deception would come together, as everyone in the story had something to hide. Whenever everyone is keeping the truth close to their chest, you know it’s only a matter of time until facts start to slip free, and I wanted to see what would happen when people started to find out about their close friends and relatives.

After all, this story was more about the dynamics of the characters than it was about the mystery. Yes, the mystery was fun; but what really held my attention was the way in which the characters were interacting. I quickly came to love the characters and wanted to know more about them, turning page after page so that I could see what happened next in their lives. I really was pulled in deep, completely immersed in their world. Honestly, the characters were so much fun. We have such a great cast, we follow so many interesting characters, and it was wonderful to see how everything came together for them all.

Just as a quick note, though, I wish to make a small point. There were some times where the wording used jarred with the time. For those who read a lot of historical fiction, such will disappoint them. It’s not often that this happens, but it can be seen. Those who don’t read all that much of the genre, I cannot imagine it will be quite so off putting. Nevertheless, every so often it happened and it disappointed me. It was only small things, but it was enough to pull me out of the story for a moment.

Overall, though, I had so much fun with this one. It was a wonderful read, light and addictive throughout, pulling me into the world and refusing to let go. It’s certainly worth the read if you enjoy cosy historical fiction.

As a final note, I would like to thank the publisher for contacting me for a review. I really appreciate being given the chance to advance read this one!

In Farleigh Field is a historical fiction novel that blends spy action and romance into a story that everyone can enjoy. Rhys Bowen, author of the Molly Murphy mysteries, crafts an intriguing read set in the thick of World War II.

I was quite surprised when this story fully engaged me from the very beginning to the end. I'm not a big history buff and war reads aren't my forte, but In Farleigh Field touches on more than either of those topics. Farleigh Place, the home of the Westerham family, has become occupied by soldiers. Two of Lord Westerham's daughters, Margot and Pamela, are assisting with the war effort although their actual duties are not to be disclosed to their family or friends. During the war the people are cast into a manner of living in which they have to be secretive, to keep sensitive information from reaching the wrong ears, and learn how to live with less. Everyone feels the pressure and suspicions arise as some seem to be doing too well, even with all the rationing, and everyone is aware of the possibility of infiltration by German spies. When a soldier crashes to his death onto Farleigh land with no identification, Ben Cresswell is sent home to investigate. As an agent of MI5, he is also assisting in the war efforts in London.

As the story unravels Ben travels along the country working to uncover a devious plot and sniff out traitors. Along the way readers get a genuine feel of what it must have been like for people during that era. While some, like the RAF pilot Jeremy Prescott, want to fight hard and party even harder others just hoped the war would end soon. Rhys Bowen masterfully weaves in a multitude of different perspectives on the war. Some want the Germans to invade while some couldn't think of what the country would come to should that happen. In Farleigh Field is a lively account even as the characters face dangerous situations.

In Farleigh Field is a story for everyone. There's romance to lighten the serious tone and a sense of adventure that will keep you reading. Rhys Bowen hit all the right notes in this World War II drama!
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review*

With surprisingly jovial and lighthearted touch the author tells us a story of an aristocratic family and their friends in England during the Second World War. In the Farleigh Field is a tale of family, friends, life, and loss with a touch of mystery and few spine-chilling moments facing the enemy in the midst of the war.
The story has a large cast of characters, from the Westerham family to everyone in the village, to people from London to Paris. Several of these characters have their chance to tell about their life during the war and their contribution to the fight against the enemy. With such a large cast of characters in the story telling the events from their points of views, it isn't possible to get to know any of them in depth, and most of them I found a bit one dimensional.
The story has an addictively smooth flow in it making it easy to get lost in the pages, in the world of Westerham family. There's a steady but slow rhythm to the tale, you keep reading and it feels like nothing has happened until you realize the plot has moved on leaps and bounds, and the most unobtrusive details has moved the story forward, where the little things are the big things changing the direction of the tale and the future to the family and friends.
I have read plenty of tragic, heartbreaking tales from this time period in Europe, and In The Farleigh Field has a unique, could I say resilient feeling to it. It shows the stereotypical thinking of the different cultures involved in the war, the English were cold, the French overly passionate, the Germans organized etc. And even the sisters each has their own trite role in the family from the flamboyant, to the matronly, to the one making a difference, and the one man everyone looks over might turn out to be the one to save the day.
A charming and elegant story of the people who made a difference during the terrible times in the European history. The little pieces of information through the story that touch the true history of the time made it intriguing, the witty dialog that mostly carried the plot forward was delightful as well as nearly humoristically sarcastic at times. Overall I found the story entertaining, the scenery the author painted was beautiful, and the mystery of the Ring enticing.
~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

My review can be seen at RT Book Reviews