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In Farleigh Field
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World War II comes to 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
...more
Kindle Edition, 397 pages
Published
March 1st 2017
by Lake Union Publishing
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Roxane
The ending certainly suggests that it could be.
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Start your review of In Farleigh Field

'In Farleigh Field' tells the story of several characters in England in the midst of WWII. As the brutal war continues in Europe, each member of a group of friends plays a pivotal role in the war effort, while remaining largely unaware of the role that each of them are playing. Friendships are tested. Emotions and betrayals run deep. Many hard lessons are learned.
Of all the characters, Ben and Pamela were my favorites. Ben was the "nice guy" that is friend-zoned. He has always loved Pamela, but ...more
Of all the characters, Ben and Pamela were my favorites. Ben was the "nice guy" that is friend-zoned. He has always loved Pamela, but ...more

Right, In Farleigh Field looked really intriguing. I love the cover and I was looking forward to reading it since a historical mystery is a favorite of mine. However, as my rating indicate did I not enjoy this book very much and I will list the reasons for it below.
1. Predictability - Whether it be the story or the characters did this feel like everything was following a guidebook on how to write a book for dummies. Sorry, I kept on going through the book because I wanted answers to the dead pa ...more
1. Predictability - Whether it be the story or the characters did this feel like everything was following a guidebook on how to write a book for dummies. Sorry, I kept on going through the book because I wanted answers to the dead pa ...more

In 1941 there is great concern in England about the war and likelihood of a German invasion. Farleigh Place is currently being used by British armed forces for its’ headquarters during WW II. Roderick Sutton, The Earl of Westerham, owns Farleigh Place and lives their with his wife and five daughters. One morning, Phoebe, the youngest of Roderick Sutton’s daughters, discovers a dead body attached to a parachute while horseback riding on her parents estate. The body was found in a British uniform
...more

This isn't serious historical fiction, but it's a jolly good mystery. A possible German spy falls to his death on the grounds of Farleigh when his parachute fails to open. There are several investigations into the man's possible purpose, from a family friend who works for MI5 to a pair of twelve year olds who found the body.
But as with good historical fiction, I found I learned several things about England during WWII, including the existence of the New British Broadcasting Corporation.
This wo ...more
But as with good historical fiction, I found I learned several things about England during WWII, including the existence of the New British Broadcasting Corporation.
This wo ...more

4.5 stars
Rhys Bowen’s Her Royal Spyness series is so much fun to read, and I read the newest book in the series as soon as it comes out. Accordingly, I was so excited to learn she had written a stand-alone novel that takes place during World War 2 (which is one of my favorite eras). Bowen did not disappoint – In Farleigh Field was a delight from beginning to end. I hesitated slightly when I first opened the novel because she includes a list of all of the characters upfront. I have generally fou ...more

I seem to have read a lot of Rhys Bowen books lately, mostly from her Molly Murphy series which I do enjoy. In Farleigh Field is a stand alone novel set during WW2 in England.
In 1941 concerns that Germany was going to invade Britain were running high and there were members of the public who thought that invasion would be a good thing as it would put an end to the fighting and the slaughter of their young men. As a result whilst the real fighting went on in the air and at sea another kind of unde ...more
In 1941 concerns that Germany was going to invade Britain were running high and there were members of the public who thought that invasion would be a good thing as it would put an end to the fighting and the slaughter of their young men. As a result whilst the real fighting went on in the air and at sea another kind of unde ...more

All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
I’m beginning to realize that I’m a bigger fan of historical fiction than I first thought, there’s something about the way it sweeps me away to a different time that really appeals to me and I truly enjoyed being whisked away to 1940’s England while reading In Farleigh Field.
I was a bit apprehensive when the book opened with a comprehensive list of the cast of characters. It was long and though I love an ensemble cast, I was worried that ther ...more
I’m beginning to realize that I’m a bigger fan of historical fiction than I first thought, there’s something about the way it sweeps me away to a different time that really appeals to me and I truly enjoyed being whisked away to 1940’s England while reading In Farleigh Field.
I was a bit apprehensive when the book opened with a comprehensive list of the cast of characters. It was long and though I love an ensemble cast, I was worried that ther ...more

I believe this book was one of the free kindle books that Amazon Prime members have access to. I have quite a few of them stacked up in my electronic TBR pile and this was the first one I dove into. I’m… not impressed. Maybe there’s a reason it was free? I hope the others are better than this one. This book is aggressively mediocre. It is so middle of the road that it refuses to go places that might take it somewhere interesting. The villains are exactly who you think they are, the characters do
...more

3 stars
September 1939
From: His Majesty's Government
To: Civilian Population of Great Britain
For the duration of the war, the following Seven Rules are to be observed at all times.
1. Do not waste food.
2. Do not talk to strangers.
3. Keep all information to yourself.
4. Always listen to government instructions and carry them out.
5. Report anything suspicious to the police.
6. Do not spread rumours.
7. Lock away anything that might help the enemy if we are invaded.
Farleigh Place is the ancestral home to ...more
September 1939
From: His Majesty's Government
To: Civilian Population of Great Britain
For the duration of the war, the following Seven Rules are to be observed at all times.
1. Do not waste food.
2. Do not talk to strangers.
3. Keep all information to yourself.
4. Always listen to government instructions and carry them out.
5. Report anything suspicious to the police.
6. Do not spread rumours.
7. Lock away anything that might help the enemy if we are invaded.
Farleigh Place is the ancestral home to ...more

Rhys Bowen has penned an entertaining World War II mystery with In Farleigh Field. Taking a look at relatively average people, in this case Lady Pamela Westerham and a vicar’s son, Ben Cresswell, this story covers their covert work with MI5 and code-breaking at Bletchley Park. From dank living conditions to missions they cannot share with even their closest relatives, the story gives a close up view of what it might have been like to serve in lowly but classified positions during the war, as wel
...more

Rating: 4.0/5.0
I love historical novels. This was nicely written one. It takes place in World War 2 and it tells us the story of Lord Westerham's five daughters in Farleigh estate. One day they find a man in uniform dead on the estate so everyone thinks he might be a spy. Was he a spy? was he not? you should read to know.
The story is certainly not just about the five daughters although most of them except the elder (Olivia) have big parts in the novel. There is also a triangle love story going o ...more
I love historical novels. This was nicely written one. It takes place in World War 2 and it tells us the story of Lord Westerham's five daughters in Farleigh estate. One day they find a man in uniform dead on the estate so everyone thinks he might be a spy. Was he a spy? was he not? you should read to know.
The story is certainly not just about the five daughters although most of them except the elder (Olivia) have big parts in the novel. There is also a triangle love story going o ...more

I wanted to like this more than I did.....while I loved the premise (WWII code-breakers, spies, and aristocrats!) I felt like it came together too simplistically at the end. Still, it was an engaging read, but more of a "beach read" then powerful historical novel.
...more

This is the first stand alone Rhys Bowen story I have read outside of her wonderful series, Her Royal Spyness. I enjoyed the historical fiction in this cloak and dagger mystery, but missed the humor and witty banter of her series.

I'm a fan of Rhys Bowen's mystery series but this takes her writing to a whole new level. I loved everything about this book, and I hope she is planning to write a sequel (soon!)
...more

Jan 29, 2018
Leigh
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
crime,
english,
military,
mystery,
historical,
europe,
romance,
will-read-again,
world-war-two
This book was an enjoyable read with great character and a storyline that interested me to the end. I found the over all plot slightly predictable but there was a few twist and turns that made up for that. A sound enjoyable read that had enough depth to keep me reading, 4 Stars!

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, que ...more
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, que ...more

I listened to this on Audible. I thought the narrator did a great job.
I've recently read or listened to all of Rhys Bowen's standalone historical fiction books including The Tuscan Child, The Victory Garden and now this one. This one is by far my favorite of the three.
It's set in World War II and you visit Bletchley Park, a big English country estate, London, the Paris Ritz, Gestapo headquarters and more.
There is no graphic torture or rape. Just a well done historical novel with the stress of ...more
I've recently read or listened to all of Rhys Bowen's standalone historical fiction books including The Tuscan Child, The Victory Garden and now this one. This one is by far my favorite of the three.
It's set in World War II and you visit Bletchley Park, a big English country estate, London, the Paris Ritz, Gestapo headquarters and more.
There is no graphic torture or rape. Just a well done historical novel with the stress of ...more

A very enjoyable historical novel set in WWII around the time of the Blitz. There are Army billeted in a large house, an aristocratic family of five daughters, a vicar's son, RAF pilots, Gestapo, etc.
The story is very solid, but - like other reviewers - I did find it predictable. I usually never guess the culprit - but I did in this case.
It was a lot of fun and a nice cozy way to spend a Saturday afternoon. ...more
The story is very solid, but - like other reviewers - I did find it predictable. I usually never guess the culprit - but I did in this case.
It was a lot of fun and a nice cozy way to spend a Saturday afternoon. ...more

A highly enjoyable historical mystery taking place in England during WWII. The war is bringing rapid change to Lord Westerham and his family living in their ancestral home of Farleigh Place an hour outside of London. The fear of German spies infiltrating their small community is ever present and when a soldier falls to his death on Farleigh Field during a failed parachute jump, questions begin as to the soldiers true intent.

With the Enemy right in sight,
And with thighs clutched together tight,
Nancy "Pammy" Drew
Ends WW2
Then teas with Churchill, all is right. ...more
And with thighs clutched together tight,
Nancy "Pammy" Drew
Ends WW2
Then teas with Churchill, all is right. ...more

Another great read from Rhys Bowen.
A great adventure back in time with characters you'll love. No wonder this book has been nominated for so many a wards. ...more
A great adventure back in time with characters you'll love. No wonder this book has been nominated for so many a wards. ...more

DNF - I very much enjoy Bowen's Royal Spyness series, and have read almost all of them, so I was looking forward to a new series.
Unfortunately this failed to hold my interest- I only got a third of the way through and realized I was pretty sure who the "bad guys" were, so I jumped to the last three chapters and realized I was right. I will probably pick this up again at some point and read the rest of the book, because I like several of the secondary characters and Ben, but Pamela and Jeremy lef ...more
Unfortunately this failed to hold my interest- I only got a third of the way through and realized I was pretty sure who the "bad guys" were, so I jumped to the last three chapters and realized I was right. I will probably pick this up again at some point and read the rest of the book, because I like several of the secondary characters and Ben, but Pamela and Jeremy lef ...more
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Play Book Tag: In Farleigh Field by Rhys Bowen 3+ stars | 3 | 17 | Aug 26, 2018 03:40PM | |
Go Fug Yourself B...: In Farleigh Field: A Novel of World War II | 4 | 80 | Feb 03, 2017 08:57AM |
I'm a New York Times bestselling mystery author, winner of both Agatha and Anthony awards for my Molly Murphy mysteries, set in 1902 New York City.
I have recently published four internationally bestselling WWII novels, one of them a #1 Kindle bestseller, and the Tuscan Child selling almost a million copies to date. In Farleigh Field won three major awards and was nominated for an Edgar. My other s ...more
I have recently published four internationally bestselling WWII novels, one of them a #1 Kindle bestseller, and the Tuscan Child selling almost a million copies to date. In Farleigh Field won three major awards and was nominated for an Edgar. My other s ...more
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