In Farleigh Field

A Novel

By: Rhys Bowen

Narrated by: Gemma Dawson

Length: 11 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's Summary

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 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.

©2017 Janet Quin-Harkin, writing as Rhys Bowen (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Fun New Characters

I'm a big fan of the Royal Spyness series. This novel, which may or may not be a stand-alone title, has the same sort of class delineation and intrigue, but in a slightly more serious vein. I enjoyed it, despite its predictability (I anticipated the antagonist from very early on in the story). Bowen's pacing is always fine, the dialogue believable, and the plots intricate enough that you're never bored. The narrator had her hands full with so many characters, and she did a good job of giving each character a distinctive voice, though the upper class accents were a bit over the top, and her tone made the story seem lighter than it would have had I read it.

Entertaining and Engaging Storyline

When I purchased this book, I didn't expect it to be a good as Rhys Bowen's, Royal Spyness books. I was wrong -- it was better! It isn't the light-hearted fun listen that is expected in the Royal Spyness series.

The characters were believable, engaging and interesting. I felt, as I lived through the history of the period, while listening. Whenever I can vividly picture the characters and the scenery, a book has my full attention. I'm stingy with my 5 star rating. It deserves a solid 4 stars but since it exceeded my expectation, and the narration was excellent, I'm giving it 5 stars.

Returning book because of narration

My problem with the book is with the narrator -- her approach just rubbed me the wrong way. Many words are given a little explosive pop, so rather than a smooth low key delivery one has to pay attention to Each. Word. Separately and Emphatically. Felt like a YA storytelling style.

My rating is purely based on the narrative performance. Unfortunately Audible makes me also rate everything just to write this review. Having insufficient info, I put in two stars but I didn't read past the first chapter.

Good story and good narration!

I notice there are mixed reviews for this story. We're used to hearing Rhys Bowen's charming "Royal Spyness" series--and if you try to compare this book to that, or the Molly Murphy series, you will probably be disappointed. Bowen's talent is making her books all different from each other. And I, for one, greatly enjoyed this book!

This was an interesting story because she used a historic time (World War II) to develop a fairly ambitious plot line with more characters than I typically am able to keep sorted as I listen. Given that this is a mystery, for a less talented writer, that would have been a huge problem. But it all works out very well, because she developed the characters well enough that by the end of the book, they were all very familiar.

The book concerns the age-old dilemma that war brings, when nobody knows completely whom to trust, and in fact, there is true espionage that is occurring throughout this story, but the reader isn't sure who is trustworthy vs disloyal.

I found it a very good listen. The narration was mostly pretty good, and the action moved at a steady pace. I recommend it. Despite it is a spy story about WWII, it is low on violence or sex, and in some ways, more closely resembles a "cozy" mystery. For those looking for more realistic war details, that could be disappointing, but I really think she used a nice touch--conveying the atmosphere of war and all that entails, without making violence a big part of the descriptions.

Horrible Narraration

The only thing that kept me from returning this book immediately after beginning it was the fact that I felt I had a duty to see it to completion since other reviewers had commented upon Miss Dawson's narration, and I therefore had indeed been forewarned.
My love for Miss Bowen's Royal series compelled me to give this book a go, however, and her usual narrator for that series was quite enjoyable.
Not. So. This. Book. The over the top "high society" British accent made all characters mere cartoon personalities. No one did NOT have this horrible British affectation of speech, from the Lord and Lady (still exaggerated for even them) to the non-titled, the vicar, even the Germans. What were you thinking, Audible? Words cannot express how this presentation robbed the story of all tension, suspense and joy. And, by the way, although I NEVER guess who the bad guys are in any mystery, I figured this one out by the third chapter.
I think with a different narrator this book may have had a chance. After all, I don't listen to the Royal Spyness series for the mystery but for the pleasure of the story-telling, for the fun of the slight adventure.
It was such a relief to finally complete this book and put myself out of my misery. Sorry, Miss Bowen, this was painful.

Annoying narration!

Generally, I like Rhys Bowen's books, especially her Evan Evans series. I expect I'll enjoy this one when I read it but I'm returning the audible version. The narrator employs a plummy, pip-pip, upper class voice that just grates on my nerves.

I see a new series in the works

First of all, I am a huge Rhys Bowen fan. I looked forward to this book with great anticipation.

I listened to the audiobook and immediately got turned off by Gemma Dawson's narration. I hate when an author's work is negatively impacted by a poor narrator. Eventually I came to accept it (other than not finishing what was I to do?) and let the book speak (!) for itself.

I found this got better as it went along. It was a bit too full of cliches for my liking and the uses of "thinking outside the box" seemed out of context for the time period. But it was an enjoyable book and the characters were easy to like. MI5, Bletchley Park, stately homes, war heroes - what's not to like!

As I finished this I was thinking that there are many characters whose stories we need to follow. It seems Rhys has a new series in the works. At least I hope so.

Golly! WWII Novel Is Great Mystery

Golly! From the first time the word is uttered, I was hooked. The narrator in the audio book has such a superb grasp of how the aristocracy sounded at least to my American ears that is. I loved this book and it is always a thrill when a Kindle Book of Month turns out to be so fantastic. This story is set at the beginning of WWII, in May 1941 before the allied joined to beat Hitler. In this story you learn that there are spies among us you would not expect and two of them are main characters, Lady Pamela and Ben Cresswell, the Vicar's son. Both are working under cover and the story meshes so well that the reader doesn't expect who is the planted German spy although there are lots of clues that make you suspect several main characters. This was my first book by Bowen but it won't be my last. This is a mystery based on actual facts. The location in Kent is fiction but the location and the events could have happened just as written. It is an excellent story and surprised me with the discovery of who the actual spy was because clues were left that it could be several people. Read it and enjoy. Gemma Dawson is excellent as narrator. The way she says 'Golly' has got to be the best aristocratic snobbery sound yet. Golly!

If you like a great story...,,

This was a wonderful listen. If you like England during WWII this is a book for you. I hope there is a sequel!!

A disappointment after reading rave reviews

What disappointed you about In Farleigh Field?

The narrator, the plot, the stiff uninteresting characters, the cliche'd verbage

What was most disappointing about Rhys Bowen’s story?

The writing was so stereotypical. The characters were flat and could have been lifted directly from Downton Abbey. The plot was so very predictable from the start.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

She differentiated between female characters only by raising the pitch of her voice. Very boring.

What character would you cut from In Farleigh Field?

None of them were exceptional. Why introduce Mavis as a potential sweetheart for Ben? Why introduce Gumby - just to raise an awareness in a spoiled aristocrat's daughter of another viewpoint??

Any additional comments?

I would not recommend the narrator nor the book to anyone.

Narration not good

I am sorry to say that although I would have enjoyed the story I have been unable to listen to the narrator's voice. I tried speeding it up a bit but still no good....I shall have to return this book

Story ok, narration needs work

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No, it takes too long to set the story. Then it plods along.

Would you be willing to try another book from Rhys Bowen? Why or why not?

Yes, but not with this narrator.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Inflection was all over the place. Often placed emphasis on the wrong word(s).

If this book were a film would you go see it?

Probably not.

Any additional comments?

The narrator has a good voice but needs training on pacing and inflection.

Narration lets it down

What made the experience of listening to In Farleigh Field the most enjoyable?

The story was good although in places became a bit predictable

Who was your favorite character and why?

Margot - she was feisty

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

I was disappointed with the narration. The tone of the narrator seemed to make all the characters sound as if they were completely stupid which I don't think was the intention of the author

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

The story seemed to have some ups & downs, so it took me 3 sittings

Any additional comments?

Overall a good story a bit spoiled by the irritating narration,

Fantastic Enjoyable Exciting

One of the best books I have listened to in ages. A really good spy story with good background story at the same time. If you like history, romance and excitement then this is the book for you. Have been listening in the car and round the house to know what happens.

Robot voice

Arghhhh!!! This is painful to listen to! Too slow and a disappointment compared to other Rhys Bowen books I’ve listened to. It’s going back after one chapter!!

wonderful

really enjoyed this book, love historical fiction and delighted to find out at the end how many elements were based on real ww2 events. beautifully read with excellent accents and dialects. I loved the characters and was on edge for them right to the end.

Awful first book could not finish

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

different reader may have helped -fear lost cause

Would you ever listen to anything by Rhys Bowen again?

no not unless rave reviews and different reader

How did the narrator detract from the book?

too mannered trying to capture era but grated and inconsistent pronunciation

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from In Farleigh Field?

Feel bad as people had made an effort but almost all I listened to needed rewriting and a different reader

Any additional comments?

Sorry to be so negative

Pleasant book, shame about the narrator

The book was OK, plot rather weak. Narrator not so good. She said aerodome instead of aerodrome every time the word cropped up!

Nostalgia

The story line is strong and very credible, I enjoyed it. Partially historically correct and had the listener guessing.
I recommend this story, very easy to listen to and a transport to a bygone age.

Great Rhys Bowen; poor interpretation

Generally, I like Rhys Bowen’s writing, but this one fell into caricature owing to the narration style, tone and pace. It did not do the book justice and was a real shame. It was so bad I gave up listening, which is never something I do lightly, given the tremendous effort any author makes to create a finished piece.