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.

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.

FARLEIGH FIELD (YAWN)

Would you try another book from Rhys Bowen and/or Gemma Dawson?

I'd have to really think about that one!

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Given the characters more depth, they were very cardboardish (new word I just made up.)

Would you listen to another book narrated by Gemma Dawson?

Not a fair question for her, considering the way I feel about this book.

Was In Farleigh Field worth the listening time?

NO, NO, NO, NO!!!!!

Any additional comments?

This was compared to "The Nightingale." Because of that I immediately downloaded it and read it. VERY VERY DISAPPOINTED, DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME OR 💲💲💲!

A very entertaining experience

This is a simple, well written spy story. It contains everything that one could wish for in good entertainment: a story that rings true, love threatened to lost, then gained, clear characters, that one can easily visualize and a modest hero.

Lightweight, somewhat enjoyable tale

I rated In Farleigh Field 3 stars, but it may be 3 1/2. It's an enjoyable little tale, but lightweight, simple, and wrapped up a bit too tidily.

wish i could give it more star!

another well written book by Rhys. I would really enjoy this if she started a series on it!.

Story ok, but narration off-putting

I almost didn't finish this book due to the narrator's terrible affectation of how English is spoken by actual English people. It was very overdone, like someone watched too many war/love/spy movies made in 1948. I even actually stopped at one point to see if she was actually British herself or someone faking the accent. She is a classically trained actor - but her training was in NYC, where she remains. Maybe a little bleed over?

Good story, starts a little slow

I love this author and I enjoyed this book in the end but I found it a little slow to get going. it was an interesting twist for new for me to learn that there were Brits who wanted to concede the war.

Very abrupt ending

It took me awhile to get into the story and the ending was quite abrupt but it wasn’t predictable which is always nice!

Wonderful historical romance and mastery

The narrator was wonderful for the audio. I liked the vivid descriptions and mystery in this novel. Great story.

Female Code Breakers

In England women work behind the scenes to decode enemy messages broadcast on the radio. Propaganda. A soldier drops dead into a field when his parachute doesn't open, and the countryside suspects a spy.