Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure wasn’t my favourite book by Rhys Bowen. I usually really enjoy her books. Although her writing is solid as always, I struggled with this one. It started well at the beginning in terms of Mrs. Endicott taking control of her life following her husband's awful announcement that their marriage was over. I am not sure if it might have been the period setting, but something about this novel just didn’t click with me the way her other books usually do. That said, those who really enjoy women's historical dramas will likely find this to be a lovely read.

What an enjoyable tale about three strong women charting a course of their own. I wish the road trip portion of the novel would have been longer as I found hearing about the different parts of France very interesting. I also really appreciated that this was a different take on the perenially popular WWII historical fiction. The setting in a small village in the South of France gave us a glimpse into what life was like during WWII in a different part of the world. Readers who enjoy stories about found family will really love this one.

A thoroughly enjoyable historical novel…

I have long been a fan of Rhys Bowen’s mysteries, especially her Evan Evans and Lady Georgie series. But I’ve never tried any of her non-series books, which appear from their blurbs to be historical novels, rather than mysteries. So I was thrilled to be offered a review copy of Bowen’s latest stand-alone, set mostly in the south of France, during the time from just-before to just-after WWII. And, with my expectations set properly, ready for a slower-paced book and not a mystery, I really enjoyed Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure.

The book starts with an epic telling-off by the title character. After years of a rather dull marriage, and with their two sons grown and gone, Ellie Endicott’s husband, Lionel, tells her that he’s trading her in for a newer model. Although, of course, he doesn’t phrase it exactly that way. What he does do, though, is try to shuffle Ellie off into genteel oblivion in a tiny London flat with a miniscule pension, so he can move the newer model into their large county home in Surrey. Ellie, however, pointedly and firmly declines to acquiesce in these plans. Instead, she gets herself an attorney, and a significantly better deal. After which, she decides, since there is now literally nowhere that she has to be, to head for the South of France, where she once spent a wonderful pre-Lionel vacation with her black-sheep of an aunt, Aunt Louisa.

Ellie is a bit intimidated with the idea of traveling so far by herself, but, as she prepares to depart, she acquires a couple of traveling companions: the village spinster, who has been told she doesn’t have long to live and wants to see the Riviera again; and Ellie’s cleaning woman, who needs to escape an abusive marriage. Ellie, Dora, and Mavis decide to “substitute” Lionel’s Bentley for the remainder of Ellie’s settlement, so they can drive rather than take the train, and they are off. And the rest of the book is a slow-moving treat as the three women (plus a fourth stray picked up along the way) settle into a small French village along the Mediterranean coast; learn more about themselves, each other, and the local inhabitants; decide to remain in Saint-Benet even as WWII approaches, survive the war years; and emerge on the other side.

Some portions of Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure are a little bit predictable, or maybe just well foreshadowed, but I found them no less enjoyable for that. The characters are believable, and I was drawn into the narrative, which flowed smoothly and kept me reading. There are some tough moments: Dora’s much delayed death; France’s unexpectedly quick surrender and the creation of Vichy France; an unexpected betrayal with disastrous consequences; the difficulties of dealing with collaborators in the aftermath of the war. But to me, these also served to enhance the satisfaction of the overall storyline. Bowen’s descriptions of the south of France ring true as well (I’m a huge Francophile), and I’m now daydreaming about visiting there again myself. And maybe, since I’m approaching retirement, even finding my own little spot in France for a while. After all, if Ellie could polish up her unused-for-decades French language skills, and brave driving on the wrong-side of the road, why can’t I? But hopefully without WWII...

In spite of the word “Adventure” in the title, if you’re looking for a thriller, Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure isn’t for you, although several of the WWII scenes come with a hefty dose of danger. OTOH, if you are looking for an engaging historical novel that you won't want to put down– definitely give it a try! And finally, my thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the review copy.

This book had me laughing and crying. I was so glad to read that Mrs. Endicott decided to take on the world and not worry about anyone about herself.

While my favourite Rhys Bowen books are the Her Royal Spyness series, her stand alone books are always so well written. I think Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure is my favourite of her stand alone so far. Reading as Mrs. Endicott starts her life over in her 50s in the South of France and how she handles life as the Nazis invade was so uplighting and enjoyable.

LIFE CHANGES, UNEXPECTED FRIENDS, AND NEW DESTINATIONS

Rhys Bowen crafts stories that captivate you from the first sentence and leave you reflecting long after reading. One of my favorites from 2025 is MRS. ENDICOTT’S SPLENDID JOURNEY is an excellent adventure filled with life changes, unexpected friendships, and new destinations.

The story follows Ellie Endicott, whose husband of thirty years has announced that he is replacing her with a younger woman. Set in England in 1938, Ellie is savvy enough to hire a lawyer and negotiate a much better settlement than initially offered. Determined to reclaim her life, she travels to the South of France.

Ellie takes her husband’s Bentley for reliable transportation and invites her faithful maid, Doris, to join her on the trip as a gesture of gratitude for many years of service. At the last minute, she extends the invitation to her elderly neighbor, Mavis, known in the neighborhood as the grouch. Mavis is shocked by Ellie’s kindness.

As the three embark on their journey, they discover they make great traveling companions. They develop a rhythm and find that they genuinely enjoy each other’s company more than they had ever anticipated. Their adventure leads them to the fishing hamlet of Saint Benet, where the Bentley unfortunately breaks down. Surprisingly, this may be where each of them finds the peace they seek.

I highly recommend this book! It beautifully portrays the themes of friendships that cross age, socio-economic boundaries, and cultures. The characters learn to work together during wartime for the common good, a collaboration that often fails to happen otherwise. This book is not to be missed!

Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley provided me with a copy of this book. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I enjoyed the bravado of Ellie Endicott, who takes her husband's beloved Bentley car as part of her share after his affair and their subsequent divorce, drives the car to parts unknown, namely under the English channel and towards the south of France. She takes along her housekeeper turned friend, Mavis, and an elderly friend, Dora. They land up in a little town near the Riviera, and like it enough to try to settle there.

Romance, adventure, a new environment follow, only marred by the threat of WWII and how it may affect them in this tiny hidden village in France. I followed Ellie's adventures and felt satisfaction when she discovers a new place to call home, and meets the challenges and misfortunes of the times she lives in.

I loved this book, a gem for all, set in 1938. Ellie Endicott is shocked when her husband tells her he wants a divorce. Not willing to accept his terms, Ellie stands up for a settlement and decides to go to the south coast of France to decide her future. Due to her big heart, she takes her housekeeper, Mavis, escaping from an abusive husband, and Dora, an older woman with a heart condition. When their car stalls in a small town in France, the threesome start a new adventure, restoring an old villa deserted years earlier. The relationship between the women, and with the townspeople, grows with time. Highly recommended. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this heartwarming novel.

MRS. ENDICOTT'S SPLENDID ADVENTURE is the latest historical fiction from Rhys Bowen (In Farleigh Field). She is a personal favorite and a prolific author of novels including The Constable Evans mysteries, The Royal Spyness series, and many featuring Molly Murphy in addition to several dealing with WWII and its impact. This novel begins in 1938 in Surrey, England and moves fairly quickly to the South coast of France (near Marseille) throughout the war. After Mrs. Endicott's husband seeks a divorce, she – and a group of "strays" – settle in a charming village whose inhabitants, including many fishermen, are largely self-sufficient. Gradually, Mrs. Endicott and her companions (an older woman with health problems, a kind-hearted cleaner fleeing spousal abuse, and a young, unmarried lass) build a community and start to thrive. Even in this remote area, the war years are predictably difficult, but most everyone (including other English ex-pats, a broad-minded priest, and the head of a nearby monastery), pull together. Mrs. Endicott learns to try new adventures, reflecting, "All my life I've been sensible and reasonable. I've done the right thing, tried to please everybody, but nobody ever tried to find out what I wanted." Instead of giving into despair, she and the others grow and manage to find happiness. At one point, the abbot advocates prayer: "Why don't you start with three things you're blessed with, three things you're afraid of and finally three things you ask of him? And don't forget to listen, too." An uplifting story in a beautiful setting.

Thank you #NetGalley and #LakeUnionPublishing for what is another wonderfully written book by Rhys Bowen. I just thought I was finished with reading in the World War II genre. That is until I began this book late Saturday evening and finished it Sunday afternoon. What a great read! Yes, it was set in the WW II time frame, but it was so much more than that.

Mrs. Endicott surprised not just herself, but me as a reader also. Surprised me with her grit and determination as a newly single woman of that era, alongside two other women who turned out to be so much more than simply an old spinster and a char woman. All three had their own story of hardship and triumph to tell.

I have read many of Ms. Bowen's historical fiction novels and found them all to be supremely entertaining and informative, however this book was in a class by itself. Filled with beautiful descriptive passages that brought us along as Ellie. Dora, Mavis travel from an England on the brink of war to the south of France. Traveling alone (no men) in Ellie's husband's motorcar, they find themselves broken down and welcomed into a small seaside community, which quickly becomes home. When war comes to her quiet home, Ellie soon finds out who is true friend and who is not.

Rhys Bowen's HF is always a must read for me. Hopefully, for you too.

A charming novel that is a pleasure to read! I loved this book. A middle aged woman's husband announces he wants a divorce at the breakfast table. She says "fine," quickly works out the details and takes his Bentley to France. She picks up a motley assortment of companions and friends along the way, settling down in a small village on the coast of the South of France when the Bentley breaks down. And all of this takes place in 1939, on the cusp of World War II.

Thought there are some serious plot developments towards the end of this book related to WWII, this book was about pure human interaction and kindness. A group of English women get to know each other, show kindness to those in trouble, and find themselves lovingly absorbed into the community. This novel inspires all of us to deal with the hand we're handed, but to also live our best lives and make human connections that matter.

4.5⭐ rounded up
Charming and engrossing historical fiction about a resilient woman divorced after 30 years who decides to head to the South of France for a vacation. It's the embodiment of found family as she gathers her housekeeper, fleeing from an abusive husband, and a older neighbor lady who had been told she had little time to live to cross the channel to France in her ex-husband's Bentley. Her kindness and positivity continues to garner more to their circle when they are stranded in a small French village due to car trouble.The time frame stretches over WWII, and the horrific reality of war impacts the second half of the book. Yet, even with some sadness the basic coziness holds true throughout the book.

Marvelous!
This is rather like another version of the wonderful movie Enchanted April.
Similar in that it shows women opening up to new possibilities after rather limited lives.
The growth of each one is delicious.
And then you get the excitement of the War and Nazis and all the necessary resourcefulness that is required of them.

Delighted to include this title in the August edition of Novel Encounters, my column highlighting the month’s most anticipated fiction for the Books section of Zoomer, Canada’s national lifestyle and culture magazine. (see column and mini-review at link)

Ellie (Eleanor) Endicott is stunned when after 30 years of marriage, her banker husband, Lionel asks her for a divorce. He is open about his new love, Michelle who is expecting his child. It is 1938, in England and there is talk of a possible war. Ellie, fortunately, is offended of Lionel's offer of a small allowance in exchange for a quiet divorce and walking away from her home.
What follows is a wonderful story of Ellie realising that she is not an invisible housewife, but an intelligent woman who has let life pass her by. And she first stands her ground to seek a fair divorce settlement and decides to go to the south of France, of which she has fond childhood memories. Ellie gets a lot more than she bargained for and the adventure although heady and exciting also means she is close to the war front when Hitler invades France.
A lovely story of friendship and starting over after the breakdown of a marriage. Happy to recommend this book.
Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this digital ARC.

I’m a huge fan of Rhys Bowen’s mysteries but have never read any of her historical fiction before—and I’m glad I finally did. This is exactly what I expected. I would almost describe it as cozy historical fiction. Ms Bowen tells an engaging story of a newly divorced woman in her 50s rediscovering herself just before and during World War II. Shocked out of her quiet life by a divorce, Ellie sets out on a quest of self-discovery. She forges a new life for herself in the south of France, creating a home and family for herself. History intrudes with the onset of World War II, but its harsh realities are incorporated into the story in the same calm, matter-of-fact, deceptively light tone.

This would be a wonderful pick for readers who are looking for some lighter, well-written historical fiction. Highly recommended!

This is such a a delightful read that I found myself reading cover to cover in one sitting. I adored the three main characters all from different circumstances yet brought together by their love of adventure. The three women set off in a car trip together to France each needing to change their life. One abandoned by her husband, one elderly villager searching for adventure and a maid desperately needs a new life.
Their travels take them to France to a run down cottage in a charming village by the sea. Being resourcful women they join together to make it a wonderful home. They invite a girl in need to stay who adds to the friendships and enriches their lives.
As the war progresses and enters their small village they find their determination to survive and together they preserve.
So beautiful to read it captures the reader who shall not emerge until the last page. A lovely story of friendship, strong independent women and beginning anew. Each embrace their new life and find joy in their friendships and community.
Thank you with gratitude to the publishers, Net Galley and the author.

Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure by Rhys Bowen is an endearing book about second chances. Mr. Endicott announced calmly at dinner one night that he wanted a divorce. He had found someone younger and more exciting. Mrs. Endicott was struck by the unfairness of it all. She had worked so hard to be the perfect wife. Now this? He offered her a paltry settlement and she saw a lawyer of her own who gave her great advice, which she took. Then she decided she was going to go away for awhile. France. She had loved it there when she had traveled with her aunt. So, she set about making preparations, including notifying all the people in town to whom she had responsibilities. That included a curmudgeonly older spinster called Miss Smith-Humphries, who she was a bit frightened of. She went home and convinced her housekeeper/friend, Mavis, to join her and then she started to think of logistics. There was a knock on the door: it was Miss Smith-Humphries with the surprising news that she wanted to come along on this journey. Ellie decided to take the car. Surely she deserved that much? Three people on and off trains would be too much.

What a delightful novel this is. The car broke down and they found a home in a small village near the sea. They tucked in and Ellie rented a shambles of a villa and they set about cleaning it up, doing repairs where necessary. It was a grand adventure. Miss Smith-Humphries morphed into Dora and became a dear friend. They had picked up a waif of a girl who turned out to be pregnant. Ellie could not say no. Her mind cleared and she was happy. She made friends and a home and knew her decision had been a good one. It was supposed to be a holiday, but now it was a whole new life. The war was coming and eventually it hit her village and bad things happened as a result, but the women were all fine. There is so much to unpack in this story. Your only option is to read it, I’m afraid.

I was invited to read Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure by Lake Union Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #LakeUnionPublishing #RhysBowen #MrsEndicottsSplendidAdventure

What a delightful read, though I feel odd saying delightful when the setting is the south of France during WWII. Mrs. Endicott leaves behind her village life in England and her husband who is divorcing her. With her housekeeper and an elderly villager, both of whom are also in need of an escape from their lives, she drives to the south of France and the adventures begin. A story of friendship, community life, bravery in the face of war.

4.5 Stars. This novel is an engrossing combination of women in 1938 learning to survive on their own, grow their talents, and to depend on each other. It's also an historical novel taking place at the start of Hitler's unrelenting power grab and continuing through the war. A tiny town where everyone knows each other and learn how to share whatever resources that they have. Where the resistance is quietly working and treachery is always possible.

I delighted in the three primary female characters and their growing respect, friendship, and love for each other.