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Tales from Turnham Malpas #8
Trouble in the Village
When the people of Turnham Malpas realise that all is not as it should be between Peter, the rector, and his wife Caroline, the smooth running of the village falters. Then the appointment of a new verger causes trouble when events from his past return to haunt him, bringing violence and danger to the peace of the village. And there are the strange goings-on in the church at night, one of the villagers' houses is ransacked; a couple is beaten up...But troubles in Turnham Malpas are put to rest as Bonfire Night at the Big House arrives and the celebrations unite the village once again.
Paperback
First published July 20, 2000
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163 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Shaw
74 books109 followersSunday Times bestselling author Rebecca Shaw is known for her heartwarming tales of country life.
Rebecca grew up in Yorkshire and attended a Quaker boarding school before becoming a teacher of deaf children.
She wrote 28 novels. Her biggest series of 19 books set in a fictional English village called TURNHAM MALPAS chart the lives and loves of the village inhabitants.
A further six novels tell the stories of the vets, veterinary nurses and animals at a veterinary practice in the fictional English market town of BARLEYBRIDGE.
She also wrote three standalone novels.
Rebecca lived with her husband in a beautiful Dorset village where she found plenty of inspiration for her contemporary stories about rural life. Rebecca sadly passed away in 2015, but her stories continue to be enjoyed by readers across the globe.
Rebecca has been translated and sold in Denmark, Germany, Hungary and Norway. She is also published in the US.
Rebecca grew up in Yorkshire and attended a Quaker boarding school before becoming a teacher of deaf children.
She wrote 28 novels. Her biggest series of 19 books set in a fictional English village called TURNHAM MALPAS chart the lives and loves of the village inhabitants.
A further six novels tell the stories of the vets, veterinary nurses and animals at a veterinary practice in the fictional English market town of BARLEYBRIDGE.
She also wrote three standalone novels.
Rebecca lived with her husband in a beautiful Dorset village where she found plenty of inspiration for her contemporary stories about rural life. Rebecca sadly passed away in 2015, but her stories continue to be enjoyed by readers across the globe.
Rebecca has been translated and sold in Denmark, Germany, Hungary and Norway. She is also published in the US.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 1, 2010
I'm not entirely sure why I keep picking up these books in charity shops, and reading them. The characters are flat and not really believable; the writing is full of cliches and brief mentions of incidents and subplots. The dialogue doesn't ring true, and the plot in general is convoluted.
And yet I find them oddly compulsive. This book features a couple of thugs who suddenly come into some money, a vicious attack on two citizens of the village, a protest against the planned destruction of a hedge, and a man who turns over a new leaf when his wife takes a job and goes to live somewhere else. I suppose the whole series is like a TV soap in books. I picked this one up when I wanted something very light to read; and while I found the style as frustrating as ever, I kept reading.
Not really recommended.
And yet I find them oddly compulsive. This book features a couple of thugs who suddenly come into some money, a vicious attack on two citizens of the village, a protest against the planned destruction of a hedge, and a man who turns over a new leaf when his wife takes a job and goes to live somewhere else. I suppose the whole series is like a TV soap in books. I picked this one up when I wanted something very light to read; and while I found the style as frustrating as ever, I kept reading.
Not really recommended.
September 30, 2025
"There is trouble in Turnham Malpas.
"Caroline is deeply worried about her husband, Peter's, disappearance. The Rector's absence has an even greater effect on the people of the village, whose entire way of life is in jeopardy.
"Mr Fitch at the Big House plans to destroy an ancient hedgerow and timid Lady Muriel Templeton leads a protest to stop him, although she is fearful she will have to carry out her threat to lie down in front of the diggers. But there are worse problems in store for the villagers. A new verger has arrived and although at first he seems ideal for the job, events from his past return to haunt him, bringing violence and danger to the peace of the village.
When Peter returns, his calm, sensible approach to the problems brings solutions -- but only Caroline can resolve the difficulties between the two of them . . ."
~~back cover
You'd think there wouldn't be much, if any, serious crime in a village like Turnham Malpas. But you'd be wrong. Serious crime has infiltrated, and like a pebble dropped in the lake, the ripples are spreading ever outward ... and resulting in serious injury where least expected. The police arrive to sort it, and remain in force in an effort to capture the perpetrators. The new verger and his wife are hustled into a car in the middle of the night and disappear into the darkness. And what's amiss at the church?!
Caroline and Muriel continue their campaign to save the hedgerow, incurring the wrath and stubbornness of Craddock Fitch, and dividing the villagers for and against. Muriel prepares to throw herself in front of the diggers (bulldozers.) Caroline and Peter still aren't right .
Yes, there's a good deal of trouble in the village. Is the hedgerow saved? Do Caroline and Peter come right? You'll have to read the book to find out.
"Caroline is deeply worried about her husband, Peter's, disappearance. The Rector's absence has an even greater effect on the people of the village, whose entire way of life is in jeopardy.
"Mr Fitch at the Big House plans to destroy an ancient hedgerow and timid Lady Muriel Templeton leads a protest to stop him, although she is fearful she will have to carry out her threat to lie down in front of the diggers. But there are worse problems in store for the villagers. A new verger has arrived and although at first he seems ideal for the job, events from his past return to haunt him, bringing violence and danger to the peace of the village.
When Peter returns, his calm, sensible approach to the problems brings solutions -- but only Caroline can resolve the difficulties between the two of them . . ."
~~back cover
You'd think there wouldn't be much, if any, serious crime in a village like Turnham Malpas. But you'd be wrong. Serious crime has infiltrated, and like a pebble dropped in the lake, the ripples are spreading ever outward ... and resulting in serious injury where least expected. The police arrive to sort it, and remain in force in an effort to capture the perpetrators. The new verger and his wife are hustled into a car in the middle of the night and disappear into the darkness. And what's amiss at the church?!
Caroline and Muriel continue their campaign to save the hedgerow, incurring the wrath and stubbornness of Craddock Fitch, and dividing the villagers for and against. Muriel prepares to throw herself in front of the diggers (bulldozers.) Caroline and Peter still aren't right .
Yes, there's a good deal of trouble in the village. Is the hedgerow saved? Do Caroline and Peter come right? You'll have to read the book to find out.
August 4, 2019
I am so in love with these books. They are a great relief from the present day news. Well, written they make you yearn for a quite English village.
April 9, 2020
This is by far one of my favourites of the series. The stories of the characters in the book take you in and you just can not put the book down. I would read it again in a flash
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July 12, 2020Like her books
June 14, 2021
I found this a very cute book. Easy read.
April 23, 2024
Love a cute little village story. Doc Martin vibes
December 12, 2009
This is the eighth in the series and I love reading about the village and folk of Turnham Malpas.
Back Cover Blurb:
There is trouble in Turnham Malpas.
Caroline is deeply worried about her husband, Peter's disappearance. The Rector's absence has an even greater effect on the people of the village, whose entire way of life is in jeopardy.
Mr Fitch at the Big House plans to destroy an ancient hedgerow and timid Lady Muriel Templeton leads a protest to stop him, although she is fearful she will have to carry out her threat to lie down in front of the diggers. But there are worse problems in store for the villagers. A new verger has arrived and although at first he seems ideal for the job, events from his past return to haunt him, bringing violence and danger to the peace of the village.
When Peter returns, his calm, sensible approach to the problems brings solutions - but only Caroline can resolve the difficulties between the two of them....
Back Cover Blurb:
There is trouble in Turnham Malpas.
Caroline is deeply worried about her husband, Peter's disappearance. The Rector's absence has an even greater effect on the people of the village, whose entire way of life is in jeopardy.
Mr Fitch at the Big House plans to destroy an ancient hedgerow and timid Lady Muriel Templeton leads a protest to stop him, although she is fearful she will have to carry out her threat to lie down in front of the diggers. But there are worse problems in store for the villagers. A new verger has arrived and although at first he seems ideal for the job, events from his past return to haunt him, bringing violence and danger to the peace of the village.
When Peter returns, his calm, sensible approach to the problems brings solutions - but only Caroline can resolve the difficulties between the two of them....
August 10, 2012
The latest instalment of the goings-on in the village of Turnham Malpas feature some shady characters, a new verger with a "past" - and a rather strange wife, a battle over a hedgerow, violence towards two of the residents, and love re-kindled between a further two couples.
These are light, feel-good stories which I dip into between "heavier" novels, just for a breath of "fresh air" - although with each novel having some kind of scandal or other, I'm not sure I would want to live there!
These are light, feel-good stories which I dip into between "heavier" novels, just for a breath of "fresh air" - although with each novel having some kind of scandal or other, I'm not sure I would want to live there!
October 23, 2012
I really enjoyed this book, continuing on where the last book left off basically and resolved many other problems. Again Fitch is up to things stirring up the residents of turnham malpas and he won't listen to anyone.. not even the rector. a good read if you enjoy the series :)
July 5, 2014
Another great story. I really like these books, I like the way the previous book's story lines are continued through. Another quite sinister storyline, leaves you wondering how it's all going to turn out. Love Muriel and the hedge protest!
February 2, 2015
A gentle country village with diverse characters and a lot of secrets but all ends well
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2015
You know what Turnam Malpas needs?
Dragons.
Dragons.
July 4, 2016
My first visit to Turnam Malpas, and I would certainly consider returning. A gentle read about the not always gent Le doings in an English village.
August 11, 2025
Rebecca Shaw is getting better and better with these characters. They almost feel like real people by the 8th book of this series. I personally feel like I've known them all my life.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews