Village Rumours

Tales from Turnham Malpas #18

by Rebecca Shaw

You can't escape your past. At least that's what the residents of Turnham Malpas would say...

While clearing out the rectory's loft, Reverend Peter Harris makes an unsettling discovery and a dark secret is exposed that soon sets tongues wagging in the village.

Having received a letter from the sons she hasn't heard from in 15 years, local gossip Greta Jones is delighted at the prospect of seeing them after all this time - despite her husband's misgivings. And Craddock Fitch's unruly grandchildren, newly arrived in the village, are causing not a little trouble for the townsfolk.

Meanwhile Fran Charter-Plackett has a difficult decision to make. Her parents would like to see her settled with kind and reliable Alex Harris. But when Chris Templeton, the man whom Fran once lost her heart to, returns to the village, it seems he is all set to steal her affections once more. Is Chris really a changed man? And will Fran finally go with her heart or her head?

Genres: Contemporary

256 pages, Hardcover

First published August 28, 2014

About the author

Sunday 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.

Reviews

[Anna Reads Mysteries]

I'm sorry about DNFing this one - I bought the book at a charity shop, because the cover seemed cute.
I started reading it once, and it seemed like a nice summer read about a busy village full of mysteries.
However, not only is this the last book in a series, but also, the mystery is not holding my attention. It seems like a fun, cosy series to which I will return to once I am older. This, by all means, should not come across like an insult, but it felt like a fiction book a retired lady would love.

[JoE · Rating 1 out of 5]

I cant believe the high rating of this book. I read a few in the series years ago, which were quite enjoyable light fiction. Picked this one up on impulse when I saw it at the library. I have absolutely NO idea why I finished it. The writing is horribly outdated and clunky. (Do writers have editors anymore?) I know its written as a light-hearted, easy read but there's plenty of books out there that do a way better job and actually are a good read. If you happen to pick this book up at some point, I suggest you put it straight back down again. Dont torture yourself!

[Samantha Glennerster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not upto usual standard. Surely after the events of the last book there is no way that Fran would consider going back to Chris and the end of the book felt very rushed. All of a sudden about 4 storylines came out of nowhere and we never did find out who wrote the poison pen letters

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

"While clearing out the rectory's loft, Reverend Peter Harris makes an unsettling discovery and a dark secret is exposed that soon sets tongues wagging in the village.

"Having received a letter from the sons she hasn't heard from in 15 years, local gossip Greta Jones is delighted at the prospect of seeing them after all this time - despite her husband's misgivings. And Craddock Fitch's unruly grandchildren, newly arrived in the village, are causing not a little trouble for the townsfolk.

"Meanwhile Fran Charter-Plackett has a difficult decision to make. Her parents would like to see her settled with kind and reliable Alex Harris. But when Chris Templeton, the man whom Fran once lost her heart to, returns to the village, it seems he is all set to steal her affections once more.

"Is Chris really a changed man? And will Fran finally go with her heart or her head?"
~~back cover

The usual village tempest in a teapot. But quite enjoyable

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven’t read any of the other books in this series and after finishing this have no burning desire to do so! The writing seemed clunky and there were lots of threads to the story that just didn’t seem to weave together. The ending seemed very rushed and left unanswered questions, who wrote the poison pen letters and did the donkeys go to the Fitch family? A disappointing read.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read
Easy to read. The different stories within the book are interesting and keep you wanting to read more

[Sherry Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only one book left. Love these people.

[Denita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy reading this series.

[Nissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a very good read! Good read for people with busy lives.

I don’t know if pages were missing at the end or what but Chris returning to a place where everyone hates you… would be a test to take.

[Angela Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book and all other characters, especially Fran and Alex. Glad Dottie and Maurice had a happy ending. A real feel good book.

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 18th book in the much loved Turham Malpas series. When the Reverend Peter Harris finds a trunk of all documents and the clothes in the attic of the rectory, little does he know but he will be revealing the darkest secrets of one of the villages oldest and most loved residence.
After breaking the heart of Fran Charter-Plackett, the village thought that they had seen the last of Chris Templeton. But as they always do, but as they always do, bad pennies always turn up again and Fran must make sure that she has the willpower to resist his charms.
Again, Rebecca Shaw has managed to write another excellent book and unlike other authors who write long book series, this is a series that never gets boring or tired. Each book is as fresh and enjoyable as the first book in the series was. Every time you pick up the next book in the series you feel as you are catching up with old friends. I'm definitely looking forward to book number 19.

[Kate Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this series in general and so liked to find out the next step for each character but did anyone else find that the writing was not very tight? Perhaps a problem with the editing. Tenses seem to shift around and the dialogue drifts. Some of the plot was unconvincing. The 'scandal' was very similar to an earlier novel and although have enjoyed all her books this one had disappointing elements in my opinion.

[Karen Ireland]

So my mum was reading the serious of Turnham Malpas and got any audio book so when we had to go away I ending up listen to it also.

This was the best fun I had listen to a audio book in years I found myself laugh a long when the people in the village got the story wrong and even shout at some when they where going the wrong way in love.

Great books to just enjoy and have fun, Eastender and Coronation Street would have trouble keeping up to these villagers.

[Nicola Clough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good book from Rebecca following the lives of people within the village. Many secrets come out and twist and turns within the book. The reverend find a box in his lift that hides a real secret which soon become the gossip within the village. Well worth reading.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ah Rebecca things are starting to get stale in Turnham Malpas... I hate Chris Templeton and suddenly the book has become the Fran show. we need a bit of scandal or murder to relight the spark that captured me to pick up the series.

[Tasneem · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple, easy and relaxing read about village life. Given the madness of city living it really makes me want to sell up and move somewhere nice and quiet. Wonder how real it actually is :)

[Siân · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another lovely instalment of the Turnham Malpas series. I love these books, they're just like coming home.

[Julia Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book in the Turnham Malpas series. Very light reading but most enjoyable.

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca Shaw keeps her readers captivated once more with a new tale of the residents of Turnham Malpas

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good easy read - a nice break from the "heavy" type of reading!!

[Charlotte Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it from start to finish

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

A generous two! Not really my cup of tea, I think it is someone's idealised view of village life. It just doesn't happen like this. I am amazed at how many there are in the series. Its a fantasy.

[Fiona · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my style of writing. Couldn't get into it and plenty more books in the bookcase.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great story about the dorset village loved it