The Gossip

by Rona Halsall

BRAND NEW utterly heart-pounding thriller from BESTSELLING author Rona Halsall 💥⚠️🤫 A must-read for fans of Freida McFadden, Shari Lapena, and Lisa Jewell! The smaller the town, the bigger the secrets…

When a young widow named Nia moves with her little boy to the picturesque village of Talysarn – with its beautiful landscape of lakes, woodlands and soaring mountains – she thinks it’s the new start she’s looking for.

At first, it seems perfect. Until a vicious rumour starts – that she’s having an affair with an older man who lives nearby. And this gossip spreads like wildfire, eventually reaching the ears of his wife – the fierce head teacher at the local primary school.

And before Nia knows it, her dream of a new beginning has taken a terrible turn. She needs to find out who the gossip came from, before everything goes wrong. Because nobody can know why she really moved here.

It’s true that everyone in this village has their secrets. Including Nia. And one person will kill to keep theirs…

Bestselling authors love Rona ‘Wow. Wow. Wow. A fantastic read. Just my sort of thriller. Twisty, moved along apace, and I was desperate to see how it would play out… Amazing.’ Diana Wilkinson

‘A thrillingly twisty rollercoaster of a read!’ Valerie Keogh

‘OMG THIS BOOK!!! What a rollercoaster of a read! From the very first page… I was drawn into Anna’s story and couldn’t wait to get to the heart-pounding ending. A masterful and twisty tale. I literally had no idea who to trust and who to fear until the very end – I was suspicious of everyone. Just my kind of book! A psychological thriller that’ll keep you up late – guaranteed!’ Samantha Hayes

‘Unputdownable… literally. I shouldn’t have started it because that was my afternoon gone! A really gripping read, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough and now my brain is scrambled…{::}The twists just keep rolling.’ Karen King

‘A gripping, fast-paced thriller that ramps up the tension with every chapter… A twisted game of cat and mouse in which everyone has something to hide. Shut your door and turn off your phone – you won’t want to put this book down until you’ve reached the end!’ AJ McDine

‘Wow – what a totally gripping thriller. I was on the edge of my seat!’ Ruby Speechley

‘A twisty, thrill-filled game of cat and mouse!’ Victoria Jenkins

‘Twists and turns aplenty! Psychological thriller fans will definitely not be disappointed!’ L.H. Stacey

‘This tale of revenge kept me turning the pages!’ Keri Beevis

Readers are completely gripped too! ‘WOW WOW WOW I absolutely loved this book… Brilliant and the twists you would never guess!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wow… So{::}many twists and turns that made me devour this b

Genres: Thriller

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 22, 2026

About the author

Rona is the #1 best selling author of twisty psychological thrillers and loves to create mayhem in her characters' lives to keep her readers guessing. She lives halfway up a mountain in Snowdonia, North Wales with her three dogs - Maid, Evie and Sandy who are the writing support team.

She is an outdoorsy person, who loves nothing better than stomping up a mountain, and wandering round forests and woodlands while she's plotting her next book. Outside is where the ideas are!

The peak of her writing career was being short-listed for the International Thriller Writers Awards 2024, for THE BIGAMIST. The translation was also shortlisted for an award in Holland.

For the latest news and information on all her books you can check out her website: https://ronahalsall.org/

You can also sign up to her newsletter here:
https://bit.ly/RonaHalsallNews

Also...If you follow her Author page on Amazon, you'll get notifications when a new book is out. You can have a look here:

UK - https://tinyurl.com/yfk4ydyt
US - https://tinyurl.com/26cwfkc7

Go on... hit that Follow button!

Reviews

[Diane Merritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oooh the things Gossip can do. This was a fantastic book not knowing who a lot of the times was fantastic kept you guessing. Still at the end my mind is still boggled..lol
Great book !!

Thanks to the author the publisher and Netgalley for a early release of this book

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read quite a few by this author, I was looking forward to reading this one. I can’t deny it was a page-turner, but it was a bit disappointing for me too.
I think it just wasn’t as exciting as I wanted it to be and I felt that I didn’t get to know the characters that well.

Nia has moved back to the Welsh village where she was born and given up by her mother as a baby. She has just lost her parents and husband and needs to find her biological family. She moves next door to Seren, who at first seems like she could be a really good friend but obviously this is a psychological thriller! Things take a bit of a dark turn and when Nia finds out about her birth mother, she is less than happy about it.
It wasn’t tied up enough at the end for me and still had me wondering about certain things, hence 4⭐️ still worth a read though.

[Carol Borcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title fits the book like a glove!

This was another exciting, nailbiting and unpredictable thriller by the amazing author Rona Halsall. Nia, who has recently been left widowed and her young son make a fresh start in Talysam in Wales. Not long after settling in, a vicious devastating rumour about Nia spreads like a wild fire in the village, where everyone knows everything about everybody.

The gossip is about Nia having an affair with a much older man, who is married to the headmistress of a local primary school, Sue, which she runs with an iron fist. Soon Nia is the topic of all the local villagers and good friends.

This book was filled with unexpected twists and turns and mindblowing moments. I could not put this book down, reading way past my bedtime.

Well done once again, Rona Halsall. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for an early advanced reader's copy of this 5 star book.

[Diane Elizabeth Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

​Utterly enthralling! Rona Halsall has delivered an absolutely breathtaking thriller that I just couldn't put down.
We meet Nia, who relocates to the quiet Welsh village of Talysarn with her young son, seeking a fresh start and the truth about her birth family. However, her arrival stirs the local gossip mill that quickly turns deadly. ​The plot is a masterclass in tension, one rumour creates a terrifying domino effect, putting Nia’s very life at risk.
While the first half perfectly sets the scene, the second half is a whirlwind of blink-and-you’ll-miss-it twists.
It’s a terrifying look at the dark side of village life and the lengths people will go to protect their reputation.
I am obsessed with this book you need to read it now!
My thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for an early copy. All views expressed are my own.
Anticipated release date 22 February.

[Jo Woodcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW what another brilliant book by one of my favourite authors Rona Halsall. This book is full of twists and as each chapter is about a character you feel like you really get to know them. Again thank you to Netgallery for letting me read an early copy and its definitely one to read when its published 😀 x as always with all of Rona books they keep you totally hooked.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripped from the first page.
What a brilliant twisty book full of characters that make you feel. Some you will like others actively dislike.
I am a fan of Rona and have never been disappointed.
Losing her husband and parents Nia moves to a small Welsh village with her son.
Looking for answers regarding lost family the circumstances unfold in unexpected and startling ways.
Unfolding a series of events that snowball

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gossip by Rona Halsall, Nia and son Arthur are new to the village of Talysarn. she brought her son and a grief that is big enough to crush most people and an ulterior motive. Because of her son she wants to move on, she keeps her other reasons for moving there to herself and claims she’s there to investigate the history of the village. she couldn’t be happier when Arthur gets on well with the kids at school and her neighbor Sarin‘s son Louis as well as Naya and Sarin become close friends. it’s a very small town that almost seems exclusive and they even speak their own language Welch, a language Naya and son Arthur don’t speak. This is why she starts taking English classes at the community center and is really enjoying it as well as her teacher who is so kind his name is Ivan and he’s married to the head mistress Sue Roberts who act as if she is the queen bee of Talysarn. like most small towns this one has a problem with gossip and when it gets out that Ivan is cheating with Naya to say Sue is not happy as an understatement but this one lie will turn into a thunderstorm of murder betrayal delusion and a happy ending. this was a wild ride and a great book from the lies and gossip of some to the delusion of others makes this one twisty read and it also teaches a lesson don’t point your finger when you also have skeletons in your closet. Just a great book there’s so much I wanna say but like always the juicy stuff would would spoil the read for those who haven’t read it yet I do want to say there is a tiny bit of suspension of belief but it is so worth it I love this author’s books so much and she has many and I’ve read most of them and I’m almost finished reading the rest whenever I see her name I know it is going to be a crazy time and to make certain I don’t have anything to do that day. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,

[Paula Stammers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will keep you guessing throughout. A book about the gossip that can spread around a small village and the repercussions of that gossip.

Nia, has recently moved to a small Welsh village with her son, after the tragic loss of her husband. Suddenly she finds herself the victim of some vicious gossip about her and a local older man. Not only that but the older man is married to the headmistress of her son's primary school. Will her son suffer as a consequence? How can Nia put an end to the rumours once and for all? Can she really stay in the village and make a new life for herself?

This book is full of twists and turns and had me hooked from the start. There are some great characters within the village, all who seem to have their own secrets. A book where the title perfectly matches the plot.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book.

[Els · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gossip… It will always exist, both in cities and in villages. The impact it has on the people involved, however, can differ greatly. It is usually much smaller in a city than in a small village where many people know each other.

Often, people don’t stop to think about this, or perhaps they simply don’t care whether they hurt others or what the consequences might be.

Sometimes these rumors are also believed blindly, without making any effort to check whether there is even a grain of truth to them. As a result, innocent people are accused of things others themselves are guilty of.
They feel wronged, yet consider their own behavior perfectly normal.

But the pitcher goes to the well until it breaks,
with all the consequences that entails…

I have always read this author’s books with great pleasure, and that’s why I find it difficult to admit that I have mixed feelings about this story.

At the beginning, there was too little pace for me, and toward the end, suddenly too much happened.

So this time, it really wasn’t my thing, but that happens sometimes. I’m sure many readers will feel differently.

For me, this time, 3.5 stars.

Thank you

[Roz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a real page turner which I thoroughly enjoyed and couldn’t wait to see what would happen next.

In a sleepy Welsh village Nia and her young son have relocated so she can try and find her birth parents. The village is full of people keeping secrets and it isn’t long before rumours and gossip spread among them all, leading to huge events and the deaths of two of the villagers.

The storyline is packed with twists and turns and I loved the characters and their interactions, some secret and some very much in the public eye. I would definitely recommend reading this if you enjoy a thriller.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm quite a fan of this authors work.
Nia moves to a quiet Welsh town with her son Arthur after the loss of her parents and husband ... she has moved there for a specific reason what is it? Everyone knows everyone's business in the town, BUT do they or do they just like to gossip?
I was engrossed in this book, I wasn't ever sure what was going to happen next, it kept me turning page after page, long into the night. I highley recommend.......

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an ARC for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Gossip by Rona Halsall is a story involving a recently widowed young mother who moves to a small Welsh town to look into her past. The premise of the book seemed promising, however it quickly became quite repetitive to the point of predictability.

The author did try throwing in a bombshell or so, but unfortunately it fell quite flat and the plot needlessly dragged on for quite some time.

Thank you, Net Galley, for the ARC!

[Melanie Robertson-King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rumours run rife in the village of Talysarn. It seems everyone thinks they have something on another inhabitant. But do they? Or are they adding two and two and getting ten?

I loved the characters, from Nia, the recently widowed woman who brings her son, Arthur, to the quaint town to start over, through the range of characters, right through to Nerys, who loves a juicy bit of gossip. And if she isn't receiving it, she starts it.

This is the first book by Rona Halsall I've read, but it won't be the last.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is well written with plenty of plot twists and turns to keep you from guessing the ending. Would recommend

Thank you to Rona Halsall, Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the arc of this book

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book. I normally enjoy books by this author but this one was definitely not my favorite. I almost gave up a few times. I really had a hard time with it because it just felt like reading a book based on a soap opera. For me, I really didn't enjoy it until about 75%. There were a few twists but they were really easy to figure out.

[Andrea Hulme · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a 3.5 star read for me.

Well that was dramatic in places. I felt like I was in the middle of a Soap Opera, like Eastenders. After some of the cliffhangers and twists, I felt like I should hear some dramatic theme tune, before finding out the answers and revelations.

The story centers primarily on Nia, though there are chapters from other character's POVs as well. Nia moves with her young son to a small village in Wales and immediately gets sucked into the local rumor mill. She tries hard not to make an enemy of Sue, who is the prickly local school headmaster that can make or break Nia's son's experience at school. Nia has a secret reason for moving to that particular town, which she tries to keep under the radar while she figures out the dynamics.

The rumour mill in that small Welsh village was rife and claustraphobic. The kind of place where everyone knows each other's business and don't keep the noses out. Where one minute, one person is the centre of the gossip, before moving on to another person. And where does the gossip start? What is the background and motives behind the gossip? In this village, everyone seems to be a target of gossip.

Nia herself was likable character, and I did feel invested in her story. I liked hearing about the other characters in the book and finding out how everything together.. It was a bit of a slower start, but this picked as the book progressed. The chapters were short and snappy, which did help to move things on.

Even though the story is told from multiple POVs, I didn't feel like this was confusing and could follow the events and twists and turns. I enjoyed the book, but maybe came away wanting a bit more drama and a deeper insight into the characters and storyline.

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood for the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This deserves the 5 star, every since one , what a great read! Rona you have just been added to my author list.

Thanks to Netgalley who have kindly sent me a copy of this book. Everyone loves a fresh start somewhere else and Nia really needs this in the hilly area of Wales, you can see why Nia moves here and the community is close, infact more close than you would ever think. When i read the synopsis i was thinking will it be a neighhood watch type drama book, but no this is next level deeper and it has alot more to it than meets the eye as they say dont judge a book by its cover.

You will meet some strong characters in here, meet our Headmistress of a primary school Sue who wants to do the best and be the best, some people want to be a pillar of the community and the characters go way back as most of them studied and grew up together, We meet Sue's husband who gives history lesson and its refreshing as the characters are polar opposite and focused on other aspects of life. You will meet all the interconnected characters and how theu fit into the village life, they all have a role to play but are they all as genuine as they seem, all these people seem to have their own motivations for different things. It also showcases whats really important in life and living by approval and control is not good and we soon see this as the chapters unfold.

Well the rumours start and the gossip and this really spirals, you dont see it coming at all . Loved the character development and how the book branches off to different characters lives and their feelings, theres alot of empathy and mental health packed into this book.

This was my weekend read and i loved it ! I will be requesting more from this author.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an OK read, but wasn't nearly as dramatic as the synopsis made it out to be. I wasn't even sure why it was being labeled as a "thriller" until more than halfway through, but it still felt a little more like a beach read to me. The story centers primarily on Nia, though there are chapters from other POVs as well. Nia moves with her young son to a small town in Wales and immediately gets sucked into the local rumor mill. She tries hard not to make an enemy of Sue, who is the prickly local school headmaster that can make or break Nia's son's experience at school. Nia has a secret reason for moving to that particular town, which she tries to keep under the radar while she figures out the dynamics.

Nia herself was likable character- she did a few things that I didn't really relate to, but I could at least understand where she was coming from. I didn't really think the rumors were that big of a deal- sounded like small town stuff coming from a person that everyone knew was a gossip. What is strange is that there were other nefarious things happening but no one actually talked about those. I liked the book more as it continued because there was a major event and some twists that came along with it. That being said, I was left a bit unsatisfied at how some of the twists could have been easily proven or disproven, yet the characters never actually did anything like that- it felt to me that real people would not have acted that way.

Overall, I walked away not really feeling blown away by the story, and with some unanswered question. It was a quick read and I thought it was OK, but can't say I loved it. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story follows Nia, a young mother hoping to rebuild her life in a quiet Welsh village, only to discover that small communities can be just as treacherous as they are charming. What begins as a peaceful escape quickly unravels when a malicious rumour sweeps through Talysarn, painting her as the centre of an affair she never had. The whispers spread fast, fuelled by jealousy, suspicion, and the village’s talent for turning speculation into fact. As tensions rise and the scrutiny intensifies, Nia realises someone is deliberately targeting her—and that the truth she’s hiding may be the very thing that puts her in danger. The novel thrives on its tight-knit setting and simmering undercurrents of mistrust, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere that keeps the pages turning.

The cast of characters is wonderfully vivid, from the domineering headmistress to the locals who thrive on gossip and chaos, each adding another layer to the unfolding drama. The short, sharp chapters build momentum, delivering twist after twist as secrets, betrayals, and long‑buried histories collide. While some turns require a touch of disbelief, the overall suspense is gripping, and the emotional stakes remain high throughout. The story’s strength lies in how it blends domestic tension with psychological intrigue, pushing the village toward a breaking point where no one is as innocent as they seem. Readers who enjoy thrillers driven by shambolic relationships, hidden motives, and escalating paranoia will find this one irresistibly addictive.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.

[Meg Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gossip by Rona Halsall is a gripping psychological thriller that perfectly captures how something seemingly small can spiral into devastating consequences.

From the very first chapters, this book pulls you in fast. Set within an ordinary, close-knit community, the story feels unsettling precisely because it’s so believable. What begins as idle gossip quickly mutates into suspicion, judgment, and fear, and I loved how the focus constantly shifted between characters. Just when you think you know who to trust, another revelation surfaces and changes everything.

The short, punchy chapters make this a true page-turner—it’s incredibly easy to say “just one more chapter” and suddenly find yourself deep into the night. The characters are flawed, realistic, and emotionally convincing, which only heightens the tension. You can genuinely imagine this happening in real life, which makes the story feel even more disturbing and effective.

One of the strongest elements of the book is how sharply it explores the damage gossip can cause—how quickly people jump to conclusions, how reputations can be destroyed, and how dangerous it can be when no one stops to question the truth. While I did manage to predict some of the direction, there were still plenty of twists to keep me hooked and eager to see how everything would unfold.

Overall, The Gossip is a tense, engaging, and highly readable thriller that delivers both suspense and a powerful message. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will absolutely be recommending it to fans of psychological thrillers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Suesyn Zellmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nia moves with her young son to a little village in Wales. She’s worried at first that she won’t fit in with the small community because she’s an outsider, but she’s welcomed in, and soon it feels like home. She gets especially close with her neighbor, Seren, who’s the same age and also has a young son.

Everything’s great until a rumor starts that leads to a whole bunch of craziness. She’s accused of having an affair with Ifan, her Welsh teacher at the community center, who is also the husband of Sue, the headmistress at her son’s school. Sue may be respected but has a harsh personality, and she’s not exactly well-liked. She hears the rumor and takes it as well as you’d expect. But Nia’s not one to cower, and she refuses to let Sue or anyone else get to her. She also refuses to stay away from Ifan, because he’s a gentle soul with whom she truly bonds.

When Nia opens up about her true reasons for coming to the village, things get even more complicated and deadly. All the gossip hardly seems to matter once long-held secrets are divulged. But it’s about how the characters respond to them that drives the plot forward, showing their true selves underneath all the drama.

It's an engaging story about rumors, repercussions, and family ties. I was caught up in the drama, wondering when they were going to figure out who the villain was and make them pay. I knew, and you probably will too, but that won’t stop you from enjoying this book.

My thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the free advanced reading copy of this book.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Gossip, is the latest psychological thriller from Rona Halsall. I enjoy reading novels by this author as they are usually fast paced, well plotted stories and this one proved to be the case.

Nia is a young widow looking for a fresh start, together with her young son to this stunning landscape of lakes and mountains. A vicious rumour begins to circulate that Nia is having an affair with a local older man. The gossip spreads like wildfire and it is not long before the rumour reaches the man’s wife. The wife is a fierce headteacher at the local primary school so life is about to get very difficult.

All the inhabitants of Talysarn appear to be hiding something and Nia isn’t just a victim of small-town pettiness, she has a dark secret of her own. The real reason she moved to the village in the first place.

As I expected from Rona Halsall this novel was a fast paced, cleverly plotted story where the tension is constantly building. Gossip is a dangerous thing and can lead to trouble. Someone is making life difficult and stressful for Nia, but who is it and why? In a small village, secrets are hard to hide and they can fester. Nia has a secret and that can lead to danger.

An exciting psychological thriller that explores the destructive power of rumours and the lengths people will go to protect their past. The village is picturesque but hides hurtful truths.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Boldwood Books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nia and her young son move to a quiet Welsh village for a fresh start and it all seems perfect at first. Until a viscous rumour spreads - that she is having an affair with an older man. As this continues to spread her dream of a new life starts to come undone. She needs to find out where it came from before it is too late - because nobody can know why she really moved.

I was really excited to read this one as I love Rona Halsall’s books and liked the simple, yet compelling subject (the cover was also really striking). This ended up another fantastic read by this author and even though it started a bit slowly, once it got into the swing of things it was a gripping, fast paced ride to the finale. The story slowly built up the suspense and I had to keep reading one more chapter - luckily the chapters were short and snappy.

The characters were written strongly and even though there were some unlikeable ones, it was a lot of fun watching their actions and thoughts. The story is told in a multitude of voices which also helped understand each person’s voice and keep the reader interested. There were a few small twists and turns - I was constantly second guessing myself, not knowing who to trust - although I figured out parts. I loved the idea that a simple piece of gossip can cause so much drama, forks in the road and chaos. I have to admit I found the ending a bit sudden but apart from that this was another entertaining read by this author and I’m already looking forward to the next one. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: The Gossip
Author: Rona Halsall
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: February 22, 2026
My Rating: 4.2 Stars
Pages: 322

Story is told from the POV of Nia, Ifan, Sue, and Gwen (Sue’s assistant).

Nia Jenkins a young widow and her little five year old son Arthur have just moved to the beautiful little village of Talysarn – – Nia’s goal is to start a new life for herself and her son.

At first, everything is just as she hoped Arthur is enjoying school, Nia decided to take a Welsh language class at the community center. The teacher Ifan is nice man of about fifty.
At first nasty gossip is saying Serene, Nia’s neighbor is having an affair with Ifan Roberts who is the husband of the head teacher Sue Roberts at the local primary school. However, when Seren is called in to chat with head teacher Sue regarding her son Lewis, Sue states she knows there is nothing to the gossip. But Seren hints that Nia is enjoying being in his class as well – she likes doing the research they are doing- but Sue’s alarms go off.

As the story continues it seems Sue has more secrets than Nia.

Not sure ‘That gossip’ is the correct title as there sure are a lot of secrets.
Story had more twist than I was expecting. This was my seventh Rona Hassall thriller. Her stories are outstanding so I should have expected twists/turns and a big reveal!

Want to thank NetGalley and Boldwood Books for granting me this thriller.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for February 22, 2026.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a young widow called Nia moves with her little boy to the picturesque village of Tallysarn - with its beautiful landscape of lakes, woodlands and soaring mountains - she thinks its the new start she's been looking for. At first it seems perfect. Until a vicious rumour starts - that she's having an affair with an older man who lives nearby. And the gossip spreads like wildfire, eventually catching the ears of his wife - the fierce head teacher at the local primary school. And before Nia knows it, her dream of a new beginning has taken a terrible turn. she needs to find out who the gossip came from, before everything goes wrong. Because nobody can really know why she moved here.

Nia has moved back to the Welsh village where she was born. She had been given up by her birth mother, and now she has lost the parents who raised her and her husband. She wants to find her biological family. But its not long before the gossip mongers start spreading rumours that Nia is having an affair with a married man.

What a twisted read this book was. The characters are well-developed, but you'll either love or loathe them. This story shows how the repercussions of gossip can affect the people concerned. I was quickly pulled into this story. I read t in one sitting as I could not put the book down.

Published 22nd February 2026

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #RonaHalsall for my ARC of #TheGossip in exchange for an honest review.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Gossip is one of those thrillers that immediately pulls you into a world where everyone has something to hide and every whispered secret feels like a ticking bomb. Rona Halsall has a real talent for capturing the way small‑town rumours can snowball into something far more dangerous, and this story leans into that beautifully.

The setup is instantly intriguing: a tight‑knit community, a swirl of half‑truths, and a protagonist who suddenly finds herself at the centre of a storm she never saw coming. What I loved most is how the book balances pace with character. The twists come steadily, but there’s also a strong emotional thread running through the story — the kind that makes you genuinely care about who’s telling the truth and who’s quietly manipulating the narrative.

Halsall builds tension with a light touch, letting paranoia creep in around the edges until you’re questioning every motive and every friendly smile. It’s the perfect blend of domestic suspense and psychological intrigue, with just enough bite to keep you turning pages long after you meant to stop.

A gripping, twisty read that proves sometimes the most dangerous thing in a community isn’t a crime — it’s the stories people tell about each other.

with thanks to Rona Halsall, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

After enjoying my first Rona Halsall novel, I was excited to pick this one up, and it definitely delivered. I was hooked right from the start and stayed engaged the whole way through. The story moved at a great pace, with just the right mix of mystery, tension, and twisty moments to keep me guessing.

The pacing in this one was really strong, with short, punchy chapters that kept the story moving and made it easy to fly through. The premise grabbed me right away, and I stayed genuinely invested in seeing how everything would unfold. Halsall does a great job building steady suspense without going over-the-top, and the twists were well-placed enough to keep me guessing. That said, a few plot points required a bit of suspension of disbelief, and some character motivations felt a little thin. I also found a couple of the twists more predictable than surprising, and the ending wrapped up a little quickly compared to the earlier buildup.

Even with those small drawbacks, I was entertained from start to finish and happy to be along for the ride. Overall, another solid, engaging psychological thriller from an author I’m really enjoying.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy in exchange for my review.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: The Gossip
Author: Rona Halsall
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Publication Date: February 22, 2026

This book started EXACTLY the way a psychological thriller should start! The prologue was just enough to intrigue me to want to keep reading. Even with the attention grabbing prologue, the first half of the book was difficult to get through. Things finally picked back up approximately 50% of the way into the book.

This story is told from multiple points of view, all in the present time period. Once things picked back up, the author did a great job telling the story of what gossip can do to people, which is so very relevant to what goes on in today's society. There were so many people gossiping and so many rumors that it was difficult to know what the truth was and who to trust.

One of the things I found very distracting was some of the character's names. Rhys, Idris, Nerys, Ifan, Gethin, and Seren. It really bothers me when I can't figure out how to pronounce a name.

All in all, a worthwhile book yo read that keeps you guessing until the end.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rona Halsall is one of my go-to authors and her new psychological thriller The gossip is another addictive read about the domino effect that happens after someone spreads some gossip.
Nia has moved to the beautiful, picturesque village of Talysam in Wales with her little boy Arthur. It is a fresh start. When she befriends a man called Ifan who happens to be married to the headmistress of the local school rumours start to fly. The fresh start that she was hoping for. Is tainted with her being the talk of the town. She doesn’t want to be the centre of attention, and they find out why she has really moved to this town. A lot of the residents have secrets of their own that they would kill for.
Thank you, the publisher, for Rona Halsall’s latest offering. This is another addictive read from the author with lots of twists and turns. This showed the consequences that can happen and also can be detrimental when gossip it thrown about. It was quite scary and put me off spreading gossip soon lol. This is a great read, and I couldn’t stop reading to the early hours of the morning. 5 stars from me.

[Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hooked right away. Even the title alone pulled me in. This book is set in a small Welsh village where everyone seems to know everyone else’s business, and gossip isn’t just background noise, it’s practically a way of life.

The characters are what really make the story shine. Sue, the headmistress, is especially memorable, clever, controlling, and quietly manipulative, always keeping a tight grip on what goes on around her. She’s matched perfectly by Gwen, her chaotic frenemy who thrives on stirring the pot, and Nerys, who runs the community centre and moderates the village WhatsApp group, which becomes its own source of drama.

There’s no shortage of twists: long-buried secrets, lies, affairs, unexpected arrivals, and even murder all pile up, pushing the village toward complete meltdown. Every subplot adds another layer, and the tension keeps building as the fallout from everyone’s actions starts to spiral.

Fast-paced, dramatic, and full of intrigue — a really engaging read with plenty going on to keep you turning the pages.