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Tales from Turnham Malpas #1
The New Rector
When Peter Harris arrives in Turnham Malpas as the new rector, he finds the village people welcoming but set in their ways. Yet despite his own weaknesses and the sadness of his childless wife, he comforts and advises his new parishioners, growing more and more involved with the rural way of life. Then the whole village is rocked by spiteful trick that goes terribly wrong, and a gruesome murder that points to a killer in its midst. Now, more than ever, Peter's pastoral role is crucial - and yet he is wrestling with his own private hell that may still wreck his own life.
264 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
52 people are currently reading
963 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 - 30 of 80 reviews
January 24, 2013
I hadn't heard of Rebecca Shaw before I bought this book. After reading it I have bought several more of her titles.
This is a charmingly English tale of village life with characters that draw you in and a plot that is subtly woven around them. It takes some rather surprising turns but things turn out well in the end.
I was delighted to discover that this book is the first in a long series. To say much about the plot would spoil it, suffice to say that the rector's mistake has long-lasting effects that continue throughout the series, 'Tales From Turnham Malpas' (the name of the village).
In all the Turnham Malpas books, the author includes a cast of characters (helpful as you can flick back now and then to keep tabs on everyone) and a lovely drawing of the village in map-form. It's the most wonderful escapism, it feels real!
It is best to read the books in order if you can.
(I have a confession to make. I bought this book in a supermarket. I'm not proud of it, I'm not proud of the fact that I was drawn in by the ridiculously inexpensive price, nor the not unrelated fact that the one independent bookstore in my little town closed recently.
But here's why I did it. I didn't want to waste money on a writer I hadn't heard of before. I didn't know if I would like the book. So I didn't mind spending the price of a few apples.
Not that I'm a huge fan of Goodreads, I can support my local bookstores again, as I have read the recommendations and reviews of my friends on here and don't mind taking a risk on authors I haven't read before.
I'm glad I've confessed that, I feel a bit better now!)
This is a charmingly English tale of village life with characters that draw you in and a plot that is subtly woven around them. It takes some rather surprising turns but things turn out well in the end.
I was delighted to discover that this book is the first in a long series. To say much about the plot would spoil it, suffice to say that the rector's mistake has long-lasting effects that continue throughout the series, 'Tales From Turnham Malpas' (the name of the village).
In all the Turnham Malpas books, the author includes a cast of characters (helpful as you can flick back now and then to keep tabs on everyone) and a lovely drawing of the village in map-form. It's the most wonderful escapism, it feels real!
It is best to read the books in order if you can.
(I have a confession to make. I bought this book in a supermarket. I'm not proud of it, I'm not proud of the fact that I was drawn in by the ridiculously inexpensive price, nor the not unrelated fact that the one independent bookstore in my little town closed recently.
But here's why I did it. I didn't want to waste money on a writer I hadn't heard of before. I didn't know if I would like the book. So I didn't mind spending the price of a few apples.
Not that I'm a huge fan of Goodreads, I can support my local bookstores again, as I have read the recommendations and reviews of my friends on here and don't mind taking a risk on authors I haven't read before.
I'm glad I've confessed that, I feel a bit better now!)
April 28, 2014
Just the sort of book I was needing, after several dark Scandinavian thrillers! This is such a homely, feel-good cosy mystery, with really lovable characters, and a very relaxing and enjoyable read. On to the next one in the series!
August 20, 2016
A quick cosy read set in an English village, not unlike the one where I live. The writing was simplistic and the story lines were soap opera-ish, but it was fun.
August 3, 2016
A nice restful read; village life in England with all the human stories that make one feel at home.
November 14, 2011
Oh poor dowdy Muriel. What a lot of horrific experiences she has been through in just 264 pages! More than the normal person would go through in a lifetime! Between her experiences and those of the new Rector, Peter Harris; Sharon MacDonald, Lady Bissett and her husband "Sir Ron.......ald" and the naturist (but yet wannabe "classy's") Charter-Placketts, I feel like I've just spent four hours or so on a roller-coaster. Don't let the title or the book cover lull you into thinking this is a story about quiet country life in a small village in England. Oh no. This is a real page turner, especially when one gets about 3/4 of the way through the book.
This novel is a mixture of idyll, escapism, and suspense. I haven't read the others by this author yet, but now I've put them on my "to-read" list.....surely nothing more scandalous can happen in this pleasant country haven; especially to Muriel...... Could it??!!
This novel is a mixture of idyll, escapism, and suspense. I haven't read the others by this author yet, but now I've put them on my "to-read" list.....surely nothing more scandalous can happen in this pleasant country haven; especially to Muriel...... Could it??!!
April 28, 2016
An enjoyable book based on rural village life, however I have to say there was an awful lot that went on in this village. I look forward to continuing with the book and the characters from this series.
June 30, 2015
I am a huge fan of Miss Read books. This series has a very similar tone. I had a bit of trouble connecting at the start of the book. However, it wasn't long before I was clipping along enjoying all the happenings of the villagers of Turnham Malpas.
August 28, 2018
Read one of the other books in the Turnham malpas series then when I picked this up I realised it was book one in the series but enjoyed both of them a nice little series I hope to eventually read them all
August 11, 2018
A sweetish story about a small community and the twists and relationships within,
October 21, 2020
Too much head hopping for me to read any more by the author. Also, not much in the way of plot. Also, the Rector's bishop should consider reassignment.
September 17, 2025
The story started off with warm, delicious newly baked bread aroma... a small village... warm sentiments... helpful neighbors... harmless gossips... and a bit of mystery and scandal...
The cast included a medley of characters; the retired spinster, the astute businessman, the quiet schoolmaster, the village tattlers, the raucous publican, her wayward daughter and a handful of others welcome the new rector and his wife, perfect but childless.
The story was interspersed with whispers of secrets for quite a few characters which mushroomed into scandal and eventually settled down.
The most unnatural of these I found to be the rector and his wife... (Detail under spoiler heading)
I felt the emotions were fairly superficial and not detailed sufficiently for the upheavals especially in the rector's life as well as the turmoil in the mind of the spinster character.
I think the author was more focused on getting the story out rather than giving enough weight to the emotional turbulence; which also means no adrenaline rushes for the thrill interspersed near the end.
I didn't hate the book but after two back to back murder mysteries this was the perfect break from conniving minds and opportunistic murders. A fairly relaxed, casual in-between book for me.
*spoiler ahead*
About the rector,
For a man so in love with his wife, it was a very short step into adultery and an even shorter half step to confession and an equally short step for his wife to forgive him and accept the offspring!
No... That doesn't happen... Not even for a rector... Even less so for a righteous man!
The cast included a medley of characters; the retired spinster, the astute businessman, the quiet schoolmaster, the village tattlers, the raucous publican, her wayward daughter and a handful of others welcome the new rector and his wife, perfect but childless.
The story was interspersed with whispers of secrets for quite a few characters which mushroomed into scandal and eventually settled down.
The most unnatural of these I found to be the rector and his wife... (Detail under spoiler heading)
I felt the emotions were fairly superficial and not detailed sufficiently for the upheavals especially in the rector's life as well as the turmoil in the mind of the spinster character.
I think the author was more focused on getting the story out rather than giving enough weight to the emotional turbulence; which also means no adrenaline rushes for the thrill interspersed near the end.
I didn't hate the book but after two back to back murder mysteries this was the perfect break from conniving minds and opportunistic murders. A fairly relaxed, casual in-between book for me.
*spoiler ahead*
About the rector,
For a man so in love with his wife, it was a very short step into adultery and an even shorter half step to confession and an equally short step for his wife to forgive him and accept the offspring!
No... That doesn't happen... Not even for a rector... Even less so for a righteous man!
December 31, 2019
3.5
It was the loveliest book that I read about really screwed up people. That sums up my opinion about this novel quite well.
The setting is so preciously English - most of the characters engage in witty banter, make sweet jokes, engage in jovial activities, react to everything, even some darker events, with such a graceful, kind-hearted way. I also loved how the little town life was shown in the novel, along with the stereotypes. And a huge thank you for having romance plots in the story that are about 30+ characters and believeable conflicts in established relationships. It was such a cute read, even with some glaring issues.
I had some minor qualms about one of the main twists of the story - let's put it this way: the rector's deed and the consequences of it. How it was handled, how people reacted to it and some of the ultimate decisions made were just really unbelievable for me... maybe if they were explained in a bit more detailed manner, I could understand it, but everything felt so sudden, so "love should conquer everything, even the foulest deeds" and it did not seem like anyone had a half a brain to think about future consequences.
Also, the way the "villain" was so stereotypical and parodistic, and it sort of had this elitistic, holier-than-thou approach about people.
It was the loveliest book that I read about really screwed up people. That sums up my opinion about this novel quite well.
The setting is so preciously English - most of the characters engage in witty banter, make sweet jokes, engage in jovial activities, react to everything, even some darker events, with such a graceful, kind-hearted way. I also loved how the little town life was shown in the novel, along with the stereotypes. And a huge thank you for having romance plots in the story that are about 30+ characters and believeable conflicts in established relationships. It was such a cute read, even with some glaring issues.
I had some minor qualms about one of the main twists of the story - let's put it this way: the rector's deed and the consequences of it. How it was handled, how people reacted to it and some of the ultimate decisions made were just really unbelievable for me... maybe if they were explained in a bit more detailed manner, I could understand it, but everything felt so sudden, so "love should conquer everything, even the foulest deeds" and it did not seem like anyone had a half a brain to think about future consequences.
Also, the way the "villain" was so stereotypical and parodistic, and it sort of had this elitistic, holier-than-thou approach about people.
December 23, 2019
Vi a indicação desse livro no Goodreads, para quem gostou de Mitford. A vida de uma pequena comunidade, numa cidadezinha aconchegante no interior da Inglaterra onde todos se conhecem e gravitam em torno da igreja dirigida por Peter, o novo reitor.
A semelhança para por aí; esse aqui não tem de longe o charme do primeiro. Ninguém aqui tem o mínimo carisma, não conseguiu me cativar. Os acontecimentos, sempre triviais nesses livros não tem conseguem despertar o mínimo interesse.
Para destacar algo que me incomodou profundamente: uma servidora da escola local é assassinada e ao lado de seu corpo é deixado um bilhete onde o criminoso justifica seu ato pelo fato dela ser lésbica. Os moradores se mostram surpresos e se recusam a acreditar nisso e em nenhum momento alguém questiona o fato disso ser totalmente irrelevante. A própria polícia parece mais preocupada em provar que ela não era lésbica que descobrir a identidade do assassino. Totalmente sem noção.
É o primeiro volume de uma longa série que obviamente não será continuada por mim.
Histórico de leitura
09/12/2019
4% (11 de 272)
"Muriel Hipkin turned over in bed to look at her floral china bedside clock."
A semelhança para por aí; esse aqui não tem de longe o charme do primeiro. Ninguém aqui tem o mínimo carisma, não conseguiu me cativar. Os acontecimentos, sempre triviais nesses livros não tem conseguem despertar o mínimo interesse.
Para destacar algo que me incomodou profundamente: uma servidora da escola local é assassinada e ao lado de seu corpo é deixado um bilhete onde o criminoso justifica seu ato pelo fato dela ser lésbica. Os moradores se mostram surpresos e se recusam a acreditar nisso e em nenhum momento alguém questiona o fato disso ser totalmente irrelevante. A própria polícia parece mais preocupada em provar que ela não era lésbica que descobrir a identidade do assassino. Totalmente sem noção.
É o primeiro volume de uma longa série que obviamente não será continuada por mim.
Histórico de leitura
09/12/2019
4% (11 de 272)
"Muriel Hipkin turned over in bed to look at her floral china bedside clock."
June 23, 2020
I'm not going to give a summary of the book because you can read that anywhere, and really, a lot of times I find the synopses can turn me off a book or give a false sense of where it's going.
But, I will say that I really enjoyed this book. I will admit that it was a little slow to start, and there are a lot of names to remember, but all-in-all, I liked it.
Although it takes place in a small town, it is not quaint, and the things that happen are similar to what happens in big cities, but the people, for the most part, care for each other, so you can get behind them, which is what I need to really connect to a story. And, since this is a series of 15 books, you definitely want to care about the people.
One note: these books can be difficult to find. Not all of them are available in Kindle, and my library doesn't carry them either, so I have had to hunt down used copies, many coming from England, but they are not too outrageously priced.
But, I will say that I really enjoyed this book. I will admit that it was a little slow to start, and there are a lot of names to remember, but all-in-all, I liked it.
Although it takes place in a small town, it is not quaint, and the things that happen are similar to what happens in big cities, but the people, for the most part, care for each other, so you can get behind them, which is what I need to really connect to a story. And, since this is a series of 15 books, you definitely want to care about the people.
One note: these books can be difficult to find. Not all of them are available in Kindle, and my library doesn't carry them either, so I have had to hunt down used copies, many coming from England, but they are not too outrageously priced.
September 5, 2025
"The new rector of Turnham Malpas is young. vigorous, and very handsome. And, as Peter Harris encounters his flock, he discovers there is more to village life than he had anticipated. the local publicans are having trouble with their wayward daughter, whilst the village store is trying to bring a touch of Harrods to the neighbourhood. And then then there is the beautiful, tragic Suzy Meadows. With the prospect of bringing up three children alone after the suicide of her husband, she turns to Peter for support -- and the new rector finds himself facing a difficult decision.
"Then the whole village is rocked by a tragedy. Peter's pastoral role is crucial -- and yet he is wrestling with his own private hell that may still wreck his life."
~~back cover
I didn't enjoy this book as much as I did the Barleybridge series, but it was still a nice mellow read.
A bit more modern than Barleybridge perhaps, but still comfortable and cozy.
"Then the whole village is rocked by a tragedy. Peter's pastoral role is crucial -- and yet he is wrestling with his own private hell that may still wreck his life."
~~back cover
I didn't enjoy this book as much as I did the Barleybridge series, but it was still a nice mellow read.
A bit more modern than Barleybridge perhaps, but still comfortable and cozy.
June 10, 2021
If secretly nudging your way into the private lives of English villagers is your cup of tea, The New Rector, with its myriad of compelling characters, is a book that will suit your curiosity just fine.
In the village of Turnham Malpas, a new rector and his wife have just arrived. While the title of the book leads one to believe it is mostly about the rector, it is quickly noted that there is a whole village full of personalities that make this book an interesting read in both a psychological and social way. Murder has been committed and it takes several people in the village to figure out who was responsible and later come together to try to bring healing to their community. The New Rector is the first in a series of thirteen. I look forward to exploring the rest of the series.
In the village of Turnham Malpas, a new rector and his wife have just arrived. While the title of the book leads one to believe it is mostly about the rector, it is quickly noted that there is a whole village full of personalities that make this book an interesting read in both a psychological and social way. Murder has been committed and it takes several people in the village to figure out who was responsible and later come together to try to bring healing to their community. The New Rector is the first in a series of thirteen. I look forward to exploring the rest of the series.
October 19, 2022
“Slowly tears began to trickle down her face. Not huge rolling streams of tears but a steady trickle like drizzling rain.”
—
A very sophisticated use of vocabulary and range of literary, common words of the villagers. She even applied accents to the dialogue, which made me to hear the voice of characters as well.
Also a professional descriptions of both the space, clothing, behavior and emotions of the characters and where they live.
She did also a perfect job on slowly settling down the story that each chapter ends in an unexpected way.
I absolutely enjoyed reading this book. There was some sort of comfort about the way she told the story. As if an old woman would start talking about the toaster and ended up talking about her last dog’s funeral, and you would still listen to her.
—
A very sophisticated use of vocabulary and range of literary, common words of the villagers. She even applied accents to the dialogue, which made me to hear the voice of characters as well.
Also a professional descriptions of both the space, clothing, behavior and emotions of the characters and where they live.
She did also a perfect job on slowly settling down the story that each chapter ends in an unexpected way.
I absolutely enjoyed reading this book. There was some sort of comfort about the way she told the story. As if an old woman would start talking about the toaster and ended up talking about her last dog’s funeral, and you would still listen to her.
October 30, 2022
The New Rector introduces Peter and his wife Caroline to the village. Peter is the new rector. He is young, vigorous and very handsome. The problems of the village become his concern and one in particular as the newly widowed Suzy Meadows turns to him for comfort.
This was a very enjoyable read about all the characters in a small English village. There are lots of problems with the people who live her and the rector helps solve some of the problems but some of the problems are concerned with him and his wife. If you enjoy reading about small English villages then you will love this book. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series as it picks up right where the last book left off.
This was a very enjoyable read about all the characters in a small English village. There are lots of problems with the people who live her and the rector helps solve some of the problems but some of the problems are concerned with him and his wife. If you enjoy reading about small English villages then you will love this book. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series as it picks up right where the last book left off.
December 17, 2025
Found it in a hotel reception, library cause I forgot the current book as was reading at home.
This book was ok; very easy read (got me out of my reading slump), reminded me of old Danish words/phrases I barely use (I read a Danish translated edition) and the story had some twists here and there. Not a literary wonder (at all) but a quick read. What I will mostly remember it for, are the reflections it has
Given me regarding the development in society. It mostly talks about very traditional family patterns…
This book was ok; very easy read (got me out of my reading slump), reminded me of old Danish words/phrases I barely use (I read a Danish translated edition) and the story had some twists here and there. Not a literary wonder (at all) but a quick read. What I will mostly remember it for, are the reflections it has
Given me regarding the development in society. It mostly talks about very traditional family patterns…
December 25, 2020
There’s none of the warmth and humour that you’d associate with Gervase Phinn and village life in Turnham Malpas is much grittier than in Evelyn Hood’s Prior’s Ford. But as this is the first in the series, and essentially a scene setter for things to come, I might stick with it for a few more books to see where things lead...
January 25, 2023
A lovely book. The first of the Turnham Malpas series. We are introduced to the villagers and in particular the new rector, his wife Caroline and Muriel a spinster in her sixties.
This isn’t a twee look at village life though. There are good and bad and we get plenty of both. This is more a novel about 2nd chances and I’m looking forward to catching up with the villagers in the next instalment.
This isn’t a twee look at village life though. There are good and bad and we get plenty of both. This is more a novel about 2nd chances and I’m looking forward to catching up with the villagers in the next instalment.
September 13, 2018
Like a novelization of village gossip. Very 'Midsommer Murders'.
If you are into this style, I would rate this higher, it's a good example of this kind of story and rather enjoyable. I wanted to try something different but found it a bit too twee.
If you are into this style, I would rate this higher, it's a good example of this kind of story and rather enjoyable. I wanted to try something different but found it a bit too twee.
December 9, 2018
Enjoyable light reading. Book gives an idea of what it’s like to live in a small English village, but with a surreal quality: nearly everyone is polite, friendly, helpful and content with their lot in life. What a great place to live!
December 23, 2019
I've had a few of this series for ages- i bought them because they looked similar to the nostalgic tales from Miss Read. Well they are similar but much more realistic. A vicar tempted to sin? A village that from the outside looks picture perfect but has as many problems as anywhere else.
January 18, 2020
In this book you will see an average man but highly respected by society try to settle down and then all of a sudden things start to happen real fast with his faith and family at stake 😮 oh the end though 😶 .... There's a book 2 too.
June 16, 2021
There was nothing not to like about this book hence the 5*. After a run of Linwood Barclay books this was much tamer by comparison. I look forward to the 2nd book to learn more about the folk of Turnham Malpas
July 26, 2022
a village, gossip, and very much more
It’s not something I would have picked up but decided to anyway. I must admit took me all day to read . And I quite enjoyed the book. I normally find books like this insipid. But soon became embroiled in the antics of Muriel.
It’s not something I would have picked up but decided to anyway. I must admit took me all day to read . And I quite enjoyed the book. I normally find books like this insipid. But soon became embroiled in the antics of Muriel.
March 16, 2024
My comfort read. Whenever I travel or not feel well, this is my ‘go to’ book. It’s the book you read when you want you return to a time and place that’s comforting and pleasant. This series is full of fascinating characters and interesting tales.
August 21, 2017
Easy reading, a bit tame but held my interest.
December 15, 2018
Love Rebecca Shaw!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews