Turnham Malpas Series

Out of the kindness of his heart, shopkeeper Jimbo Plackett asks his mother to come and live with him in the village. However, she soon spreads rumours and half-truths around the village, causing dissent and unhappiness wherever she goes.

Intrigue in the Village

by Rebecca Shaw

Published 3 November 2003

'He is a changed man, Greta. A changed man. Those frosty blue eyes of his are not nearly so chilling as they were.' There is a mystery surrounding the invitation by Craddock Fitch to the Big House. It is billed as a celebration of his business, but as everyone in the village has been invited, it is obviously more exciting than that. When everyone is assembled, they find that it is a lavish wedding reception for two very surprising people. With these festivities over, the inhabitants of Turnham Malpas are thrown into preparations of a different nature. It is the 150th anniversary of the village school and Kate - the head teacher - is arranging a big event. There is the problem of accommodating everyone's enthusiasm as they plan a cricket match, buffet teas, maypole dancing, plays and singing on the green. But there is one problem of which she is unaware. In asking the previous head teachers to attend she has unwittingly placed the rector and his wife Caroline in an impossible situation...

A Village Feud

by Rebecca Shaw

Published 5 April 2006

With the Rector Peter Harris and his family back from Africa, the villagers of Turnham Malpas heave huge sighs of relief - everything is back to normal. But Peter has other ideas. He decides to return to Africa and fulfil his promise of working there for a year. The family he leaves behind is a very troubled one. Caroline's emails to Peter hide the fact that the twins, Beth and Alex, are traumatised by their experiences in Africa and her own distress that they will not share their feelings with her. The villagers are also missing Peter's guidance - there are troublesome newcomers, Jenny and Andy, to contend with. Meanwhile Jimbo's store is the target of petty theft and violence. Closing it seems to be his only option; one which horrifies the villagers. Beth, who is struggling to lead a normal life again after her upsetting time in Africa, finds that she has further challenges to face at home. They are all banking on Peter's return to help restore harmony and stability in the village. But will he make it back before things get out of hand?
Rebecca Shaw's trademark sense of mischievous humour and wonderful insight into village life are present in this exceptional tale which follows the story of life in Turnham Malpas.

A Village Dilemma

by Rebecca Shaw

Published 21 March 2002

The twins are now eleven. Their mother, Caroline, is unable to have children. It was an indiscretion by their father Peter - then the new rector in Turnham Malpas - that led to their birth. Their mother Suzy gave them up for adoption to Peter and Caroline. Peter's affair was one of the hardest things Caroline has ever had to deal with but now the children, who know that Peter is their father, are asking who their mother is. This is not the only problem in the village and of course everyone has a view as to how this and the other things should be handled. Usually it is Peter who calms troubled waters but this time he is at the heart of the problem.

Village Matters

by Rebecca Shaw

Published 7 October 1996

Times are changing at Turnham Malpas. There is all the gossip you can keep up with. Characters are jossling for recognition in the village and there is always the desputes and dramatic incidents to keep you ammused.

Village Gossip

by Rebecca Shaw

Published 7 October 1999

The peaceful lives of the inhabitants of Turnham Malpas are disrupted when Hugo, a famous actor, comes to stay. An instant attraction develops between him and Caroline, the Rector's wife, and preparations for the play he is directing turn the lives of many of the villagers upside down.

The Village Green Affair

by Rebecca Shaw

Published 6 March 2008

A mysterious visitor has arrived in Turnham Malpas. What can Titus Bellamy want? Is it true, the villagers ask each other, that he has discovered a medieval charter which grants the right to hold a market on their picturesque village green? And if it is true, can he be stopped? It appears not. Meanwhile, after twenty-five years, the marriage of Liz and Neville Neal, the ambitious local accountant, is on the rocks. Or so the unhappy Liz thinks. But Neville, to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary, has decided to throw a lavish party. The anniversary party and the market on the green mark both the beginning and end of two quite different relationships. But is it really all the fault of Titus Bellamy? The village is divided - before a spate of burglaries on market day adds fuel to the hot debate. Feisty Grandmama Charter-Plackett decides to do something about it, and becomes both a militant protestor and England's oldest private detective...The ancient village green has been at the centre of Turnham Malpas life for many lively centuries. But the events of this short passionate summer are a match for anything it has witnessed before.Rebecca Shaw brings the warmth, humour and drama that enliven all these village books in this, the thirteenth of her bestselling Turnham Malpas series.

The New Rector

by Rebecca Shaw

Published 12 September 1995

When Peter Harris arrives in Turnham Malpas as the new rector, he finds the people welcoming but set in their ways. Then the whole village is rocked by a spiteful trick that goes terribly wrong, and a gruesome murder that points to a killer in their midst.

Talk of the Village

by Rebecca Shaw

Published 23 October 1995

In this new novel about the inhabitants of Turnham Malpas,the village is bedeviled by talk.Does pushy newcomer Venetia have her eye on Peter,the handsome rector? And is Jeremy,her husband,really making a success of the new health club? And why does Willie's new love set a vicious tongue wagging? In the Royal Oak,the usual banter has turned to bitter wrangling as the rector's wife Caroline makes a challenge over an ancient country tradition and splits the village her husband had so recently united. As the people of the village use the power of words to reconcile or divide,Peter finds it is what ISN'T talked about that has threatened to cause madness,confusion and tragedy.

The Village Newcomers

by Rebecca Shaw

Published 7 January 2010

Ford and Mercedes Barclay have decided to spend their twilight years in the lovely village of Turnham Malpas - but will these two newcomers be made welcome? Ford, a former businessman who made his fortune in scrap metal, has ambitious plans for the village - including the funding of a youth club and the hosting of a mock Elizabethan ball, to which all the village is invited. But not everyone in Turnham Malpas welcomes the newcomers with open arms. Mr Fitch, the village benefactor, is less than impressed by Ford's generosity. It isn't long before the two come to blows, leaving Ford and Mercedes to wonder whether village life is really for them. Meanwhile, a letter arrives at the village rectory that causes consternation. The rector's twin children, Alex and Beth, have never had contact with their birth mother. But now, finally, she wishes to build a relationship with them. After so many years of estrangement, should Alex and Beth get to know their real mother? And what of Caroline, the woman who has raised and loved them - will she be willing to let the twins forge their own path?
Sparkling with Rebecca Shaw's signature humour, this is another warm, witty and lively tale of village life.

Trouble In The Village

by Rebecca Shaw

Published 20 July 2000

The smooth running of the village of Turnham Malpas falters when Peter, the rector, goes missing. His wife Caroline is distraught. Then the appointment of Tom Nicholls as the new verger causes unease when his past returns to haunt him and Mr Fitch, the owner of the Big House, causes further ructions by his plans to uproot an ancient hedgerow. When Peter returns, it seems that only he can provide solutions to village problems - although resolving his marital difficulties is another matter altogether. 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. Rebecca Shaw has created a captivating imaginary village which is collecting an ever-growing fan base, and she continues to write about it with the warmth and sharp humour she has made her own.

A Village Deception

by Rebecca Shaw

Published 6 January 2011

When Harry Dickenson arrives in Turnham Malpas, the warm welcome he receives convinces him to stay. Handsome and charming, Harry quickly earns his place in rural life. But despite his outward friendliness, Harry is a troubled man, hiding memories of a tragic past from which he is desperate to escape. Just as Harry finds some measure of peace, he encounters the one woman in the village likely to turn any man's head. Soon, Harry is caught in an obsessive love that threatens to ruin everything that he has accomplished - and reveal his shocking secret to all. But Harry isn't the only man in the village to fall head-over-heels. Paddy Cleary, the shy gardener, is smitten. But will Paddy find the confidence to reveal his true feelings? And will the young lady return his affections? The villagers must wait and watch, hoping the burgeoning friendship will lead to something more...Rebecca Shaw is a storyteller like no other. Packed with tales of love and heart-break, passion and regret, A VILLAGE DECEPTION is alive with incident and drama - a perfect, glorious escape from the stresses of modern life.

Whispers In The Village

by Rebecca Shaw

Published 3 March 2005

The rector Peter, his wife Caroline and their twin girls move to Africa for a year to run a misiion. The inhabitants of Turnham Malpas don't take to the locum, Anna, especially when she brings the petty thief Paddy, into their midst, sparking off conflict within the community. The Women's institute raises funds for Peter's African Mission with an upmarket pyjama party, and an afternoon watching racing at Longchamps on a huge screen. Peter keeps in touch with the villagers by email. When he informs them that the twins have been kidnapped, they are devastated - and even more determined to raise a substantial sum for Peter's Misson.

Village Secrets

by Rebecca Shaw

Published 16 February 1998

Mysterious goings-on in the village of Turnham Malpas...

The village school is to get a new head, and the inhabitants of Turnham Malpas await her arrival with curiosity. At first sight, Kate Pascoe seems ideal. She's young, pretty and obviously loves her job. But when she introduces meditation classes for her ten-year-olds, and even tree-hugging, the villagers begin to think again.

Then a strange malaise afflicts the whole village: lights are seen in Sykes Wood at night; a dog long dead appears to come to life and a sudden shocking death plunges the village into a state of superstitious dread. And always at the eye of the storm is Kate Pascoe...

Rebecca Shaw - The Turnham Malpas Collection

by Rebecca Shaw

Published 10 October 2013

Sixteen warm and witty tales of village life from a much-loved author.

Comprises of: THE NEW RECTOR; TALK OF THE VILLAGE; VILLAGE MATTERS; THE VILLAGE SHOW; VILLAGE SECRETS; SCANDAL IN THE VILLAGE; VILLAGE GOSSIP; TROUBLE IN THE VILLAGE; A VILLAGE DILEMMA; INTRIGUE IN THE VILLAGE; WHISPERS IN THE VILLAGE; A VILLAGE FEUD; THE VILLAGE GREEN AFFAIR; VILLAGE NEWCOMERS; A VILLAGE DECEPTION; A VILLAGE IN JEOPARDY.

The Village Show

by Rebecca Shaw

Published 19 May 1997

A highly anticipated summer event for the village of Turnham Malpas doesn't quite go as planned...with consequences no one could have predicted.

Craddock Fitch is a relative newcomer to the village of Turnham Malpas and is keen to make a splash by holding a village show - the best ever - in the grounds of his large house. Committee secretary and coordinator of the show Louise Bissett is the spoilt daughter of Sir Ron and Lady Sheila. Although a brilliant organiser, Louise is in deep personal trouble - and her growing obsession with the married rector can only end in tears.

As the weeks roll by into summer, and nerves tighten in anticipation of the great day, romances heat up and then cool down, tempers flare and misunderstandings multiply...