the village green affair.i , 06 May 2008
i have waited for this book and was not disappointed. again a masterpiece from rebecca shaw. you really can get into the characters and it was so nice to be back in the village. the ending left you with a hope that more are on the way. i have now read all of rebecca shaw's books and can highly recommended them to you. enjoy.

The Village Green Affair, 10 Apr 2008
Once again a great book by Rebecca Shaw. I couldn't put it down. Totally enthralled. Good storyline although sad in places. Hope I don't have to wait too long for the next one.

Another winner for Rebecca Shaw., 21 Mar 2008
Here we are back in good old Turnham Malpas with all our favourite residents plus a newcomer.Opinions are divided when a weekly market is proposed for the village but it seems nothing will stop it.No one could have expected the turn of events that follow.A marriage on the rocks,an old friend growing frailer,theft,scullduggery,a tradgedy, Grandma Charter Plackett has her finest hour and a most unusual reaction from the Rector!
So much for a sleepy country village. If you're a fan of this series you won't be dissapointed with this book.Bring on the next.

the village green affair.i , 06 May 2008
i have waited for this book and was not disappointed. again a masterpiece from rebecca shaw. you really can get into the characters and it was so nice to be back in the village. the ending left you with a hope that more are on the way. i have now read all of rebecca shaw's books and can highly recommended them to you. enjoy.

The Village Green Affair, 10 Apr 2008
Once again a great book by Rebecca Shaw. I couldn't put it down. Totally enthralled. Good storyline although sad in places. Hope I don't have to wait too long for the next one.

Another winner for Rebecca Shaw., 21 Mar 2008
Here we are back in good old Turnham Malpas with all our favourite residents plus a newcomer.Opinions are divided when a weekly market is proposed for the village but it seems nothing will stop it.No one could have expected the turn of events that follow.A marriage on the rocks,an old friend growing frailer,theft,scullduggery,a tradgedy, Grandma Charter Plackett has her finest hour and a most unusual reaction from the Rector!
So much for a sleepy country village. If you're a fan of this series you won't be dissapointed with this book.Bring on the next.

A Village Feud, 21 Apr 2006
I really enjoyed this book, Rebecca Shaw has done it again by keeping you gripped from start to finish. for me it was the mixture of comedy, serious and you just don't want to put the book down so you wouldn't miss anything. It took me less than 2 days to read the book. I would recommend the book to anyone who has followed the series. Can't wait for the next installment of the Turnham Malpas series. Well done Rebecca Shaw!

Disapointing, 21 Apr 2006
I love rebecca Shaw's books, and eagerly awaited this new book in her Village series. However, I found that the book was disapointing and centered on just a few charactors, and missed out most of the really colourful charactors, like Sheila, the Senior Sisters, old Fitch, etc. Instead we had to deal with the sickly sweet Rector and his wife, and the not-so-sickly sweet Jimbo and Harriet as they deal with the current crisis in thier life.

Usually, reading a Rebecca Shaw book is like snuggling up by the fire with a hot chocolate while you catch up with old friends, not so in this case. Only for die-hard fans.

the village green affair.i , 06 May 2008
i have waited for this book and was not disappointed. again a masterpiece from rebecca shaw. you really can get into the characters and it was so nice to be back in the village. the ending left you with a hope that more are on the way. i have now read all of rebecca shaw's books and can highly recommended them to you. enjoy.

The Village Green Affair, 10 Apr 2008
Once again a great book by Rebecca Shaw. I couldn't put it down. Totally enthralled. Good storyline although sad in places. Hope I don't have to wait too long for the next one.

Another winner for Rebecca Shaw., 21 Mar 2008
Here we are back in good old Turnham Malpas with all our favourite residents plus a newcomer.Opinions are divided when a weekly market is proposed for the village but it seems nothing will stop it.No one could have expected the turn of events that follow.A marriage on the rocks,an old friend growing frailer,theft,scullduggery,a tradgedy, Grandma Charter Plackett has her finest hour and a most unusual reaction from the Rector!
So much for a sleepy country village. If you're a fan of this series you won't be dissapointed with this book.Bring on the next.

A Village Feud, 21 Apr 2006
I really enjoyed this book, Rebecca Shaw has done it again by keeping you gripped from start to finish. for me it was the mixture of comedy, serious and you just don't want to put the book down so you wouldn't miss anything. It took me less than 2 days to read the book. I would recommend the book to anyone who has followed the series. Can't wait for the next installment of the Turnham Malpas series. Well done Rebecca Shaw!

Disapointing, 21 Apr 2006
I love rebecca Shaw's books, and eagerly awaited this new book in her Village series. However, I found that the book was disapointing and centered on just a few charactors, and missed out most of the really colourful charactors, like Sheila, the Senior Sisters, old Fitch, etc. Instead we had to deal with the sickly sweet Rector and his wife, and the not-so-sickly sweet Jimbo and Harriet as they deal with the current crisis in thier life.

Usually, reading a Rebecca Shaw book is like snuggling up by the fire with a hot chocolate while you catch up with old friends, not so in this case. Only for die-hard fans.

Car Listening Heaven, 22 Aug 2008
Rebecca Shaw's Turnham Malpas series of books on CD are great for car journeys. They are great for road safety too, as after a while you find yourself slowing down in order not to miss what is happening in the 'village'. I have also read the books, but the CDs bring everything to life.

I am happy to give all of this series 5 stars, well the CDs anyway.

New Characters - storyline as good as ever, 27 Jul 2005
When I read the blurb for Whispers In The Village, I was slightly disappointed that Rebecca Shaw had sent the rector and his family to Africa for a year to work in a mission. I need not had worried , the new characters are well worked and the author by bringing new blood into this series of books is able to bring another dimension to her already popular books. Without giving the plot away, there are the usual twists and turns in any Turnham Malpas novel, which will in turn make you laugh and cry, another good easy going read from Rebecca Shaw.

the village green affair.i , 06 May 2008
i have waited for this book and was not disappointed. again a masterpiece from rebecca shaw. you really can get into the characters and it was so nice to be back in the village. the ending left you with a hope that more are on the way. i have now read all of rebecca shaw's books and can highly recommended them to you. enjoy.

The Village Green Affair, 10 Apr 2008
Once again a great book by Rebecca Shaw. I couldn't put it down. Totally enthralled. Good storyline although sad in places. Hope I don't have to wait too long for the next one.

Another winner for Rebecca Shaw., 21 Mar 2008
Here we are back in good old Turnham Malpas with all our favourite residents plus a newcomer.Opinions are divided when a weekly market is proposed for the village but it seems nothing will stop it.No one could have expected the turn of events that follow.A marriage on the rocks,an old friend growing frailer,theft,scullduggery,a tradgedy, Grandma Charter Plackett has her finest hour and a most unusual reaction from the Rector!
So much for a sleepy country village. If you're a fan of this series you won't be dissapointed with this book.Bring on the next.

A Village Feud, 21 Apr 2006
I really enjoyed this book, Rebecca Shaw has done it again by keeping you gripped from start to finish. for me it was the mixture of comedy, serious and you just don't want to put the book down so you wouldn't miss anything. It took me less than 2 days to read the book. I would recommend the book to anyone who has followed the series. Can't wait for the next installment of the Turnham Malpas series. Well done Rebecca Shaw!

Disapointing, 21 Apr 2006
I love rebecca Shaw's books, and eagerly awaited this new book in her Village series. However, I found that the book was disapointing and centered on just a few charactors, and missed out most of the really colourful charactors, like Sheila, the Senior Sisters, old Fitch, etc. Instead we had to deal with the sickly sweet Rector and his wife, and the not-so-sickly sweet Jimbo and Harriet as they deal with the current crisis in thier life.

Usually, reading a Rebecca Shaw book is like snuggling up by the fire with a hot chocolate while you catch up with old friends, not so in this case. Only for die-hard fans.

Car Listening Heaven, 22 Aug 2008
Rebecca Shaw's Turnham Malpas series of books on CD are great for car journeys. They are great for road safety too, as after a while you find yourself slowing down in order not to miss what is happening in the 'village'. I have also read the books, but the CDs bring everything to life.

I am happy to give all of this series 5 stars, well the CDs anyway.

New Characters - storyline as good as ever, 27 Jul 2005
When I read the blurb for Whispers In The Village, I was slightly disappointed that Rebecca Shaw had sent the rector and his family to Africa for a year to work in a mission. I need not had worried , the new characters are well worked and the author by bringing new blood into this series of books is able to bring another dimension to her already popular books. Without giving the plot away, there are the usual twists and turns in any Turnham Malpas novel, which will in turn make you laugh and cry, another good easy going read from Rebecca Shaw.

Unputdownable !!, 18 Sep 2008
Excellent - arrived in the post at 11 this morning finished by 4 this afternoon. The twists in this one kept me turning the pages - all thoughts of housework disappeared !!

A very good read., 24 Jun 2001
I have read all Rebecca Shaw's books and have enjoyed them all. This one really had me wondering what would happen next. I got into it almost at once, no boring parts to it and the story line kept you intrigued as to what was going to happen next I found myself not wanting to put it down and to me thats the sign of a good book. The characters were believable and I felt sympathy for all involved and the lighter moments had me smiling. I look forward to the next and recommend this one to anyone who wants something more than just an English village story but something with a true to life appeal to it that does not tie up all the loose ends but leaves you to imagine what might happen to some of the charactors involved.

Enthralling, 06 Jun 2000
This is the first of the Turnham Malpas books that I have read. I was gripped from the beginning, living in a village, the characters are totally realistic and you can relate to each of them with similarities to people from nearby villages. I will now begin at the beginning and read all of the preceeding books in sequence to give even more background to the characters within. I imagine the series will be akin to your favourite soap opera with the characters and their relationships evolving as the books progress, I can't wait to start the next one.

Disappointing, 10 May 2000
This is the first book by Rebecca Shaw that I have read. I expected a similar style to Joanna Trollope or Erica James. Instead the book was extremely poorly written, to the point of being unreadable without the author's childish style and erratic "local" dialogue becoming irritating. This, combined with a predictable storyline, leaves little incentive to read to the last page. Very disappointing.

Gripping, 14 Apr 2000
This is the lastest in a long line of books based in the same village and follows basically the same characters and how their lives revolve around village life. This is a great read and you feel with every book as though you are catching up on the latest episode of the characters lives.

the village green affair.i , 06 May 2008
i have waited for this book and was not disappointed. again a masterpiece from rebecca shaw. you really can get into the characters and it was so nice to be back in the village. the ending left you with a hope that more are on the way. i have now read all of rebecca shaw's books and can highly recommended them to you. enjoy.

The Village Green Affair, 10 Apr 2008
Once again a great book by Rebecca Shaw. I couldn't put it down. Totally enthralled. Good storyline although sad in places. Hope I don't have to wait too long for the next one.

Another winner for Rebecca Shaw., 21 Mar 2008
Here we are back in good old Turnham Malpas with all our favourite residents plus a newcomer.Opinions are divided when a weekly market is proposed for the village but it seems nothing will stop it.No one could have expected the turn of events that follow.A marriage on the rocks,an old friend growing frailer,theft,scullduggery,a tradgedy, Grandma Charter Plackett has her finest hour and a most unusual reaction from the Rector!
So much for a sleepy country village. If you're a fan of this series you won't be dissapointed with this book.Bring on the next.

A Village Feud, 21 Apr 2006
I really enjoyed this book, Rebecca Shaw has done it again by keeping you gripped from start to finish. for me it was the mixture of comedy, serious and you just don't want to put the book down so you wouldn't miss anything. It took me less than 2 days to read the book. I would recommend the book to anyone who has followed the series. Can't wait for the next installment of the Turnham Malpas series. Well done Rebecca Shaw!

Disapointing, 21 Apr 2006
I love rebecca Shaw's books, and eagerly awaited this new book in her Village series. However, I found that the book was disapointing and centered on just a few charactors, and missed out most of the really colourful charactors, like Sheila, the Senior Sisters, old Fitch, etc. Instead we had to deal with the sickly sweet Rector and his wife, and the not-so-sickly sweet Jimbo and Harriet as they deal with the current crisis in thier life.

Usually, reading a Rebecca Shaw book is like snuggling up by the fire with a hot chocolate while you catch up with old friends, not so in this case. Only for die-hard fans.

Car Listening Heaven, 22 Aug 2008
Rebecca Shaw's Turnham Malpas series of books on CD are great for car journeys. They are great for road safety too, as after a while you find yourself slowing down in order not to miss what is happening in the 'village'. I have also read the books, but the CDs bring everything to life.

I am happy to give all of this series 5 stars, well the CDs anyway.

New Characters - storyline as good as ever, 27 Jul 2005
When I read the blurb for Whispers In The Village, I was slightly disappointed that Rebecca Shaw had sent the rector and his family to Africa for a year to work in a mission. I need not had worried , the new characters are well worked and the author by bringing new blood into this series of books is able to bring another dimension to her already popular books. Without giving the plot away, there are the usual twists and turns in any Turnham Malpas novel, which will in turn make you laugh and cry, another good easy going read from Rebecca Shaw.

Unputdownable !!, 18 Sep 2008
Excellent - arrived in the post at 11 this morning finished by 4 this afternoon. The twists in this one kept me turning the pages - all thoughts of housework disappeared !!

A very good read., 24 Jun 2001
I have read all Rebecca Shaw's books and have enjoyed them all. This one really had me wondering what would happen next. I got into it almost at once, no boring parts to it and the story line kept you intrigued as to what was going to happen next I found myself not wanting to put it down and to me thats the sign of a good book. The characters were believable and I felt sympathy for all involved and the lighter moments had me smiling. I look forward to the next and recommend this one to anyone who wants something more than just an English village story but something with a true to life appeal to it that does not tie up all the loose ends but leaves you to imagine what might happen to some of the charactors involved.

Enthralling, 06 Jun 2000
This is the first of the Turnham Malpas books that I have read. I was gripped from the beginning, living in a village, the characters are totally realistic and you can relate to each of them with similarities to people from nearby villages. I will now begin at the beginning and read all of the preceeding books in sequence to give even more background to the characters within. I imagine the series will be akin to your favourite soap opera with the characters and their relationships evolving as the books progress, I can't wait to start the next one.

Disappointing, 10 May 2000
This is the first book by Rebecca Shaw that I have read. I expected a similar style to Joanna Trollope or Erica James. Instead the book was extremely poorly written, to the point of being unreadable without the author's childish style and erratic "local" dialogue becoming irritating. This, combined with a predictable storyline, leaves little incentive to read to the last page. Very disappointing.

Gripping, 14 Apr 2000
This is the lastest in a long line of books based in the same village and follows basically the same characters and how their lives revolve around village life. This is a great read and you feel with every book as though you are catching up on the latest episode of the characters lives.

Dire, 09 Sep 2006
One review on a Rebecca Shaw novel says that the author has "mixed all the right ingredients for a winning novel of village life". She may indeed have all the right ingredients, but I think she got the recipe wrong. This book is very badly written indeed.

There's no depth to the characterisation, no stopping to describe this rural idyll (there's a map to help you if you cannot visualise the village - which you won't be able to since the author never bothers to describe it); the author just lurches from one scene to another by means of shallow prose and superficial, unconvincing dialogue. You never feel that the characters could be real people, they never seem more than words on a page. It's almost as if the author was in a rush to meet a deadline in a weeks time and hadn't started the novel yet.

I thought I'd give the author a second chance by reading the next in the series as well. In this one the supposedly dramatic event of a near riot in the village takes up all of about a page to describe. There's no attempt to build suspense, no tension, and hence no drama. Sadly I cannot recommend these books.





''Rebecca Shaw is a sleuth in her own right'', 31 Dec 2004
Forget ''Miss Marple'' or even ''Miss Read'', village life has never been so exciting. Right from the start of her first novel ''The New Rector'' you are drawn to the characters who seem so life like, exactly like people we all know. The plot, twists and turns keep you engrossed in a wonderful read. A truly great start, prompting me to order the next one in the series.

Hooked for Shaw!, 27 Apr 2003
Having been a keen reader of the Miss Read Novels, I stumbled across Rebecca Shaw by accident, having been lent the first three novels in the set, I am now completing novel 9! Although The New Rector could be described as "Easy Reading", I found it absorbing for me it strikes the right balance, with twists and turns to keep you guessing, but above all it leaves the reader with that "feel good" feeling, just like the Miss Read novels before them. If you like Sunday Night TV drama , Rebecca Shaw just could be for you. Can't wait for the next instalment!

A Village Discovery, 20 Aug 2002
I only stumbled upon these books by accident, but I am glad I did! Thoroughly absorbing, I have managed to read the first three Rebecca Shaw Turnham Malpas series, within a week. They have plenty to keep everyone gripped, there is no gratuitous sex or violence, just everyday life and goings on in the village. The list of characters came in useful to begin with and the map is an excellent idea, it gives you a sense of proportion in the village. I have an image in my head of exactly how everything looks, it's like running a television programme in your head, everytime you pick up the book to read. I will read all the others with the same trepidation of knowing that if something happens, within three or four chapters the matter has been solved. These books are a must for anyone who loves to watch Sunday Night Dramas, which really don't tax the brain but leave you feeling really fulfilled.

Addictive, 14 Apr 2000
The first in a series, this gives a great basis of the characters and feels that it really could be true to life village life. I found this gripping but easy reading and not too heavy.

the village green affair.i , 06 May 2008
i have waited for this book and was not disappointed. again a masterpiece from rebecca shaw. you really can get into the characters and it was so nice to be back in the village. the ending left you with a hope that more are on the way. i have now read all of rebecca shaw's books and can highly recommended them to you. enjoy.

The Village Green Affair, 10 Apr 2008
Once again a great book by Rebecca Shaw. I couldn't put it down. Totally enthralled. Good storyline although sad in places. Hope I don't have to wait too long for the next one.

Another winner for Rebecca Shaw., 21 Mar 2008
Here we are back in good old Turnham Malpas with all our favourite residents plus a newcomer.Opinions are divided when a weekly market is proposed for the village but it seems nothing will stop it.No one could have expected the turn of events that follow.A marriage on the rocks,an old friend growing frailer,theft,scullduggery,a tradgedy, Grandma Charter Plackett has her finest hour and a most unusual reaction from the Rector!
So much for a sleepy country village. If you're a fan of this series you won't be dissapointed with this book.Bring on the next.

A Village Feud, 21 Apr 2006
I really enjoyed this book, Rebecca Shaw has done it again by keeping you gripped from start to finish. for me it was the mixture of comedy, serious and you just don't want to put the book down so you wouldn't miss anything. It took me less than 2 days to read the book. I would recommend the book to anyone who has followed the series. Can't wait for the next installment of the Turnham Malpas series. Well done Rebecca Shaw!

Disapointing, 21 Apr 2006
I love rebecca Shaw's books, and eagerly awaited this new book in her Village series. However, I found that the book was disapointing and centered on just a few charactors, and missed out most of the really colourful charactors, like Sheila, the Senior Sisters, old Fitch, etc. Instead we had to deal with the sickly sweet Rector and his wife, and the not-so-sickly sweet Jimbo and Harriet as they deal with the current crisis in thier life.

Usually, reading a Rebecca Shaw book is like snuggling up by the fire with a hot chocolate while you catch up with old friends, not so in this case. Only for die-hard fans.

Car Listening Heaven, 22 Aug 2008
Rebecca Shaw's Turnham Malpas series of books on CD are great for car journeys. They are great for road safety too, as after a while you find yourself slowing down in order not to miss what is happening in the 'village'. I have also read the books, but the CDs bring everything to life.

I am happy to give all of this series 5 stars, well the CDs anyway.

New Characters - storyline as good as ever, 27 Jul 2005
When I read the blurb for Whispers In The Village, I was slightly disappointed that Rebecca Shaw had sent the rector and his family to Africa for a year to work in a mission. I need not had worried , the new characters are well worked and the author by bringing new blood into this series of books is able to bring another dimension to her already popular books. Without giving the plot away, there are the usual twists and turns in any Turnham Malpas novel, which will in turn make you laugh and cry, another good easy going read from Rebecca Shaw.

Unputdownable !!, 18 Sep 2008
Excellent - arrived in the post at 11 this morning finished by 4 this afternoon. The twists in this one kept me turning the pages - all thoughts of housework disappeared !!

A very good read., 24 Jun 2001
I have read all Rebecca Shaw's books and have enjoyed them all. This one really had me wondering what would happen next. I got into it almost at once, no boring parts to it and the story line kept you intrigued as to what was going to happen next I found myself not wanting to put it down and to me thats the sign of a good book. The characters were believable and I felt sympathy for all involved and the lighter moments had me smiling. I look forward to the next and recommend this one to anyone who wants something more than just an English village story but something with a true to life appeal to it that does not tie up all the loose ends but leaves you to imagine what might happen to some of the charactors involved.

Enthralling, 06 Jun 2000
This is the first of the Turnham Malpas books that I have read. I was gripped from the beginning, living in a village, the characters are totally realistic and you can relate to each of them with similarities to people from nearby villages. I will now begin at the beginning and read all of the preceeding books in sequence to give even more background to the characters within. I imagine the series will be akin to your favourite soap opera with the characters and their relationships evolving as the books progress, I can't wait to start the next one.

Disappointing, 10 May 2000
This is the first book by Rebecca Shaw that I have read. I expected a similar style to Joanna Trollope or Erica James. Instead the book was extremely poorly written, to the point of being unreadable without the author's childish style and erratic "local" dialogue becoming irritating. This, combined with a predictable storyline, leaves little incentive to read to the last page. Very disappointing.

Gripping, 14 Apr 2000
This is the lastest in a long line of books based in the same village and follows basically the same characters and how their lives revolve around village life. This is a great read and you feel with every book as though you are catching up on the latest episode of the characters lives.

Dire, 09 Sep 2006
One review on a Rebecca Shaw novel says that the author has "mixed all the right ingredients for a winning novel of village life". She may indeed have all the right ingredients, but I think she got the recipe wrong. This book is very badly written indeed.

There's no depth to the characterisation, no stopping to describe this rural idyll (there's a map to help you if you cannot visualise the village - which you won't be able to since the author never bothers to describe it); the author just lurches from one scene to another by means of shallow prose and superficial, unconvincing dialogue. You never feel that the characters could be real people, they never seem more than words on a page. It's almost as if the author was in a rush to meet a deadline in a weeks time and hadn't started the novel yet.

I thought I'd give the author a second chance by reading the next in the series as well. In this one the supposedly dramatic event of a near riot in the village takes up all of about a page to describe. There's no attempt to build suspense, no tension, and hence no drama. Sadly I cannot recommend these books.





''Rebecca Shaw is a sleuth in her own right'', 31 Dec 2004
Forget ''Miss Marple'' or even ''Miss Read'', village life has never been so exciting. Right from the start of her first novel ''The New Rector'' you are drawn to the characters who seem so life like, exactly like people we all know. The plot, twists and turns keep you engrossed in a wonderful read. A truly great start, prompting me to order the next one in the series.

Hooked for Shaw!, 27 Apr 2003
Having been a keen reader of the Miss Read Novels, I stumbled across Rebecca Shaw by accident, having been lent the first three novels in the set, I am now completing novel 9! Although The New Rector could be described as "Easy Reading", I found it absorbing for me it strikes the right balance, with twists and turns to keep you guessing, but above all it leaves the reader with that "feel good" feeling, just like the Miss Read novels before them. If you like Sunday Night TV drama , Rebecca Shaw just could be for you. Can't wait for the next instalment!

A Village Discovery, 20 Aug 2002
I only stumbled upon these books by accident, but I am glad I did! Thoroughly absorbing, I have managed to read the first three Rebecca Shaw Turnham Malpas series, within a week. They have plenty to keep everyone gripped, there is no gratuitous sex or violence, just everyday life and goings on in the village. The list of characters came in useful to begin with and the map is an excellent idea, it gives you a sense of proportion in the village. I have an image in my head of exactly how everything looks, it's like running a television programme in your head, everytime you pick up the book to read. I will read all the others with the same trepidation of knowing that if something happens, within three or four chapters the matter has been solved. These books are a must for anyone who loves to watch Sunday Night Dramas, which really don't tax the brain but leave you feeling really fulfilled.

Addictive, 14 Apr 2000
The first in a series, this gives a great basis of the characters and feels that it really could be true to life village life. I found this gripping but easy reading and not too heavy.

The Jury's Out............, 07 Jul 2008
The Turnham Malpas novels are really good, but I find these books about the veterinary practice to be a bit shallow and weak. The characters have no depth, especially in this latest one, and talk to each other, and act towards in each other in a completely false way. Maybe because the books are relatively short the author doesn't feel it necessary to get into the bones of each character, but it makes for very frustrating reading. Pad them out a bit, Rebecca, and let us know what they're thinking and feeling. Give them all a bit of oomph!

Back down the Country Lane, 23 Aug 2007
It has been a while since I picked up the Barleybridge tale from Rebecca Shaw, but her latest novel reminded me of all the wonderful characters within the vetinary practice. I do feel you have to have read the previous novels to pick up the tale with this book, coming to this first will only confuse you and you will certainly not get the raw passion and love between Scott and Kate and the unconditional love of Mungo and Miriam. There are new characters, the main one being 'Virginia' who we see transform, after finding someone to share her life with after very tragic circumstances, of which I would have never guessed, and normally I am quite good at that. Ellie is also another character who has you just wanting to scream and shout with sheer exasperation regarding what she was doing in getting to Val. By the end I felt sorry for Val, considering his actions (I won't reveal what) and really hope this thread is picked up again in future books and carried on with, a bit like the Scott and Kate relationship. No doubt we will have to wait a couple of years for the next instalment and I hope when I pick it up, it is just as easy to slip into their lives again, and watch as an observer, like putting on an old comfy pair of slippers.

the village green affair.i , 06 May 2008
i have waited for this book and was not disappointed. again a masterpiece from rebecca shaw. you really can get into the characters and it was so nice to be back in the village. the ending left you with a hope that more are on the way. i have now read all of rebecca shaw's books and can highly recommended them to you. enjoy.

The Village Green Affair, 10 Apr 2008
Once again a great book by Rebecca Shaw. I couldn't put it down. Totally enthralled. Good storyline although sad in places. Hope I don't have to wait too long for the next one.

Another winner for Rebecca Shaw., 21 Mar 2008
Here we are back in good old Turnham Malpas with all our favourite residents plus a newcomer.Opinions are divided when a weekly market is proposed for the village but it seems nothing will stop it.No one could have expected the turn of events that follow.A marriage on the rocks,an old friend growing frailer,theft,scullduggery,a tradgedy, Grandma Charter Plackett has her finest hour and a most unusual reaction from the Rector!
So much for a sleepy country village. If you're a fan of this series you won't be dissapointed with this book.Bring on the next.

A Village Feud, 21 Apr 2006
I really enjoyed this book, Rebecca Shaw has done it again by keeping you gripped from start to finish. for me it was the mixture of comedy, serious and you just don't want to put the book down so you wouldn't miss anything. It took me less than 2 days to read the book. I would recommend the book to anyone who has followed the series. Can't wait for the next installment of the Turnham Malpas series. Well done Rebecca Shaw!

Disapointing, 21 Apr 2006
I love rebecca Shaw's books, and eagerly awaited this new book in her Village series. However, I found that the book was disapointing and centered on just a few charactors, and missed out most of the really colourful charactors, like Sheila, the Senior Sisters, old Fitch, etc. Instead we had to deal with the sickly sweet Rector and his wife, and the not-so-sickly sweet Jimbo and Harriet as they deal with the current crisis in thier life.

Usually, reading a Rebecca Shaw book is like snuggling up by the fire with a hot chocolate while you catch up with old friends, not so in this case. Only for die-hard fans.

Car Listening Heaven, 22 Aug 2008
Rebecca Shaw's Turnham Malpas series of books on CD are great for car journeys. They are great for road safety too, as after a while you find yourself slowing down in order not to miss what is happening in the 'village'. I have also read the books, but the CDs bring everything to life.

I am happy to give all of this series 5 stars, well the CDs anyway.

New Characters - storyline as good as ever, 27 Jul 2005
When I read the blurb for Whispers In The Village, I was slightly disappointed that Rebecca Shaw had sent the rector and his family to Africa for a year to work in a mission. I need not had worried , the new characters are well worked and the author by bringing new blood into this series of books is able to bring another dimension to her already popular books. Without giving the plot away, there are the usual twists and turns in any Turnham Malpas novel, which will in turn make you laugh and cry, another good easy going read from Rebecca Shaw.

Unputdownable !!, 18 Sep 2008
Excellent - arrived in the post at 11 this morning finished by 4 this afternoon. The twists in this one kept me turning the pages - all thoughts of housework disappeared !!

A very good read., 24 Jun 2001
I have read all Rebecca Shaw's books and have enjoyed them all. This one really had me wondering what would happen next. I got into it almost at once, no boring parts to it and the story line kept you intrigued as to what was going to happen next I found myself not wanting to put it down and to me thats the sign of a good book. The characters were believable and I felt sympathy for all involved and the lighter moments had me smiling. I look forward to the next and recommend this one to anyone who wants something more than just an English village story but something with a true to life appeal to it that does not tie up all the loose ends but leaves you to imagine what might happen to some of the charactors involved.

Enthralling, 06 Jun 2000
This is the first of the Turnham Malpas books that I have read. I was gripped from the beginning, living in a village, the characters are totally realistic and you can relate to each of them with similarities to people from nearby villages. I will now begin at the beginning and read all of the preceeding books in sequence to give even more background to the characters within. I imagine the series will be akin to your favourite soap opera with the characters and their relationships evolving as the books progress, I can't wait to start the next one.

Disappointing, 10 May 2000
This is the first book by Rebecca Shaw that I have read. I expected a similar style to Joanna Trollope or Erica James. Instead the book was extremely poorly written, to the point of being unreadable without the author's childish style and erratic "local" dialogue becoming irritating. This, combined with a predictable storyline, leaves little incentive to read to the last page. Very disappointing.

Gripping, 14 Apr 2000
This is the lastest in a long line of books based in the same village and follows basically the same characters and how their lives revolve around village life. This is a great read and you feel with every book as though you are catching up on the latest episode of the characters lives.

Dire, 09 Sep 2006
One review on a Rebecca Shaw novel says that the author has "mixed all the right ingredients for a winning novel of village life". She may indeed have all the right ingredients, but I think she got the recipe wrong. This book is very badly written indeed.

There's no depth to the characterisation, no stopping to describe this rural idyll (there's a map to help you if you cannot visualise the village - which you won't be able to since the author never bothers to describe it); the author just lurches from one scene to another by means of shallow prose and superficial, unconvincing dialogue. You never feel that the characters could be real people, they never seem more than words on a page. It's almost as if the author was in a rush to meet a deadline in a weeks time and hadn't started the novel yet.

I thought I'd give the author a second chance by reading the next in the series as well. In this one the supposedly dramatic event of a near riot in the village takes up all of about a page to describe. There's no attempt to build suspense, no tension, and hence no drama. Sadly I cannot recommend these books.





''Rebecca Shaw is a sleuth in her own right'', 31 Dec 2004
Forget ''Miss Marple'' or even ''Miss Read'', village life has never been so exciting. Right from the start of her first novel ''The New Rector'' you are drawn to the characters who seem so life like, exactly like people we all know. The plot, twists and turns keep you engrossed in a wonderful read. A truly great start, prompting me to order the next one in the series.

Hooked for Shaw!, 27 Apr 2003
Having been a keen reader of the Miss Read Novels, I stumbled across Rebecca Shaw by accident, having been lent the first three novels in the set, I am now completing novel 9! Although The New Rector could be described as "Easy Reading", I found it absorbing for me it strikes the right balance, with twists and turns to keep you guessing, but above all it leaves the reader with that "feel good" feeling, just like the Miss Read novels before them. If you like Sunday Night TV drama , Rebecca Shaw just could be for you. Can't wait for the next instalment!

A Village Discovery, 20 Aug 2002
I only stumbled upon these books by accident, but I am glad I did! Thoroughly absorbing, I have managed to read the first three Rebecca Shaw Turnham Malpas series, within a week. They have plenty to keep everyone gripped, there is no gratuitous sex or violence, just everyday life and goings on in the village. The list of characters came in useful to begin with and the map is an excellent idea, it gives you a sense of proportion in the village. I have an image in my head of exactly how everything looks, it's like running a television programme in your head, everytime you pick up the book to read. I will read all the others with the same trepidation of knowing that if something happens, within three or four chapters the matter has been solved. These books are a must for anyone who loves to watch Sunday Night Dramas, which really don't tax the brain but leave you feeling really fulfilled.

Addictive, 14 Apr 2000
The first in a series, this gives a great basis of the characters and feels that it really could be true to life village life. I found this gripping but easy reading and not too heavy.

The Jury's Out............, 07 Jul 2008
The Turnham Malpas novels are really good, but I find these books about the veterinary practice to be a bit shallow and weak. The characters have no depth, especially in this latest one, and talk to each other, and act towards in each other in a completely false way. Maybe because the books are relatively short the author doesn't feel it necessary to get into the bones of each character, but it makes for very frustrating reading. Pad them out a bit, Rebecca, and let us know what they're thinking and feeling. Give them all a bit of oomph!

Back down the Country Lane, 23 Aug 2007
It has been a while since I picked up the Barleybridge tale from Rebecca Shaw, but her latest novel reminded me of all the wonderful characters within the vetinary practice. I do feel you have to have read the previous novels to pick up the tale with this book, coming to this first will only confuse you and you will certainly not get the raw passion and love between Scott and Kate and the unconditional love of Mungo and Miriam. There are new characters, the main one being 'Virginia' who we see transform, after finding someone to share her life with after very tragic circumstances, of which I would have never guessed, and normally I am quite good at that. Ellie is also another character who has you just wanting to scream and shout with sheer exasperation regarding what she was doing in getting to Val. By the end I felt sorry for Val, considering his actions (I won't reveal what) and really hope this thread is picked up again in future books and carried on with, a bit like the Scott and Kate relationship. No doubt we will have to wait a couple of years for the next instalment and I hope when I pick it up, it is just as easy to slip into their lives again, and watch as an observer, like putting on an old comfy pair of slippers.

Bit dissapointed this time, 01 Jun 2002
I liked it, but where were all of the other village characters like Sylvia & Ronald & Ralph & Muriel.
I also thought that it jumped a little too much with all of the childrens ages, as last time Flick had only just passed the entrance exam to Lady Whortley`s.
Perhaps it would have been better to have an in between book?.
It was an enjoyable read though.
Can not wait for the next installment.

Traditional english village life at it's best, 17 May 2002
Yet another endearing book from Rebecca Shaw. The lastest in the Turnham Malpas village series is the best yet. The author brings to life the day to day minutiae of a traditional english village and all it's inhabitants strengths and weaknesses. Put together with the return of characters like Jimbo, Peter, Caroline, Dicky and co, you could ask for a more enjoyable read. I was sad to reach the end, can't wait for the next one...

the village green affair.i , 06 May 2008
i have waited for this book and was not disappointed. again a masterpiece from rebecca shaw. you really can get into the characters and it was so nice to be back in the village. the ending left you with a hope that more are on the way. i have now read all of rebecca shaw's books and can highly recommended them to you. enjoy.

The Village Green Affair, 10 Apr 2008
Once again a great book by Rebecca Shaw. I couldn't put it down. Totally enthralled. Good storyline although sad in places. Hope I don't have to wait too long for the next one.

Another winner for Rebecca Shaw., 21 Mar 2008
Here we are back in good old Turnham Malpas with all our favourite residents plus a newcomer.Opinions are divided when a weekly market is proposed for the village but it seems nothing will stop it.No one could have expected the turn of events that follow.A marriage on the rocks,an old friend growing frailer,theft,scullduggery,a tradgedy, Grandma Charter Plackett has her finest hour and a most unusual reaction from the Rector!
So much for a sleepy country village. If you're a fan of this series you won't be dissapointed with this book.Bring on the next.

A Village Feud, 21 Apr 2006
I really enjoyed this book, Rebecca Shaw has done it again by keeping you gripped from start to finish. for me it was the mixture of comedy, serious and you just don't want to put the book down so you wouldn't miss anything. It took me less than 2 days to read the book. I would recommend the book to anyone who has followed the series. Can't wait for the next installment of the Turnham Malpas series. Well done Rebecca Shaw!

Disapointing, 21 Apr 2006
I love rebecca Shaw's books, and eagerly awaited this new book in her Village series. However, I found that the book was disapointing and centered on just a few charactors, and missed out most of the really colourful charactors, like Sheila, the Senior Sisters, old Fitch, etc. Instead we had to deal with the sickly sweet Rector and his wife, and the not-so-sickly sweet Jimbo and Harriet as they deal with the current crisis in thier life.

Usually, reading a Rebecca Shaw book is like snuggling up by the fire with a hot chocolate while you catch up with old friends, not so in this case. Only for die-hard fans.

Car Listening Heaven, 22 Aug 2008
Rebecca Shaw's Turnham Malpas series of books on CD are great for car journeys. They are great for road safety too, as after a while you find yourself slowing down in order not to miss what is happening in the 'village'. I have also read the books, but the CDs bring everything to life.

I am happy to give all of this series 5 stars, well the CDs anyway.

New Characters - storyline as good as ever, 27 Jul 2005
When I read the blurb for Whispers In The Village, I was slightly disappointed that Rebecca Shaw had sent the rector and his family to Africa for a year to work in a mission. I need not had worried , the new characters are well worked and the author by bringing new blood into this series of books is able to bring another dimension to her already popular books. Without giving the plot away, there are the usual twists and turns in any Turnham Malpas novel, which will in turn make you laugh and cry, another good easy going read from Rebecca Shaw.

Unputdownable !!, 18 Sep 2008
Excellent - arrived in the post at 11 this morning finished by 4 this afternoon. The twists in this one kept me turning the pages - all thoughts of housework disappeared !!

A very good read., 24 Jun 2001
I have read all Rebecca Shaw's books and have enjoyed them all. This one really had me wondering what would happen next. I got into it almost at once, no boring parts to it and the story line kept you intrigued as to what was going to happen next I found myself not wanting to put it down and to me thats the sign of a good book. The characters were believable and I felt sympathy for all involved and the lighter moments had me smiling. I look forward to the next and recommend this one to anyone who wants something more than just an English village story but something with a true to life appeal to it that does not tie up all the loose ends but leaves you to imagine what might happen to some of the charactors involved.

Enthralling, 06 Jun 2000
This is the first of the Turnham Malpas books that I have read. I was gripped from the beginning, living in a village, the characters are totally realistic and you can relate to each of them with similarities to people from nearby villages. I will now begin at the beginning and read all of the preceeding books in sequence to give even more background to the characters within. I imagine the series will be akin to your favourite soap opera with the characters and their relationships evolving as the books progress, I can't wait to start the next one.

Disappointing, 10 May 2000
This is the first book by Rebecca Shaw that I have read. I expected a similar style to Joanna Trollope or Erica James. Instead the book was extremely poorly written, to the point of being unreadable without the author's childish style and erratic "local" dialogue becoming irritating. This, combined with a predictable storyline, leaves little incentive to read to the last page. Very disappointing.

Gripping, 14 Apr 2000
This is the lastest in a long line of books based in the same village and follows basically the same characters and how their lives revolve around village life. This is a great read and you feel with every book as though you are catching up on the latest episode of the characters lives.

Dire, 09 Sep 2006
One review on a Rebecca Shaw novel says that the author has "mixed all the right ingredients for a winning novel of village life". She may indeed have all the right ingredients, but I think she got the recipe wrong. This book is very badly written indeed.

There's no depth to the characterisation, no stopping to describe this rural idyll (there's a map to help you if you cannot visualise the village - which you won't be able to since the author never bothers to describe it); the author just lurches from one scene to another by means of shallow prose and superficial, unconvincing dialogue. You never feel that the characters could be real people, they never seem more than words on a page. It's almost as if the author was in a rush to meet a deadline in a weeks time and hadn't started the novel yet.

I thought I'd give the author a second chance by reading the next in the series as well. In this one the supposedly dramatic event of a near riot in the village takes up all of about a page to describe. There's no attempt to build suspense, no tension, and hence no drama. Sadly I cannot recommend these books.





''Rebecca Shaw is a sleuth in her own right'', 31 Dec 2004
Forget ''Miss Marple'' or even ''Miss Read'', village life has never been so exciting. Right from the start of her first novel ''The New Rector'' you are drawn to the characters who seem so life like, exactly like people we all know. The plot, twists and turns keep you engrossed in a wonderful read. A truly great start, prompting me to order the next one in the series.

Hooked for Shaw!, 27 Apr 2003
Having been a keen reader of the Miss Read Novels, I stumbled across Rebecca Shaw by accident, having been lent the first three novels in the set, I am now completing novel 9! Although The New Rector could be described as "Easy Reading", I found it absorbing for me it strikes the right balance, with twists and turns to keep you guessing, but above all it leaves the reader with that "feel good" feeling, just like the Miss Read novels before them. If you like Sunday Night TV drama , Rebecca Shaw just could be for you. Can't wait for the next instalment!

A Village Discovery, 20 Aug 2002
I only stumbled upon these books by accident, but I am glad I did! Thoroughly absorbing, I have managed to read the first three Rebecca Shaw Turnham Malpas series, within a week. They have plenty to keep everyone gripped, there is no gratuitous sex or violence, just everyday life and goings on in the village. The list of characters came in useful to begin with and the map is an excellent idea, it gives you a sense of proportion in the village. I have an image in my head of exactly how everything looks, it's like running a television programme in your head, everytime you pick up the book to read. I will read all the others with the same trepidation of knowing that if something happens, within three or four chapters the matter has been solved. These books are a must for anyone who loves to watch Sunday Night Dramas, which really don't tax the brain but leave you feeling really fulfilled.

Addictive, 14 Apr 2000
The first in a series, this gives a great basis of the characters and feels that it really could be true to life village life. I found this gripping but easy reading and not too heavy.

The Jury's Out............, 07 Jul 2008
The Turnham Malpas novels are really good, but I find these books about the veterinary practice to be a bit shallow and weak. The characters have no depth, especially in this latest one, and talk to each other, and act towards in each other in a completely false way. Maybe because the books are relatively short the author doesn't feel it necessary to get into the bones of each character, but it makes for very frustrating reading. Pad them out a bit, Rebecca, and let us know what they're thinking and feeling. Give them all a bit of oomph!

Back down the Country Lane, 23 Aug 2007
It has been a while since I picked up the Barleybridge tale from Rebecca Shaw, but her latest novel reminded me of all the wonderful characters within the vetinary practice. I do feel you have to have read the previous novels to pick up the tale with this book, coming to this first will only confuse you and you will certainly not get the raw passion and love between Scott and Kate and the unconditional love of Mungo and Miriam. There are new characters, the main one being 'Virginia' who we see transform, after finding someone to share her life with after very tragic circumstances, of which I would have never guessed, and normally I am quite good at that. Ellie is also another character who has you just wanting to scream and shout with sheer exasperation regarding what she was doing in getting to Val. By the end I felt sorry for Val, considering his actions (I won't reveal what) and really hope this thread is picked up again in future books and carried on with, a bit like the Scott and Kate relationship. No doubt we will have to wait a couple of years for the next instalment and I hope when I pick it up, it is just as easy to slip into their lives again, and watch as an observer, like putting on an old comfy pair of slippers.

Bit dissapointed this time, 01 Jun 2002
I liked it, but where were all of the other village characters like Sylvia & Ronald & Ralph & Muriel.
I also thought that it jumped a little too much with all of the childrens ages, as last time Flick had only just passed the entrance exam to Lady Whortley`s.
Perhaps it would have been better to have an in between book?.
It was an enjoyable read though.
Can not wait for the next installment.

Traditional english village life at it's best, 17 May 2002
Yet another endearing book from Rebecca Shaw. The lastest in the Turnham Malpas village series is the best yet. The author brings to life the day to day minutiae of a traditional english village and all it's inhabitants strengths and weaknesses. Put together with the return of characters like Jimbo, Peter, Caroline, Dicky and co, you could ask for a more enjoyable read. I was sad to reach the end, can't wait for the next one...

Brilliant, 22 Aug 2008
For me this is the best of the series, made even better by listening to it on long journeys. Without going into story details, you will be hard pressed not to want to know what happens next once you switch this on. It is also an audio book you can not listen to only once. Can I say anything bad about these Turnham Malpas series of books, in a word no. Good fun, great characters and easy listening, just right for the car.

Intrigue in the Village, 01 Dec 2003
Having read and thoroughly enjoyed all the other Turnham Malpas novels I rushed out to buy this one the day it was published. The first half of the book is very good and has all the ingredients needed to carry on the series but the second half is very weak. It is almost as though the author couldn't think up any new storylines and couldn't wait to end the story as she had lost interest in the villagers and their lives. I was very disappointed.

the village green affair.i , 06 May 2008
i have waited for this book and was not disappointed. again a masterpiece from rebecca shaw. you really can get into the characters and it was so nice to be back in the village. the ending left you with a hope that more are on the way. i have now read all of rebecca shaw's books and can highly recommended them to you. enjoy.

The Village Green Affair, 10 Apr 2008
Once again a great book by Rebecca Shaw. I couldn't put it down. Totally enthralled. Good storyline although sad in places. Hope I don't have to wait too long for the next one.

Another winner for Rebecca Shaw., 21 Mar 2008
Here we are back in good old Turnham Malpas with all our favourite residents plus a newcomer.Opinions are divided when a weekly market is proposed for the village but it seems nothing will stop it.No one could have expected the turn of events that follow.A marriage on the rocks,an old friend growing frailer,theft,scullduggery,a tradgedy, Grandma Charter Plackett has her finest hour and a most unusual reaction from the Rector!
So much for a sleepy country village. If you're a fan of this series you won't be dissapointed with this book.Bring on the next.

A Village Feud, 21 Apr 2006
I really enjoyed this book, Rebecca Shaw has done it again by keeping you gripped from start to finish. for me it was the mixture of comedy, serious and you just don't want to put the book down so you wouldn't miss anything. It took me less than 2 days to read the book. I would recommend the book to anyone who has followed the series. Can't wait for the next installment of the Turnham Malpas series. Well done Rebecca Shaw!

Disapointing, 21 Apr 2006
I love rebecca Shaw's books, and eagerly awaited this new book in her Village series. However, I found that the book was disapointing and centered on just a few charactors, and missed out most of the really colourful charactors, like Sheila, the Senior Sisters, old Fitch, etc. Instead we had to deal with the sickly sweet Rector and his wife, and the not-so-sickly sweet Jimbo and Harriet as they deal with the current crisis in thier life.

Usually, reading a Rebecca Shaw book is like snuggling up by the fire with a hot chocolate while you catch up with old friends, not so in this case. Only for die-hard fans.

Car Listening Heaven, 22 Aug 2008
Rebecca Shaw's Turnham Malpas series of books on CD are great for car journeys. They are great for road safety too, as after a while you find yourself slowing down in order not to miss what is happening in the 'village'. I have also read the books, but the CDs bring everything to life.

I am happy to give all of this series 5 stars, well the CDs anyway.

New Characters - storyline as good as ever, 27 Jul 2005
When I read the blurb for Whispers In The Village, I was slightly disappointed that Rebecca Shaw had sent the rector and his family to Africa for a year to work in a mission. I need not had worried , the new characters are well worked and the author by bringing new blood into this series of books is able to bring another dimension to her already popular books. Without giving the plot away, there are the usual twists and turns in any Turnham Malpas novel, which will in turn make you laugh and cry, another good easy going read from Rebecca Shaw.

Unputdownable !!, 18 Sep 2008
Excellent - arrived in the post at 11 this morning finished by 4 this afternoon. The twists in this one kept me turning the pages - all thoughts of housework disappeared !!

A very good read., 24 Jun 2001
I have read all Rebecca Shaw's books and have enjoyed them all. This one really had me wondering what would happen next. I got into it almost at once, no boring parts to it and the story line kept you intrigued as to what was going to happen next I found myself not wanting to put it down and to me thats the sign of a good book. The characters were believable and I felt sympathy for all involved and the lighter moments had me smiling. I look forward to the next and recommend this one to anyone who wants something more than just an English village story but something with a true to life appeal to it that does not tie up all the loose ends but leaves you to imagine what might happen to some of the charactors involved.

Enthralling, 06 Jun 2000
This is the first of the Turnham Malpas books that I have read. I was gripped from the beginning, living in a village, the characters are totally realistic and you can relate to each of them with similarities to people from nearby villages. I will now begin at the beginning and read all of the preceeding books in sequence to give even more background to the characters within. I imagine the series will be akin to your favourite soap opera with the characters and their relationships evolving as the books progress, I can't wait to start the next one.

Disappointing, 10 May 2000
This is the first book by Rebecca Shaw that I have read. I expected a similar style to Joanna Trollope or Erica James. Instead the book was extremely poorly written, to the point of being unreadable without the author's childish style and erratic "local" dialogue becoming irritating. This, combined with a predictable storyline, leaves little incentive to read to the last page. Very disappointing.

Gripping, 14 Apr 2000
This is the lastest in a long line of books based in the same village and follows basically the same characters and how their lives revolve around village life. This is a great read and you feel with every book as though you are catching up on the latest episode of the characters lives.

Dire, 09 Sep 2006
One review on a Rebecca Shaw novel says that the author has "mixed all the right ingredients for a winning novel of village life". She may indeed have all the right ingredients, but I think she got the recipe wrong. This book is very badly written indeed.

There's no depth to the characterisation, no stopping to describe this rural idyll (there's a map to help you if you cannot visualise the village - which you won't be able to since the author never bothers to describe it); the author just lurches from one scene to another by means of shallow prose and superficial, unconvincing dialogue. You never feel that the characters could be real people, they never seem more than words on a page. It's almost as if the author was in a rush to meet a deadline in a weeks time and hadn't started the novel yet.

I thought I'd give the author a second chance by reading the next in the series as well. In this one the supposedly dramatic event of a near riot in the village takes up all of about a page to describe. There's no attempt to build suspense, no tension, and hence no drama. Sadly I cannot recommend these books.





''Rebecca Shaw is a sleuth in her own right'', 31 Dec 2004
Forget ''Miss Marple'' or even ''Miss Read'', village life has never been so exciting. Right from the start of her first novel ''The New Rector'' you are drawn to the characters who seem so life like, exactly like people we all know. The plot, twists and turns keep you engrossed in a wonderful read. A truly great start, prompting me to order the next one in the series.

Hooked for Shaw!, 27 Apr 2003
Having been a keen reader of the Miss Read Novels, I stumbled across Rebecca Shaw by accident, having been lent the first three novels in the set, I am now completing novel 9! Although The New Rector could be described as "Easy Reading", I found it absorbing for me it strikes the right balance, with twists and turns to keep you guessing, but above all it leaves the reader with that "feel good" feeling, just like the Miss Read novels before them. If you like Sunday Night TV drama , Rebecca Shaw just could be for you. Can't wait for the next instalment!

A Village Discovery, 20 Aug 2002
I only stumbled upon these books by accident, but I am glad I did! Thoroughly absorbing, I have managed to read the first three Rebecca Shaw Turnham Malpas series, within a week. They have plenty to keep everyone gripped, there is no gratuitous sex or violence, just everyday life and goings on in the village. The list of characters came in useful to begin with and the map is an excellent idea, it gives you a sense of proportion in the village. I have an image in my head of exactly how everything looks, it's like running a television programme in your head, everytime you pick up the book to read. I will read all the others with the same trepidation of knowing that if something happens, within three or four chapters the matter has been solved. These books are a must for anyone who loves to watch Sunday Night Dramas, which really don't tax the brain but leave you feeling really fulfilled.

Addictive, 14 Apr 2000
The first in a series, this gives a great basis of the characters and feels that it really could be true to life village life. I found this gripping but easy reading and not too heavy.

The Jury's Out............, 07 Jul 2008
The Turnham Malpas novels are really good, but I find these books about the veterinary practice to be a bit shallow and weak. The characters have no depth, especially in this latest one, and talk to each other, and act towards in each other in a completely false way. Maybe because the books are relatively short the author doesn't feel it necessary to get into the bones of each character, but it makes for very frustrating reading. Pad them out a bit, Rebecca, and let us know what they're thinking and feeling. Give them all a bit of oomph!

Back down the Country Lane, 23 Aug 2007
It has been a while since I picked up the Barleybridge tale from Rebecca Shaw, but her latest novel reminded me of all the wonderful characters within the vetinary practice. I do feel you have to have read the previous novels to pick up the tale with this book, coming to this first will only confuse you and you will certainly not get the raw passion and love between Scott and Kate and the unconditional love of Mungo and Miriam. There are new characters, the main one being 'Virginia' who we see transform, after finding someone to share her life with after very tragic circumstances, of which I would have never guessed, and normally I am quite good at that. Ellie is also another character who has you just wanting to scream and shout with sheer exasperation regarding what she was doing in getting to Val. By the end I felt sorry for Val, considering his actions (I won't reveal what) and really hope this thread is picked up again in future books and carried on with, a bit like the Scott and Kate relationship. No doubt we will have to wait a couple of years for the next instalment and I hope when I pick it up, it is just as easy to slip into their lives again, and watch as an observer, like putting on an old comfy pair of slippers.

Bit dissapointed this time, 01 Jun 2002
I liked it, but where were all of the other village characters like Sylvia & Ronald & Ralph & Muriel.
I also thought that it jumped a little too much with all of the childrens ages, as last time Flick had only just passed the entrance exam to Lady Whortley`s.
Perhaps it would have been better to have an in between book?.
It was an enjoyable read though.
Can not wait for the next installment.

Traditional english village life at it's best, 17 May 2002
Yet another endearing book from Rebecca Shaw. The lastest in the Turnham Malpas village series is the best yet. The author brings to life the day to day minutiae of a traditional english village and all it's inhabitants strengths and weaknesses. Put together with the return of characters like Jimbo, Peter, Caroline, Dicky and co, you could ask for a more enjoyable read. I was sad to reach the end, can't wait for the next one...

Brilliant, 22 Aug 2008
For me this is the best of the series, made even better by listening to it on long journeys. Without going into story details, you will be hard pressed not to want to know what happens next once you switch this on. It is also an audio book you can not listen to only once. Can I say anything bad about these Turnham Malpas series of books, in a word no. Good fun, great characters and easy listening, just right for the car.

Intrigue in the Village, 01 Dec 2003
Having read and thoroughly enjoyed all the other Turnham Malpas novels I rushed out to buy this one the day it was published. The first half of the book is very good and has all the ingredients needed to carry on the series but the second half is very weak. It is almost as though the author couldn't think up any new storylines and couldn't wait to end the story as she had lost interest in the villagers and their lives. I was very disappointed.

Cliche ridden drivel, 21 Jun 2002
I have never in my life before read such badly written rubbish. Shaw's characters are utterly 2 dimensional. There is no plot to speak of, and major events are referred to by a single throw away line, and then not heard of again for chapters. The blurb on the back refers to the Rector's disappearence as being a major plot element. One minute he is there, interviewing a new verger, the next, he has gone. The other characters seemed not to even notice, something I totally empathised with. I found the pomposity of the characters and the totally ridiculous storyline to be unreadable almost within ten minutes, I perservered only in the belief that it couldn't get worse. It did.

A child of five could write a story with more plot than this. And yes, I know there are others in the sequence, I had the misfortune to read another of them once before. It didn't help me to get to know the characters better, it just made them seem even more cliche ridden. Shaw doesn't even make them consistent, often making them do or say things totally at odds with what little personality she has given them.

If you want to read/buy this book, don't bother. Really don't.

Another excellent book in this series, 09 Aug 2001
To get the best from this book I recommend that you read the other's in this series. This book hold's plenty of intrigue and brings new charactors to the village. I found myself wanting the story to go a certain way but the author had her own idea's which at times I did not agree with but as I read on I understood why the story had gone a certain way. You actually feel that this is a real vicar and the people in the village are real people. As this series has progressed you also see the different charactors transformed in one way or another some of them have bloomed and become so much more interesting. The storyline is excellent mingled in the story is the workings of a village and the everyday life. I always know when I have enyoyed a book, that's when I am sad it's ended.

A soap opera in a book, 23 Jan 2001
Trouble In The Village by Rebecca Shaw - what a marvellous book. Another of her delightful books set in the imaginary village of Turnham Malpas. Two things immediately I liked about this authors way of presenting a book, firstly she lists the inhabitants and then shows a map of the village. I often turn to this to look at something that is puzzling me. You get so involved with this village you are actually a part of it. The characters are so real and life-like and Rebecca has a very modern outlook to life. she has written about 8 books in this series and I cannot wait until her next one is printed. Theres a naughty vicar init he gets a lady friend into trouble and his wife and himself adopt the twins Alex and Beth. In this story the locals protest about loosing a hedge which Mr Fitch from the Big House plans to destroy, do the locals win. There is a new verger, but is he all that he seems to be. The vicar has done a runner will he return. And what does Mr Fitch do to celebrate bonfire night for the villagers. once again the village is brought back into its peaceful surroundings that everyone knows. A lovely book that I cannot put down once I start reading a REBECCA SHAW novel.

the village green affair.i , 06 May 2008
i have waited for this book and was not disappointed. again a masterpiece from rebecca shaw. you really can get into the characters and it was so nice to be back in the village. the ending left you with a hope that more are on the way. i have now read all of rebecca shaw's books and can highly recommended them to you. enjoy.

The Village Green Affair, 10 Apr 2008
Once again a great book by Rebecca Shaw. I couldn't put it down. Totally enthralled. Good storyline although sad in places. Hope I don't have to wait too long for the next one.

Another winner for Rebecca Shaw., 21 Mar 2008
Here we are back in good old Turnham Malpas with all our favourite residents plus a newcomer.Opinions are divided when a weekly market is proposed for the village but it seems nothing will stop it.No one could have expected the turn of events that follow.A marriage on the rocks,an old friend growing frailer,theft,scullduggery,a tradgedy, Grandma Charter Plackett has her finest hour and a most unusual reaction from the Rector!
So much for a sleepy country village. If you're a fan of this series you won't be dissapointed with this book.Bring on the next.

A Village Feud, 21 Apr 2006
I really enjoyed this book, Rebecca Shaw has done it again by keeping you gripped from start to finish. for me it was the mixture of comedy, serious and you just don't want to put the book down so you wouldn't miss anything. It took me less than 2 days to read the book. I would recommend the book to anyone who has followed the series. Can't wait for the next installment of the Turnham Malpas series. Well done Rebecca Shaw!

Disapointing, 21 Apr 2006
I love rebecca Shaw's books, and eagerly awaited this new book in her Village series. However, I found that the book was disapointing and centered on just a few charactors, and missed out most of the really colourful charactors, like Sheila, the Senior Sisters, old Fitch, etc. Instead we had to deal with the sickly sweet Rector and his wife, and the not-so-sickly sweet Jimbo and Harriet as they deal with the current crisis in thier life.

Usually, reading a Rebecca Shaw book is like snuggling up by the fire with a hot chocolate while you catch up with old friends, not so in this case. Only for die-hard fans.

Car Listening Heaven, 22 Aug 2008
Rebecca Shaw's Turnham Malpas series of books on CD are great for car journeys. They are great for road safety too, as after a while you find yourself slowing down in order not to miss what is happening in the 'village'. I have also read the books, but the CDs bring everything to life.

I am happy to give all of this series 5 stars, well the CDs anyway.

New Characters - storyline as good as ever, 27 Jul 2005
When I read the blurb for Whispers In The Village, I was slightly disappointed that Rebecca Shaw had sent the rector and his family to Africa for a year to work in a mission. I need not had worried , the new characters are well worked and the author by bringing new blood into this series of books is able to bring another dimension to her already popular books. Without giving the plot away, there are the usual twists and turns in any Turnham Malpas novel, which will in turn make you laugh and cry, another good easy going read from Rebecca Shaw.

Unputdownable !!, 18 Sep 2008
Excellent - arrived in the post at 11 this morning finished by 4 this afternoon. The twists in this one kept me turning the pages - all thoughts of housework disappeared !!

A very good read., 24 Jun 2001
I have read all Rebecca Shaw's books and have enjoyed them all. This one really had me wondering what would happen next. I got into it almost at once, no boring parts to it and the story line kept you intrigued as to what was going to happen next I found myself not wanting to put it down and to me thats the sign of a good book. The characters were believable and I felt sympathy for all involved and the lighter moments had me smiling. I look forward to the next and recommend this one to anyone who wants something more than just an English village story but something with a true to life appeal to it that does not tie up all the loose ends but leaves you to imagine what might happen to some of the charactors involved.

Enthralling, 06 Jun 2000
This is the first of the Turnham Malpas books that I have read. I was gripped from the beginning, living in a village, the characters are totally realistic and you can relate to each of them with similarities to people from nearby villages. I will now begin at the beginning and read all of the preceeding books in sequence to give even more background to the characters within. I imagine the series will be akin to your favourite soap opera with the characters and their relationships evolving as the books progress, I can't wait to start the next one.

Disappointing, 10 May 2000
This is the first book by Rebecca Shaw that I have read. I expected a similar style to Joanna Trollope or Erica James. Instead the book was extremely poorly written, to the point of being unreadable without the author's childish style and erratic "local" dialogue becoming irritating. This, combined with a predictable storyline, leaves little incentive to read to the last page. Very disappointing.

Gripping, 14 Apr 2000
This is the lastest in a long line of books based in the same village and follows basically the same characters and how their lives revolve around village life. This is a great read and you feel with every book as though you are catching up on the latest episode of the characters lives.

Dire, 09 Sep 2006
One review on a Rebecca Shaw novel says that the author has "mixed all the right ingredients for a winning novel of village life". She may indeed have all the right ingredients, but I think she got the recipe wrong. This book is very badly written indeed.

There's no depth to the characterisation, no stopping to describe this rural idyll (there's a map to help you if you cannot visualise the village - which you won't be able to since the author never bothers to describe it); the author just lurches from one scene to another by means of shallow prose and superficial, unconvincing dialogue. You never feel that the characters could be real people, they never seem more than words on a page. It's almost as if the author was in a rush to meet a deadline in a weeks time and hadn't started the novel yet.

I thought I'd give the author a second chance by reading the next in the series as well. In this one the supposedly dramatic event of a near riot in the village takes up all of about a page to describe. There's no attempt to build suspense, no tension, and hence no drama. Sadly I cannot recommend these books.





''Rebecca Shaw is a sleuth in her own right'', 31 Dec 2004
Forget ''Miss Marple'' or even ''Miss Read'', village life has never been so exciting. Right from the start of her first novel ''The New Rector'' you are drawn to the characters who seem so life like, exactly like people we all know. The plot, twists and turns keep you engrossed in a wonderful read. A truly great start, prompting me to order the next one in the series.

Hooked for Shaw!, 27 Apr 2003
Having been a keen reader of the Miss Read Novels, I stumbled across Rebecca Shaw by accident, having been lent the first three novels in the set, I am now completing novel 9! Although The New Rector could be described as "Easy Reading", I found it absorbing for me it strikes the right balance, with twists and turns to keep you guessing, but above all it leaves the reader with that "feel good" feeling, just like the Miss Read novels before them. If you like Sunday Night TV drama , Rebecca Shaw just could be for you. Can't wait for the next instalment!

A Village Discovery, 20 Aug 2002
I only stumbled upon these books by accident, but I am glad I did! Thoroughly absorbing, I have managed to read the first three Rebecca Shaw Turnham Malpas series, within a week. They have plenty to keep everyone gripped, there is no gratuitous sex or violence, just everyday life and goings on in the village. The list of characters came in useful to begin with and the map is an excellent idea, it gives you a sense of proportion in the village. I have an image in my head of exactly how everything looks, it's like running a television programme in your head, everytime you pick up the book to read. I will read all the others with the same trepidation of knowing that if something happens, within three or four chapters the matter has been solved. These books are a must for anyone who loves to watch Sunday Night Dramas, which really don't tax the brain but leave you feeling really fulfilled.

Addictive, 14 Apr 2000
The first in a series, this gives a great basis of the characters and feels that it really could be true to life village life. I found this gripping but easy reading and not too heavy.

The Jury's Out............, 07 Jul 2008
The Turnham Malpas novels are really good, but I find these books about the veterinary practice to be