The New Rector

Book excerpt: Perfect for fans of Barbara Pym 'Rebecca's wit, humour and brilliant observational skills put her in the forefront of village storytelling. I never tire of reading her wonderful novels' Jack Sheffield 'Winning novels of village life' The Times 'A delightful beginning that suddenly gets darker and more dramatic than expected. Totally believable characters and a story line with unexpected twists' Margaret Dickinson When Peter Harris arrives in Turnham Malpas as the new rector, he finds the village people welcoming but set in their ways. Yet despite his own weaknesses, and a deeply felt sadness his wife keeps hidden, he comforts and advises his new parishioners, growing more and more involved with the rural way of life. Then the whole village is rocked by spiteful trick that goes terribly wrong, and a gruesome murder that points to a killer in its midst. Now, more than ever, Peter's pastoral role is crucial - and yet he is wrestling with his own private hell that may still wreck his own life.