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.