Joannamoveswithheryoungson,Alfie,tothequiettownofFlinstead,seekingafreshstart.However,shequicklybecomesentangledinthelivesoflocalmothersandtheunsettlingdynamicsofthecommunity.WhenJoannastumblesuponanonlinerumouraboutachildkillerlivinginthetown,sheusesittowinoverthemumsattheschoolgate.Asgossipspreads,suspicionsbuild,andJoannafindsherselfdrawnintoawebofsecretsandparanoia.Balancinghereffortstoprotecthersonwiththegrowinguneaseintown,Joannastrugglestodistinguishbetweentruthandhearsay.Withrelationshipsstrainedandemotionsrunninghigh,theboundariesbetweentrustandfearblur. TheRumourexploreshowquicklysmall-towngossipcanspiraloutofcontrol,forcingJoannatoconfronttheunforeseenconsequencesofcuriosityandmistrustinhersearchforanswers.ThestoryisbasedontheSundayTimesbestsellingbookbyLesleyKara.