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Nicholas Rhea
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CONSTABLE ON THE PROWL a perfect feel-good read from one of Britain's best-loved authors (Constable Nick Mystery Book 2) Kindle Edition

by NICHOLAS RHEA (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 out of 5 stars 2,221 ratings
DISCOVER YOUR NEXT FAVOURITE SERIES. MEET BRITAIN’S BEST-LOVED VILLAGE POLICEMAN.

“It’s original, it’s funny . . . one of life’s little pleasures.” Yorkshire Post

THE BOOKS WHICH INSPIRED HEARTBEAT

The brilliantly entertaining and heartwarming books behind the hit 90s TV series Heartbeat. One of the top ten most watched shows of the decade.

CONSTABLE NICK IS ON NIGHT DUTY

Nick is still settling into his role at the Ashfordly Section police station, and he’s drawn the short straw: night duty. Alone in the midnight hours with nothing but dead leaves, stray cats and legends of ghosts and ghoulies to accompany him.

A sleeping village doesn’t mean a simple shift, though. Between the early risers of the farming community, a badger with a sweet tooth, and getting to know his new workmates, there’s no time for Nick to kick his feet up in the station.

THE VILLAGE IS ASLEEP BUT THE WRONG-DOERS AREN’T

And of course there’s Claude Jeremiah Greengrass! Why did he have to retreat hastily down a ladder from a lady's bedroom and what happened to his trousers and shirt? And can he really be innocent of taking a deer during the night, when he was seen emerging from the forest carrying a particularly fine set of antlers?

“Stories of a constable on his village beat in North Yorkshire. All very gentle and far, far removed from the hurly burly of modern day city policing.” Daily Telegraph

In the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside of the 1960s, Constable Nick's roles are as varied as the eccentric villagers.

IT’S NOT THE BIG CITY BUT THE YORKSHIRE COUNTRYSIDE IS STILL FULL OF INCIDENT

Perfect for fans of James Herriot, T.E. Kinsey, Gerald Durrell, J.R. Ellis or anyone who loves a great read.

CONSTABLE NICK’S COLLEAGUES
Sergeant Oscar Blaketon. A good, solid and dependable character who runs his little police station with fierce efficiency but under a tough exterior, is full of warmth, generosity and kindness

PC Alf Ventress. The old, easy-going constable whose local knowledge is vital to the running of Ashfordly Police Station. He does like Mrs Ventress's hard-boiled eggs!

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT NICHOLAS RHEA

“Just love Nicholas Rhea's Constable books. . . easy reading delivers a heart-warming, amusing trip back to a very different kind of policing in the '60s.” Joy Ellis

“Recommended if it's laughter you're after.” Bolton Evening News

“Richly entertaining.” Yorkshire Evening Post

“Splendid reading.” Police Journal

“I enjoyed this tremendously.” Melissa

“A wonderful and relaxing dip into the beautiful North Yorkshire Moors.” David

“A highly entertaining book which anyone who is looking for easy and humorous reading will enjoy.” Granny

IN THE AUTHOR’S OWN WORDS
“The concept of the Constable books arose because I wanted to write a book which showed that the police undertook much work which was not associated with crime or detective investigations. As I had served as a village constable in a delightful part of the North York Moors, it seemed logical to use that experience as a background to the stories, and to add a touch of humour which is always present in police work.”

CONSTABLE NICK MYSTERIES
Book 1: CONSTABLE ON THE HILL
Book 2: CONSTABLE ON THE PROWL
Book 3: CONSTABLE AROUND THE VILLAGE
Book 4: CONSTABLE ACROSS THE MOORS
Book 5: CONSTABLE IN THE DALE
Book 6: CONSTABLE BY THE SEA
Book 7: CONSTABLE ALONG THE LANE
Book 8: CONSTABLE THROUGH THE MEADOW
Book 9: CONSTABLE IN DISGUISE
Book 10: CONSTABLE AMONG THE HEATHER
Book 11: CONSTABLE BY THE STREAM
Book 12: CONSTABLE AROUND THE GREEN
Book 13: CONSTABLE BENEATH THE TREES
Book 14: CONSTABLE IN CONTROL
Book 15: CONSTABLE IN THE SHRUBBERY
Book 16: CONSTABLE VERSUS GREENGRASS
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  1. Book 2 of 37
    Constable Nick Mystery
  2. Print length
    202 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    March 5, 2020
  6. File size
    1.0 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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From the Publisher

british, english, funny, cozy, traditional, mystery, lovable, constable, police, detective
CONSTABLE ON THE HILL
CONSTABLE ON THE PROWL
CONSTABLE AROUND THE VILLAGE
CONSTABLE ACROSS THE MOORS
CONSTABLE IN THE DALE
CONSTABLE BY THE SEA
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Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars 6,024
4.1 out of 5 stars 2,221
4.4 out of 5 stars 1,758
4.4 out of 5 stars 1,331
4.5 out of 5 stars 1,058
4.4 out of 5 stars 1,292
Price $0.99 $3.99 $3.99 $2.99 $2.99 $2.99
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heartbeat, village, mystery, crime, police, peace, cozy, relaxing, read, english, funny, witty

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Stories of a constable on his village beat in North Yorkshire. All very gentle and far, far removed from the hurly burly of modern day city policing."

-- "Daily Telegraph (London), praise for the series"

"It's original, it's funny...one of life's little pleasures."

-- "Yorkshire Post (Leeds), praise for the series"

About the Author

Nicholas Rhea (19362017) began to writing in the late 1950s after years of casual interest, having his first short story published in the Police Review. Continuing to rise through the ranks at the regions Police Headquarters in Northallerton, he published his first novel, Carnaby and the Hijackers, in 1976. He is primarily known for his Constable series, inspired by his many years of police service. He retired in 1982 to concentrate on his writing, encouraged by an interest in his Constable books from Yorkshire Television. This was to become the highly popular Heartbeat series, which ran for eighteen seasons and over 350 episodes.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B085LGNMW4
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Joffe Books cozy crime, humour and mystery
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 5, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.0 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 202 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1789313673
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 2 of 37 ‏ : ‎ Constable Nick Mystery
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 2,221 ratings

About the author

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Nicholas Rhea

Nicholas Rhea

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Nicholas Rhea is the pseudonym of author Peter N Walker. He was born in Glaisdale, a North York Moors village, in 1936. The oldest of three children born to an insurance agent and a teacher, he won a scholarship to Whitby Grammar School but left at 16 to become a police cadet in 1952, based at Whitby, North Yorkshire, England.

He began to write seriously in the late 1950s after years of casual interest, having his first short story published in the Police Review magazine. Continuing to rise through the ranks at the region’s Police Headquarters in Northallerton, he published his first novel, Carnaby and the Hijackers, in 1967.

Although he wrote 130 fiction and non-fiction books, Rhea is primarily known for his Constable series inspired by his many years of police service. He retired in 1982 to concentrate on his writing, encouraged by an interest in his Constable books from Yorkshire Television. This interest resulted in the highly popular TV series Heartbeat, which ran for 18 seasons and over 350 episodes, achieving 18 million viewers per episode at its peak.

Rhea had four children and eight grandchildren and lived with his wife in a quiet North Yorkshire village. He died in 2017.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
2,221 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book a sweet, easy read with interesting mystery cases and believable characters. The language is well-written, making it a mind-soothing escape. However, the pacing receives mixed reviews, with several customers describing it as slow-paced.

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35 customers mention "Enjoyment"35 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, describing it as wonderfully amusing and a sweet easy read, with one customer noting it's worth the time to get acquainted with Yorkshire.

"...And just as delightful...." Read more

"the life of a british rural bobby in the early 1960's,humorous tales of their duties. nice history lesson of british villagers life styles...." Read more

"...I enjoy relaxing and gentle reads, but I just couldn't get into this book...." Read more

"...No cheap shots. The humor is "laugh with them, not at them" and the insight into the good people is believable and dear...." Read more

18 customers mention "Story quality"18 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the interesting mystery cases in the book, with one customer particularly appreciating the focus on night patrol stories and another noting the humorous insights into British police practices.

"...And so many more volumes to enjoy and to learn the most useful things - how to deal with chimney fires being one episode as an example." Read more

"...The stories are witty, sensitive and prone to stimulate your good wishes to the characters in the stories. No cheap shots...." Read more

"...The author really gave readers an enlightening glimpse into, and a better understanding of the rural law enforcers and their daily routines at that..." Read more

"In this second volume of reminiscences the author focuses on stories concerning night patrols...." Read more

7 customers mention "Believable characters"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters in the book believable, with one mentioning the quirky local characters and another noting their various personality traits.

"...The characters were believable and witticisms meandered throughout the prose...." Read more

"A lovely book, nice characters, but not a mystery.....he certainly is very prolific, if if half of these things happened to him, he has NOT led a..." Read more

"Very pleasant reading during these hectic times. The characters are very believable and fun." Read more

"This is an excellent read. I laughed out loud in places, the characters are believable, the language is top-notch, and, getting acquainted with..." Read more

6 customers mention "Language"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well written and easy to read.

"...He puts words together well. A good writer. Nice narrator." Read more

"...out loud in places, the characters are believable, the language is top-notch, and, getting acquainted with Yorkshire is worth the read...." Read more

"Love these little books so well written. Can’t put then down" Read more

"easy reading" Read more

6 customers mention "Mind relaxation"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book soothing and relaxing, with one mentioning it serves as a refreshing escape, while another appreciates its light-hearted and tender moments.

"...not at them" and the insight into the good people is believable and dear...." Read more

"...was a most enjoyable read and so perfect for bedtime and unwinding from a hectic day. I am greatly anticipating my next read in this series." Read more

"...There’s some laughs. There’s some tender moments. I am sold on the Constable." Read more

"...These books are light-hearted and humorous." Read more

11 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive8 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book slow and unengaging.

"...typical british novels,slow paced and tends to drag along. overall a clean historal read." Read more

"...I felt like I was reading a collection of daily events that lacked energy and direction. Just not my style...." Read more

"...No cheap shots. The humor is "laugh with them, not at them" and the insight into the good people is believable and dear...." Read more

"Not much of a detective story. More like the rambling tales of a country cop." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Vet's Daughter
    5.0 out of 5 stars love it!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    A policeman's equivalent of the events that James Herriot writes of in his biographical books of being a veterinarian in the days when life was simpler in some ways. And just as delightful. And so many more volumes to enjoy and to learn the most useful things - how to deal with chimney fires being one episode as an example.
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars a bobby journal
    Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    the life of a british rural bobby in the early 1960's,humorous tales of their duties. nice history lesson of british villagers life styles. typical british novels,slow paced and tends to drag along. overall a clean historal read.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Kindle Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant read but lacking engagement
    Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This book doesn't really match my preferred reading style. I enjoy relaxing and gentle reads, but I just couldn't get into this book. The characters weren't developed and I felt like I was reading a collection of daily events that lacked energy and direction. Just not my style. I do like novels like Alexander McCall Smith novels who have a similar relaxed style but those novels also have a group of characters that offer depth and personality. This novel does not do this and left me flat and uninterested.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars The book can be read and enjoyed by multiple age groups (exception young children)
    Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    The author writes like she is talking to you without campy statements or insider jokes. The incidents recorded are like someone you know would recount to you over a cup of tea. The stories are witty, sensitive and prone to stimulate your good wishes to the characters in the stories. No cheap shots. The humor is "laugh with them, not at them" and the insight into the good people is believable and dear. One can always pick up one of these books and just know you are in for a good time.
    Helpful
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  • Charlie/Dusty
    4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining
    Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Once I discovered that this was a book of memorabilia from a career as a police officer rather than a book from a mystery series, I very much enjoyed it. It took me a chapter or two to realize what it was, so in the first chapter I was trying to figure out what the mystery was going to be.
    Helpful
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  • Cassandra H
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This story was highly entertaining and quite delightful. The author really gave readers an enlightening glimpse into, and a better understanding of the rural law enforcers and their daily routines at that time. The characters were believable and witticisms meandered throughout the prose. This was a most enjoyable read and so perfect for bedtime and unwinding from a hectic day. I am greatly anticipating my next read in this series.
    Helpful
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  • jtass
    5.0 out of 5 stars In the still of the night
    Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    In this second volume of reminiscences the author focuses on stories concerning night patrols. As in other books in this series these are short vignettes based on the author's own experiences as a village constable in Yorkshire in the early 1960's. Many of the stories are humors, some to the laugh out loud level.
    4 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • quality & comfort
    4.0 out of 5 stars Nice feel-good series
    Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Almost all of this book's adventures were nighttime, as he's on night shift. It was interesting, but I missed the sunshine... felt strange to be in the dark through the whole story.
    I'd also like to get to know his family. They are rarely mentioned.
    There is very little "female" element in the story. But there was a bit of implied sex in this one, which was fun.
    I've been buying the kindle version with the "narrator added", which helps with interest.
    He puts words together well. A good writer. Nice narrator.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • sjj
    3.0 out of 5 stars A good book.
    Reviewed in Canada on September 18, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Found it was a little drawn out, but o'k reading.
    Report
  • WilliamF
    5.0 out of 5 stars A good read.
    Reviewed in Australia on November 30, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    A good read and good quality, just as advertised.
    Report
  • mike
    5.0 out of 5 stars A touching tale of rural Yorkshire
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 28, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I found this to be a mildy amusing easy read. Well written with not one boring page. I'll be reading some others in the same series, but perhaps not all 37!
    Report
  • Susi Moon.
    3.0 out of 5 stars It's OK
    Reviewed in Spain on December 15, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    A simple book.
    Report
  • Karen B
    4.0 out of 5 stars A relaxing read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 19, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a series of tales about being on night duty. Some were interesting & amusing, some were not. A bit too much waffle in places.
    I do feel these books are very short & as there are so many of them, 2 could hae been put together to make them better value.
    Report

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