Constable On View

Constable Nick Mystery #33

by Nicolas Rhea

As Constable Nick of Aidensfield continues to patrol his varied beat in the picturesque countryside of the North Yorkshire Moors, he recalls the wisdom of his former training sergeant: constables should see and be seen - when wearing the uniform they are on view all the time and must act positively but with decorum.

Surrounded by stunning long-distance views, Constable Nick takes advantage of the landscape to help in his constabulary duties. From a lofty vantage point, he sees a red-coated woman who vanishes minutes later; he notices the theft of thousands of trees from the side of a dale but deals with more local problems, such as the Aidensfield family who were locked out of their home and the burglar who entered isolated farms to leave only a note saying he could have stolen everything. Claude Jeremiah Greengrass reports the theft of two tons of door knockers, while the family of a drowned man refuse to take responsibility for burying him. Bats in a local church, a man who might strangle his wife and another who takes a sentimental journey never to return are all part of Nick's constabulary duties in Aidensfield.

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007