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The Nostrils Series #1
From Green to Blue
Orphaned at eighteen, a naïve and solitary Chris Pritchard joins the Metropolitan Police in search of a family, friends and a regular income.
Despite barely concealed contempt for her hapless new charge, his experienced instructor WPC Dawn Matthews puppy walks him through a journey which is regularly amusing, frequently sad and occasionally bizarre.
On his last day of training, their growing friendship is put to the ultimate test.
From Green to Blue is told with a deference to realism which draws the reader into a murky world where the planting of evidence and perverting the course of justice are simply tools to oil the wheels of justice; and brutality and corruption are persistent if unwelcome companions.
The next book in the Trilogy, From Black to Blue, sees Christopher caught up in an maelstrom of police corruption; this is available to purchase on my author's page.
The author is a police officer who has served with the Met for over thirty years. Having walked the beat in the early eighties in some of London’s most fractious communities, he worked on a variety of specialist teams dealing with murder, fraud, witness protection and surveillance before becoming a Detective Inspector responsible for investigating the most serious cases of police corruption.
Despite barely concealed contempt for her hapless new charge, his experienced instructor WPC Dawn Matthews puppy walks him through a journey which is regularly amusing, frequently sad and occasionally bizarre.
On his last day of training, their growing friendship is put to the ultimate test.
From Green to Blue is told with a deference to realism which draws the reader into a murky world where the planting of evidence and perverting the course of justice are simply tools to oil the wheels of justice; and brutality and corruption are persistent if unwelcome companions.
The next book in the Trilogy, From Black to Blue, sees Christopher caught up in an maelstrom of police corruption; this is available to purchase on my author's page.
The author is a police officer who has served with the Met for over thirty years. Having walked the beat in the early eighties in some of London’s most fractious communities, he worked on a variety of specialist teams dealing with murder, fraud, witness protection and surveillance before becoming a Detective Inspector responsible for investigating the most serious cases of police corruption.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2013
339 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Cox
16 books34 followersJonathan Cox retired from the Metropolitan Police in 2013 and within days had published 'The Blue Trilogy', in which he hoped to capture the atmosphere and attitudes of policing in the 1980s.
Only ever intended to be just the three books, such was the success of the trilogy, four sequels followed; 'When You Wear The Blue', 'We Don’t Call Them Raids’, ‘A Necessary Fiction’ and ‘Purple Cover’ - making the complete set a seven book series.
The stories are penned with a deference to realism born of personal experience and have become a cult read for serving and retired officers.
The series follows the life of PC Chris Pritchard, aka Nostrils, who joined the Met in 1983 and like the author, was posted to a police station in London's tough East End. Each subsequent book is set several years later and collectively they trace the main character's police career via his numerous postings and his slow rise through the ranks.
Pritchard is an anti-hero, fatally flawed in so many ways, yet honest at heart and always loyal to his friends.
Jonathan's career was largely spent investigating police and public sector corruption and so his books tend to slant in that direction. He also completed postings on the murder squad, several crime squads, the Met fraud squad, a witness protection unit, a financial intelligence unit, a team investigating historic terrorist offences in Northern Ireland and counter corruption surveillance teams. He worked in Turkey on a policing project for HMG and spent many years seconded to a large government department combating corruption. During several of these postings, it was necessary for Jonathan to assume covert identities.
Jonathan concludes "Being a policeman was, and still is, the best job in the world. I was privileged to work alongside some really great people, many became life long friends, a few, pretty impressive enemies. I wish both every future happiness and success."
For up-to-date information on the series, including details of live events and the latest special offers, please follow the author's Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/FromGreenToBlue
Only ever intended to be just the three books, such was the success of the trilogy, four sequels followed; 'When You Wear The Blue', 'We Don’t Call Them Raids’, ‘A Necessary Fiction’ and ‘Purple Cover’ - making the complete set a seven book series.
The stories are penned with a deference to realism born of personal experience and have become a cult read for serving and retired officers.
The series follows the life of PC Chris Pritchard, aka Nostrils, who joined the Met in 1983 and like the author, was posted to a police station in London's tough East End. Each subsequent book is set several years later and collectively they trace the main character's police career via his numerous postings and his slow rise through the ranks.
Pritchard is an anti-hero, fatally flawed in so many ways, yet honest at heart and always loyal to his friends.
Jonathan's career was largely spent investigating police and public sector corruption and so his books tend to slant in that direction. He also completed postings on the murder squad, several crime squads, the Met fraud squad, a witness protection unit, a financial intelligence unit, a team investigating historic terrorist offences in Northern Ireland and counter corruption surveillance teams. He worked in Turkey on a policing project for HMG and spent many years seconded to a large government department combating corruption. During several of these postings, it was necessary for Jonathan to assume covert identities.
Jonathan concludes "Being a policeman was, and still is, the best job in the world. I was privileged to work alongside some really great people, many became life long friends, a few, pretty impressive enemies. I wish both every future happiness and success."
For up-to-date information on the series, including details of live events and the latest special offers, please follow the author's Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/FromGreenToBlue
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
October 5, 2024
Wow. This is one of the best police procedural novels I've ever read. Set in the early 80s in London, the story addresses all the predictable prejudices that a teenage cop fresh from the academy might encounter. There are two things that elevate this novel to wonderful status. First, the narrative voice of Chris Pritchard, a green and sweet-natured recruit whose observations about his training are often hilarious, sometimes ironic, and always touching. Second, the relationship of Chris and Dawn Matthews, the WPC who must "puppy walk" him through the first months of his training The gradual , often painful steps toward friendship between them are both poignant and memorable.
A truly great read that I powered through in a day and a half.
A truly great read that I powered through in a day and a half.
March 25, 2013
Excellent book full of laugh out loud moments as well as poignant ones. Well worth downloading.
October 1, 2013
Entertaining but not enough to inspire me to read the next one in the series
December 24, 2024
Really enjoyed this book! It follows young and naive 19 year old Chris who joins the Police, with little to no life experience and the challenges he faces becoming a police officer in the 1980s, from trying to earn the trust and respect of his colleagues to dealing with the corruption. I loved watching how Chris’s relationships with his colleagues developed and grew. The book was easy to read, hard hitting at times and had a tear jerking end I didn’t see coming. I’m looking forward to reading the next instalment in the series and what the future has in store for Chris.
February 6, 2021
Gritty
Wasn't really expecting a lot from this book but once I got in to it I really enjoyed it. The trials and tribulations of a fresh faced 19 year old learning the rules of a dated sometimes corrupt institution, dealing with strong characters and sometimes sublime situations was really enjoyable. Can't wait to read the next installment
Wasn't really expecting a lot from this book but once I got in to it I really enjoyed it. The trials and tribulations of a fresh faced 19 year old learning the rules of a dated sometimes corrupt institution, dealing with strong characters and sometimes sublime situations was really enjoyable. Can't wait to read the next installment
November 5, 2021
A really good read and an accurate account of policing in the early 80s. In fact, I was surprised at the end to read that none of the characters were real, nor based on real people - I can only assume the author is a time served Bobby given the depth of knowledge! A really good read and I’ll be purchasing the next one in the series
August 29, 2020
bought this book through a recommendation on Facebook. As you read, You really feel that you are there with the characters and involved in their daily lives as Met Police .very well written some great humour in places and life experience which make you think how life was for young people in the late 70s early 80,s .looking forward to reading the rest of the book,s in this series
bought this book through a recommendation on Facebook. As you read, You really feel that you are there with the characters and involved in their daily lives as Met Police .very well written some great humour in places and life experience which make you think how life was for young people in the late 70s early 80,s .looking forward to reading the rest of the book,s in this series
bought this book through a recommendation on Facebook. As you read, You really feel that you are there with the characters and involved in their daily lives as Met Police .very well written some great humour in places and life experience which make you think how life was for young people in the late 70s early 80,s .looking forward to reading the rest of the book,s in this series
June 4, 2023
*gifted with no obligation to review* I was shocked as to how much I enjoyed this book.
This books follows Chris as he navigates his start to police life ( in the 80’s) which is somewhat challenging for him. He seems to do everything wrong much to the horror of his mentor Dawn.
I really enjoyed seeing Chris and Dawns friendship grow and some of the events in this book made me howl with laughter or gasp in horror. This really felt like non fiction ( it’s not) and the characters felt so real. So much so the twist at the end nearly made me shed a tear. Would definitely pick up the second book to read the next stage in Chris’s life.
This books follows Chris as he navigates his start to police life ( in the 80’s) which is somewhat challenging for him. He seems to do everything wrong much to the horror of his mentor Dawn.
I really enjoyed seeing Chris and Dawns friendship grow and some of the events in this book made me howl with laughter or gasp in horror. This really felt like non fiction ( it’s not) and the characters felt so real. So much so the twist at the end nearly made me shed a tear. Would definitely pick up the second book to read the next stage in Chris’s life.
December 19, 2020
I feel this book does a disservice to anyone who served in the Met in the 80's. Within weeks he has experienced everything negative that happened in those days, though there is certainly truth within. Some stories made me laugh out loud, some made me deeply uncomfortable. As a female who joined the force the year before this is set, I could identify with some of the attitudes but at nearly halfway through, I had to stop reading. I would hate people to think every copper was dishonest, bending truths and brutal in those days.
April 28, 2021
Having been a copper myself in the 70's during the IRA campaign and also through the miners dispute of the 80's, working in Birmingham City Centre with the then Birmingham City Police later to become The West Midlands Police. I found Green to Blue an easy to read and follow storyline. It certainly highlighted the change from the police force I served in, too the police service we have today. I throughly enjoyed the authors storyline and his obvious intimate knowledge of 'The Met', all in all a highly recommended light hearted yet at times serious read...
April 16, 2022
Captures the Met in all it’s glory… warts and all.
As an ex Metropolitan Police officer I could so relate to the various threads. Every nick (just like every other workplace) had it’s fair share of characters - some definitely bent but the majority of the folk I worked with were good people. This book captures all these differences and seamlessly moves from comedic recollections to raw tragedy. Will definitely be reading the next book in the series and so, on that basis, I would highly recommend this book for anybody interested in the Police Service.
As an ex Metropolitan Police officer I could so relate to the various threads. Every nick (just like every other workplace) had it’s fair share of characters - some definitely bent but the majority of the folk I worked with were good people. This book captures all these differences and seamlessly moves from comedic recollections to raw tragedy. Will definitely be reading the next book in the series and so, on that basis, I would highly recommend this book for anybody interested in the Police Service.
November 30, 2025
I can see from the many positive reviews from what sound like ex cops or ex copper SO’s that there is a lot of truth in what is written.
From making sure the law is enforced by whatever means necessary, to general bigotry.
However the whiplash from gritty cop book to smut lands really awkwardly. With very little reason as to the need for the addition, especially given the detail.
The relationship between Chris and Dawn is wholesome and it’s generally well written but the blend of genres didn’t have me sold.
From making sure the law is enforced by whatever means necessary, to general bigotry.
However the whiplash from gritty cop book to smut lands really awkwardly. With very little reason as to the need for the addition, especially given the detail.
The relationship between Chris and Dawn is wholesome and it’s generally well written but the blend of genres didn’t have me sold.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2020
A British cop book to beat Dixon of Dock Green
So funny & so believable, I have been rivetted by it, enjoying every page. Simply written in bite sized chapters the subjects of each being a credible crime solved with humour & pathos. Got to love the main characters, but also each of the more minor players is an interesting individual. The book FEELS like it ought to be true.
Basically I loved it from cover to cover.
So funny & so believable, I have been rivetted by it, enjoying every page. Simply written in bite sized chapters the subjects of each being a credible crime solved with humour & pathos. Got to love the main characters, but also each of the more minor players is an interesting individual. The book FEELS like it ought to be true.
Basically I loved it from cover to cover.
June 16, 2021
Whilst clearly based on the author's own experiences as a police officer this is a work of fiction- I joined the police 15 years earlier and whilst some of the "iffy" practices definitely happened ,setting them all in one place gives a false impression that all officers were involved. It is an enjoyable read but has to be read as fiction.
as an aside the White Hart pub that is mentioned is next door to Stoke Newington Police Station and was where I had my wedding reception
as an aside the White Hart pub that is mentioned is next door to Stoke Newington Police Station and was where I had my wedding reception
January 26, 2022
Fantastic read.
I’m so pleased I started reading this. It’s not my normal type of book at all, but perhaps I should change my ‘normal’ to this, whatever this is.
I was enthralled by Chris and Dawn: both so much more normal and infinitely more human than most characters in literature. Seeing Chris develop from a naive teenage probationer into a time-served (well, three months) constable was so believable.
I’m so pleased I started reading this. It’s not my normal type of book at all, but perhaps I should change my ‘normal’ to this, whatever this is.
I was enthralled by Chris and Dawn: both so much more normal and infinitely more human than most characters in literature. Seeing Chris develop from a naive teenage probationer into a time-served (well, three months) constable was so believable.
September 16, 2020
This is a must read book.
This book kept me captivated from start to finish,brilliantly written .
The story has parts that made you chuckle and others that made you think ,if you want to sit and have a good read pick this book I guarantee you won't be dissapointed.
I am reading next book totally hooked.
This book kept me captivated from start to finish,brilliantly written .
The story has parts that made you chuckle and others that made you think ,if you want to sit and have a good read pick this book I guarantee you won't be dissapointed.
I am reading next book totally hooked.
February 13, 2021
For me this was a really good read, I have personal memories of policing in the 80’s and I can really relate to the main character a young Constable Chris Pritchard who as the title suggests is very “green” when starting out on his policing career in London. Some fantastic funny moments as well as hard hitting reality of being a young cop. Very well described characters and plot.
July 23, 2021
A must read for all ex or serving police officers
This book is one of a series of seven books relating to this officer and his career in the Metropolitan Police. I have to say that I was so enthralled by the adventures the officer negotiated that I was compelled to read all seven within a week.
This book is one of a series of seven books relating to this officer and his career in the Metropolitan Police. I have to say that I was so enthralled by the adventures the officer negotiated that I was compelled to read all seven within a week.
November 28, 2021
A must read for anyone in the job
I love this book as its well written and a mixture of fiction characters in a non-fiction setting in the Met Police in the 1980's
Ut also set in North London close to where I grew up and was able to recognise some of the key area around Hackney.
But a great read, and now onto part two.
Best wishes Sean ex RE Sapper
I love this book as its well written and a mixture of fiction characters in a non-fiction setting in the Met Police in the 1980's
Ut also set in North London close to where I grew up and was able to recognise some of the key area around Hackney.
But a great read, and now onto part two.
Best wishes Sean ex RE Sapper
January 2, 2022
Exceptionally well written book
Despite this book being based in the East of London, it brought back so many memories of characters I encountered in a West London station in the same era. The story follows the development of a spectacularly inept probationer Constable, who gradually develops into a talented and useful officer.
This is one of the best police books I’ve read.
Despite this book being based in the East of London, it brought back so many memories of characters I encountered in a West London station in the same era. The story follows the development of a spectacularly inept probationer Constable, who gradually develops into a talented and useful officer.
This is one of the best police books I’ve read.
April 28, 2022
This book based on police procedural is very funny at times and very dark as others. I really enjoyed the read and stayed up late reading which i haven't done for a while. It was also nice to read a book and know most of the places mentioned even if some (The Reindeer Pub) are no longer in existence.I fully recommend reading this.
November 26, 2024
The tales of a young MET police officer who is trying to find his way in life, and the job, was unexpectedly funny, sad, and downright tragic.
Chris’ ability to put his foot in his mouth without even realising made me physically facepalm multiple times, while his utter incomprehension of certain things made me laugh out loud.
The last lines of this book are haunting
Chris’ ability to put his foot in his mouth without even realising made me physically facepalm multiple times, while his utter incomprehension of certain things made me laugh out loud.
The last lines of this book are haunting
March 9, 2019
Great read
I found this book a great read, the main characters were well described and the situations were realistic. If you are a fan of this type of fiction then you will love this one
I found this book a great read, the main characters were well described and the situations were realistic. If you are a fan of this type of fiction then you will love this one
June 26, 2020
Oh so true, takes you back to the early 80’s, how times have changed.
so true, takes you back to the early 80’s, how times have changed. Well worth a read, once started you won’t put it down till finished.
so true, takes you back to the early 80’s, how times have changed. Well worth a read, once started you won’t put it down till finished.
Read
July 8, 2020A Very Personal and Public Story
As a former probationary and tutor constable, I c a n relate to a lot of the content. Every officer has similar experiences. It's how you deal with those experiences that makes or breaks you. Well worth a read by anyone.
As a former probationary and tutor constable, I c a n relate to a lot of the content. Every officer has similar experiences. It's how you deal with those experiences that makes or breaks you. Well worth a read by anyone.
July 12, 2020
Gripping Police Novell
I bought this book through a recommendation on Facebook. As you read, You really feel that you are there with the characters and involved in their daily lives as Met Police Officers.
I bought this book through a recommendation on Facebook. As you read, You really feel that you are there with the characters and involved in their daily lives as Met Police Officers.
September 5, 2020
Amazing how good this was to read.
I loved every page of the book ,it was funny and tragic at the same time l can relate to the era and the area ,the Rookie cop and his training what an experience.
I loved every page of the book ,it was funny and tragic at the same time l can relate to the era and the area ,the Rookie cop and his training what an experience.
September 5, 2020
Really enjoyed it
Had all the right things for me, realism,good story telling, and lots of good characters who were essentially human? None of them perfect but learning to get through.
Had all the right things for me, realism,good story telling, and lots of good characters who were essentially human? None of them perfect but learning to get through.
September 6, 2020
Fabulous!
Thoroughly enjoyed this book!....won't spoil it for anyone else.. but trust me...you won't want to put it down! I have downloaded the other books and can't wait to read them too.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book!....won't spoil it for anyone else.. but trust me...you won't want to put it down! I have downloaded the other books and can't wait to read them too.
September 23, 2020
So true to life are you sure its fiction.
I could not put this story down. It is so true to life that it was like reading a biography.
Plenty of laugh out loud moments balanced with the sadness of human life at the front line of London Policing.
I could not put this story down. It is so true to life that it was like reading a biography.
Plenty of laugh out loud moments balanced with the sadness of human life at the front line of London Policing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews