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Constable Nick Mystery #7
Constable Along the Lane
1980’s Yorkshire
The life of a countryside policeman is certainly a hectic one.
For Constable Nick, his police duties may not be as fraught with danger as his city counterparts, but he is certainly kept on his toes…
From obnoxious cleaners, to lost children and even the occasional arsonist – being a local policeman means never a dull day and Nick increasingly has his work cut out.
At the same time, the people of Aidensfield and the surrounding areas never fail to amuse with their eccentric ways…
They can even be a great help – say when the local bus driver helps stop a car thief!
With a glider crashing into a thatched cottage, or the awkwardness of a pig thief and their stolen pig giving birth in one of the cells, village life is nothing but eventful.
And for Constable Nick, raising a young family, dealing with awkward colleagues – and even the odd crime…it’s all in a day’s work.
Constable Along the Lane is as enlightening as it is amusing; sure to keep you entertained and intrigued all at once.
Praise for Nicholas Rhea
‘Splendid reading.’ – Police Journal
‘It’s original, it’s funny…one of life’s little pleasures.’ – Yorkshire Post
For the last 30 years, Nicholas Rhea has been writing books, drawing on his experiences in the police force, his never-ending enthusiasm for Yorkshire and his continuing interest in crime fact and fiction. His best known work, the Constable Nick Mystery Series, provided the inspiration for the hugely popular TV series Heartbeat and he remained involved with the series as a consultant until filming ended in 2009.
The life of a countryside policeman is certainly a hectic one.
For Constable Nick, his police duties may not be as fraught with danger as his city counterparts, but he is certainly kept on his toes…
From obnoxious cleaners, to lost children and even the occasional arsonist – being a local policeman means never a dull day and Nick increasingly has his work cut out.
At the same time, the people of Aidensfield and the surrounding areas never fail to amuse with their eccentric ways…
They can even be a great help – say when the local bus driver helps stop a car thief!
With a glider crashing into a thatched cottage, or the awkwardness of a pig thief and their stolen pig giving birth in one of the cells, village life is nothing but eventful.
And for Constable Nick, raising a young family, dealing with awkward colleagues – and even the odd crime…it’s all in a day’s work.
Constable Along the Lane is as enlightening as it is amusing; sure to keep you entertained and intrigued all at once.
Praise for Nicholas Rhea
‘Splendid reading.’ – Police Journal
‘It’s original, it’s funny…one of life’s little pleasures.’ – Yorkshire Post
For the last 30 years, Nicholas Rhea has been writing books, drawing on his experiences in the police force, his never-ending enthusiasm for Yorkshire and his continuing interest in crime fact and fiction. His best known work, the Constable Nick Mystery Series, provided the inspiration for the hugely popular TV series Heartbeat and he remained involved with the series as a consultant until filming ended in 2009.
184 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1987
279 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 19, 2018
now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
June 1, 2021
Excellent series and narrator Philip Franks is wonderful. I have now listened to all that currently are available on Audible, need more please. I think it helps that I didn't see the TV series Heartbeat as I have no preconception of the characters. Certainly the Sergeant reminds me so much of the one whom I served under in the 1970's. This series has made me laugh out loud and caused tears. More please Audible
December 31, 2022
This seemed to have a gentler tone to it than others in the series, perhaps it had to do with the location , or the fact that it was earlier in Nicholas’s policing career? The last story felt like a disappointing way to end this book so it lost a whole star right there.
December 23, 2020
Good book!
I love reading about Constable Rhea's life and police work in and around the village of Aidensfield, Yorkshire. I can picture in my mind's eye everything that happens in the book as I read about it. I highly recommend this book to those who like to read police procedurals as those who enjoy reading stories about human nature.as well
I love reading about Constable Rhea's life and police work in and around the village of Aidensfield, Yorkshire. I can picture in my mind's eye everything that happens in the book as I read about it. I highly recommend this book to those who like to read police procedurals as those who enjoy reading stories about human nature.as well
October 31, 2020
Not sure if this is really memoir but it certainly is pleasant reading. I have read seven and will read more--just not all at once. Every few weeks I download another volume and enjoy following Constable Nick Rhea's adventures from lost donkeys to potential arson of haystacks. It looks as if I can download these volumes for a long time--many more to go.
July 14, 2020
Relaxing read
I enjoyed the Constable Along the Lane. It wasn’t spellbinding or very exciting but you did feel you were there in the Cotswolds. He does a good job of describing the place and the people.
I enjoyed the Constable Along the Lane. It wasn’t spellbinding or very exciting but you did feel you were there in the Cotswolds. He does a good job of describing the place and the people.
June 15, 2020
Another great story
Another great collection of memories about the life of a country policeman in a time that was sedate and simple. Also with a good sense of humour.
Another great collection of memories about the life of a country policeman in a time that was sedate and simple. Also with a good sense of humour.
August 22, 2020
Enjoyable and informative
Calming and good hearted. The constable does his bit to make England a good place to live. He is no quiet mental.
Calming and good hearted. The constable does his bit to make England a good place to live. He is no quiet mental.
August 30, 2020
Feel good reading
Perfect mind candy with enjoyable stories. I enjoyed reading about the English countryside and the lives of the inhabitants in the villages
Perfect mind candy with enjoyable stories. I enjoyed reading about the English countryside and the lives of the inhabitants in the villages
October 2, 2024
Another collection of stories of a Yorkshire police officer: the basis for the 1990's "Heartbeat" TV series. Some funny, some sad, some poignant. An easy read and a good one.
June 2, 2020
Travel along with Constable Nick Rhea as he patrols the Yorkshire countryside. In this book we find out what happens when the policeman's own three-year-old son wanders away while Nick is supposed to be keeping an eye on his four young children. Another incident involves him rushing his daughter to the emergency room of the hospital for stitches where the assisting nurse makes disparaging remarks about bad parents. We share heartbreaking results of diseases that affect farm animals and farmers who will never recover from the financial losses as well as arson incidents involving hay stacks and barns filled with hay. Very interesting series, am looking forward to the next one.
July 11, 2022
All the Nicholas Rhea books are so endearing, so real, so authentic (NOT MYSTERIES, they should not be advertised like that). These are simple, real stories throughout Nicholas Rhea's work as a Constable in different towns in Yorkshire. I love to read them before sleeping, they always bring the lives and struggles and adventures and characters in those towns in the 60's. PURE JOY from real life, and also great learnings from those stories which, as life, did not have a 'happy ending' but which still feel true and inspiring . I will continue reading all his books.
December 8, 2016
4 stars
Another gentle, delightful read from Nicholas Rhea. What I like about these stories is that there is no overt violence or swearing in them. It’s just a casual journey about the village investigating mostly interesting (somewhat minor), crimes while enjoying the countryside.
Thank you to Netgalley and Endeavour Press for allowing me to read this most excellent book.
Another gentle, delightful read from Nicholas Rhea. What I like about these stories is that there is no overt violence or swearing in them. It’s just a casual journey about the village investigating mostly interesting (somewhat minor), crimes while enjoying the countryside.
Thank you to Netgalley and Endeavour Press for allowing me to read this most excellent book.
December 31, 2019
Im really enjoying the Constable series.
This book gives readers another look into an earlier more peaceful era and the day to day work of a rural bobby. While the book is fiction, it's easy to see that a lot of these stories are very true to life, and told with humor, understanding, and compassion.
This book gives readers another look into an earlier more peaceful era and the day to day work of a rural bobby. While the book is fiction, it's easy to see that a lot of these stories are very true to life, and told with humor, understanding, and compassion.
May 17, 2020
I find Nicholas Rhea’s Constable Nick series continues to touch my heart. There is always something to make me laugh. The entire book brings me a sense of peace, as well. And who doesn’t need that? These little memoirs are not thrillers; they’re trips to rural villages in the UK from around 1950’-1960’s. I highly recommend this book.
March 17, 2017
PC Rhea is a constable in the Yorkshire. Not many major crimes occur but sometimes life is entertaining and sometimes it is heartbreaking. Looking forward to reading more in this series.
August 28, 2018
Great tale of rural reality of the time
This is well written and does reflect the pace of life in rural North Yorkshire at that time. Some good humor and community spirit
This is well written and does reflect the pace of life in rural North Yorkshire at that time. Some good humor and community spirit
September 3, 2019
Wonderfully interesting stories and anecdotes that amused and made great reading. It was hard to put down.
May 27, 2020
Called mysteries, they read like a memoir. Nothing like a mystery, but fabulous all the same.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews