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The Nostrils Series #4
When you Wear the Blue
Would you put friendship before your sworn duty?
When a colleague’s car is found abandoned near a popular suicide spot, DS Pritchard and his team must choose between their loyalty to a fellow officer, who is in desperate need of their help, and their allegiance to the Metropolitan Police.
When a colleague’s car is found abandoned near a popular suicide spot, DS Pritchard and his team must choose between their loyalty to a fellow officer, who is in desperate need of their help, and their allegiance to the Metropolitan Police.
- GenresCrime
385 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 12, 2017
59 people are currently reading
27 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
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 30, 2021
Exceptional depiction of policing in the 1970-1980 era.
This is the fourth of the Nostrils series that I have read and I can honestly say that each and every one has been compelling reading. The author has certainly researched what it was like policing in the 70's and 80's and the story lines depict what went on in the larger city forces. I love the characters and found this diverting reading. Cannot wait to get hold of the next in the series.
This is the fourth of the Nostrils series that I have read and I can honestly say that each and every one has been compelling reading. The author has certainly researched what it was like policing in the 70's and 80's and the story lines depict what went on in the larger city forces. I love the characters and found this diverting reading. Cannot wait to get hold of the next in the series.
October 23, 2020
Fantastic read
This is a highly entertaining read. Once i started i couldn't put it down until I had finished. The language, procedures and context appear highly accurate and believable which isn't a surprise considering the authors experience. Highly recommended reading for both police and non police
This is a highly entertaining read. Once i started i couldn't put it down until I had finished. The language, procedures and context appear highly accurate and believable which isn't a surprise considering the authors experience. Highly recommended reading for both police and non police
October 27, 2020
Exciting
What can I say about these books? Whether you are a cop or just like cop stories you will want to read these, but start at one because he talks about life through out the series. Don't want to ruin it for you but I have so enjoyed getting to know Chris and living through his eyes. Just my thoughts if they can make a show out of Des why not this?
What can I say about these books? Whether you are a cop or just like cop stories you will want to read these, but start at one because he talks about life through out the series. Don't want to ruin it for you but I have so enjoyed getting to know Chris and living through his eyes. Just my thoughts if they can make a show out of Des why not this?
December 7, 2020
I hope this is not a spoiler but the books starts off with a very vivid story about a sexual assault, it might put people off #
Chris is now married and working with a team including Bob who is in trouble and asks for Chris help
the story is sad and weird at the same time .I loved it. didn't see the tails ending coming the way it did which is good
Chris is now married and working with a team including Bob who is in trouble and asks for Chris help
the story is sad and weird at the same time .I loved it. didn't see the tails ending coming the way it did which is good
March 30, 2022
Finished 'when you wear the blue' book today 5*/5* a fantastic read as always.
Really well wrote, didn't take me as long to get into this book as the previous book. A really good ending and not what i was expecting......
Every book i read in the series i feel as though i am mates with nostrils and i want him to do well in everything 🤣
I become attached to him, that's how well wrote it is
Really well wrote, didn't take me as long to get into this book as the previous book. A really good ending and not what i was expecting......
Every book i read in the series i feel as though i am mates with nostrils and i want him to do well in everything 🤣
I become attached to him, that's how well wrote it is
May 25, 2025
Another brilliant book
The nostril series is absolutely great that’s 4 out of 8 Ive read in less than a month. Can’t wait for the rest which I’ve already purchased. Brilliant writing by Jonathan Cox.
The nostril series is absolutely great that’s 4 out of 8 Ive read in less than a month. Can’t wait for the rest which I’ve already purchased. Brilliant writing by Jonathan Cox.
November 23, 2025
A relatively easy read and whilst fictional, for anyone who has been in The Job over the years, there are loads of trends, occurrences & things you’ll recognise- and if you only joined within the last decade, also hopefully lots of things you won’t.
March 12, 2019
Superb
Another great book in the series. Lots of twists and turns definitely one to read. Chris Pritchard is one hell of a cop with many more tales to tell hopefully
Another great book in the series. Lots of twists and turns definitely one to read. Chris Pritchard is one hell of a cop with many more tales to tell hopefully
September 4, 2020
Love these books
Have read all the series so far and have loved every one. Fast paced page turners. Have already downloaded the last one.
Have read all the series so far and have loved every one. Fast paced page turners. Have already downloaded the last one.
September 11, 2020
Excellent
Gritty Police procedural, I hate Kitty.,...........
Have read the previous three, looking forward to the next one. Hopefully there will be more.
Gritty Police procedural, I hate Kitty.,...........
Have read the previous three, looking forward to the next one. Hopefully there will be more.
October 1, 2020
Excellent. I can’t wait to start the fifth in the series. I loved the first book and they just get better and better.
October 9, 2020
I have thoroughly enjoyed everyone of the books in this series
October 23, 2020
Superb
This series goesfrom strength to strength and this book doesn't disappoint.
Superb believable ot and very rewle characters.love it !!!!
This series goesfrom strength to strength and this book doesn't disappoint.
Superb believable ot and very rewle characters.love it !!!!
April 19, 2021
Another great yarn.
Fourth book in the series. Nostrils as usual tried his best to be the best police officer he can. Great read as always
Fourth book in the series. Nostrils as usual tried his best to be the best police officer he can. Great read as always
September 6, 2021
Highly recommended
Brilliant and a thumping good read.
Very Believable.
ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE
Brilliant and a thumping good read.
Very Believable.
ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE
June 1, 2022
Nostrills Book 4. Loved it. A great nostalgic read. Fast paced with plenty of twists and turns.
Read
March 6, 2025Awesome
Brilliant. Could not stop reading I felt part of Nostrils team looking forward to the next episode of Nostrils career.
Brilliant. Could not stop reading I felt part of Nostrils team looking forward to the next episode of Nostrils career.
March 18, 2025
Excellent read.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews