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Constable Nick Mystery #17
Constable About the Parish
There’s never a dull moment for Constable Nick. And it’s all thanks to the good folk of Aidensfield.
They’re the salt of the earth and would never miss church on a Sunday. But the rest of the week, they’re Constable Nick’s problem. And there’s no end to their antics.
A foul-mouthed groundskeeper with a voice like a foghorn.
A helpless baby left on the church’s doorstep.
A camp full of rowdy Borstal boys brought to the village for ‘rehabilitation’.
Constable Nick must contend with all these characters and more besides.
Can he keep the peace before the entire village goes to hell?
They’re the salt of the earth and would never miss church on a Sunday. But the rest of the week, they’re Constable Nick’s problem. And there’s no end to their antics.
A foul-mouthed groundskeeper with a voice like a foghorn.
A helpless baby left on the church’s doorstep.
A camp full of rowdy Borstal boys brought to the village for ‘rehabilitation’.
Constable Nick must contend with all these characters and more besides.
Can he keep the peace before the entire village goes to hell?
178 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 21, 2025
"Constable about the Parish" is a little more slow and less captivating book in comparison to the other Nicholas Rhea books I've read so far. The first two chapters are the funniest and my favourite, but other than those they all feel the same. Still an enjoyable read for any fans of Heartbeat.
July 24, 2018
I enjoyed this although at times I wasn't quite sure if this was fiction or a memoir. The stories of the village people would probably upset a few of them or their descendants if Rhea used their real names. Rhea's early career as a policeman formed the basis for the mainly amusing tales of life in North Yorkshire in the early and mid-1900s. The characters were quite likeable and one gets the sense that life was lived in a far less hectic way than most of us experience now.
April 30, 2021
Another great book
Another great collection of memories of his time as a constable in rural Yorkshire. This time featured around the churches and other religious sites on his beat. Very interesting and quite funny in parts.
Another great collection of memories of his time as a constable in rural Yorkshire. This time featured around the churches and other religious sites on his beat. Very interesting and quite funny in parts.
June 13, 2022
Narrative w/o plot
It was very slow moving with much trivial detail and no definitive conclusion. It would be interesting for someone interested in archaic laws still existing in rural English communities
It was very slow moving with much trivial detail and no definitive conclusion. It would be interesting for someone interested in archaic laws still existing in rural English communities
February 28, 2021
Village working together
I think that it’s a shame that village’s didn’t still work in the way described in this book. It brings back memories of my childhood. Congratulations.
I think that it’s a shame that village’s didn’t still work in the way described in this book. It brings back memories of my childhood. Congratulations.
April 21, 2022
These stories did center around the various parishes and maybe that is why they were so gentle and sweet and heart-warming. A good read for these days!
June 7, 2020
Even though I am giving this book the same 3-star rating as the first Constable book (On the Hill,) this one is far more deserving and if possible, I would give it 3.5 stars. One complaint remains the same however, these are NOT mysteries, although I suppose you could stretch a point and say that some chapters in this outing, at least, involve secrets that have festered for decades.
Now we come to my next point, which is why is secrecy so sacred to these rural Yorkshire people? Even after Constable Rhea ferrets out the solution to some of the zealously guarded "skeletons in the closet," he still chooses to leave the people most concerned in the dark. I am a believer that even when it hurts to know the truth, it is better than remaining in ignorance and misunderstanding.
This book covers far more substantial topics than the others, ranging from incest, murder, stalking, suicide to a hidden crypt! However, these intriguing stories unfold between two of the most innocuous and, dare I say, boring, chapters which both introduce and end this entry of the series. If you can get past the first lame narrative of "Beating the Bounds of the Parish," (by the way, that ancient description of verifying the boundaries is by far the most interesting bit in the whole chapter!) you will be pleasantly rewarded for your perseverance as it investigates much more deeply into the recesses of village life as it progresses. That is, until the very end when we are "treated" to even more information on the crime of "sacrilege" than any reader is likely to want to learn! Sadly, this book begins and ends on a very low note.
Now we come to my next point, which is why is secrecy so sacred to these rural Yorkshire people? Even after Constable Rhea ferrets out the solution to some of the zealously guarded "skeletons in the closet," he still chooses to leave the people most concerned in the dark. I am a believer that even when it hurts to know the truth, it is better than remaining in ignorance and misunderstanding.
This book covers far more substantial topics than the others, ranging from incest, murder, stalking, suicide to a hidden crypt! However, these intriguing stories unfold between two of the most innocuous and, dare I say, boring, chapters which both introduce and end this entry of the series. If you can get past the first lame narrative of "Beating the Bounds of the Parish," (by the way, that ancient description of verifying the boundaries is by far the most interesting bit in the whole chapter!) you will be pleasantly rewarded for your perseverance as it investigates much more deeply into the recesses of village life as it progresses. That is, until the very end when we are "treated" to even more information on the crime of "sacrilege" than any reader is likely to want to learn! Sadly, this book begins and ends on a very low note.
April 18, 2017
I like the small town aspects of the Constable Nick books, but this one has some disturbing elements at times. It's difficult to believe that at one time 'sacrilege' would carry such a stiff penalty, even if rarely prosecuted. The arguments about sacrilege became repetitive and boring after awhile. I liked the incident of the races between the Anglican and Catholic churches for a cup and money, but perhaps it proves why religion is a difficult subject to discuss in almost any book without creating harsh feelings for some participants.
December 20, 2016
A read that truly transports you to small town England - complete with local cranks and disruptive teenagers and village fetes on the green. What sets this apart from other gentle collections of rural life (say the A Doctor in Ireland series) is Mr. Rhea's unflinching look at some of the more complicated crimes and moral dilemmas faced by the police. A very satisfying read.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 22, 2018
Good book!
I really enjoyed this book. I like reading about the adventures of Constable Nick. This book gives fascinating details on what Constable Nick encounters during the course of his police duties. I highly recommend it to other readers who enjoy police procedurals.
I really enjoyed this book. I like reading about the adventures of Constable Nick. This book gives fascinating details on what Constable Nick encounters during the course of his police duties. I highly recommend it to other readers who enjoy police procedurals.
November 4, 2019
Excellent
As always Nicholas Rhea takes us back in time to remember and sometimes appreciate times past, although there was less money around we did appear to be happy with better neighbours and more support.
As always Nicholas Rhea takes us back in time to remember and sometimes appreciate times past, although there was less money around we did appear to be happy with better neighbours and more support.
October 27, 2019
Light reading...enjoyable
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews