Sergeant Blaketon is a force to be reckoned with — Ashfordly Police’s most redoubtable old stalwart. He’s ruled the roost longer than anyone cares to remember.
Now comes the bombshell that he’s ready to retire.
Constable Nick can’t imagine village life without him. But he must find a way to carry on.
What’s to be done about the lairy goat terrorizing motorists? Or the tiny human skeleton discovered in a derelict cottage? Not to mention Greengrass’s latest roguish enterprise — a school of motoring.
With Blaketon gone, Constable Nick has some big shoes to fill . . .
I never thought I’d have to say it, but this is my last Constable book. Most of the books up to this point have been good in a nostalgic sort of way. Although the writing is mediocre, the stories were fun to read because of the setting and constantly changing cast of characters. But many of the books detoured to mini political rants about the party that the author seemed to obsessively hate. This particular book took it to the next level. Well, since I see enough political fanaticism on the news, the last thing I want is to be confronted with it in my fiction books. One of the reasons I read them is to escape the crazies (on all sides of the political spectrum…) in real life. It’s been a good run, but just like Sargent Blaketon, I’m retiring from this series of books that have such great potential. (Plus, I’m a bit sick of the contrived Jeremiah Greengrass tales.)
Blaketon has retired and that was a focus of this book--as well as many stories about some of the unusual houses in Rhea's area--large houses and small. Some houses were inherited but there wasn't enough money to maintain them properly. The mystery of a child's skeleton found under cement in an outbuilding was not solved--maybe it will come up later.
I find these stories to be a relaxing read. I will continue to get more of them with my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
As usual I enjoyed reading Nicholas Rhea's book. His characters are interesting as usual. He has a pretty good grip on human nature. It takes all kinds to make the world go round, for sure.
Another great collection of memories from his time as a village Bobby and featuring the retirement of Sergeant Oscar Blaketon. These books are always an enjoyable read.