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Constable Nick Mystery #19
Constable at the Dam
When Sergeant Blaketon learns of the Swanland Corporation's plan to build a reservoir in a beautiful valley near Aidensfield he is more than a little concerned. The project, he is convinced, will result in drunken brawls between construction workers and the local men, competition for and among the local women, and a general disruption of village life.
As work gets under way, however, the community of Aidensfield remains relatively unchanged. But as PC Nick patrols his beat he becomes aware that, for some, the dam cannot help but have its effect. Local artist Gordon Precious and his glamorous wife Deirdre seem to be heading for stormy waters, and teenagers Elaine and Denise have developed an alarming fascination with the construction site...
As work gets under way, however, the community of Aidensfield remains relatively unchanged. But as PC Nick patrols his beat he becomes aware that, for some, the dam cannot help but have its effect. Local artist Gordon Precious and his glamorous wife Deirdre seem to be heading for stormy waters, and teenagers Elaine and Denise have developed an alarming fascination with the construction site...
- GenresMystery
192 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 21, 2021
Another good story
These are feel good stories. Quite the change from the usual fare of gruesomeness that is prevalent today. Much like the “All Creatures Great and Small” series. I recommend these.
These are feel good stories. Quite the change from the usual fare of gruesomeness that is prevalent today. Much like the “All Creatures Great and Small” series. I recommend these.
March 17, 2021
Another Great Book
I love the calm, easy flow of Mr. Rhea's books. This one has a fantastic plot woven into it as well.
I love the calm, easy flow of Mr. Rhea's books. This one has a fantastic plot woven into it as well.
April 17, 2021
Another constable series
The book and the British series were done well both of them I
I recommend all the series! Enjoy them all
The book and the British series were done well both of them I
I recommend all the series! Enjoy them all
June 25, 2021
Exciting
As usual, I enjoyed reading this book by Nicholas Rhea. This one was more intense than the others I have read. The author understands human behavior very well.
As usual, I enjoyed reading this book by Nicholas Rhea. This one was more intense than the others I have read. The author understands human behavior very well.
May 11, 2022
This book carried a theme throughout the chapters. It was more dramatic than many of the others books and was more tense at the end. I am glad there are many more left for me to read.
November 7, 2017
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Constable at the Dam is the 21st entry in the Constable Nick mysteries by Nicholas Rhea. For anyone who enjoys English country village cozy mysteries, this is another addition to what I think of as reading 'comfort food'. The author inspired and wrote/consulted on the ITV television series Heartbeat and the books deliver more or less the same experience. If you enjoy Heartbeat (I do), you're virtually guaranteed to love this installment of this sweetly nostalgic series. So many of the familiar characters from the ITV series make an appearance in the books, such as Alf Ventress, Sergeant Blaketon, Constable Nick, Claude Greengrass and many more.
I've heard that these descriptions of the Yorkshire countryside and village life existed only in fiction, but honestly it doesn't matter if they're idealized fiction more than straight fact. The stories are well written and enjoyable. There's no super dramatic tension to be found here, no murder, nothing scary or particularly scandalous, and sometimes after a long and trying day, that's exactly what's needed.
Sadly, the author passed away 21st April, 2017, so this might well be the last installment for this comforting light series. This is a re-release in a new edition, originally published in 1997, and this edition was released 4th October, 2017.
Four stars, I enjoyed it very much.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.
Constable at the Dam is the 21st entry in the Constable Nick mysteries by Nicholas Rhea. For anyone who enjoys English country village cozy mysteries, this is another addition to what I think of as reading 'comfort food'. The author inspired and wrote/consulted on the ITV television series Heartbeat and the books deliver more or less the same experience. If you enjoy Heartbeat (I do), you're virtually guaranteed to love this installment of this sweetly nostalgic series. So many of the familiar characters from the ITV series make an appearance in the books, such as Alf Ventress, Sergeant Blaketon, Constable Nick, Claude Greengrass and many more.
I've heard that these descriptions of the Yorkshire countryside and village life existed only in fiction, but honestly it doesn't matter if they're idealized fiction more than straight fact. The stories are well written and enjoyable. There's no super dramatic tension to be found here, no murder, nothing scary or particularly scandalous, and sometimes after a long and trying day, that's exactly what's needed.
Sadly, the author passed away 21st April, 2017, so this might well be the last installment for this comforting light series. This is a re-release in a new edition, originally published in 1997, and this edition was released 4th October, 2017.
Four stars, I enjoyed it very much.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.
October 26, 2017
Very slow paced, descriptive country constable mystery.
Constable Rhea is steady, honest, and unflappable. The descriptions of the countryside were enjoyable. I did not feel attached to any of the characters, or interested in the mystery. It was a bit too passive for my tastes. Not even the liberal use of exclamation points could liven this up enough for me to really get invested in what was happening, what had happened and what would happen.
An example of the writing, taken from the denouement:
"Local authorities were responsible for various licensing matters under a number of statutes ranging from horse-riding establishments and refreshment houses to hackney carriages by way of pet shops, keepers of the petroleum spirit, theaters and more."
Constable at the Dam would be a good read for someone who wanted a non-intense, non-fluffy, old school British country constable mystery cozy.
*eARC Netgalley
Constable Rhea is steady, honest, and unflappable. The descriptions of the countryside were enjoyable. I did not feel attached to any of the characters, or interested in the mystery. It was a bit too passive for my tastes. Not even the liberal use of exclamation points could liven this up enough for me to really get invested in what was happening, what had happened and what would happen.
An example of the writing, taken from the denouement:
"Local authorities were responsible for various licensing matters under a number of statutes ranging from horse-riding establishments and refreshment houses to hackney carriages by way of pet shops, keepers of the petroleum spirit, theaters and more."
Constable at the Dam would be a good read for someone who wanted a non-intense, non-fluffy, old school British country constable mystery cozy.
*eARC Netgalley
October 18, 2017
When Sergeant Blaketon learns of the Swanland Corporation’s plan to build a reservoir in a beautiful valley near Aidensfield he is more than a little concerned. As work gets under way, however, the community of Aidensfield remains relatively unchanged. Local artist Gordon Precious and his glamorous wife Deidre seem to have to be heading for stormy waters and teenagers Elaine and Denise have developed an alarming fascination with the construction site.
Another delightful light read. The author brings life in rural North Yorkshire to life & I just love these novels that lead you to another era where life was much slower
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Another delightful light read. The author brings life in rural North Yorkshire to life & I just love these novels that lead you to another era where life was much slower
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
January 8, 2018
This series is (probably) not going to set the world on fire, but it always provides clever, kind, and comforting stories about police work in the English country side. Super solid and best read with a cup of Earl Grey and a few cookies.
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.
September 10, 2019
Excellent
Another excellent novel from the pen of Nick Rhea about life as a policeman and his time spent in Aidensfield as the local Bobby.
Another excellent novel from the pen of Nick Rhea about life as a policeman and his time spent in Aidensfield as the local Bobby.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews