Constable Around the Village

Constable Nick Mystery #3

by Nicholas Rhea

As he settles into the village life of Aidensfield, North Yorkshire, Police Constable Nick Rhea begins to understand the complexities of rural law enforcement, much of with proves to be very unofficial but highly effective. We hear of his dilemmas as he is torn between his desire to prove the crippled Sidney Chapman's dog innocent of sheep-worrying, and the need to do his duty. Farmer Lowe's sheepdog presents a different problem: the overworked old dog is pretending to be deaf and Rhea finds himself drawn into the crisis; without the dog, the cows cannot be milked. Local colours and characters abound. The mixed creeds of the community provide more headaches for Rhea: for example Jame Bathurst's funeral goes quite smoothly except that the village grave-digger does not want the death-bed convert buried in Catholic ground and has omitted to dig the grave. Rivalry abounds between Anglicans, Catholics and Methodists, and Rhea has his work cut out. More problems stem from the unlawful activities of Arnold Merryweather's bus, with its massive conductress, Hannah, a jockey who steals supplies for his hungry horse and the old railway worker who vanishes as the last train passes through the village. In all, a vivid light-hearted insight into rural bobbying.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Crime, Historical Fiction, British Literature, Cozy Mystery

234 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2008

About the author

A pseudonym used by Peter N. Walker

Reviews

[Claudia Cheyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

More delightful stories featuring people who Constable Nick sees as he makes his rounds.
The pastor of a local church confides his worries regarding an upcoming visit from his bishop and how his small congregation could be viewed unfavorably. When the day arrives the church is filled to overflowing. Never mind that Catholics and Methodists joined the Anglicans for worship.
A man who worked on the British railways for his entire career is saddened to learn that they will soon be closing the station in their small town discontinuing service. No one suspected just how much he was affected by this turn of events until it was too late.
A little boy who was known for wandering away from home turns up missing on an extremely cold December night. Members of the local hunting club stop their annual ball to mount their horses and search for him.
We learn much about what it is like to live in a village where decent, hardworking people make a living and care about one another.

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, feel-good story-writing

[Garth]

“He was a walking example of the scents of the English countryside.”

Second story in Chapter Three, about the old cur, Shep. Funniest sheep dog story I’ve ever read.

[Rochelle Saldaña · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many amusing stories. I really enjoyed the Catholics coming to fill the Anglican pews to impress the bishop. The heartwarming story at the end. All the feels!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm enjoying these books, however I must point out that they're really not mysteries per se. Personally, I would describe these as to rural policing what James Herriot's "All Creatures Great and Small" books are to rural vets. Very anecdotal in nature, each chapter pretty much a story unto itself. It was a bit difficult for me to get into them at first as I was expecting a traditional mystery and these are not. Told from the point of view of Nicholas Rhea (pen name of Peter Walker), these books give a delightful picture of what it's like for a village Bobby in the small villages and countryside of North Yorkshire in what I assume to be (it wasn't mentioned) the mid to late 1960's.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Constable Around the Village

In this third book Constable Nick recalls his first New Year in Aidensfield and dimly remembers his First Footing exploits.
He writes about Shep (the not so) deaf sheepdog and about Claude Jeremiah Greengrass and two more of his get rich schemes.
Full of stories from his time as village Constable this is a wonderful book which helps you escape to gentler tomes.
Highly recommended to all fans of Heartbeat.

[OraLee Kirkham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these books and PC Rhea!!

Every book in the series is different, and the P C gets involved inn every community on his beat, and therefore many personal lives. The stories are fun, sometimes hilarious, about the Rural Life. They have been a wonderful diversion for me because I am wheelchair- bound and they are such great books I want to read the whole series. Uplifting, fun, and funny.

[Adele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, for the good old days when a village Bobby was a recognised and respected presence in the community.
Fast forward sixty years and surely Inspector Peter N Walker must be whirling in his grave given the current sorry state of affairs with high profile corruption and misconduct cases dominating the news headlines, perhaps irrevocably damaging modern law enforcement and shattering public confidence. You’d like to think…Never in his day, never on his watch.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent offering from the pen of Nicholas Rhea.

At times laugh aloud humorous, whilst at others immensely sad this book will take you on a rollercoaster ride of human emotions. Nicholas Rhea well deserves his place amongst such great storyweavers as Gervase Phinn and James Herriot as he recalls episodes from his life as a Yorkshire bobby.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took a break after reading #1 and 2 and was ready for more of the constable's adventures. Maybe again a break is in order before I go on to #4. But this was a joy--heart warming--happy stories even if they were about problems for a small town constaable.

[Mike Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wholesome, reminds one of better days, without hiding the challenges they had.
Comfy listening, but nothing too exciting happens. Not repetative per say, but after couple of those books you won't really experience anything new.

[Joyce tuffs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another story of village life.

This is the third book in the constable series. The story of the village policeman and the local people he deals with.

[Sheila Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A feel good book

I read this during our enforced lockdown and it was just what l needed. A lovely easy reading book with much humour.

[Brian Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a good read.

The book took a chapter to get your interest, I then happily picked it up again. Will read the next Title.

[elizabeth mcguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I expected.
It is more tory telling from happenings as a country Bobby.
Still enjoyed it and will read the other 2 I bought but not really my kind of story.
Well written and told.

[Truitti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series describes a community that would be a pleasure to be a part of and frustrating because everyone knows your business. I enjoy Nick so much, I will read more of his adventures.

[Graham Tallents · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another pleasant collection of anecdotes from the village bobby.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chuck's recommendation! 😉

[Michele Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet stories about a small village. Dogs, young boys, spinsters with hearts of gold and sheep. A young policeman keeps everyone safe.

[Matthew McDonough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than the first two!

[Jeff Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable collection of anecdotes an stories from the "Constable" series. I would pick the book series over the television series evrytime.

[davidlowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read ,highly amusing and very sad at times,was this where the Heartbeat tv prog was inspired.highly recommend.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This delightful series is like James Herriott only with the local Yorkshire policeman instead of the local Yorkshire country vet. A nice diversion and look back at small village country life.

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

13 Another gentle addition to the series and as enjoyable as the previous ones.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you have to muffle your laughter in the middle of the night so as to not wake up your spouse that is asleep next to you, you know it's a good book. I love this series.

[Mirhanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

This author is a sexist pig. I've never seen so much misogyny in one place before. It's disgusting! 🤢🤮

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming. 3.5+

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoy this series. 4/B

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened on Chirp.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you want to read a feel good book with a lot of practical sense and humour? Then I highly recommend this book and author