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Constable Nick Mystery #8
Constable Through the Meadow
DISCOVER YOUR NEXT FAVOURITE SERIES. MEET BRITAIN’S BEST-LOVED VILLAGE POLICEMAN.
" It’s original, it’s funny . . . one of life’s little pleasures ." Yorkshire Post
THE BOOKS WHICH INSPIRED HEARTBEAT
The brilliantly entertaining and heartwarming books behind the hit 90s TV series Heartbeat . One of the top ten most watched shows of the decade.
MODERN LIFE CATCHES UP WITH THE VILLAGE BOBBY
Constable Nick’s beat is modernized, with his police bike replaced by a mini-van. He gets more than he bargained for as his work draws him into closer contact with villagers, in more ways than one!
There are compromising positions aplenty in this next charming installment of Aidensfield life. Nick finds himself lost in heavy fog and runs across a couple of illicit lovers trapped in their car. He advises the village grocer about his very respectable lady shoplifter and discovers how Farmer Owens copes with his bossy wife.
“ Stories of a constable on his village beat in North Yorkshire. All very gentle and far, far removed from the hurly burly of modern day city policing.” Daily Telegraph
In the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside of the 1960s, Constable Nick's roles are as varied as the eccentric villagers.
Perfect for fans of James Herriot, TE Kinsey, Gerald Durrell, J. R. Ellis or anyone who loves a great read.
DISCOVER ONE OF BRITAIN’S BEST-LOVED AUTHORS
MEET CONSTABLE NICK AND HIS COLLEAGUES
Police Constable Nick Rhea has been posted to the country with his wife Mary and their three small children. They move into the police house, high on a ridge overlooking the moors. It sits on the edge of the village of Aidensfield — “probably the most beautiful site in the country”.
Sergeant Oscar Blaketon. A good, solid and dependable character who runs his little police station with fierce efficiency but under a tough exterior, is full of warmth, generosity and kindness.
PC Alf Ventress. The old, easy-going constable whose local knowledge is vital to the running of Ashfordly Police Station. He does like Mrs Ventress's hard-boiled eggs!
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT NICHOLAS RHEA
" Just love Nicholas Rhea's Constable books ... easy reading delivers a heart-warming, amusing trip back to a very different kind of policing in the '60s." Joy Ellis
“Recommended if it's laughter you're after.” Bolton Evening News
“Richly entertaining .” Yorkshire Evening Post
" Splendid reading." Police Journal
“To be really blunt, this is not my normal reading fare, but I loved it .” Nancy
“I enjoyed this tremendously.” Melissa
“A wonderful and relaxing dip into the beautiful North Yorkshire Moors.” David
“A highly entertaining book which anyone who is looking for easy and humorous reading will enjoy.” Granny
IN THE AUTHOR’S OWN WORDS
“As I had served as a village constable in a delightful part of the North York Moors, it seemed logical to use that experience as a background to the stories, and to add a touch of humour which is always present in police work.”
CONSTABLE NICK MYSTERIES
Book 1: CONSTABLE ON THE HILL
Book 2: CONSTABLE ON THE PROWL
Book 3: CONSTABLE AROUND THE VILLAGE
Book 4: CONSTABLE ACROSS THE MOORS
Book 5: CONSTABLE IN THE DALE
Book 6: CONSTABLE BY THE SEA
Book 7: CONSTABLE ALONG THE LANE
Book 8: CONSTABLE THROUGH THE MEADOW
More coming soon. Join the Joffe Books mailing list to be the first to hear about them.
" It’s original, it’s funny . . . one of life’s little pleasures ." Yorkshire Post
THE BOOKS WHICH INSPIRED HEARTBEAT
The brilliantly entertaining and heartwarming books behind the hit 90s TV series Heartbeat . One of the top ten most watched shows of the decade.
MODERN LIFE CATCHES UP WITH THE VILLAGE BOBBY
Constable Nick’s beat is modernized, with his police bike replaced by a mini-van. He gets more than he bargained for as his work draws him into closer contact with villagers, in more ways than one!
There are compromising positions aplenty in this next charming installment of Aidensfield life. Nick finds himself lost in heavy fog and runs across a couple of illicit lovers trapped in their car. He advises the village grocer about his very respectable lady shoplifter and discovers how Farmer Owens copes with his bossy wife.
“ Stories of a constable on his village beat in North Yorkshire. All very gentle and far, far removed from the hurly burly of modern day city policing.” Daily Telegraph
In the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside of the 1960s, Constable Nick's roles are as varied as the eccentric villagers.
Perfect for fans of James Herriot, TE Kinsey, Gerald Durrell, J. R. Ellis or anyone who loves a great read.
DISCOVER ONE OF BRITAIN’S BEST-LOVED AUTHORS
MEET CONSTABLE NICK AND HIS COLLEAGUES
Police Constable Nick Rhea has been posted to the country with his wife Mary and their three small children. They move into the police house, high on a ridge overlooking the moors. It sits on the edge of the village of Aidensfield — “probably the most beautiful site in the country”.
Sergeant Oscar Blaketon. A good, solid and dependable character who runs his little police station with fierce efficiency but under a tough exterior, is full of warmth, generosity and kindness.
PC Alf Ventress. The old, easy-going constable whose local knowledge is vital to the running of Ashfordly Police Station. He does like Mrs Ventress's hard-boiled eggs!
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT NICHOLAS RHEA
" Just love Nicholas Rhea's Constable books ... easy reading delivers a heart-warming, amusing trip back to a very different kind of policing in the '60s." Joy Ellis
“Recommended if it's laughter you're after.” Bolton Evening News
“Richly entertaining .” Yorkshire Evening Post
" Splendid reading." Police Journal
“To be really blunt, this is not my normal reading fare, but I loved it .” Nancy
“I enjoyed this tremendously.” Melissa
“A wonderful and relaxing dip into the beautiful North Yorkshire Moors.” David
“A highly entertaining book which anyone who is looking for easy and humorous reading will enjoy.” Granny
IN THE AUTHOR’S OWN WORDS
“As I had served as a village constable in a delightful part of the North York Moors, it seemed logical to use that experience as a background to the stories, and to add a touch of humour which is always present in police work.”
CONSTABLE NICK MYSTERIES
Book 1: CONSTABLE ON THE HILL
Book 2: CONSTABLE ON THE PROWL
Book 3: CONSTABLE AROUND THE VILLAGE
Book 4: CONSTABLE ACROSS THE MOORS
Book 5: CONSTABLE IN THE DALE
Book 6: CONSTABLE BY THE SEA
Book 7: CONSTABLE ALONG THE LANE
Book 8: CONSTABLE THROUGH THE MEADOW
More coming soon. Join the Joffe Books mailing list to be the first to hear about them.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1988
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 30, 2020
Will. not, repeat, will not....
The James Harriiot of life as a police constable in rural England in the 60s. A wise and humorous memoir.
The James Harriiot of life as a police constable in rural England in the 60s. A wise and humorous memoir.
December 12, 2020
These are such gentle lovely reads. I have read eight of them and there are many more left. But not right away. Best to take a break and then get back to enjoy more of Rhea's stories of policing in Yorkshire.
May 27, 2021
What a lovely change!
It’s so nice ,these days,to read a “gentle book” , just as though a good friend was reminiscing. I was born in 1932, on a farm ,this brings back so many memories, and I have many a laugh! Thank you so much.
It’s so nice ,these days,to read a “gentle book” , just as though a good friend was reminiscing. I was born in 1932, on a farm ,this brings back so many memories, and I have many a laugh! Thank you so much.
August 27, 2020
What a great read, really shows life in rural England up close and personal. Very easy to read, this is the only book in this series I have read but will be reading more of them for sure.
June 20, 2020
Another great story
Another great book in the Constable series. Full of memories of time spent on the best in the Yorkshire villages. Lots of amusing anecdotes about a time when things were much simpler and pleasant.
Another great book in the Constable series. Full of memories of time spent on the best in the Yorkshire villages. Lots of amusing anecdotes about a time when things were much simpler and pleasant.
October 14, 2020
Good book!
This book was a joy to read. It was filled with stories related to police work and had many interesting and colorful characters . I highly recommend this book to other police procedural readers.
This book was a joy to read. It was filled with stories related to police work and had many interesting and colorful characters . I highly recommend this book to other police procedural readers.
June 13, 2020
A pleasure....
November 6, 2025
Listened on Chirp.
January 18, 2026
Always a Delight
Rhea’s stories take me to a time and place that is delightful, and one I would love to be at today!
Rhea’s stories take me to a time and place that is delightful, and one I would love to be at today!
June 10, 2020
Times are changing and the police force is doing their part by issuing vans to the constables and taking away their trusty motorcycles. Needless to say there are adjustments to be made - like how can two officers who work miles apart on different shifts share the same vehicle? Officer Nick rounds up a load of neighborhood children to drop off at their playdate when his own car won't start. Naturally the Seargent catches him in the act of using the van for unauthorized business. One night of driving around lost in dense fog while on patrol is something P.C. Rhea will never forget. On another late night of making rounds Nick finds an embarrassed couple who got caught inside a small car while making love and needed to be rescued from their "stuck" position. More great stories about the people in Aidensfield and surrounding areas.
March 26, 2024
Nicholas Rhea's Constable series are always genuine, heartwarming. Like hot chocolate on a winter night. These ARE NOT mystery novels. His books are about his life as a Constable in Yorkshire in the 60's. So well-written, a slice of his own life and the small towns he guarded. Beautiful beautiful anecdotes, natural and many times poetic observations, just life, with its ups and downs written by a kind soul.
July 13, 2020
An interesting read with various tales from the life of a Constable in the English Yorkshire country side. Easy reading, except for the local versions of English, the chapters often deal with a sort of incidents that he encounters in his duties, domestics, traffic accidents, nagging women and more. A welcome break from heaver fare.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews