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Constable Nick Mystery #6
CONSTABLE BY THE SEA a perfect feel-good read from one of Britain's best-loved authors
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.
CONSTABLE NICK’S OFF TO THE SEASIDE
“I was on my way to Strensford, a picturesque and sometimes busy seaside resort on the north-east coast of Yorkshire. Graced by miles of smooth, yellow sand, Strensford is famed for its kippers and the fact that the bright summer sun both rises and sets over the sea. It is also known for its towering cliffs with a ruined abbey gloriously perched on top, and the haphazard cluster of red-roofed cottages which crowd around the harbour side, at times touching the water.”
During a break from his usual village beat, young Police Constable Nick finds himself involved with holidaymakers and their problems.
As well as the normal seaside duties, how does he cope with a man who’s lost his false teeth in the sea and another who wants to give away thousands of pounds when drunk?
Then there's the stray Labrador that thinks he's a police dog and accompanies police officers on night patrols, and the anxious fisherman who daren't tell his wife that he owns a racehorse.
These and a galaxy of other delightful characters are encountered by our rural bobby in his new environment, though Constable Nick wishes he could be home with his wife and small children.
A LITTLE BIT OF SUN, SEA, AND SUMMER HIJINKS
Perfect for fans of James Herriot, T.E. 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 heartwarming, amusing trip back to a very different kind of policing in the sixties.” Joy Ellis
“Recommended if it's laughter you're after.” Bolton Evening News
“Richly entertaining ” Yorkshire Evening Post
“ Splendid reading.” Police Journal
“This is not my normal reading fare, but I loved it .” Nancy
“A highly entertaining book.” 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
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.
CONSTABLE NICK’S OFF TO THE SEASIDE
“I was on my way to Strensford, a picturesque and sometimes busy seaside resort on the north-east coast of Yorkshire. Graced by miles of smooth, yellow sand, Strensford is famed for its kippers and the fact that the bright summer sun both rises and sets over the sea. It is also known for its towering cliffs with a ruined abbey gloriously perched on top, and the haphazard cluster of red-roofed cottages which crowd around the harbour side, at times touching the water.”
During a break from his usual village beat, young Police Constable Nick finds himself involved with holidaymakers and their problems.
As well as the normal seaside duties, how does he cope with a man who’s lost his false teeth in the sea and another who wants to give away thousands of pounds when drunk?
Then there's the stray Labrador that thinks he's a police dog and accompanies police officers on night patrols, and the anxious fisherman who daren't tell his wife that he owns a racehorse.
These and a galaxy of other delightful characters are encountered by our rural bobby in his new environment, though Constable Nick wishes he could be home with his wife and small children.
A LITTLE BIT OF SUN, SEA, AND SUMMER HIJINKS
Perfect for fans of James Herriot, T.E. 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 heartwarming, amusing trip back to a very different kind of policing in the sixties.” Joy Ellis
“Recommended if it's laughter you're after.” Bolton Evening News
“Richly entertaining ” Yorkshire Evening Post
“ Splendid reading.” Police Journal
“This is not my normal reading fare, but I loved it .” Nancy
“A highly entertaining book.” 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
More coming soon. Join the Joffe Books mailing list to be the first to hear about them.
166 pages, Paperback
Published April 22, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 23, 2020
I really enjoyed reading the various daily events Constable Nicholas Rhea encounters when he's assigned to a seaside village, a popular summer holiday spot. Lost children, a character who flings away his cash, a persistent flasher, a fellow determined to drown, an older constable who routinely falls asleep on night patrol and has to be found in the morning. Such a variety comes up in a day's -- or night's -- work for our kindly and practical Constable Rhea.
June 8, 2020
Very relaxing read about a constable temporarily assigned to a seaside village. Set in the 1960s, it is calm and gentle.
October 4, 2020
99 cents--what a bargain for a Kindle book--and worth more for the pleasure it gave me. A quiet kind of pleasure with a pleasant companion in Constable Nick and all the characters he meets as he makes his rounds. In this book, it's the natives and the tourists who make up his tales--and sometimes his fellow constables or in one case, a judge that he teaches a much needed lesson.
August 20, 2021
Nick Rhea makes you long for an England that may be lost to the past
The recollections of a country policeman in the early twentieth century touch your heart and your funny bone. The beat officer who knows his town and the people in it is like a fantasy to me. His descriptions make you want to visit the places he’s been in.
The recollections of a country policeman in the early twentieth century touch your heart and your funny bone. The beat officer who knows his town and the people in it is like a fantasy to me. His descriptions make you want to visit the places he’s been in.
May 31, 2020
Another great book
Another great book by Nicholas Rhea remembering times last whilst in the beat in Yorkshire. This was very enjoyable and I am sure that the fictional setting of Stensford is based on Whitby.
Another great book by Nicholas Rhea remembering times last whilst in the beat in Yorkshire. This was very enjoyable and I am sure that the fictional setting of Stensford is based on Whitby.
November 8, 2020
Perfect for lifting my Spirits
Started with book one, Constable on the Hill. I've just finished book 6 Constable by the Sea. I am greatly enjoying The Constable series, its uplifting and positive, I highly recommend one or all of the series. Definitely five stars!
Started with book one, Constable on the Hill. I've just finished book 6 Constable by the Sea. I am greatly enjoying The Constable series, its uplifting and positive, I highly recommend one or all of the series. Definitely five stars!
November 19, 2020
A heartwarming account of life in a seaside town
Set in Whitby during the summer of 1996, this account of a Yorkshire policeman's daily lot is a joy to read. Just what is needed to banish those lockdown blues.
Set in Whitby during the summer of 1996, this account of a Yorkshire policeman's daily lot is a joy to read. Just what is needed to banish those lockdown blues.
June 20, 2023
15 I have shelved it as nonfiction. But I wonder. A lovely gentle read for these trying times. I did have a chuckle when he managed to get himself locked in the shop and a bit of a tear when I got to the last chapter.
June 25, 2020
Easy reading
Enjoyed
the book but found some of the situations a little hard to believe it was very easy reading though
Enjoyed
the book but found some of the situations a little hard to believe it was very easy reading though
July 12, 2020
Excellent book
I loved the stories in this book it's so nice to have ainteresting story line s going to read another book soon by the same author. I give it a 5 star rating
I loved the stories in this book it's so nice to have ainteresting story line s going to read another book soon by the same author. I give it a 5 star rating
September 1, 2020
As always a lovely meander down the lanes of long ago local bobbying - always a delight to read
June 2, 2021
By the sea, bye the sea........
Seaside is my favorite place. An engaging tale, told well. by N Rhea ..I will read more of his books!
Seaside is my favorite place. An engaging tale, told well. by N Rhea ..I will read more of his books!
March 18, 2022
Nice quick read!
I may not have laughed out loud, but I think I was smiling 99% of the time. Lovely little book!
I may not have laughed out loud, but I think I was smiling 99% of the time. Lovely little book!
April 14, 2022
A very enjoyable read,and also very humorous at times.well worth a read. Highly recommended.
November 4, 2025
Listened on Chirp.
September 27, 2026
Perfect bedtime reading
June 28, 2020
This mystery series offers a light, humorous take on the classic British-style mystery.
May 14, 2020
Constable Nicholas Rhea has been sent on a temporary assignment at a sea side resort community. This is hardly a vacation - even though people all around him are enjoying the sun and sandy beaches. The town's population swells during tourist season so extra law enforcement officers are recruited for the summer to ensure safety and well being of residents and vacationers alike. He deals with different kinds of situations than he would in the Yorkshire countryside. But just like his other books this one contains interesting characters and many stories of daily interactions of the constable walking his beat.
August 17, 2013
I like this series. I have to get them via ILL. Mostly in large type.
March 30, 2019
3.5 stars
in this new setting descriptions were terrific
in this new setting descriptions were terrific
May 6, 2020
I love these Constable stories for their amazing people, the history of the places and humor.
Read
June 5, 2020Excellent
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews