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Constable Nick Mystery #5
Constable in the Dale
To an untrained eye, the villages of rural Yorkshire may seem quiet enough but, as he patrols his beat on foot or on his trusty Francis Barnett motorcycle, young PC Nick is privy to many an unfolding drama. He is on hand to help out when Aidensfield decides to enter the Best Kept Village competition and finds itself the victim of a dirty tricks campaign by its rivals. Then there is the mystery of the spontaneously combusting henhouse, and PC Nick has to cope with the consequences when the vicar tries a novel way of keeping the churchyard tidy. "The Constable" stories are a delightful description of life as a young policeman in Yorkshire, and the inspiration behind the immensely popular Heartbeat TV series.
234 pages, Paperback
First published September 12, 1996
314 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 21, 2024
Enjoyed it all apart from the first event. However that is just a personal liking.
July 8, 2017
Enjoyable
Lovely for a change not to read about serial killers world domination Armageddon but instead "an ordinary tale of countrywide" to coin a phrase. Not sure if a policeman should exceed his duties so often or so flagrantly but still such is life. Loved the setting which is where I moved to on retirement just outside Thirsk. The Thirsk Mart which is where the livestock are auctioned is a fact and mention of Northallerton and Stokesley are home to me. In brief a pleasant days reading.
Lovely for a change not to read about serial killers world domination Armageddon but instead "an ordinary tale of countrywide" to coin a phrase. Not sure if a policeman should exceed his duties so often or so flagrantly but still such is life. Loved the setting which is where I moved to on retirement just outside Thirsk. The Thirsk Mart which is where the livestock are auctioned is a fact and mention of Northallerton and Stokesley are home to me. In brief a pleasant days reading.
October 20, 2015
I loved this book so much that I've bought them from the beginning, lovely glimpse into the past of country life. Very much reminds me of being little!
July 9, 2018
Old-fashioned Stories
Not my usual type of book to read. A lot of small short stories that are not truly mysteries. They are more like little innocent, sweet recollections of everyday life in a little village as told by a country policeman. It was a very different read for me. Not as expected; but a nice change of pace.
Not my usual type of book to read. A lot of small short stories that are not truly mysteries. They are more like little innocent, sweet recollections of everyday life in a little village as told by a country policeman. It was a very different read for me. Not as expected; but a nice change of pace.
April 7, 2023
I am very sad because this may be the last Constable Nick Mystery that I had not read. And there won't be any more. They have been so sweet and heart-warming and just a series of stories about folks in trouble but not trouble that can't be settled. Maybe because I knew this was the last one for me I enjoyed it even more--romance, weddings, small town celebrations. I may have to start re-reading!
May 30, 2021
Constable Nick shares the drama and delight of country living in days gone by
One hopes that there are still corners of England where there are tidy villages where everyone is known and largely accepted. Rhea’s descriptions of the countryside and the seasons are charming and make me want to visit. He makes it all very appealing.
One hopes that there are still corners of England where there are tidy villages where everyone is known and largely accepted. Rhea’s descriptions of the countryside and the seasons are charming and make me want to visit. He makes it all very appealing.
May 28, 2020
Another great story
Another great story in the village constable series and very entertaining.Still being in lockdown due to the virus these are the ideal stories to read and keep the spirits up.
Another great story in the village constable series and very entertaining.Still being in lockdown due to the virus these are the ideal stories to read and keep the spirits up.
October 6, 2022
Constable Series
I am enjoying this series so much! I choose two or sometimes three words or phrases from each book, and use my dictionary to learn the meanings and how to use them in my own speech. Just a fun game.
I am enjoying this series so much! I choose two or sometimes three words or phrases from each book, and use my dictionary to learn the meanings and how to use them in my own speech. Just a fun game.
October 16, 2022
If you want to hear how 'Heartbeat' could have been 'Constable in the Dale' is ideal way to understand how Nicholas Rhea policeman operated. No major crime of the week just anecdotes which under the skin of real village life in the 1960s minus the music.
June 16, 2023
9 A sweet little read and it’s not hard to see why it made a good basis for a TV series. Thinking of this one together with James Herriot books makes me question why the southern counties haven’t managed to come up with their own bet and copper stories. Or maybe I just haven’t come across any yet.
November 20, 2023
A bit of a trip down memory lane this as being born in 1950 I didn't get a holiday every year as a child but when it did happen it was either North Wales or the Yorkshire Dales. Both of these places are full of lovely sceneery and quirky characters nowadays and it was even more so when I was young.
June 3, 2020
A very 'unputdownable' book
I would certainly recommend this book to anyone, but I am anxious to get my next Constable book, which is proving to be frustratingly difficult!!!
I would certainly recommend this book to anyone, but I am anxious to get my next Constable book, which is proving to be frustratingly difficult!!!
July 14, 2020
Gentle and insightful of old ways
A mild book full of turn of the century village life in rural North England. Constable Rhea is a lovely author with sweet stories of times gone by.
A mild book full of turn of the century village life in rural North England. Constable Rhea is a lovely author with sweet stories of times gone by.
March 30, 2022
Delightful tales of a bygone era! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the life Constable Nick policing his small English village and the rural area around it.
February 17, 2023
A charming read.
May 10, 2023
Delightful vignettes but lacks character development.
May 19, 2023
Some of the stories are more interesting than others.
Extra: the author seems to really focus on the physical appearance of women and how attractive, or not, she is.
Extra: the author seems to really focus on the physical appearance of women and how attractive, or not, she is.
November 4, 2025
Listened on Chirp.
January 25, 2019
Good book!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It described interactions between fictional Constable Nicholas Rhea and the public he served in and around his Aidensfield, Yorkshire beat. The descriptions were humorous and witty. I highly recommend it to other mystery readers.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It described interactions between fictional Constable Nicholas Rhea and the public he served in and around his Aidensfield, Yorkshire beat. The descriptions were humorous and witty. I highly recommend it to other mystery readers.
April 8, 2017
There are a few 'mysteries' in this, but truly it consists of charming stories in the Yorkshire countryside. I really enjoyed this book. Constable Nick is a very wise and capable man.
May 17, 2017
More Great Stories
So glad I found this author's books. Lovely, funny sweet stories. Very heartwarming too! There are always some good words of wisdom also.
So glad I found this author's books. Lovely, funny sweet stories. Very heartwarming too! There are always some good words of wisdom also.
July 31, 2017
Small, scattered tales in series. No brain work requires and no common thread to keep my interest. The Harriett books had humor and recurring, likable characters
January 7, 2019
Fantastic
A well paced read with lots of interesting personal interaction. This book continues the high standards of the earlier books in the series.
A well paced read with lots of interesting personal interaction. This book continues the high standards of the earlier books in the series.
April 25, 2020
I love these stories!!!
November 25, 2021
Life of a village constable. Interesting tales
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews