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Constable Nick Mystery #15
Constable in the Shrubbery
Constable Nicholas Rhea very much enjoys the quiet nature of policing such a sleepy, countryside village…
Not once has he had a murder or other serious crime on his hands while living and working in Aidensfield, however that doesn’t mean the village doesn’t have its fair share of colourful types.
Local aristocrat, Lord Thackerton and his son, Viscount Victor Elsinby are holding a large function up at Elsinby Hall to celebrate the Lord’s 60th birthday.
Rhea is to keep cars in check, keep gate-crashers out and make sure that everything is in order as there will some important and well-respected guests among those travelling for the event.
Since Lord Thackerston’s wife died, he has handed over much of the responsibilities of running the estate to his son, Victor. However, most of the party’s organisation has been the work of their butler, Johnson.
Despite his size and use of a cane, Johnson is fiercely efficient in his job as well as always looking immaculate in his black tails with white shirt and gloves.
Constable Nick notices Phyllis Catchpole, a well-known pickpocket being in attendance and although she assures him that she’s here to work, Nick would be wise to keep an eye on her.
He also bumps into Claude Jeremiah Greengrass, a strange figure in the community who has an old friendship with the aging Lord and who also has a taste for spying on people.
Considering he’s not cordially invited to the event, what is he doing around the estate?
Constable Nick’s shift finishes without incident and he heads home, however just as he is about to tuck into bed, a phone call.
Apparently, his sleepy village isn’t quite as sleepy as he had thought…
Edwin Drood, a wealthy and very aloof man has been found shot
Although this man had his fair share of enemies, surely none were so serious as to want to kill him?
And who would commit such an act?
With so many questionable types at the party, Constable Nick must work fast before the situation escalates any further…
Constable in the Shrubbery is a lively and suspenseful tale of the daily life and work of the local county policeman.
Praise for Constable in the Shrubbery
“A fascinating insight into the life of a rural constable…the book makes splendid reading.”— Police Journal
“The colourful as much as the criminal side of life is his professional lot, and in a whole series of attractively written anecdotes he reveals how the waywardness which leads both young and old into awkward individualism, as well as into evil, keeps him busy.”- Countryman
“Rhea’s real strengths are his sharp portraits of people, and absorbing detail of a country copper practising his craft...”—Northern Echo
“An account of the hilarious happenings to the county’s rural policemen over the years.”—Yorkshire Post
“Filled with Yorkshire characters to make you laugh and cry…shows rural life through the eyes of a village bobby.”-Whitby Gazette
Nicholas Rhea, now retired, spent 30 years in the force, having started as a Police Cadet for the North Riding Constabulary.
Not once has he had a murder or other serious crime on his hands while living and working in Aidensfield, however that doesn’t mean the village doesn’t have its fair share of colourful types.
Local aristocrat, Lord Thackerton and his son, Viscount Victor Elsinby are holding a large function up at Elsinby Hall to celebrate the Lord’s 60th birthday.
Rhea is to keep cars in check, keep gate-crashers out and make sure that everything is in order as there will some important and well-respected guests among those travelling for the event.
Since Lord Thackerston’s wife died, he has handed over much of the responsibilities of running the estate to his son, Victor. However, most of the party’s organisation has been the work of their butler, Johnson.
Despite his size and use of a cane, Johnson is fiercely efficient in his job as well as always looking immaculate in his black tails with white shirt and gloves.
Constable Nick notices Phyllis Catchpole, a well-known pickpocket being in attendance and although she assures him that she’s here to work, Nick would be wise to keep an eye on her.
He also bumps into Claude Jeremiah Greengrass, a strange figure in the community who has an old friendship with the aging Lord and who also has a taste for spying on people.
Considering he’s not cordially invited to the event, what is he doing around the estate?
Constable Nick’s shift finishes without incident and he heads home, however just as he is about to tuck into bed, a phone call.
Apparently, his sleepy village isn’t quite as sleepy as he had thought…
Edwin Drood, a wealthy and very aloof man has been found shot
Although this man had his fair share of enemies, surely none were so serious as to want to kill him?
And who would commit such an act?
With so many questionable types at the party, Constable Nick must work fast before the situation escalates any further…
Constable in the Shrubbery is a lively and suspenseful tale of the daily life and work of the local county policeman.
Praise for Constable in the Shrubbery
“A fascinating insight into the life of a rural constable…the book makes splendid reading.”— Police Journal
“The colourful as much as the criminal side of life is his professional lot, and in a whole series of attractively written anecdotes he reveals how the waywardness which leads both young and old into awkward individualism, as well as into evil, keeps him busy.”- Countryman
“Rhea’s real strengths are his sharp portraits of people, and absorbing detail of a country copper practising his craft...”—Northern Echo
“An account of the hilarious happenings to the county’s rural policemen over the years.”—Yorkshire Post
“Filled with Yorkshire characters to make you laugh and cry…shows rural life through the eyes of a village bobby.”-Whitby Gazette
Nicholas Rhea, now retired, spent 30 years in the force, having started as a Police Cadet for the North Riding Constabulary.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1995
198 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 21, 2017
Book received from NetGalley.
Only the second book in the series that has a murder in it, well that I have read anyway. I am hooked on these books, and I'm thrilled that they are free through Kindle Unlimited at the moment so I can pick up the ones I didn't receive through NetGalley. These are British police procedurals that take place in a small village in Yorkshire in the 1960's. You can tell that the author used some of his own experiences when writing the novels because they don't always read like fiction. I cannot wait to read more of this series.
Only the second book in the series that has a murder in it, well that I have read anyway. I am hooked on these books, and I'm thrilled that they are free through Kindle Unlimited at the moment so I can pick up the ones I didn't receive through NetGalley. These are British police procedurals that take place in a small village in Yorkshire in the 1960's. You can tell that the author used some of his own experiences when writing the novels because they don't always read like fiction. I cannot wait to read more of this series.
November 29, 2021
I was looking for a gentle, quiet read today and thought Constable Rhea would be the right thing. Little did I know that this book was Constable Rhea's first murder investigation. Not only was the one murder but there were two of them and Constable Rhea was in danger himself. So it was not a quiet relaxing read. I wonder if the following books will follow this style or will go back to the little crimes of the other books. I am up to more of them in either case!
February 21, 2021
Enjoyed this book and its lively characters. I did find of the layout descriptions a bit much (of the Hall) as always find it hard to visualise without a diagram. However, this wasn't really central to the plot in the end and could have been simplified. A slow steady read as opposed to a "page turner" but nicely written, interesting setting and enjoyable.
February 18, 2021
Another great story
Another great story in the Constable series and a little different from the earlier ones. Despite having the same strong characters this story featured around one event. It was equally as good as the others if not better.
Another great story in the Constable series and a little different from the earlier ones. Despite having the same strong characters this story featured around one event. It was equally as good as the others if not better.
February 22, 2021
Shows its age, I’m afraid...
This book was first published in 1995 and has not aged well. I’m not particularly into political correctness but the attitudes expressed are really jarring to 2021 sensitivities. I didn’t enjoy it.
This book was first published in 1995 and has not aged well. I’m not particularly into political correctness but the attitudes expressed are really jarring to 2021 sensitivities. I didn’t enjoy it.
December 6, 2024
The game of Clue...
This was a change for Nicholas Rhea, a murder mystery. I stayed with this one to the end but found it predictable. Without reading it you can probably guess the perpetrator; the reading provides the motive. So, while it's a good read, it's not a great one.
This was a change for Nicholas Rhea, a murder mystery. I stayed with this one to the end but found it predictable. Without reading it you can probably guess the perpetrator; the reading provides the motive. So, while it's a good read, it's not a great one.
January 15, 2021
Good read
This book was different from any other I had read by Nicholas Rhea. It was a murder mystery. Very different from his other books. I really enjoyed it
This book was different from any other I had read by Nicholas Rhea. It was a murder mystery. Very different from his other books. I really enjoyed it
July 7, 2021
Good book
Very good book. 're lives heartbeat. I will now start with the first constable book
I highly recommend this book
Very good book. 're lives heartbeat. I will now start with the first constable book
I highly recommend this book
March 23, 2017
Not once has Constable Rhea had a murder or other serious crime on his hands while living and working in Aidensfield, however that doesn’t mean the village doesn’t have its fair share of colourful types.
Local aristocrat, Lord Thackerton and his son, Viscount Victor Elsinby are holding a large function up at Elsinby Hall to celebrate the Lord’s 60th birthday. Rhea is to keep cars in check, keep gate-crashers out so acting like a bouncer rather than the village copper. Since Lord Thackerston’s wife died, he has handed over much of the responsibilities of running the estate to his son, Victor. However, most of the party’s organisation has been the work of their butler, Johnson. Despite his size and use of a cane, Johnson is fiercely efficient in his job as well as always looking immaculate in his black tails with white shirt and gloves.
Constable Nick notices Phyllis Catchpole, a well-known pickpocket being in attendance and although she assures him that she’s here to work, Nick would be wise to keep an eye on her.
It wouldn’t be a Constable Nick story without Claude Jeremiah Greengrass making an appearance
Considering he’s not cordially invited to the event, what is he doing around the estate?
Constable Nick’s shift finishes without incident and he heads home, however just as he is about to tuck into bed, a phone call. Apparently, his sleepy village isn’t quite as sleepy as he had thought, Edwin Drood, a wealthy and very aloof man has been found shot
I once again lost myself in this book, a look back to a more gentle way of life in North Yorkshire in the last century a welcome change from the stories of inner city policing. A delightful story that is witty & full of anecdotes. The characters are so well portrayed their antics want you to read more of the series & of course reminds me of Heartbeat of course. So very nostalgic. The plot is well paced & kept me turning the pages.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book
Local aristocrat, Lord Thackerton and his son, Viscount Victor Elsinby are holding a large function up at Elsinby Hall to celebrate the Lord’s 60th birthday. Rhea is to keep cars in check, keep gate-crashers out so acting like a bouncer rather than the village copper. Since Lord Thackerston’s wife died, he has handed over much of the responsibilities of running the estate to his son, Victor. However, most of the party’s organisation has been the work of their butler, Johnson. Despite his size and use of a cane, Johnson is fiercely efficient in his job as well as always looking immaculate in his black tails with white shirt and gloves.
Constable Nick notices Phyllis Catchpole, a well-known pickpocket being in attendance and although she assures him that she’s here to work, Nick would be wise to keep an eye on her.
It wouldn’t be a Constable Nick story without Claude Jeremiah Greengrass making an appearance
Considering he’s not cordially invited to the event, what is he doing around the estate?
Constable Nick’s shift finishes without incident and he heads home, however just as he is about to tuck into bed, a phone call. Apparently, his sleepy village isn’t quite as sleepy as he had thought, Edwin Drood, a wealthy and very aloof man has been found shot
I once again lost myself in this book, a look back to a more gentle way of life in North Yorkshire in the last century a welcome change from the stories of inner city policing. A delightful story that is witty & full of anecdotes. The characters are so well portrayed their antics want you to read more of the series & of course reminds me of Heartbeat of course. So very nostalgic. The plot is well paced & kept me turning the pages.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book
May 22, 2017
Another very good read from Mr. Rhea, this time focused on a rather more serious crime than we normally get from the "Constable" series. This series is a particularly soothing one and I find the ins and outs of policing a normally quiet set of villages to be a great time; I enjoyed this in particular. Settle in with a pile of biscuits and a cup of tea.
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.
August 6, 2017
This is one of the few true mysteries in this series. Unfortunately, many of the characters and their circumstances are difficult to find interesting. Even Constable Nick loses some of his appeal by the constant plodding at forms, and the repetitive references to 'The Horse!'
The plot leaves much to be desired because it is rather unbelievable so I wish Nick would stick to his less mysterious but more enjoyable cases. Oh, and I wish Claude Jeremiah would move to Greenland.
The plot leaves much to be desired because it is rather unbelievable so I wish Nick would stick to his less mysterious but more enjoyable cases. Oh, and I wish Claude Jeremiah would move to Greenland.
April 6, 2020
Constable Nick knows too well, sometimes it's the locals that can be the most troublesome, particularly when old divisions between villages, old gangs and even religion still exist. A look at the eccentric locals who make up the village of Aidensfield.
Set midway through the series of "Constable" books which became the basis for the TV series "Heartbeat" set in 1960s Yorkshire, documenting the life of a local policeman - not all cops and robbers.
Set midway through the series of "Constable" books which became the basis for the TV series "Heartbeat" set in 1960s Yorkshire, documenting the life of a local policeman - not all cops and robbers.
March 30, 2017
Great book set in the English countryside. Cut plot and lost of colorful and quirky characters. I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.
February 9, 2019
Good book!
This mystery was very entertaining, had a good plot and a surprising villain. I highly recommend it to other mystery readers!
This mystery was very entertaining, had a good plot and a surprising villain. I highly recommend it to other mystery readers!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews