Series: Constable

Market days in Ashfordly attract villagers from all over North Yorkshire. The spot to be for social outings, shopping, and business, the usually peaceful town springs to life. But new people and excited gatherings can only mean one thing for Constable Nick: more problems.

From a dog intent on demolishing market stalls to a live hand grenade found in a potato display, PC Nick has no shortage of small-town crises and eccentric characters to attend to. Linguistic misunderstandings, a spot of crime, and even a UFO sighting are all in a day’s work in Constable Goes to Market.

Nicholas Rhea’s delightful Constable tales paint an endearing and hilarious picture of police work in the British countryside and was the inspiration for the Heartbeat TV series.

Constable on the Hill

by Nicholas Rhea

Published 1 January 1979

This book was the first title in Nicholas Rhea's Constable series, which inspired the largely successful TV series "Heartbeat." It is based on the author's own experience as a village constable in the North York Moors, and features the now famous lead character, Constable Nick Rowan."

Constable Over the Stile

by Nicholas Rhea

Published March 1998

In this collection of rustic tales, Constable Nick continues his fascinating duties in the peace of Aidensfield, deep in the North York Moors. There is a hint of unexpected wealth for Claude Jeremiah Greengrass when he finds a cache of silver coins and worries for Nick when a lad loses his doting grandad's silver whistle. When Claude Jeremiah's dog, Alfred, gets bitten by an adder, Britain's most loveable rogue rings the local search and rescue team - and gets Sergeant Blaketon instead. But when a Girl Guide tumbles down a waterfall, Nick has to organize a speedy rescue attempt. We encounter a frightened lady who hides in her garden shed and a wronged lady who wreaks vengeance upon an unfaithful husband while some menfolk use their own methods to deal with a thief who is stealing ladies' underwear. There is serious crime too. A convicted murderer comes to live in Aidensfield, but Nick and Sergeant Blaketon have a major problem when they hear that an escaped Great Train Robber is hiding on Nick's patch.

Constable in the Farmyard

by Nicholas Rhea

Published 30 July 1999

There is crime to solve when a smallholder gets his wages stolen, raiders are disturbed on a lonely farm, garden equipment and milk bottles are being stolen. Constable Nick copes with it all.'

Constable Under the Gooseberry Bush

by Nicholas Rhea

Published October 1998

When it comes to growing prize-winning goose berries, the village of Aidensfield has always been surpasse d by nearby Egton Bridge. As the annual show approaches, the rivalry between the two villages intensifies. '

Constable at the Dam

by Nicholas Rhea

Published October 1997

Constable Along the Trail

by Nicholas Rhea

Published 31 March 2005

Coffins and graveyards are among the topics featured in this collection of constabulary tales from Heartbeat country. There's a puzzle for Constable Nick when hikers find an empty coffin and another head-scratching problem for Claude Jeremiah Greengrass when he's asked to tidy two local graveyards. A wealthy lady from overseas is heading for Aidensfield to seek the resting place of long-lost relatives. During his rustic duties, Constable Nick discovers the romantic legend of Witch Hill and learns that old-fashioned methods of dealing with wrongdoers prevail on the moors when he finds a village lock-up complete with occupant. There is concern when all thirty competitors on a motor rally get lost and bafflement when a box of chocolates, a raffle prize, is found to contain GBP 100 - but no one wants it. Constable Nick's constabulary duties must be done when a thief steals a murderer's driving licence, a miser fakes his own death and a lady identifies a detective as the man who stole her handbag. There is romance among the ruins too, and a fleeing ghost to set pulses racing. It's all in a day's work for Constable Nick of Aidensfield.

Constable at the Gate

by Nicholas Rhea

Published March 1997

Constable Versus Greengrass

by Nicholas Rhea

Published 30 November 1995

Television''s loveable rogue, Greengrass, fac es more problems with the constabulary in this new collectio n of tales from Aidensfield. '

Constable Around the Green

by Nicholas Rhea

Published 31 March 1993

Constable About the Parish

by Nicholas Rhea

Published September 1996

In this latest collection of tales from Aide nsfield, Constable Nick and Sergeant Blaketon find themselve s having to collect money for repairs to the church tower. B ut Greengrass seems to think he is exempt. '

Constable by the Stream

by Nicholas Rhea

Published November 1991