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3.33 AVERAGE
3.33 AVERAGE
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Constable at the Dam is the 21st entry in the Constable Nick mysteries by Nicholas Rhea. For anyone who enjoys English country village cozy mysteries, this is another addition to what I think of as reading 'comfort food'. The author inspired and wrote/consulted on the ITV television series Heartbeat and the books deliver more or less the same experience. If you enjoy Heartbeat (I do), you're virtually guaranteed to love this installment of this sweetly nostalgic series. So many of the familiar characters from the ITV series make an appearance in the books, such as Alf Ventress, Sergeant Blaketon, Constable Nick, Claude Greengrass and many more.
I've heard that these descriptions of the Yorkshire countryside and village life existed only in fiction, but honestly it doesn't matter if they're idealized fiction more than straight fact. The stories are well written and enjoyable. There's no super dramatic tension to be found here, no murder, nothing scary or particularly scandalous, and sometimes after a long and trying day, that's exactly what's needed.
Sadly, the author passed away 21st April, 2017, so this might well be the last installment for this comforting light series. This is a re-release in a new edition, originally published in 1997, and this edition was released 4th October, 2017.
Four stars, I enjoyed it very much.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.
Constable at the Dam is the 21st entry in the Constable Nick mysteries by Nicholas Rhea. For anyone who enjoys English country village cozy mysteries, this is another addition to what I think of as reading 'comfort food'. The author inspired and wrote/consulted on the ITV television series Heartbeat and the books deliver more or less the same experience. If you enjoy Heartbeat (I do), you're virtually guaranteed to love this installment of this sweetly nostalgic series. So many of the familiar characters from the ITV series make an appearance in the books, such as Alf Ventress, Sergeant Blaketon, Constable Nick, Claude Greengrass and many more.
I've heard that these descriptions of the Yorkshire countryside and village life existed only in fiction, but honestly it doesn't matter if they're idealized fiction more than straight fact. The stories are well written and enjoyable. There's no super dramatic tension to be found here, no murder, nothing scary or particularly scandalous, and sometimes after a long and trying day, that's exactly what's needed.
Sadly, the author passed away 21st April, 2017, so this might well be the last installment for this comforting light series. This is a re-release in a new edition, originally published in 1997, and this edition was released 4th October, 2017.
Four stars, I enjoyed it very much.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.
This series is (probably) not going to set the world on fire, but it always provides clever, kind, and comforting stories about police work in the English country side. Super solid and best read with a cup of Earl Grey and a few cookies.
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.
Very slow paced, descriptive country constable mystery.
Constable Rhea is steady, honest, and unflappable. The descriptions of the countryside were enjoyable. I did not feel attached to any of the characters, or interested in the mystery. It was a bit too passive for my tastes. Not even the liberal use of exclamation points could liven this up enough for me to really get invested in what was happening, what had happened and what would happen.
An example of the writing, taken from the denouement:
"Local authorities were responsible for various licensing matters under a number of statutes ranging from horse-riding establishments and refreshment houses to hackney carriages by way of pet shops, keepers of the petroleum spirit, theaters and more."
Constable at the Dam would be a good read for someone who wanted a non-intense, non-fluffy, old school British country constable mystery cozy.
*eARC Netgalley
Constable Rhea is steady, honest, and unflappable. The descriptions of the countryside were enjoyable. I did not feel attached to any of the characters, or interested in the mystery. It was a bit too passive for my tastes. Not even the liberal use of exclamation points could liven this up enough for me to really get invested in what was happening, what had happened and what would happen.
An example of the writing, taken from the denouement:
"Local authorities were responsible for various licensing matters under a number of statutes ranging from horse-riding establishments and refreshment houses to hackney carriages by way of pet shops, keepers of the petroleum spirit, theaters and more."
Constable at the Dam would be a good read for someone who wanted a non-intense, non-fluffy, old school British country constable mystery cozy.
*eARC Netgalley