Nicholas Rhea - Page 1
First British Edition Constable & Robinson (2006) |
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Prize Murder
While seeking the legendary Holy Trough of Blackamoor, Detective Inspector Montague Pluke comes across a man's body. Brent Fowler is lying on a patch of moorland normally covered in thick heather; however, a fire has burnt it away to reveal his body. The dead man, Pluke discovers, has been shot in the head.
It is soon established that the victim was a paedophile murder suspect, and so the eccentric and superstitious Pluke is pitched headlong into an investigation which spans both sides of the Pennines. Other paedophiles have also been lured to beauty spots and assassinated; it is known that some received letters saying they had won prizes offering unforgettable experiences.
Relying on his luck-enhancing techniques as he ventures into the city of Manchester upon his quest, Pluke himself is arrested on suspicion of being a paedophile! Then it is his turn to receive a letter saying he has won a Lucky Break weekend in the Lake District. Pluke knows that Brent Fowler won the prize of a weekend shooting party - as its victim - and so it is that the brave and magnificent Montague Pluke allows himself to be carried by the assassins to almost certain death, steadfastly protected by his rabbit's foot, rowan twig, double hazel nut and lucky blackthorn shillelegh.
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First British Edition Severn House (2006) |
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Self Assured
Matthew and Evelyn have now bought their new home - and are worried about the cost of maintaining it and paying the mortgage and household bills. So there’s no alternative but to work harder at selling insurance for the Premier Assurance Association.
As always, the mix of clients never fails to entertain. For instance, why did the vicar want two bridesmaids to be insured before the wedding celebrations? Dolly and Daisy seemed to be very well-behaved shire horses. And then there was the lady who wanted to provide for her grandchildren’s future - no problem with the endowment policies save that the names looked a bit strange: Henry II, George III and Even Elizabeth I.
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First British Edition Robert Hale (2005) |
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Constable in the Country
As he awaits his anticipated promotion, Police Constable Rhea continues his work on the Yorkshire moorland beat of Aidensfield, reminiscing about his childhood in a similar idyllic village and making the inevitable comparisons.
There is little doubt his rural upbringing helps him deal with the variety of incidents and people he encounters, such as a press photographer who gets lost while trying to locate a centenarian, a party of day-trippers who get imprisoned in a field and a farmer whose vehicles smother the lanes
with mud.
There's a character who earns a good income without apparently working and an entrepreneur who makes excellent use of raw material thrown away by others while Claude Jeremiah Greengrass splashes out on a colourful new car, only to have a pop group make an offer he can't resist. Claude's new lorry is then stolen, the Beast of Aidensfield terrifies villagers by lurking in the darkness and there are complaints of bare flesh being illegally exposed near the village.
Constable Nick encounters psychic cows, ghostly acehorses and clever sheepdogs as he deals with a hoard of silver in the thatched roof of a cottage and the disappearance of a lad who has gone to climb Everest. Then should Nick spoil his family's Christmas Day by going to inspect an empty
car in a field? And how does he cope with a family who have acquired a little boy when no-one knows who he is or where he's come from?
It's all part of his duty for Constable Nick of Aidensfield.
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First British Edition Hale (2005) |
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Sergeant Simpson's Sacrifice
All through his police career Dick Simpson has nurtured an
ambition to investigate a murder case but, as a town patrol sergeant, he
has never had the opportunity. He is now a sick man, approaching the end
of his career and it seems unlikely his wish will be fulfilled.
However, the discovery of a murder victim in a local park
pitches him headlong into Hildenley's first murder investigation. The dead
man was a known rapist and suspected murderer but, as the enquiries
intensify, Simpson's son becomes prime suspect. With a lack of evidence
against the lad, Sergeant Simpson faces the likelihood that a deep family
secret could be revealed as he himself falls under suspicion. Meanwhile,
the officer in charge of the enquiry is very proud of his 100% detection
rate for murder and has no intention of allowing that record to be ruined
by an unsolved case.
And so, to protect his family, Sergeant Simpson makes a remarkable
sacrifice.
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First British Edition Severn House (2005) |
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Rest Assured
'........In this follow-up to 'Some Assured' we see Matthew Taylor updating
his fledging business with a telephone and a car called Betsy . He is still
busily touting for busines on behalf of Premier Assurance in the wild
landscape of the North York Moors in the 1950's.. Meanwhile, Evelyn, his
wife, is learning to drive to further her career as a teacher.
Crocky Morris, the much-loved, accident-prone pot pedlar features again, as
well as the motley clients Matthew attracts at his office' outside a local
pub on market day. A perfect recipe for life in this distinctive part of
post-war rural England. And thanks to Matthew's diligence, everyone can
'rest assured' in this beautiful corner of Heartbeat' country.......'
About The Author
Nicholas Rhea is the pseudonym of Peter N. Walker. He has published more than 120 books, the majority of which are crime fiction. In 1986, his Murder after the Holiday, written under the pseudonym Andrew Arncliffe, won the first Police Review Award for the book which best portrayed police work and procedure. He has also written four non-fiction crime-related books: The Courts of Law (David & Charles 1971), Punishment: An illustrated History (David & Charles 1972), Murders and Mysteries from the North York Moors (Hale 1988) and Murders and Mysteries from the Yorkshire Dales (Hale 1991). He is a member of the Crime Writers' Association, and was its Chairman (1995-96). His other published work includes the Constable series of books, written as Nicholas Rhea, which feature a village constable on the North York Moors during the 60's and which were adapted by Yorkshire TV as Heartbeat. He is a retired police inspector, married with grandchildren and lives on the edge of the North York Moors.
Author's note
Apart from my consultancy work for Heartbeat, where my 1960's police service knowledge is proving invaluable, I am still busy working on new books and my column, ‘Countryman’s Diary’ for the Darlington & Stockton Times and ‘Rural View’ for the Malton Gazette.
Bibliography
N.B. dates and publishers in dark red indicate British First Editions. Dates and publishers in black indicate recent reprints.
Prize Murder
(Constable & Robinson,
2006)
Oct 06
Self Assured
(Severn House,
2006)
Constable in the Country
(Robert Hale,
2005)
Sergeant Simpson's Sacrifice
(Hale,
2005)
Rest Assured
(Severn House,
2005)
Constable along the Trail
(Hale,
2005)
Hale Pbk Oct 06
( Constable Nick)
Some Assured
(Severn House,
2004)
Curse of the Golden Trough
(Constable,
2004)
(Montague Pluke)
Constable around the Park
(Hale,
2004)
Hale Pbk Jan 05
( Constable Nick)
Constable in the Wilderness
(Hale,
2003)
Hale Pbk Jan 04
Dead Ends
(Constable,
2003)
Constable along the River-bank
(Hale,
2002)
Hale Pbk Sep 03
( Constable Nick)
Garland for a Dead Maiden
(Constable & Robinson,
2002)
(Montague Pluke)
Constable goes to Market
(Hale,
2002)
Constable Over the Bridge
(Hale,
2001)
( Constable Nick)
The Sniper
(Constable,
2001)
(Mark Pemberton)
Constable Along the Highway
(Robert Hale,
2001)
( Constable Nick)
Constable Around the Houses
(Hale,
2000)
( Constable Nick)
A Well-Pressed Shroud
(Constable,
2000)
(Montague Pluke)
Constable in the Farmyard
(Hale,
1999)
( Constable Nick)
Death of a Princess
(Constable,
1999)
(Mark Pemberton)
Constable Over the Stile
(Hale,
1998)
Hale Pbk Mar 03
( Constable Nick)
Constable Under the Gooseberry Bush
(Hale,
1998)
Pbk Sep 99
( Constable Nick)
Superstitious Death
(Constable,
1998)
(Montague Pluke)
Confession
(Constable,
1997)
(Mark Pemberton)
Constable at the Gate
(Hale,
1997)
( Constable Nick)
Constable at the Dam
(Hale,
1997)
Headline Pbk 1998
( Constable Nick)
Omens of Death
(Constable,
1997)
(Montague Pluke)
Constable about the Parish
(Hale,
1996)
Headline Pbk 1997
( Constable Nick)
Suspect
(Constable,
1995)
(Mark Pemberton)
Constable versus Greengrass
(Hale,
1995)
( Constable Nick)
Constable in the Shrubbery
(Hale,
1995)
( Constable Nick)
Yorkshire Days
(Hutton Press,
1995)
Family Ties
(Constable,
1994)
(Mark Pemberton)
Constable in Control
(Hale,
1994)
( Constable Nick)
Constable beneath the Trees
(Hale,
1994)
( Constable Nick)
Heartbeat Omnibus II
(Hale,
1993)
( Constable Nick)
Constable around the Green
(Hale,
1993)
( Constable Nick)
Folk Stories from the Lake District
(Hale,
1993)
as Peter N. Walker
Heartbeat of Yorkshire
(Jarrolds,
1993)
Folk Stories from the York & the Wolds
(Hale,
1992)
Heartbeat Omnibus I
(Hale,
1992)
( Constable Nick)
Folk Tales from York & the Wolds
(Hale,
1992)
as Peter N. Walker
Grave Secrets
(Constable,
1992)
as Peter N.Walker (Mark Pemberton)
Constable by the Stream
(Hale,
1991)
( Constable Nick)
Folk Stories from the Yorkshire Dales
(Hale,
1991)
as Peter N. Walker
Murders & Mysteries from the Yorkshire Dales
(Hale,
1991)
as Peter N. Walker
False Alibi
(Constable,
1991)
as Peter N.Walker (Mark Pemberton)
Constable among the Heather
(Hale,
1990)
( Constable Nick)
Emmerdale's Yorkshire
(Weidenfeld & Nicholson,
1990)
Emmerdale
Folk Tales from the North York Moors
(Hale,
1990)
as Peter N. Walker
Constable in Disguise
(Hale,
1989)
( Constable Nick)
Wives and Lovers
(Fontana,
1989)
Emmerdale
Constable at the Double
(Hale,
1988)
( Constable Nick)
Constable through the Meadow
(Hale,
1988)
( Constable Nick)
Emmerdale Official Companion
(Weidenfeld & Nicholson,
1988)
Emmerdale
Emmerdale Book of Country Lore
(Hamlyn,
1988)
Emmerdale
Divided Loyalties
(Fontana,
1988)
Emmerdale
Murders & Mysteries from the N.York Moors
(Hale,
1988)
as Peter N. Walker
A Friend in Need
(Fontana,
1987)
Emmerdale as James Ferguson
Constable along the Lane
(Hale,
1986)
( Constable Nick)
Murder after the Holiday
(Hale,
1985)
as Andrew Arncliffe
Constable by the Sea
(Hale,
1985)
( Constable Nick)
Prisoner on the Run
(Hale,
1985)
as Christopher Coram
Carnaby and the Campaigners
(Hale,
1984)
( Carnaby)
Robber in a Mole Trap
(Hale,
1984)
Carnaby as Peter N. Walker ( Carnaby)
Portrait of the North York Moors
(Hale,
1984)
Constable in the Dale
(Hale,
1983)
( Constable Nick)
Teenage Cop
(Hale,
1982)
Carnaby as Peter N. Walker ( Carnaby)
Constable across the Moors
(Hale,
1982)
( Constable Nick)
Prisoner on the Dam
(Hale,
1982)
as Christopher Coram
Siege for Panda One
(Hale,
1981)
Carnaby as Peter N. Walker ( Carnaby)
Constable around the Village
(Hale,
1981)
( Constable Nick)
Carnaby and the Counterfeiters
(Hale,
1980)
( Carnaby)
The Carlton Plot
The Carlton Plot
(Hale,
1980)
Carnaby as Peter N. Walker ( Carnaby)
Constable on the Prowl
(Hale,
1980)
( Constable Nick)
Constable on the Hill
(Hale,
1979)
( Constable Nick)
Murder Beneath the Trees
(Hale,
1979)
as Christopher Coram
Target Criminal
(Hale,
1978)
Carnaby as Peter N. Walker ( Carnaby)
Witchcraft for Panda One
(Hale,
1978)
Carnaby as Peter N. Walker ( Carnaby)
The MacIntyre Plot
(Hale,
1977)
Carnaby as Peter N. Walker ( Carnaby)
Missing from Home
(Hale,
1977)
( Carnaby)
Carnaby and the Kidnappers
(Hale,
1976)
as Peter N. Walker ( Carnaby)
Murder by the Lake
(Hale,
1975)
as Christopher Coram
The Dovingsby Death
(Hale,
1975)
Carnaby as Peter N. Walker ( Carnaby)
Carnaby and the Infiltrators
(Hale,
1974)
( Carnaby)
Major Incident
(Hale,
1974)
Carnaby as Peter N. Walker ( Carnaby)
Death on the Motorway
(Hale,
1973)
as Christopher Coram
Panda One Investigates
(Hale,
1973)
Carnaby as Peter N. Walker ( Carnaby)
Punishment - An Illus.History
(David & Charles,
1972)
as Peter N. Walker
Carnaby and the Demonstrators
(Hale,
1972)
as Peter N. Walker ( Carnaby)
Identification Parade
(Hale,
1972)
Carnaby as Peter N. Walker ( Carnaby)
The Courts of Law
(David & Charles,
1971)
as Peter N. Walker
Panda One on Duty
(Hale,
1971)
Carnaby as Peter N. Walker ( Carnaby)
Carnaby and the Eliminators
(Hale,
1971)
as Peter N. Walker ( Carnaby)
Special Duty
(Hale,
1971)
Carnaby as Peter N. Walker ( Carnaby)
Death in Ptarmigan Forest
(Hale,
1970)
as Christopher Coram
Carnaby and the Saboteurs
(Hale,
1970)
as Peter N. Walker ( Carnaby)
Fatal Accident
(Hale,
1970)
Carnaby as Peter N. Walker ( Carnaby)
Espionage for a Lady
(Hale,
1969)
as Tom Ferris
A Call to Die
(Hale,
1969)
as Christopher Coram
Carnaby and the Conspirators
(Hale,
1969)
as Peter N. Walker ( Carnaby)
A Call to Danger
(Hale,
1968)
as Christopher Coram
Carnaby and the Assassins
(Hale,
1968)
as Peter N. Walker ( Constable Nick)
Carnaby and the Gaolbreakers
(Hale,
1968)
as Peter N. Walker ( Carnaby)
Carnaby and the Hijackers
(Hale,
1967)
as Peter N. Walker ( Carnaby)
Prize Murder
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by Nicholas Rhea
