Constable in the Shrubbery

The brilliantly entertaining and heartwarming books behind the hit 90s TV series Heartbeat, one of the top ten most watched shows of the decade.

Local aristocrat Lord Thackerton is holding a party at Elsinby Hall to celebrate his sixtieth birthday. Constable Nick must make sure that everything is in order as there will be some VIP guests. Nick notices Phyllis Catchpole, a well-known pickpocket, in attendance and although she assures him that she's here for legitimate 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 ageing lord and who also has a taste for spying on people. Considering he's not cordially invited to the event, what’s he doing there?

Constable Nick's shift finishes without incident and he heads home. Just as he is about to tuck into bed, there’s a phone call. His sleepy village isn't quite as sleepy as he thought. Edwin Drood, a wealthy and very aloof man, has been found shot dead.

Although this man had his fair share of enemies, surely no one hated him enough to kill him? With so many dodgy types at the party, Constable Nick must work fast before the situation escalates any further.

Constable in the Shrubbery was originally published in 1995.