Books On Board
series Reading Order

Constable Books in Order

38 Books
1979 – 1997 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start Your Constable Journey

For the absolute best reading experience, you should start with the very first book published, Constable on the Hill (1979). This introduces you to the fictional village of Aidensfield and follows Constable Nick Rhea as he moves his wife Mary and their three children to the rural North Yorkshire Moors to begin his new life as a village bobby. Starting here allows you to see the town, its quirky residents, and Nick's own family grow naturally over the years.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

Because these books are written as a series of cozy, humorous anecdotes rather than one continuous high-stakes plot, they are highly episodic. Following the publication order is the most satisfying way to watch the characters evolve. However, there is one major chronological exception to keep in mind:

  • Constable on Trial (2016): Although published near the end of the series, this book is actually a prequel. It details Nick's early days as a fresh-faced junior officer 'on trial' in the CID in the seaside resort of Strensford. While it is chronologically first, it is best read later in the series as a fun flashback once you are already familiar with the characters.

Decoding the Heartbeat TV Tie-Ins

Nicholas Rhea’s books inspired the beloved ITV drama series Heartbeat, which ran for 18 seasons between 1992 and 2010. Due to the show’s immense popularity, several editions of the books were rebranded with 'Heartbeat' on the cover, which can cause confusion for modern readers. Pay close attention to these specific titles:

  • Heartbeat: Constable on Call (1993): Unlike the rest of the series, this book is a direct novelization of a television script. It features the TV show's protagonist, Constable Nick Rowan (played by Nick Berry), rather than the book series' original literary protagonist, Constable Nick Rhea.
  • Heartbeat: Constable at the Dam (1997) vs. Constable at the Dam (1998): These represent the same reservoir construction storyline, sometimes repackaged with the TV tie-in branding.

Cozy Spin-offs and Related Series

If you finish all 38 books in the main series and want more cozy Yorkshire mysteries, Nicholas Rhea (the pen name of former police officer Peter N. Walker) wrote several other series set in the same region:

The Montague Pluke Series

This seven-book spin-off features a quirky Detective Inspector in North Yorkshire who is obsessed with local superstitions and omens. The series begins with Omens of Death (1996) and concludes with A Full Churchyard (2014).

Other Peter N. Walker Police Procedurals

Under his real name and other pseudonyms, Walker wrote the Mark Pemberton Cases (following a CID inspector in Yorkshire) and the Maddleskirk Abbey series (humorous stories about a group of Yorkshire monks).

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended starting book for the Constable series?

You should start with Constable on the Hill (1979), which introduces Constable Nick Rhea, his family, and the charming village of Aidensfield.

QAre the Constable books and the TV show Heartbeat the same?

No. While the TV show Heartbeat was inspired by the books, it adapted the plotlines and changed characters. For instance, the TV show features Nick Rowan, whereas the main books feature Nick Rhea.

QWhere does Constable on Trial fit in the reading order?

Constable on Trial (2016) is a prequel detailing Nick's early CID days. While chronologically first, it is best read as a flashback after you have read some of the main series.

QWhy do some books have 'Heartbeat' in the title?

Due to the success of the TV adaptation, publishers rebranded several books with the 'Heartbeat' prefix. The book Heartbeat: Constable on Call is unique because it is a script novelization starring the TV character Nick Rowan instead of Nick Rhea.

QDid Nicholas Rhea write any other series in the same universe?

Yes, cozy mystery fans will enjoy his Montague Pluke series (starting with Omens of Death), which follows a superstitious Detective Inspector in North Yorkshire.