There is something sublimely relaxing, and educational at the same time about these books. It is true that I have loyally watched the show since the first season, but history has even more appeal when it is as recent as this, and yet seems a world and more away.  Rhea’s tales about times when police work was as much social work as catching criminals have the fascination of being true (at least partly), and he certainly has some extraordinary stories to tell. Such as a whole forest disappearing overnight, a mysterious person who leaves notes in houses telling the occupants that they could have been burgled and the tragic account of a man whose family hated him so much they refused to pay for his funeral. Rhea has an easy, storyteller style that conjures up images of old fashioned pubs on dark evenings while the wind howls across the moors that suits his material. There are some useful hints to prevent burglary too - which lights would you leave on in an empty house?  Compulsive reading.