National Network for Equitable Library Service

This title tells the second 'Thomas Potts' historical mystery. It is 1826, and in the town of Redditch in Worcestershire, Thomas Potts, reluctant Parish Constable, battles single-handedly to keep the peace and control crime. With the notorious 'Needle Pointers' up in arms at the news of a cut in their rate of pay, and a mysterious criminal gang, known as the 'Rippling Boys', robbing, murdering and body-snatching with impunity, gentle, timid Tom has his work cut out.At the same time he must confront daily the unreasonable demands of his shrewish, bed-ridden mother, with whom he shares a home in the town's Lock-Up, and seek every possible opportunity for courting the pert, pretty Amy Jenks. Unpaid, overworked and derided by the majority of the townspeople, Tom must now risk his life to bring the 'Rippling Boys' to justice.