The Nice Bloke

A Story of Charm, Deception, and the Cost of Kindness

The Nice Bloke by Catherine Cookson, published by Corgi in 1998, is a powerful portrait of a community unsettled by one man's dangerous charm. In her signature Northern English setting, Cookson once again captures the delicate threads that bind family, friendship, and trust.

When Harry Blenheim appears in the quiet lives of Mary and Tom McMullen, he seems to be everything his nickname promises: generous, well-mannered, and eager to help. But what starts as gratitude for Harry’s assistance slowly gives way to unease. He’s just a little too polished, too helpful—too good to be true.

As Harry becomes more entwined with the McMullens and their neighbors, his influence begins to shift the balance of their lives. Suspicion grows, loyalties are tested, and Mary must confront a truth she doesn't want to see. Is Harry truly the “nice bloke” he claims to be, or is he hiding something far more troubling?

With a finely drawn cast of characters and a plot that simmers with tension, The Nice Bloke is a compelling exploration of how appearances can deceive—and how the smallest kindnesses can lead to the biggest consequences.