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Wycliffe #5
Wycliffe and Death in Stanley Street
Another case for the Cornish detective, Superintendent Wycliffe. He investigates the murder of a prostitute, found naked and strangled in a cul-de-sac in the centre of a sprawling West Country port. Wycliffe senses this is not the routine sex crime that it seems, and is proved right.
219 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1974
18 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
W.J. Burley
44 books25 followersBurley was born in Falmouth, Cornwall. Before he began writing, he was employed in senior management with various gas companies, before giving it up after the Second World War when he obtained a scholarship to study zoology at Balliol College, Oxford. After obtaining an honours degree he became a teacher. Appointed head of biology, first at Richmond & East Sheen County Grammar School in 1953, then at Newquay Grammar School in 1955, he was well established as a writer by the time he retired at the age of 60 in 1974. He died at his home in Holywell, Cornwall, on 15 August 2002.
John Burley had his first novel published when he was in his early fifties. His second published novel, two years later, saw the appearance of Superintendent Charles Wycliffe.
Over the next 25 years Burley produced another seventeen Wycliffe books and five other books.
Then, late in 1993, one of Burley's Wycliffe stories appeared on television in a pilot starring Jack Shepherd.
The pilot was followed by 37 episodes broadcast over a five year period.
By 1995 the author was, for the first time in his life, financially comfortable. He was over eighty.
But the success of the television series meant that John Burley found himself overshadowed by his creations. To the public, the name Wycliffe brought to mind the unsmiling face of Jack Shepherd, the actor. Even in the bookshops it was Shepherd's face that dominated the covers of Burley's paperbacks.
John Burley, however, continued to write and produced a further four Wycliffe titles. He was working on his 23rd Wycliffe novel, Wycliffe's Last Lap, when he died in 2002.
Recently a wish to restore the balance has emerged from amongst his readers. There is a feeling that we are neglecting a writer of quality, one who deserves to stand beside Simenon, the creator of Inspector Maigret.
Reading through John Burley's books in publication sequence, one notices how the author's voice gets stronger and his views more certain. And how his writing skills grow until, in the later books, a few words are all that it takes to pin down an image. These are the signs of a writer confident in his craft.
John Burley had his first novel published when he was in his early fifties. His second published novel, two years later, saw the appearance of Superintendent Charles Wycliffe.
Over the next 25 years Burley produced another seventeen Wycliffe books and five other books.
Then, late in 1993, one of Burley's Wycliffe stories appeared on television in a pilot starring Jack Shepherd.
The pilot was followed by 37 episodes broadcast over a five year period.
By 1995 the author was, for the first time in his life, financially comfortable. He was over eighty.
But the success of the television series meant that John Burley found himself overshadowed by his creations. To the public, the name Wycliffe brought to mind the unsmiling face of Jack Shepherd, the actor. Even in the bookshops it was Shepherd's face that dominated the covers of Burley's paperbacks.
John Burley, however, continued to write and produced a further four Wycliffe titles. He was working on his 23rd Wycliffe novel, Wycliffe's Last Lap, when he died in 2002.
Recently a wish to restore the balance has emerged from amongst his readers. There is a feeling that we are neglecting a writer of quality, one who deserves to stand beside Simenon, the creator of Inspector Maigret.
Reading through John Burley's books in publication sequence, one notices how the author's voice gets stronger and his views more certain. And how his writing skills grow until, in the later books, a few words are all that it takes to pin down an image. These are the signs of a writer confident in his craft.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 24, 2018
Wycliffe has shifted headquarters, from one from grim West Country location to another, it seems, despite the beauties of England’s south coast. I found myself thinking about the beauty of English countryside and villages, and is, and how ugly are many of its towns and cities. I can’t remember enough of previous Wycliffes that I’ve read to know whether Burley locates all his crimes in run down or seedy places, but these do. I enjoyed the unwinding of the plot, but the characters are drawn in heavy outline and not very convincing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2016
by W.J. Burley is the 5th book in the Chief Superintendent Wycliffe mystery series. Wycliffe works for CID in a West County town. It's a few days from Xmas and a prostitute is murdered on Stanley Street.As Wycliffe and his team investigate, the murder is not as simple as it seems; is the prostitute blackmailing people, are drugs involved, is it a spurned lover? Wycliffe is a grumpy fella, adjusting to a new appointment and new location. He has an excellent team, from his assistant, WPC Saxton to crusty Inspector Gill.
The story moves along matter-of-factly. We do get so spend a brief time with wife, Helen and the family. But it's all about the case for Wycliffe and he just seems to fall into the solution. The story is a pleasure to read, almost cozy, with a slight edge. (3 stars)
October 15, 2016
Just ok. Probably won't read any more of these.
November 25, 2025
🍷
Wine glass duly awarded. This is the classic old style British police procedural, but brought forward enough to seem like it’s contemporary, even though written half a century ago. In fact, the cover blurb (Publishers Weekly, but still accurate!) says, “Good on characterizations, puzzlement and plotting and background atmosphere.” I not only second that, I raise the rating to “excellent” on all of those factors.
A book that’s a pleasure to pick up and read, and as was so often the case in that era, does it all in a bit less than 200 pages. W. J. Burley’s DS Wycliffe books are rapidly becoming favorites of mine, highly recommended.
Wine glass duly awarded. This is the classic old style British police procedural, but brought forward enough to seem like it’s contemporary, even though written half a century ago. In fact, the cover blurb (Publishers Weekly, but still accurate!) says, “Good on characterizations, puzzlement and plotting and background atmosphere.” I not only second that, I raise the rating to “excellent” on all of those factors.
A book that’s a pleasure to pick up and read, and as was so often the case in that era, does it all in a bit less than 200 pages. W. J. Burley’s DS Wycliffe books are rapidly becoming favorites of mine, highly recommended.
January 16, 2023
Not a bad story – the murder of a prostitute proves the gateway to more complex crimes, Wycliffe will unravel the puzzle and everything will lead to a satisfying conclusion … more or less.
The handling of the sex life and real life of the murder victim is a bit simplistic, but maybe a more complex exploration of psychology would not have suited the market? We’re left with a tale which is just a little bit too pat – it’s a story which could have been built into a really tense and exciting thriller.
But, an entertaining read.
The handling of the sex life and real life of the murder victim is a bit simplistic, but maybe a more complex exploration of psychology would not have suited the market? We’re left with a tale which is just a little bit too pat – it’s a story which could have been built into a really tense and exciting thriller.
But, an entertaining read.
November 8, 2022
A brainy young prostitute meets a sordid end in her place of business. The ordinary cops prepare themselves for a string of sex crimes. But Chief Inspector Wycliffe thinks there is more to it than that. And he’ll find the answer, and won’t mind missing his family’s Christmas to do it.
Good, short mystery with an interesting plot and setting made for crime. The early 70s homophobia may make this a no go for some readers.
Good, short mystery with an interesting plot and setting made for crime. The early 70s homophobia may make this a no go for some readers.
March 16, 2025
A young prostitute is found strangled in her flat, and yet Inspector Wycliffe does not think this is a run-of-the-mill crime. Christine Powell had contacts in the local real estate community and was quietly amassing a fortune. She was also an amateur painter and spent time in a studio provided by a local antiquarian book dealer.
This was a pretty run-of-the-mill mystery novel from 1974, but I enjoyed it.
This was a pretty run-of-the-mill mystery novel from 1974, but I enjoyed it.
November 21, 2017
I find the Wycliffe detective stories interesting. I like English literature - although I sometimes am not sure of some phrases. There is a good plot and some interesting characters. It's not intense but holds my interest. I am curious to see as I read more Wycliffe stories if I will feel they are more predictable.
September 8, 2018
As always a nice quick easy read of an old series of Wycliffe.
August 14, 2021
A very good read and murder, mystery and surpense.
September 29, 2023
Anti-gay, anti-women: his age is no excuse as when he wrote this the women's and gay movements were 20 years old so his decisions are deliberate. Won't be reading any more.
December 9, 2015
A young prostitute is found dead in a rather sordid street as W. J. Burley’s "Wycliffe and Death in Stanley Street" opens, but it isn’t long before Superintendent Wycliffe discovers that her life, and death, were not at all what they at first seem. Artists, antique book dealers and major real estate deals all have parts to play in the crime, but it will take another death, and a suspicious fire, before Wycliffe can begin to get a handle on the case…. This is the fifth book in the long-running detective series, set in Cornwall, UK, in the 1960s and ‘70s. In this one, Wycliffe has been moved to new offices in the “city,” by which I assume Truro must be meant (although the name of the municipality is never given) simply because nothing else in Cornwall would really merit the term “city” at that time. I enjoy the main character and his relationships with subordinates, and I like that the mystery is fairly laid out, giving the reader a fair chance at solving the murder before the hero does. As with the earlier books in the series, there’s a lot of casual sexism running through the story (there are no “women” in the book, only “girls,” whereas there are also no “boys” in the book, only “men” - language parsing that becomes trying at times); I can’t say there’s racism too because there are no non-white characters at all. However, if you can ignore those factors, then the story is entertaining and nicely paced. I don’t think it’s necessary to have read the earlier books to enjoy this one; recommended with the above caveats.
July 19, 2021
Really enjoyed this one. Wycliffe is investigating the murder of a prostitute. However it appears this young lady had more than a few secrets. Add in a second murder where the victim could be one of two people, both of them suspects in the first murder and both missing, as well as some possible real estate shenanigans and you have quite a plate full.
Wycliffe has a new office in a new location. Not sure if this is a permanent change but we shall find out. He also has a new home which his wife is decorating which is how Wycliffe meets one of the central characters in this novel. Inspector Gill is still around as will, as is Wycliffe’s superior.
One drawback to this book is the attitude shown towards homosexuality. Given when this book was written originally this is not surprising. I daresay the opinions attributed to Wycliffe were common back then. In fact many probably still hold such opinions, though some scientific studies do question them. They do not really detract from the main story however.
All in all a good read. So far this has been the best of the series, at least in my humble opinion.
Wycliffe has a new office in a new location. Not sure if this is a permanent change but we shall find out. He also has a new home which his wife is decorating which is how Wycliffe meets one of the central characters in this novel. Inspector Gill is still around as will, as is Wycliffe’s superior.
One drawback to this book is the attitude shown towards homosexuality. Given when this book was written originally this is not surprising. I daresay the opinions attributed to Wycliffe were common back then. In fact many probably still hold such opinions, though some scientific studies do question them. They do not really detract from the main story however.
All in all a good read. So far this has been the best of the series, at least in my humble opinion.
December 11, 2012
I enjoyed watching the Wycliffe detective series when it was on TV several years ago. The series is set in Cornwall and features Inspector Wycliffe as a likeable detective, somewhat unusual and always gets his man.
September 11, 2013
a great story and gripping to the end
November 14, 2016
Well plotted. I always like these books and this one didn't disappoint!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews