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Wycliffe #15
Wycliffe and the tangled web
A beautiful schoolgirl goes missing from a Cornish village on the day she tells her boyfriend and sister that she’s pregnant. The possibility that she’s been raped or murdered—or both—grows with every passing hour, and Wycliffe is brought in on the case. The investigation reveals a complex network of family intrigue centered on the girl; and then Wycliffe finds a body—but not the one he expects. Have there been two murders? As Wycliffe digs deeper, he soon realizes that just beneath the mundane surface of the community lies a web of hatred and resentment—a web he will have to untangle if he’s to find the key to the mystery.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1988
About the author
W.J. Burley
45 books24 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 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 6, 2021
Non esiste una legenda per le stelline e quindi penso che ognuno le interpreti un po’ come vuole. Per me due stelline è un voto che varia da 6 a 7 ed è poi l’eventuale recensione a far capire il gradimento.
È il primo libro che leggo del sovrintendente Wycliffe, scelto a caso tra i 22 che ha scritto e mi è sembrato ok. Vediamo se diventerà per me il nuovo Wexford.
È il primo libro che leggo del sovrintendente Wycliffe, scelto a caso tra i 22 che ha scritto e mi è sembrato ok. Vediamo se diventerà per me il nuovo Wexford.
May 15, 2017
Enjoyable British mystery.
August 2, 2018
I enjoy the Wycliffe books a very old crime series by the late W.J. Burley.
January 5, 2022
Very short quick easy read.
Just what I needed.
A comfortable British murder.
Just what I needed.
A comfortable British murder.
September 14, 2012
Not one of W.J. Burley's best. This is far more of a police procedural than the early Wycliffes and, although it contains , these serve only to distract the detective work (the Tangled Web of the title). A further departure in this book from previous entries in the series is the introduction of a new storytelling device: namely the constant marking of the passage of time.
"Wednesday morning:"
This serves to make time the dominant character in the novel - the reader is always aware of its passage. Whilst the passage of time is obviously of importance to solving any crime (and especially one involving a missing person) it nevertheless jars somewhat with Burley's usual writing style, which lacks urgency.
One interesting diversion for fans of Wycliffe is the constant development of policework that happens in the background of the series: the books were written over a period of more than forty years and, even though Wycliffe and his family (and Franks) never age other, supporting, characters are promoted and retired. Beyond that, the nature of the work changes. This book, for example, sees reference to "TV's Crimewatch" and the deployment of "VDU screens" alongside the typewriters in the incident room. Something Wycliffe is predictably suspicious of. Forensics have also changed, with some techniques used in previous novels now used for a quick assessment of a crime scene but no longer considered reliable or precise enough to use as evidence in a court.
Overall then, this is a pleasant diversion, but not as engaging as others in the series: one for fans rather than newcomers to Burley's elegant writing.
"Wednesday morning:"
This serves to make time the dominant character in the novel - the reader is always aware of its passage. Whilst the passage of time is obviously of importance to solving any crime (and especially one involving a missing person) it nevertheless jars somewhat with Burley's usual writing style, which lacks urgency.
One interesting diversion for fans of Wycliffe is the constant development of policework that happens in the background of the series: the books were written over a period of more than forty years and, even though Wycliffe and his family (and Franks) never age other, supporting, characters are promoted and retired. Beyond that, the nature of the work changes. This book, for example, sees reference to "TV's Crimewatch" and the deployment of "VDU screens" alongside the typewriters in the incident room. Something Wycliffe is predictably suspicious of. Forensics have also changed, with some techniques used in previous novels now used for a quick assessment of a crime scene but no longer considered reliable or precise enough to use as evidence in a court.
Overall then, this is a pleasant diversion, but not as engaging as others in the series: one for fans rather than newcomers to Burley's elegant writing.
November 29, 2016
A young woman announces to her family and friends that she is pregnant; while her folks try to deal with the information, she has an argument with her boyfriend, leaves him at his boat and disappears. Her body is found a few days later, and Chief Superintendent Wycliffe and his team are called in to investigate; but what he finds is a mystery more to do with the woman’s character than the misdeeds of her people…. The 15th Wycliffe novel, "Wycliffe and the Tangled Web" spends more time exploring the strained psychological relationships between extended family members than describing police work activities needed to solve the actual crime, which is fine by me as I like psychological aspects in these novels, particularly of Wycliffe’s own personality but in this case also in terms of the interesting family members. I don’t think you need to have read the earlier books in this series, and this is one of the best of the lot; recommended.
May 27, 2015
I can't help liking Wycliffe. Burley has created a first rate central character who carefully builds up a picture of the crime and is invariably considerate, compassionate and professional. He's also troubled by the psychological strain the job puts on an essentially decent person. His wife is supportive and caring and their relationship is a strength to them both and to the series of books.
But
There are serious question marks about Burley's attitude to women, the educationally advantaged, the educationally disadvantaged, homosexuals, small people, doctors...
He weaves a decent plot but red herrings tend to be thrown in and then forgotten. This isn't the best. It's full of faults, clumsy prose, barely concealed prejudices and well worn similes. But I never worked out whodunnit until shortly before the reveal, and I thoroughly enjoyed the read.
But
There are serious question marks about Burley's attitude to women, the educationally advantaged, the educationally disadvantaged, homosexuals, small people, doctors...
He weaves a decent plot but red herrings tend to be thrown in and then forgotten. This isn't the best. It's full of faults, clumsy prose, barely concealed prejudices and well worn similes. But I never worked out whodunnit until shortly before the reveal, and I thoroughly enjoyed the read.
March 5, 2011
A beautiful schoolgirl goes missing from a Cornish village on the day that she has told her boyfriend and sister that she is pregnant. A body is found but it isn't the body they were looking for, are there two murders and are they connected.
It was fairly obvious about half way through the book who the murderer was likely to be and I was right. A light enjoyable read and it doesn't normally take me a week to read a book but my attention was very much elsewhere with the earthquake back home in Christchurch.
It was fairly obvious about half way through the book who the murderer was likely to be and I was right. A light enjoyable read and it doesn't normally take me a week to read a book but my attention was very much elsewhere with the earthquake back home in Christchurch.
October 1, 2012
This is a classic mystery tale that follow Chief Superintendent Wycliffe as he delves into the case of a missing girl in a small Cornish village only to find there's a lot more bubbling beneath the surface than was first thought. As he unravels each strand of gossip, intrigue and family feud an ever intricate web of lies and deceit become apparent until the climax of the story where the most unexpected criminal is identified. This is a great little read that has a traditional feel to it, along the lines of Midsomer Murders, which adds to its charm and the enjoyment of the book.
August 28, 2013
I read this book over the Summer Break as it was given to me. I really enjoyed the TV series about a detective in Cornwall in the UK. I love Cornwall and know it well. I enjoyed the TV series more I must say. I might read another book in the series but I think I'll look into buying the TV series actually! I enjoyed the setting and the characters. W J Burley's writing style did not excite me.
June 14, 2009
One of the better Wycliffe novels with a victim who was too smart for her own good. The best Wycliffe novels are ones that are centered in the coastal towns and this is one of those.
January 17, 2013
An easy read,it is what it is - a whodunnit.
March 30, 2017
I do like the Wycliffe books, like the regular characters in them, though this seems a bit less characterful, maybe because for a short book it packs in a lot of plot. It definitely hooked me, read it in one sitting.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews