Charles and Elizabeth: A Gothic Mystery

by W.J. Burley

Brian, a young teacher, finds himself intermittently entering the body and life of Charles Bottrell, dead for over a century, and becomes caught up in the tragedy of the Bottrell family

Genres: Mystery

173 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Burley 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.

Reviews

[Jim Dooley · Rating 3 out of 5]

CHARLES AND ELIZABETH was recommended to me by a mystery writer who knew that I enjoy Gothic mysteries. Finishing it, I found it to be both a good reading experience, and yet not quite satisfying. Part of that may have to do with the "twist ending" that I didn't see coming, and that felt as if it had been included to leave the Reader startled rather than growing out of what I had read before.

The central story is about a teacher who becomes obsessed over the past history of a notable family to the point that he begins "merging identities" with one of the family members from many years before. He only "shares" that life when he is at the home grounds of the family which has fallen into disrepair since the last resident died. The transitions between himself and the family member changes back and forth without warning, and causes friends to worry about his mental health.

I was especially impressed with how those transitional periods developed. Initially, the central character finds it highly unsettling to suddenly discover that he is "not himself," but then he becomes more intrigued. This drives him to study the relationships surrounding his alter ego to learn the truth about an ominous disappearance.

CHARLES AND ELIZABETH will likely appeal to those who enjoy the more subtle tales of the supernatural similar to Richard Matheson's BID TIME RETURN. There are few "ghostly" moments, and no "evil presence" directing things. I suppose it would be fair to say that W. J. Burley has written a "cozy Gothic Mystery."

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unusual (for me, anyway) Gothic mystery. I appreciated the way the author structured the book and how, along with the main character, we start slipping into and out of Charles' life without warning. I think any kind of indication—italics, etc.—would have made the experience less immediate. As it is, it takes a beat to catch up with what's happened, making it as confusing for the reader as it no doubt is for the main character. However, I thought the shift between the way Charles is presented at the beginning—with cruel almost psychopathic tendencies—to the way he's portrayed at the end—more passive and being led along dark paths by Elizabeth—was a little contradictory. I also didn't quite understand Elizabeth's actions. Why the rush to be married to Gordon? Because she couldn't wait any longer for Charles? And why wouldn't you make sure Charles was onboard with the plan? Because clearly he wasn't. Either way, it was a haunting and absorbing read.