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Wycliffe #6
Wycliffe and the Pea Green Boat
Libro usado en buenas condiciones, por su antiguedad podria contener señales normales de uso
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
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 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 8, 2024
I discovered the Wycliffe mystery series early in the 2000's and every year or two I try to read at least one book in the series. I haven't previously been reading them in order and it hasn't really mattered but of late I've been trying to read every series that I'm working through in order. Wycliffe and the Pea-Green Boat is the sixth book in the series and it was one of the best so far, I think. At least I really enjoyed this one, even if I did seem to have it sort of figured out.
The story is in two parts and both parts will ultimately be linked together. It starts in 1953 in an unnamed Cornish seaport. The story follows the Tremains, one of the more successful families in town. Morley, an accountant at the local mine, lives with his mother, who had been married to a Tremain brother who had committed suicide a few years previously. She runs the local shop. Morley is quiet, shy and in love with Alice Weekes who works in the store. She is relatively new to the town. The other Tremains live in Quay House and is ruled by Harry Tremain, the patriarch of the family. He has two children, Cedric, a trouble maker and Eunice, who had previously gone out with her cousin, Morley.
As the story progresses, Morley discovers things about Alice and breaks up with her. Alice is found raped and murdered and Morley is arrested and convicted of her murder and sent to prison for execution. The other Tremains are key witnesses to his conviction. Morley's sentence is commuted to life imprisonment and he is released after serving 14 years.
Moving to the present, Harry Tremain is killed when his boat, a pea-green boat to be exact, explodes. The police, investigated by one of Chief Inspector Wycliffe's under-studies, Inspector Gill, ascertains that Tremain was murdered by a bomb in his boat and he arrests Cedric Tremain.
As it happens, Wycliffe, finally making an appearance in this story, is in the town on vaction with his wife Ruth. It seems that Wycliffe is recovering from a bad case of pneumonia and he is in town to meet his daughter, Ruth's, potential in-laws. However, Gill asks Wycliffe to look into the case as he thinks something isn't quite right. So halfway through this story, Wycliffe begins a very interesting investigation. I won't elaborate any more on the case, but it's fascinating and Wycliffe is also at his very best. The cast of 'suspects' are all very interesting. The case is also interesting, especially as you begin to intertwine the two separate cases.
I liked the town, filled with vacationers. I just totally enjoyed the mystery, which to my mind wasn't overly complicated. But the joy of the story is that it didn't matter. Excellent mystery. (4.0 stars)
The story is in two parts and both parts will ultimately be linked together. It starts in 1953 in an unnamed Cornish seaport. The story follows the Tremains, one of the more successful families in town. Morley, an accountant at the local mine, lives with his mother, who had been married to a Tremain brother who had committed suicide a few years previously. She runs the local shop. Morley is quiet, shy and in love with Alice Weekes who works in the store. She is relatively new to the town. The other Tremains live in Quay House and is ruled by Harry Tremain, the patriarch of the family. He has two children, Cedric, a trouble maker and Eunice, who had previously gone out with her cousin, Morley.
As the story progresses, Morley discovers things about Alice and breaks up with her. Alice is found raped and murdered and Morley is arrested and convicted of her murder and sent to prison for execution. The other Tremains are key witnesses to his conviction. Morley's sentence is commuted to life imprisonment and he is released after serving 14 years.
Moving to the present, Harry Tremain is killed when his boat, a pea-green boat to be exact, explodes. The police, investigated by one of Chief Inspector Wycliffe's under-studies, Inspector Gill, ascertains that Tremain was murdered by a bomb in his boat and he arrests Cedric Tremain.
As it happens, Wycliffe, finally making an appearance in this story, is in the town on vaction with his wife Ruth. It seems that Wycliffe is recovering from a bad case of pneumonia and he is in town to meet his daughter, Ruth's, potential in-laws. However, Gill asks Wycliffe to look into the case as he thinks something isn't quite right. So halfway through this story, Wycliffe begins a very interesting investigation. I won't elaborate any more on the case, but it's fascinating and Wycliffe is also at his very best. The cast of 'suspects' are all very interesting. The case is also interesting, especially as you begin to intertwine the two separate cases.
I liked the town, filled with vacationers. I just totally enjoyed the mystery, which to my mind wasn't overly complicated. But the joy of the story is that it didn't matter. Excellent mystery. (4.0 stars)
July 28, 2008
I love a good old-fashioned English mystery - not much gore and a reasonable puzzle. This is the first book in the Wycliffe series that I have read and I now want to read all of them. I found Wycliffe delightful and the mystery just to my taste. Wycliffe reminds me a lot of Inspector Maigret. This is not a new series - most books written in the late 20th century - but, if you like the style like I do, it's a whole new series to be read.
August 19, 2021
Many British mystery/crime/thrillers, seem to be the complete antithesis of their American counterparts and the character of Charles Wycliffe, created by W.J. Burley, is no exception.
Wycliffe is portrayed as a man of few words, who seems rather taciturn and shows little emotion. His actions are slow and deliberate, seldom hasty or over exuberant. Burley is able to pin down an image in just a few words and you can sense the watchfulness and intent listening skills, that Wycliffe applies, when building his case.
The plot in this, and other books in the Wycliffe series, is quite complicated and some of the characters can be dangerous, although they seldom turn out to be professional `villains'.
The Wycliffe books are set in Burley's native Cornwall and Devon and many of the plots are based around tensions and jealousies that are aroused when living in a small community, often with several family members living in close proximity to each other, as is the case with `The Pea-Green Boat,' which is the 6th book, in a series of 22. The jealousy and sometimes barely concealed hatred between family members, is palpable, and leads to a crime being committed, which in many ways is totally out of character, followed by an even more vengeful act of retribution. As with all good mysteries, there is a second, less significant strand of crime, running through the story, which contrives to put you off the scent a little.
This is not a book for those of you who like an action packed, blood soaked thriller, but is one I thoroughly enjoyed, along with the televised series, which starred Jack Shepherd in the title role and did stirling justice to the W.J. Burley books.
Wycliffe is portrayed as a man of few words, who seems rather taciturn and shows little emotion. His actions are slow and deliberate, seldom hasty or over exuberant. Burley is able to pin down an image in just a few words and you can sense the watchfulness and intent listening skills, that Wycliffe applies, when building his case.
The plot in this, and other books in the Wycliffe series, is quite complicated and some of the characters can be dangerous, although they seldom turn out to be professional `villains'.
The Wycliffe books are set in Burley's native Cornwall and Devon and many of the plots are based around tensions and jealousies that are aroused when living in a small community, often with several family members living in close proximity to each other, as is the case with `The Pea-Green Boat,' which is the 6th book, in a series of 22. The jealousy and sometimes barely concealed hatred between family members, is palpable, and leads to a crime being committed, which in many ways is totally out of character, followed by an even more vengeful act of retribution. As with all good mysteries, there is a second, less significant strand of crime, running through the story, which contrives to put you off the scent a little.
This is not a book for those of you who like an action packed, blood soaked thriller, but is one I thoroughly enjoyed, along with the televised series, which starred Jack Shepherd in the title role and did stirling justice to the W.J. Burley books.
April 14, 2016
"Wycliffe and the Pea Green Boat," by W. J. Burley, begins in 1953, when a young Cornishman, Morley Tremain, who lives in a working fishing village, is tried and convicted for the murder of his former girlfriend, Alice, although he is innocent of the crime. Capital punishment still exists in 1953 in the UK, which makes his conviction even more awful, both for him and his family. Fast forward 21 years, and Detective Superintendent Wycliffe and his family find themselves in the same small village, now primarily a tourist haven although with a few working boats still, where Wycliffe has gone to recuperate from a long illness. When one of the villagers’ fishing boat blows up, killing the fisherman, Wycliffe’s subordinate feels that something is not quite right about the case and Wycliffe begins to investigate, since he’s right on the spot…. This is the sixth novel in a long-running British series that was also made into a television show in the UK. I enjoy the main character, who is thoughtful and unconventional in his methods, and as a Cornish person myself, I’m especially happy when the landscape becomes almost another character, as happens in this case. I don’t think one needs to have read the previous books in the series to enjoy this one; in fact, this might be a good one to start with because the general sexism of the times (Burley was writing in the 1960s to 1980s), which can be very off-putting, is relatively muted in this entry. Recommended!
May 15, 2012
A good old-school English murder mystery, and not very long - I read it while on holiday at the seaside and it was exactly right to fill some idle moments for a day!
March 29, 2015
A good, old-fashioned, very English murder mystery, nicely written, good plot well worked out. What's not to like?
October 6, 2023
For any who have watched the TV series Wycliffe, and particularly this episode, you'll be somewhat surprised to learn that the only two things the book and the TV program have in common are Wycliffe and the titular pea-green boat. Reading this book will be a new experience, not a rehash of the TV show.
Usually, I try to read books before I ever watch a TV series based on those books, but this time the program caught my attention first. I'm not sorry. I enjoyed watching the series and now, as I read the books upon which the TV series was based, I wholeheartedly agree with the casting of the show. And I'm enjoying the books too.
Usually, I try to read books before I ever watch a TV series based on those books, but this time the program caught my attention first. I'm not sorry. I enjoyed watching the series and now, as I read the books upon which the TV series was based, I wholeheartedly agree with the casting of the show. And I'm enjoying the books too.
March 11, 2024
Slightly unusual murder mystery this one because it wasn't too difficult to work out who did it quite early on. The author made it fairly obvious! The interest lay in the gradual unfolding of a story of a family, with all its conflicts and loyalties, a story which spanned twenty years and included more than one questionable death. And then into this melting pot comes Charles Wycliffe, recovering from a recent illness, ostensibly on holiday with his prospective in-laws. But Wycliffe doesn't like enforced fun, but he doesn't like being bored either so he gets drawn into helping out with a local case. It's a book that raises questions about justice and repercussions.
October 23, 2020
Another of Burley's novels full of strong characters and obvious conclusions to mysteries. I hate figuring most of a mystery in the first 5th of a book. I was hoping there would be more.
The writing is bumpy at times as it's easy to read Burley assembling his elements to get to the conclusion.
The settings are very well written. The ambiance of the seaside area well comes through the writing.
There's still a good mystery here, but not what it could have been.
Bottom line: i recommend this book. 5 out of ten points.
The writing is bumpy at times as it's easy to read Burley assembling his elements to get to the conclusion.
The settings are very well written. The ambiance of the seaside area well comes through the writing.
There's still a good mystery here, but not what it could have been.
Bottom line: i recommend this book. 5 out of ten points.
August 11, 2025
This is the first Wycliffe book I have read and I wasn't disappointed. A nice easy book to read and not too taxing. However it was quite obvious who had committed both crimes and for that reason I can only give it 3 stars.
September 26, 2017
Burley is remarkably consistent ... not a Wycliffe I've read yet I'd give less than 4 stars. This is early, marked more by Simenon, w/emphasis on characterization over mystery.
October 6, 2017
Interesting characters & interesting ending. Kept me engrossed.
July 16, 2018
Very old crime series but enjoyable and a quick read.
June 3, 2021
A very good read thoroughly enjoyable
February 1, 2026
Right up to Burley’s usual standard - a fine story, with good plotlines and characterization, and a satisfying end. A series I’ve grown to enjoy a good bit.
April 5, 2025
This review was written in October 2019:
This was the first Wycliffe book I've read. It wasn't the best detective novel I've read, but it wasn't the worst either. I read a book by Richard North Paterson before this one which was very heavy reading. This was a good book to relax my mind a bit. It reminded me a bit of Simenon's Maigret novels which I like.
Update on April 5th, 2025
I read this book again and enjoyed it better the second time around. There are spoilers coming up in this description:
Wycliffe is on sick leave and is in a seaside town supposedly recuperating. Harold Tremain gets killed when the engine of his boat blows up and sends Harold flying into the water. The police are ready to call this an accidental death, but they come across evidence that suggests that Harold's son, Cedric, may have fiddled with the engine to cause it to blow up while Harold is on the boat. Inspector Gill is in charge of the investigation and is ready to acknowledge the facts, but he's not satisfied that Cedric is the murderer. He asks Wycliffe to look into the facts unofficially. The end is a surprise.
This was the first Wycliffe book I've read. It wasn't the best detective novel I've read, but it wasn't the worst either. I read a book by Richard North Paterson before this one which was very heavy reading. This was a good book to relax my mind a bit. It reminded me a bit of Simenon's Maigret novels which I like.
Update on April 5th, 2025
I read this book again and enjoyed it better the second time around. There are spoilers coming up in this description:
Wycliffe is on sick leave and is in a seaside town supposedly recuperating. Harold Tremain gets killed when the engine of his boat blows up and sends Harold flying into the water. The police are ready to call this an accidental death, but they come across evidence that suggests that Harold's son, Cedric, may have fiddled with the engine to cause it to blow up while Harold is on the boat. Inspector Gill is in charge of the investigation and is ready to acknowledge the facts, but he's not satisfied that Cedric is the murderer. He asks Wycliffe to look into the facts unofficially. The end is a surprise.
May 8, 2020
I read many of the books in this series back in the late 1970s and early 1980s. I actually own this one so have probably read it several times. Wycliffe is possibly meant to be the English equivalent of Simenon's Maigret. A murder in the present has its roots in a murder in the past and an off duty Wycliffe gets to the bottom of it though fails to pass on his thoughts to the official investigation.
May 27, 2015
This was an o.k. read --- started off really slow, took a long time to wade through it and the characters were all sort of dark and very unfriendly – was really disappointed in the ending as I really felt as to what was left of the family will probably kill each other off but was kind of all left in the open. For an awful short book 207 pages took me 3 days to wade through.
September 27, 2012
Discovered Wycliffe through the Jack Shepherd series on the telly. The Wycliffe in the novels is very different from this. Enjoyable with a certain dated charm. Its the second I've read and I think I may well leave it at that.
July 7, 2013
Solid installment from a great series.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews