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Wycliffe #18
Wycliffe and the Last Rites
When a young woman is found dead on the altar of a Cornish church Easter morning as the organ plays one eery chord, Wycliff investigates whether the murder had been the result of a satanic ritual
190 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1992
21 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
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 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 24, 2022
Wycliffe is called away from his days off to investigate a murder in an idyllic village in the Cornish countryside. The woman murdered, an odd combination of tramp and remorseless operator of the family farm, has been left in the church, upsetting the oddball vicar. Is this some sort of black mass thing or an ordinary murder, wrapped in the shroud of satanism?
Well done (despite a slow start) mystery of Midsommer Murders variety. Perfect for beach, airport, or any random few hours where you can work a book in.
Well done (despite a slow start) mystery of Midsommer Murders variety. Perfect for beach, airport, or any random few hours where you can work a book in.
September 18, 2017
really enjoyed this book, started it and never put in down
February 22, 2023
Again, disappointed. I've only a handful of the Wycliffe's still to read, but a series which started with promise has, I feel got bogged down. Burley wasn't that prolific a writer, he didn't turn out a Wycliffe annually, there could be two or three years between titles. But I still sense he became trapped in formula.
This title features a body in a church. It's been done before, it'll be done again. Burley started celebrating the Cornish landscape, he now seems bogged down offering cosy English village thrillers. And the psychology - and sex - in this one are neutered. There's nothing here which would frighten the servants.
I just feel the book plods on - and finally we get a killer. Abrupt. I've reached page 180, it must be time to end the story. Here's your killer. It's unsatisfactory - it could have been an interesting psychological thriller, it gets bogged down in trivia and the routines Burley has established for his ensemble cast.
The only question left to me is, do I bother reading the last four in the series?
This title features a body in a church. It's been done before, it'll be done again. Burley started celebrating the Cornish landscape, he now seems bogged down offering cosy English village thrillers. And the psychology - and sex - in this one are neutered. There's nothing here which would frighten the servants.
I just feel the book plods on - and finally we get a killer. Abrupt. I've reached page 180, it must be time to end the story. Here's your killer. It's unsatisfactory - it could have been an interesting psychological thriller, it gets bogged down in trivia and the routines Burley has established for his ensemble cast.
The only question left to me is, do I bother reading the last four in the series?
December 22, 2016
When a woman is found murdered and arranged in a grotesque posture in a church, Chief Superintendent Wycliffe is brought in to investigate. As he gets to know the people of the village, he begins to suspect that there is far more to the crime than meets the eye, and that there are more criminals living around there too…. Another in this long running series, published in 1992. I still like Wycliffe and his team, but I must say that I’m getting very tired of the casual sexism - 30+ women being referred to as “girls,” and the like; this is supposed to be contemporary, not historical fiction! On the other hand, just this week (close to Christmas) I received a card from one of my Cornish cousins, 60+ years old, that was addressed to “Mr. and Mrs. CN,” those being my husband’s initials, even though I have never gone by my husband’s name (that is, oddly enough, illegal in Quebec), so quite possibly the whole concept of feminism and equality hasn’t yet made it to remote Cornwall….
July 8, 2019
I enjoyed this Cornish mystery. This was the first of the Wycliff series I have tried, and it kept me guessing until the end. I like when a crime is rooted in the whole community rather than just a personal matter between two characters. Still, as mysteries go, this was not my favorite. My preference goes towards more deep characterization and reflection. I would have liked more exploration as to the killer's mind and motives.
June 2, 2019
I picked this up and a few others in the series at a used book sale. Sometimes it's nice to read a British police procedural as they're a bit predictable, but entertaining. I liked Wycliffe, but the suspects and victims didn't interest me that much. I'll see how the others books are that I bought and hope for better characters.
January 4, 2025
Brilliant.
Another masterpiece from W J Burley! Again, as good as the TV series. I was kept in suspense right up to the last Chapter, thinking I knew in what direction it was going to go, but there was an unexpected twist right near the end which I didn't foresee happening! I think it's fair to say that it's the mark of a good author!
Another masterpiece from W J Burley! Again, as good as the TV series. I was kept in suspense right up to the last Chapter, thinking I knew in what direction it was going to go, but there was an unexpected twist right near the end which I didn't foresee happening! I think it's fair to say that it's the mark of a good author!
August 7, 2018
Read a really old crime series novel Wycliffe and the Last Rites.
Written in a Cornish setting.
Written in a Cornish setting.
September 10, 2018
BAD- DIDN'T READ
November 7, 2020
the first one I have read of this author - who has written many books about crime in Cornwall. Nice light read
May 21, 2021
loved reading this book brilliant storyline
February 27, 2023
Although I’ve never seen the tv adaptations, it’s easy to see why these Murder/mysteries would appeal to the early evening Poirot,Morse and Midsomer Murders brigade.
September 15, 2024
Another gentle ( if you can call violent murders gentle).
A little too obvious who the guilty party was.
However, if had that gentle rural setting that made it enjoyable.
A little too obvious who the guilty party was.
However, if had that gentle rural setting that made it enjoyable.
March 7, 2018
first book by this author I have read. Enjoyed it and have ordered several more.
November 3, 2013
W.J. Burley was a supremely gifted writer; one whose prose could appear simple but whose command and use of the English language was that of a precisionist. Every so often, that apparent simplicity is given the lie:
In the hands of lesser authors, dropping words like that into their prose could appear as showing off but here, it's perfect. One short paragraph/long sentence built of familiar words which nevertheless convey a precise meaning, balanced by one unfamiliar one. Pixilated. Befuddled or confused, derived from pixie-led or pixie-elated. What better word to describe two businessmen breakfasting in a Cornish pub? That word conveys so much and, in that, it's as precise and appropriate as any of the other, more familiar words.
Wycliffe and the Last Rites is as technically well written as those familiar with Burley would expect, then, and his familiar themes of claustrophobia and family ties are present here, although perhaps not dealt with as deftly as usual and perhaps, also, with a slightly different spin. The 'whodunnit' element though is sadly lacking - the reader can guess who and why from the very first chapter, which is a shame. It's almost a cliché and it's frustrating to wonder when the police will reach the same conclusion.
'There were only two other tables occupied, one by an elderly, studious-looking couple who were probably touring Cornish churches or looking for ley lines; the other, by two pin-striped salesmen types who must surely have strayed off the spine road and got pixilated.'
In the hands of lesser authors, dropping words like that into their prose could appear as showing off but here, it's perfect. One short paragraph/long sentence built of familiar words which nevertheless convey a precise meaning, balanced by one unfamiliar one. Pixilated. Befuddled or confused, derived from pixie-led or pixie-elated. What better word to describe two businessmen breakfasting in a Cornish pub? That word conveys so much and, in that, it's as precise and appropriate as any of the other, more familiar words.
Wycliffe and the Last Rites is as technically well written as those familiar with Burley would expect, then, and his familiar themes of claustrophobia and family ties are present here, although perhaps not dealt with as deftly as usual and perhaps, also, with a slightly different spin. The 'whodunnit' element though is sadly lacking - the reader can guess who and why from the very first chapter, which is a shame. It's almost a cliché and it's frustrating to wonder when the police will reach the same conclusion.
January 25, 2020
Too much description for my taste as it takes away from the story but I know some people like that.
Don't like the fact that part of what is written on the back of the book takes most of the book to happen.
Don't like the fact that part of what is written on the back of the book takes most of the book to happen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2014
I know of no other detective novelist who has such an apparent understanding of human motivations in his excellent detective and such an apparent lack of understanding of human beings in all of his civilian characters.
One also wonders if he did much re-drafting.
One also wonders if he did much re-drafting.
July 14, 2008
Decent page turner, good sense of place. Vaguely homophobic.
August 9, 2009
One of the better Wycliffes.
July 13, 2011
I thoroughly enjoy the Wycliffe series of stories, I'm sure i read this years ago but enjoyed it again...
Read
April 15, 2015Wonderful who done it - great fun
October 5, 2014
Enjoyed this. Interesting characters.
October 19, 2015
Read for RIP X mystery challenge and
#TraveltheWorldinBOoks Readathon - Oct.2015
#TraveltheWorldinBOoks Readathon - Oct.2015
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews