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Henry Pym #2
Death in Willow Pattern
Dr. Henry Pym and his secretary, Susan, are invited to a manor house in the country to look over some old manuscripts. But the real reason for the invite is that the current baronet is receiving threatening letters accusing him of involvement in the disappearance of two young women, because an ancestor of his had been involved in a similar crime two centuries earlier. - The Mystery Lover's Companion, Art Bourgeau
272 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1983
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 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 2, 2023
Dr. Pym, zoologist and famed amateur criminologist, and his girl Friday Susan, are invited to a local estate to help catalogue the 18th century holdings of books and bugs. The invitation seems just a cover, as two local girls have disappeared and the manor is bothered by poison pen letters suggesting that someone in the house is responsible. Will Dr Pym be too lost in the fascinating collection to untangle all the mysteries?
This book was written in 1968. Despite a reference to tv and a heroine who admits she isn’t a virgin, this feels like it was written in 1938. A smooth narration and decent core mystery keep this from being too been there done that. The main defect is that the detective has no personality at all. Still, a good golden age style read by a writer who would get better.
This book was written in 1968. Despite a reference to tv and a heroine who admits she isn’t a virgin, this feels like it was written in 1938. A smooth narration and decent core mystery keep this from being too been there done that. The main defect is that the detective has no personality at all. Still, a good golden age style read by a writer who would get better.
August 11, 2008
Well, I said that since I have read at least oen of Burley's books that I would start on the whole set since I really liked the Wycliffe one. I'm now reading them in chronological order. This is the first one that the library has and it precedes any of the Wycliffe books. The main "detective" is not too endearing - as if Burley were trying on a persona. The puzzle is pretty good, however. On to the next.
May 5, 2024
Disappointing. It started out very well, with an amateur criminologist and his secretary being invited to spend Christmas at a country estate, ostensibly to catalog some old documents, but in reality in order to find out who is sending anonymous letters accusing the family of having kidnapped and killed two local girls. The household consists of Sir Francis Leigh, a rotund little man full of bonhomie and reactionary political opinions, his repressed daughter Lucy, her dyspeptic husband Gerald, and the faithful servant Flossie. Nearby live Edward, Sir Francis' much younger brother, who loves to play the role of sex-crazed bohemian, and the Vane family, which includes the staid gentleman-farmer Harold, his decorative second wife Helen, his schoolgirl daughter Beth, a deaf-mute son Johnny, and a family friend from his days as a planter in Malaysia. This all sounded like a great set-up to me, but the story turned rapidly from amateur detective novel into something vaguely gothic. Lots of references to a criminal 18th century family ancestor and the taint of bad blood being transferred through the generations, lots of brooding about the Chinese-style buildings built on the estate by that same ancestor,... The story is largely told from the point of view of Henry Pym's secretary, who doesn't have that much to do, apart from fending off Edward's amorous advances and wandering around the estate. Also, this is the type of book where you can guess the identity of the culprit the second they appear on the page.
April 13, 2009
Aimless with unpleasant characters-the ones the reader is supposed to like-this is the second time I have tried to read this, and unlike baseball, two strikes is all it gets.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews