Product Description

Wycliffe's home overlooks a peaceful West Country estuary—but even in his own sanctuary, he can't get away from crime. While taking a morning walk along the shore, he comes upon a service revolver with one recently-fired chamber. In recent years, Wycliffe has often regretted the fact that his rank cuts him off from the early stages of an investigation—but here he's in from the very start. The case takes Wycliffe into the world of art theft and crooked dealers, to a suicide that might be a murder, and a search for a missing yacht. As the investigation intensifies, Wycliffe begins to wonder exactly where all the clues are leading...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #686869 in Books
• Published on: 2005-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 176 pages

Review
Chief Superintendent Wycliffe comes across a gun on the beach near his home one day - and it turns out to be the long-ago-stolen gun that was used to kill Joseph Clement, a gentle antiques dealer in the nearby town of St. Juliot. Furthermore, Joseph's shady brother David, a recent partner in the business, seems to have disappeared, along with his boat - the Manna. Is David the prime suspect, then? So it seems. But when Wycliffe's detection leads to the recovery of the sunken Manna, with David's body on board, focus shifts to Joseph's two chums - retired Major Gavin Parkyn (original owner of the murder weapon) and local woodworker Bunny Lane. Leisurely pace, careful plotting: competent, slightly soporific work for Wycliffe (who frets throughout about whether to accept a promotion), a case that will satisfy his fans but win no new ones. (Kirkus Reviews)

About the Author
W.J. Burley lived near Newquay in Cornwall, and was a schoolmaster until he retired to concentrate on his writing. His many Wycliffe books include, most recently, Wycliffe and the Guild of Nine. He died in 2002.