W. J. Burley — Wycliffe and the Beales

London, Victor Gollancz, 1983. First edition. Cloth. A first edition of this crime novel featuring W. J. Burley's popular character, Charles Wycliffe. The Beales, a strange, reclusive family living on the edge of Dartmoor in Ashill House, consist of Simon, an old man entirely withdrawn from active life, Nicholas and Gertrude, perpetually hitting the bottle and playing war games, and the painter Edward, who takes long walks along the moors in search of artistic inspiration. The only one with any drive or ambition is Gertrude's husband Frank Vicary, and all of his time is absorbed by the task of running the family business. When a murder rocks their local community, no-one has any reason for suspecting one of the Beales, until Wycliffe arrives on the case and finds his investigation leading him up the Beales's garden path. In a red cloth binding with original clipped dustwrapper. Externally, very smart. Minor shelfwear to the boards. Light edgewear to the dustwrapper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Fine . Ill.: None. Fine/Fine.