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The Wrong Rite by Charlotte MacLeod
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The Wrong Rite (original 1992; edition 1993)

by Charlotte MacLeod

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267698,841 (3.68)5
Fiction. Mystery. HTML:

A Canadian Mountie and his family take a trip to Wales where ancient rituals prove deadlyâ??from an author "in the top rank of modern mystery fiction" (Elizabeth Peters).

For mounted policeman Madoc Rhys and his wife, Janet, the pains of traveling with an infant are worth taking young Dorothy to Wales for Great-Uncle Sir Caradoc's ninetieth birthday. Along with every other member of the Rhys clan, they make the pilgrimage to the ancestral pile, to enjoy a few days of drinks, dinner, andâ??as it turns outâ??demonic sacrifices.

On their first morning at the family manor, Madoc stumbles upon a concussed shepherd and a dismembered ram. It appears to be a botched attempt at an ancient rite, executed by one of those Welshmen who still carry a torch for the religion of the druids. For a spot of fun, the Rhys family decides to stage its own ritualâ??recreating the fertility ceremony of the Beltane bonfires. But when the flames turn a member of his family into a fireball, Madoc springs to action. Even five thousand miles from Canada, a Mountie always gets h… (more)

Member:jekindell
Title:The Wrong Rite
Authors:Charlotte MacLeod
Info:Avon Books (Mm) (1993), Paperback
Collections:Your library, To read
Rating:
Tags:Madoc Rhys, mystery

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The Wrong Rite by Alisa Craig (1992)

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» See also 5 mentions

Showing 1-5 of 6 (next | show all)
An enjoyable entry in the Madoc Rhys and Janet series. It was very nice to meet the rest of Madoc's family, especially since the earlier books were set in Janet's milieu. It was also a good mystery although I was pretty sure I knew whodunit early on. ( )
  phyllis2779 | May 26, 2020 |
A cosy British-Canadian murder! I used to devour this author when I was a younger thing but she's a bit too twee for me now. Or perhaps I don't like Britain through her North American eyes? Really, there was a bit too much plot for one small book. ( )
  veracite | Apr 6, 2013 |
I don't really like this one - not terrible, but not wonderful. It is Madoc and Janet, so that's good - but there are an amazing collection of unpleasant people involved. The victim is nasty, largely because she's been victimized; her victims are also nasty, though some of them semi-redeem themselves. A whole cycle of secrets and lies just under the surface of the (extended) family. We do learn more about Daffyd, mostly to his credit (or at least, not to his discredit). And the interactions with Dorothy are cute, though she's far too good for a real 8-month-old. And the mystery is more realistic than in A Dismal Thing To Do. But overall, one of my least favorite Madoc stories. ( )
  jjmcgaffey | Mar 15, 2011 |
BELIEVEABLE FUN PEOPLE, ( )
  judysmith602 | Jul 22, 2008 |
Publishers Weekly Review: The fifth Jenny and Madoc Rhys mystery ( An Owl Too Many ) finds the appealing young Canadians and their baby daughter in Wales for great-uncle Sir Cardoc Rhys's 90th birthday. The clan has gathered, and renowned musicians, a well-known author, an actress and two aging sorcerers are among the celebrants. Feasting begins in the huge old kitchen with Welsh cakes and trifle, moves to the barn with a mammoth birthday banquet, is followed by revelry in the meadow--poetry and folk singing, harps and violins, and, at dusk, the piece de resistance: leaping the Beltane fire. All is described in such delicious detail that it's a distinct letdown when sudden death terminates the festivities. Royal Canadian Mounted Police inspector Madoc, asked to join the inquiry, untangles diverse strands--an old murder, a ram decapitation, jewel theft, blackmail and even prostitution--to reach a fairly predictable solution. But if the investigation lacks thrills, the portrayal of old Welsh customs and engaging family eccentrics is delightful. (Jan.) ( )
2 vote nealdowns | Dec 27, 2006 |
Showing 1-5 of 6 (next | show all)
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Fiction. Mystery. HTML:

A Canadian Mountie and his family take a trip to Wales where ancient rituals prove deadlyâ??from an author "in the top rank of modern mystery fiction" (Elizabeth Peters).

For mounted policeman Madoc Rhys and his wife, Janet, the pains of traveling with an infant are worth taking young Dorothy to Wales for Great-Uncle Sir Caradoc's ninetieth birthday. Along with every other member of the Rhys clan, they make the pilgrimage to the ancestral pile, to enjoy a few days of drinks, dinner, andâ??as it turns outâ??demonic sacrifices.

On their first morning at the family manor, Madoc stumbles upon a concussed shepherd and a dismembered ram. It appears to be a botched attempt at an ancient rite, executed by one of those Welshmen who still carry a torch for the religion of the druids. For a spot of fun, the Rhys family decides to stage its own ritualâ??recreating the fertility ceremony of the Beltane bonfires. But when the flames turn a member of his family into a fireball, Madoc springs to action. Even five thousand miles from Canada, a Mountie always gets h

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Book description
From the rear cover of Avon's First Paperback Edition - First Printing - January 1993:
"The Screwball Mystery Is Charlotte MacLeod's Cup Of Tea" - Chicago Tribune
Miss Sir Caradoc Rhy's 90th birthday party? Madoc and Janet Rhys wouldn't dream of it. It's May Day in Wales, the ancient Beltane. The harps are strumming, the feast is spread, and Rhyses galore are gathered for the revels. there's Rhys the patriarch, Rhys the opera star, Rhys the actress, Rhys the Friend of the Lesser Demons... and a sinister someone with a lust for the family treasure and a most ingenious secret weapon. When the Beltane Fire is finally lighted and one of the Rhyses goes all to pieces, it's Rhys the Mountie - Detective Inspector Madoc Rhys of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police - and his wife Janet who must sort out a hideous farrago of sorcery, thievery, and wicked, treacherous murder.

"Charlotte MacLeod has the gift of farce... Her humor is swift and subtle... At the same time, she spins a neat, clear web of puzzle and mystery." - Houston Post
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