Four Strange Women

Bobby Owen Mysteries #14

by E.R. Punshon

“You think it’s murder, don’t you?”

“There is no proof of that as yet, sir,” Bobby answered cautiously.

“No, I know, but it’s what you think,” Glynne answered. After a pause, he added: “So do I.”

Viscount Byatt was found dead in his car without a mark on him. Millionaire Andy White’s corpse was discovered in a remote cottage in Wales – no clue to the cause of death. When a grotesque-looking visitor calls on Detective-Sergeant Bobby Owen in the middle of the night, the latter’s help is urgently needed – if a third young man isn’t to suffer the same murderous and mystifying fate. Accompanied by his fiancée Olive Farrar, Bobby is up against more than one femme fatale in this delicious and diabolical golden age mystery.

Genres: Mystery, Crime

258 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1940

About the author

Aka Robertson Halket.

E.R. Punshon (Ernest Robertson Punshon) (1872-1956) was an English novelist and literary critic of the early 20th century. He also wrote under the pseudonym Robertson Halket. Primarily writing on crime and deduction, he enjoyed some literary success in the 1930s and 1940s. Today, he is remembered, in the main, as the creator of Police Constable Bobby Owen, the protagonist of many of Punshon's novels. He reviewed many of Agatha Christie's novels for The Guardian on their first publication.

Reviews

[Elizabeth (Alaska) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is my favorite of the series so far. I certainly had no idea who might have committed the murder that occurred while Bobby Owen was in the vicinity. And then it was decided there was probably a series of murders, all of which were initially believed to have been suicides. The circumstances were all different - what do they have in common?

The title indicates there are four women who are the potential criminals, but I didn't even see how that could be. And which four because there were more than four from which to choose! A couple of the women were openly hostile/rude to Bobby for no apparent reason. Did that indicate something? It didn't seem so, but if we (and he) knew the reason, perhaps the mystery would have been clearer. That, and other things, made for some darker moments which is somewhat unusual for this series, but I wasn't unhappy about that.

Again, this is my favorite of the series so far, only 2 of which I have rated 4 stars. I'm tempted to find a 5th star for this one, but that might be misleading. So, I'll settle for only 4-stars, but add that is a very strong 4-stars.

[Andrea]

This is a female serial killer story, which stands out not for the fact that it's relatively early in the evolution of serial killer stories, but because of the repeated almost eldritch horror experienced by the police investigators, not simply because this is a person who has killed repeatedly, but because there is something they find extremely unnatural about a woman killing repeatedly.

It's quite true that the majority of serial killers are men, but it's rare I've encountered a story which had a sense of the laws of nature being turned upside down.

[Carolien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following the successful conclusion of his previous case, Bobby is being interviewed for a position as assistant to the Chief Constable in a rural area. On the day of his interview, he meets a number of women who become central to a local case which has the Chief Constable and others scared as it may involve their daughters. Very well-plotted, a female serial killer in on the prowl.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four and a half stars.

By far the best Bobby Owen story so far, in my opinion.

A series of men have undergone "changes" in their behaviour, sold up assets and bought very expensive jewellery then been found dead in strange, unexplained circumstances. Their friends had been told that there was a woman involved but nobody knew who she was or what had become of the jewels. Bobby, now an inspector, is called in to investigate.

The author conveys very well a really grim feeling of dread that intensifies as the story goes on. I really enjoyed it.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bobby Owen has been promoted to Inspector and sent to the rural Wychshire Constabulary. He receives a surprise visitor in the middle of the night who suggests that the mysterious deaths of some wealthy men were murders, and that another man may be in danger. All those involved had exhibited an unexpected change in behaviour just prior to their deaths. As Bobby investigates, he finds himself struggling with an inexplicable sense of great evil, and somehow this is connected with the presence of four women who seem to be hiding secrets.

Punshon always finds original ideas for his plots, and this is bordering on the bizarre. Yet at the same time it’s a fascinating little mystery with a real sense of menace. Only Bobby Owen’s decent and resolute figure provides a sense of comfort as he painstakingly follows up every idea and tiny clue to get to the bottom of the matter. I did have an inkling of the culprit’s identity, but the twists and turns of the plot were often confusing. However, Bobby’s feeling of horror, knowing that others are in danger but he is unable to prevent it, was really well described and more than made up for weaknesses in the plot.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it is pleasant to spend time with the conscientious Bobby Owen, I found this particular resolution quite unsatisfying and requiring a suspension of common sense. It was however an interesting story, with even more than four strange women. Bobby faithfully followed where the clues led, turned in his reports and always agreed with his superiors before presenting his own differing view.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is certainly one of the strangest Punshons so far.

Although well worth reading, it was not too difficult to work out the murderers.
What is not really explained and what makes it so frightening and eerie is the motive.

Again, Olive helps Bobby, now promoted to Inspector, to sort out his thoughts.

Unusually, there is little humour, or social/political comment in this.

There is some lyrical description of woodlands to alleviate the awfulness of what has happened in the woods.

[ShanDizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This murder mystery will stick with you for a few days after reading, IMHO. So far, I think it is one of the best in the series. A female serial killer...Wow! There's a pervasive feeling of disquietude and horror throughout the story; a sense of imminent fear like when you're walking down a dark street and hear footsteps behind you. You stop; they stop...that kind of heightened edgy fear.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 4

Enjoyed this more than I expected tbh.
It feels like a step above the usual GAD novel plots.
The serial killer idea must have been relatively new at the time in fiction, and this novel worked very well.
I can understand how Dorothy L Sayers thought that the author was a very good one who elevated the genre about its ‘cosy’ origins (if that’s the right term) in a similar style to what she does with the later Wimsey novels.
For me the Punshon novels don’t always work as well as expected but when they do, as in this case, they are excellent almost literary novels with the veneer of crime detection/thriller.
The only slight issue I had is the whole speed of advancement for Owen, the private investigation he undertook in the previous novel (which I found a so-so novel interesting in places to be sure) not only brought him the chance of professional advancement but also some monetary payment? Also the rapid progression of his relationship with Olive who I think is his wife in the next novel.

So overall a very good novel imo with a couple of minor reservations and a definite recommendation

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading in order, up to this book I have enjoyed almost all of them, but I feel this one was the best so far. This was about a serial killer, and as the title says there were a few suspects, all seeming as guilty as the rest. Bobby, now having been promoted to Inspector, is left with the job of detecting which of the suspects is the guilty one. Don't be fooled by the title, as there are more suspects than this suggests. Punshon. definitely builds the tension with this book. Dark goings-on at an exclusive club in London, expensive jewellery going missing, false clues being dangled to get Bobby running about.

[Alaina Sloo · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the darker Bobby Owens books.

[SuedePuzzler · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring, weird, prudish. Yet strangely interesting for being unusual.