Four Strange Women: Volume 14 (The Bobby Owen Mysteries) Paperback – 24 Nov. 2015

I have read the Bobby Owen reprints from the beginning and #14 stands out as being very different. It is a true Punshon mystery, but it all revolves around a woman who is able to turn the head of any man she pleases, and forces them to buy expensive gifts for her which they cannot afford. And then, they die. (Not really a spoiler - this is quickly obvious.) If you believe that this is possible, you will have no problem with this serial killer story. I didn't believe it, by a long chalk, so the story made no sense at all to me. Also, why 'four' - I counted five, unless it is 'four strange women and a serial killer'. Pushon does his usual hatchet job, great social commentary, on three of them, who are well off and completely and utterly useless members of society. So - a bit of a mixed bag, this novel. (Two stars deducted not just because of how unlikely the basis of the story is, but because, yet again, Dean Street Press have not bothered to produce the book properly - once more we are confronted by typo after typo, and the absurd left justification is just infantile. )

Even by Punshon's very high standards I found this to be one of his very best books. The synopsis is spot on but gives nothing away and the helpful introduction by Curtis Evans just adds to the overall enjoyment of the book.It is one of the darkest and most sinister Golden Age crime novels I have read for some time. There is very little of the " interior musing" which can slow down a few of the Bobby Owen books . His fiancee is helpful when needed but otherwise is ,wisely in this case, kept well out of the picture. As ever with this author there are no silly servant/master issues and people are treated with a degree of equality and respect that was not too prevalent in either fiction or indeed real life.I would strongly recommend this book to Punshon newcomers as well as to the many people who have tried a few of the earlier books. --- he really did have the ability to create a sinister atmosphere and to sustain the tension to the end of the novel .

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

I like the combination of Bobby Owen's private life and his police work. Good clues that keep me guessing and good writing. I think I must have read nearly all of them by now.

really not my sort of book

Another great Bobby Owen mystery.

as All your Bobby Owen books great

Excellent