Category: E. R. Punshon

My Book Notes: Death Comes to Cambers, 1935 (Bobby Owen #6) by E. R. Punshon

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Dean Street Press, 2015. Format: Kindle Edition. File Size: 606 KB. Print Length: 293 pages. First published in 1935 by Victor Gollancz. This new edition features an introduction by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans. ASIN: B00ZO3RT9I. eISBN: 978 1 910570 36 4.

9781910570364_p0_v1_s550x406Book Description: Police officer Bobby Owen is a weekend guest at Lady Cambers’s majestic country pile, there to advise on security following recent burglary scares. But when the lady of the house disappears, her bed unslept-in, it’s a case of murder not burglary – for Bobby discovers her ladyship, strangled, in a nearby field. One of the finest of the early Bobby Owens novels, Death Comes to Cambers combines wit and excellent characterization in a satisfying and classic whodunit, featuring an eccentric creationist, a superior archaeologist and an inventive cipher.

My Take: Death Comes to Cambers is the sixth outing in the Bobby Owen mysteries by E.R. Punshon. A series which eventually spanned thirty-five novels published between 1933 and 1956. As Curtis Evans tells us in his Introduction: In Death Comes to Cambers Punshon deftly balances an ingenious plot with considerable character interest and amusing satire of English class conventions.

When the story begins detective-sergeant Bobby Owen is spending a weekend at Cambers House, invited by his grandmother Lady Whirlpool. The reason behind this invitation is partly to advise Lady Cambers on the precautions she should take against an eventual burglary. Apparently,  rumours have quickly spread that such occurrences had significantly increase in the area. But nobody would have suspected what happened that morning when Lady Cambers is found strangled in the countryside. The strangest thing about it is that all Cambers House’s doors were locked inwardly when the service awoke that morning and they could not find Lady Cambers anywhere,  with clear signals she had not slept in her bed. Moreover, Colonel Lawson has been recently appointed head of the county police and Owen has serious doubts he is best suited to handle the case. Anyway, there’s no shortage of suspects within her close circle, including her husband, Sir Albert; her nephew Tim Sterling; her butler, Farman; her maid, Amy Emmers; her protégé, Eddy Dane; her tenant’s son, Ray Hardy; the vicar, Mr Andrews; her neighbours, Mr Bowman and his sister, Miss Bowman; and her rival jewellery-connoisseur, Mr Tyler. All and each of them seem to have an adequate motive for murder. In fact she had manage to make a good many enemies. After all she was a strong-willed woman, very fond of interfering in other people’s lives, confident that she always knew what was best for everyone else, and not too scrupulous how she used the power her wealth gave her to enforce her will on others.

As Martin Edwards rightly indicates Death Comes to Cambers is a competent piece of work. It might not be an outstanding novel, but it is really entertaining, the story is well crafted and has an excellent set of quite attractive characters. In all probability one of Punshon’s best , and one that is certainly well worth your while. I strongly recommend it.

Death Comes to Cambers has been reviewed, among others, at Golden Age of Detection Wiki, The Grandest Game in the World, Pretty Sinister Books, ‘Do You Write Under Your Own Name?’, In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel, and Classic Mysteries.

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(Source: Facsimile Dust Jackets LLC. V. G. Gollancz (UK), 1935)

About the author: E. R. Punshon, in full Ernest Robertson Punshon, (born East Dulwich, London 25 June 1872 – died Streatham, London 23 October 1956) was an English novelist and literary critic of the early to mid 20th century. He also wrote under the pseudonyms Robertson Halkett and 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, who was eventually promoted to sergeant, inspector, superintendent and, finally, commander. A popular Scotland Yard detective, Owen appeared in 35 novels from 1933 to 1956. Punshon reviewed many of Agatha Christie’s novels for The Guardian on their first publication. Punshon was also a prolific writer of short stories, and a selection of his crime and horror fiction has recently been collected together. (Source: Wikipedia)

Suggested bibliography: Information Received (1933); Death Comes to Cambers (1935); The Bath Mysteries (1936); Mystery of Mr. Jessop (1937); Suspects – Nine (1939); Ten Star Clues (1941); Diabolic Candelabra (1942); The Conqueror Inn (1943); Secrets Can’t Be Kept (1944); There’s a Reason for Everything (1945); It Might Lead Anywhere (1946); and Six Were Present (1956).

Plus some others: Crossword Mystery (1934); The Dark Garden (1941); Night’s Cloak (1944); Music Tells All (1948); and The House of Godwinsson (1948).

Dean Street Press has released all the Bobby Owen detective stories, with introductions by mystery scholar Curtis Evans.

Dean Street Press publicity page

Recommended reading

Death Comes to Cambers, de E. R. Punshon

Descripción del libro: El oficial de policía Bobby Owen es invitado a pasar un fin de semana en la imponente casa de campo de Lady Cambers, para asesorar sobre seguridad después de los recientes robos ocurridos. Pero cuando la dueña de la casa desaparece, sin haber dromido en su cama, se trata de un caso de asesinato, no de robo, porque Bobby descubre a la Señora, estrangulada, en un campo cercano. Una de las mejores novelas iniciales de Bobby Owen, Death Comes to Cambers combina ingenio y una excelente caracterización en una novela de policía clásica y satisfactoria, con un creacionista excéntrico, un arqueólogo arrogante y un cifrado ingenioso.

Mi opinión: Death Comes to Cambers es la sexta entrega de los misterios de Bobby Owen de E.R. Punshon. Una serie que finalmente comprendió treinta y cinco novelas publicadas entre 1933 y 1956. Como nos dice Curtis Evans en su introducción: En Death Comes to Cambers, Punshon equilibra hábilmente una trama ingeniosa con unos personajes sumamente interesantes y una divertida sátira de las convenciones de clase inglesas.

Cuando comienza la historia, el sargento detective Bobby Owen pasa un fin de semana en Cambers House, invitado por su abuela, Lady Whirlpool. La razón detrás de esta invitación es en parte para aconsejar a Lady Cambers sobre las precauciones que debe tomar contra un eventual robo. Aparentemente, se han difundido rápidamente rumores de que tales incidentes habían aumentado significativamente en el área. Pero nadie hubiera sospechado lo que sucedió esa mañana cuando encuentran a Lady Cambers estrangulada en el campo. Lo más extraño de esto es que todas las puertas de Cambers House estaban cerradas por dentro cuando el servicio se despertó esa mañana y no pudieron encontrar a Lady Cambers por ningún lado, con señales claras de que no había dormido en su cama. Además, el coronel Lawson ha sido nombrado recientemente jefe de la policía del condado y Owen tiene serias dudas de que sea el más adecuado para manejar el caso. De todos modos, no hay escasez de sospechosos dentro de su círculo cercano, incluido su esposo, Sir Albert; su sobrino Tim Sterling; su mayordomo, Farman; su doncella, Amy Emmers; su protegido, Eddy Dane; el hijo de su arrendatario, Ray Hardy; el vicario, Sr. Andrews; sus vecinos, el señor Bowman y su hermana, la señorita Bowman; y su rival conocedor de joyas, el Sr. Tyler. Todos y cada uno de ellos parecen tener un motivo adecuado para el asesinato. De hecho, se las había arreglado para hacerse con muchos enemigos. Después de todo, era una mujer de voluntad fuerte, muy aficionada a interferir en la vida de otras personas, segura de que siempre sabía lo que era mejor para todos los demás, y no muy escrupulosa en cómo usaba el poder que su riqueza le daba para imponer su voluntad a los demás. .

Como bien indica Martin Edwards, Death Comes to Cambers es un trabajo competente. Puede que no sea una novela sobresaliente, pero es realmente entretenida, la historia está bien elaborada y tiene un excelente conjunto de personajes bastante atractivos. Con toda probabilidad uno de los mejores de Punshon, y uno que sin duda merece la pena. Lo recomiendo encarecidamente.

Acerca del autor: E.R. Punshon, su nombre íntegro Ernest Robertson Punshon (nacido en East Dulwich, Londres el 25 de junio de 1872 – muerto en Streatham, Londres el 23 de octubre de 1956) fue un novelista y crítico literario inglés de principios y mediados del siglo XX. También escribió bajo los seudónimos de Robertson Halkett y Robertson Halket. Escribiendo principalmente sobre delitos y su investigación, disfrutó de cierto éxito literario en las décadas de 1930 y 1940. Hoy en día, se le recuerda, principalmente, como el creador del agente de policía Bobby Owen, el protagonista de muchas de las novelas de Punshon, quien finalmente fue ascendido a sargento, inspector, superintendente y, finalmente, comandante. Owen, un popular detective de Scotland Yard, apareció en 35 novelas entre 1933 y 1956. Punshon reseñó muchas de las novelas de Agatha Christie para The Guardian en su primera edición. Punshon también fue un prolífico escritor de cuentos, y recientemente se ha recopilado una selección de sus novelas policíacas y de terror. (Fuente: Wikipedia)

E.R. Punshon (1872-1956)

NPG x156338; Ernest Robertson ('E.R.') PunshonE.R. Punshon, in full Ernest Robertson Punshon, (born East Dulwich, London 25 June 1872 – died Streatham, London 23 October 1956) was an English novelist and literary critic of the early to mid 20th century. He also wrote under the pseudonyms Robertson Halkett and 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, who was eventually promoted to sergeant, inspector, superintendent and, finally, commander. A popular Scotland Yard detective, Owen appeared in 35 novels from 1933 to 1956. Punshon reviewed many of Agatha Christie’s novels for The Guardian on their first publication. Punshon was also a prolific writer of short stories, and a selection of his crime and horror fiction has recently been collected together. (Source: Wikipedia)

E. R. Punshon, Bobby Owen, and Art

Bobby Owen series: Information Received (1933); Death Among The Sunbathers (1934); Crossword Mystery (1934); Mystery Villa (1934); Death of A Beauty Queen (1935); Death Comes to Cambers (1935); The Bath Mysteries (1936); Mystery of Mr. Jessop (1937); The Dusky Hour (1937); Dictator’s Way (1938); Comes a Stranger (1938); Suspects – Nine (1939); Murder Abroad (1939); Four Strange Women (1940); Ten Star Clues (1941); The Dark Garden (1941); Diabolic Candelabra (1942); The Conqueror Inn (1943); Secrets Can’t be Kept (1944); Night’s Cloak (1944); There’s a Reason for Everything (1946); It Might Lead Anywhere (1946); Helen Passes By (1947); Music Tells All (1948); The House of Godwinsson (1948); So Many Doors (1949); Everybody Always Tells (1950); The Golden Dagger (1951); The Secret Search (1951); The Attending Truth (1952); Strange Ending (1953); Brought to Light (1954); Dark Is The Clue (1955); Triple Quest (1955); and Six Were Present (1956).

In bold the books I already have on my TBR pile. I wonder why I haven’t read more Punshon books to date.

Read further:

Mike Grost on E.R. Punshon

E.R. Punshon by Martin Edwards

TomCat at Beneath the Stains of Time has reviewed a fair amount of books by E.R. Punshon

J F Norris did the same at Pretty Sinister Books

Les Blatt at Classic Mysteries

And Nick Fuller at The Grandest Game in the World

At Mystery*File, as well

Curtis Evans at The Passing Tramp has also reviewed The Dusky Hour (1937) and So Many Doors (1949)

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(Facsimile Dust Jacket, Ernest Benn Limited (UK), 1933)

Information Received is the first of E.R. Punshon’s acclaimed Bobby Owen mysteries, first published in 1933 and the start of a series which eventually spanned thirty-five novels.

Description: In his London townhouse, city magnate Sir Christopher Clarke is found lying murdered. At the other end of the house his safe hangs open and rifled, and earlier in the day he had visited his solicitors in order to make a drastic change in his will. Later it is discovered that there has been fraud connected with the dead man, and this is but one of the many complications with which Superintendent Mitchell is faced. Fortunately he has the assistance of young Constable Owen, a talented young Oxford graduate who, finding all other careers closed to him by the ‘economic blizzard’ of the early thirties, has joined the London Police force. (Source: Dean Street Press).

Review: Mystery of Mr. Jessop (1937) by E. R. Punshon (Bobby Owen series #8)

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Dean Street Press, 2015. Format: Kindle Edition. File Size: 1009 KB. Print Length: 328 pages. Mystery of Mr. Jessop was first published in 1937 by Victor Gollancz. It is  the eight of the Bobby Owen mysteries, a series eventually including thirty-five novels. This new edition features an introduction by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans. ASIN: B00ZO3QE8K. eISBN: 978 1 910570 38 8.

This is my second entry to Crimes of the Century over at Past Offences. The year under consideration this month is #1937.

512fpDKBp6L.SX316Book Description: Who killed Mr. Jessop? Who stole the Fellows necklace? Who attacked Hilda May? The web of suspicion encompasses a dealer in ‘hot goods’, respected jewellers, a millionaire, an ex-pugilist, a playboy, members of the nobility, a hard-boiled moll and a girl who could not forget her past. All the clues are there, as the indefatigable Bobby Owen works his way through a real peasouper of a London mystery and pierces the fog – displaying not only magnificent analytical powers but and admirable courage in the face of danger. Mystery of Mr. Jessop is the eighth of E.R. Punshon’s acclaimed Bobby Owen mysteries, first published in 1937 and part of a series which eventually spanned thirty-five novels.

My take: I’m in the habit, when Rich at Past Offences announces the year chosen for his meme Crimes of the Century, of checking the  personal selection of Curt Evans of his 150 Favorite Golden Age British Detective Novels here and, if possible, select any of them. For this reason I picked to read this month Mystery of Mr. Jessop, the eighth book in the Bobby Owen Mystery Series by E. R. Pushon, of whom I’ve read already Ten Star Clues, you can see my review here, and The Conqueror Inn, here. And although the latest isn’t among the books selected by Curt Evans, I really enjoyed it much more. Regarding the novel before us now, I have mixed feelings. The story is plot-driven and centres around the disappearance of a fabulous diamond necklace which belongs to an American film actress called Fay Fellows. For my taste the story begins to lose interest after the first chapters to improve significantly in the final chapters. The reader will find out that all the clues are at sight, though hidden in some way by an excessively entangled plot. Anyhow the solution to the puzzle is quite clever but, for some reason, its reading did not manage to hook me. However, I look forward to reading more books in the series. And as Martin Edwards says:

‘I would not, myself, rate this one too highly, but Bobby is on good form in books such as Information Received, Death of a Beauty Queen, and Diabolic Candelabra . And there’s another title, recently published by Dean Street Press, which has some fascinating features and which I’ll be covering here before long. ‘

My rating: B (I really liked it)

About the author: E. R. (Ernest Robertson) Punshon (1872-1956) is one of the most shamefully neglected writers of detective fiction. His ability to construct labyrinthine plots that keep the reader fascinated but not confused is rivalled only by John Dickson Carr, with whom he shares a powerful imagination, a gift of conveying atmosphere and setting, and a most ingeniously fertile mind, adept at devising clues and situations. Yet his work is not only exemplary detective fiction, but studies of character, of the catalyst that drives an ordinary human being to commit the ultimate crime. In their emphasis on bizarre psychology, fantastic (but logical and convincing) plots, and the ability of the past to influence the present (whether it be in the form of past crimes or literary or artistic treasures), his work resembles a combination of H C Bailey, Gladys Mitchell, G K Chesterton and Michael Innes. Inspector Carter and Sergeant Bell are the detectives in five early books, but his principal detective is Bobby Owen, who rises from the rank of police constable (in Information Received, 1933) to Commander of Scotland Yard by the later books (Six Were Present, 1956). The new set of E. R. Punshon “Bobby Owen” detective novel reissues are available now from Dean Street Press. You can find more info at Dean Street Press’s website.The new editions feature  introductions by Curtis Evans, a leading scholar of Golden Age books, which are worth reading by their own merit.

Mystery of Mr. Jessop has been reviewed at ‘Do You Write Under Your Own Name?’ and In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel among others.

Dean Street Press publicity page

E.R. Punshon at ‘Do You Write Under Your Own Name?’

E. R. Punshon, Bobby Owen, and Art

El misterio de Mr. Jessop de E. R. Punshon

Descripción del libro: ¡Quién mató al señor Jessop? ¿Quién robó el collar de la Fellows? ¿Quién atacó a Hilda May? La red de sospechas abarca a un comerciante de artículos robados, respetables joyeros, un millonario, un antiguo boxeador, un playboy, miembros de la nobleza, una experimentada fulana y una chica que no podía olvidar su pasado. Todas las pistas están ahí, mientras el infatigable Bobby Owen se abre camino a través de la densa niebla de un verdadero misterio londinense para atravesarla, mostrando no sólo sus magníficas facultades de análisis sino un valor admirable ante el peligro. El misterio de Mr. Jessop es el octavo de los aclamados misterios de Bobby Owen de E.R. Punshon, publicado por primera vez en 1937 y parte de una serie que finalmente llegó a comprender treinta y cinco novelas.

Mi opinión: Tengo por costumbre, cuando Rich en Past Offences anuncia el año elegido para su meme Crimes of the Century, comprobar la selección personal de Curt Evans de sus 150 novelas británicas de detectives favoritas de la Edad de Oro aquí y, si es posible, seleccionar alguna de ellas. Por esta razón escogí leer este mes El misterio de Mr. Jessop, el octavo libro de la serie de misterio protagonizado por Bobby Owen de ER Pushon, de quien he leído ya Ten Star Clues, puedes ver mi reseña aquí, y The Conqueror Inn, aquí. Y aunque el último no está entre los libros seleccionados por Curt Evans, realmente lo disfruté mucho más. Respecto a la novela que tenemos ante nosotros, tengo sentimientos encontrados. La historia está impulsada por la y se centra alrededor de la desaparición de un fabuloso collar de diamantes que pertenece a una actriz de cine estadounidense llamada Fay Fellows. Para mi gusto la historia comienza a perder interés tras los primeros capítulos para mejorar significativamente en los capítulos finales. El lector descubrirá que todas las pistas están a la vista, aunque ocultas de alguna manera por una trama demasiado enmarañada. De todos modos la solución al rompecabezas es bastante inteligente pero, por alguna razón, su lectura no logró engancharme. Sin embargo, espero leer más libros en la serie. Y como dice Martin Edwards:

“Yo no le daría una calificación demasiado alta a este libro demasiado, pero Bobby está en buena forma en libros tales como como Information Received, Death of a Beauty Queen, y en Diabolic Candelabra . Y hay otro título, recientemente publicado por Dean Street Press, que tiene algunas características fascinantes y que voy a comentar aquí dentro de poco.”

Mi valoración: B (Me gustó)

Sobre el autor: E. R. (Ernest Robertson) Punshon (1872-1956) es uno de los escritores más injustamente relegados al olvido de novelas policíacas. Su habilidad para construir tramas intrincadas que mantienen al lector fascinado pero no confundido rivaliza sólo con John Dickson Carr, con quien comparte una poderosa imaginación, un don de transmitir la atmósfera y el escenario en donde se desarrolla la acción, y una mente ingeniosamente fértil, preparada para idear pistas y situaciones. Sin embargo, sus obras no sólo son un buen ejemplo de novelas policíacas, sino auténticos estudios de personajes, del catalizador que impulsa a un ser humano común a cometer el crimen definitivo. Por su insistencia en una psicología excéntrica, fantásticas (pero lógicas y convincentes) tramas, y en la capacidad del pasado para influir en el presente (ya sea en forma de crímenes pasados ​​o de tesoros literarios o artísticos), sus trabajos parecen ser a una combinación de HC Bailey, Gladys Mitchell, GK Chesterton y Michael Innes. El inspector Carter y el sargento Bell son los detectives en sus cinco primeros libros, pero su detective principal es Bobby Owen, que asciende desde el rango de simple policía (en Information Received, 1933) al de comandante de Scotland Yard en libros posteriores (Six Were Present, 1956). Nuevas reediciones de los misterios de Bobby Owen de E. R. Punshon  están siendo publicadas ahora por Dean Street Press. Puede encontrar más información en la web de Dean Street Press. Estas nuevas ediciones cuentan con introducciones de Curtis Evans, un destacado estudiosos de la novelas de detectives  de la Edad de Oro, que vale la pena leer por méritos propios.

Review: The Conqueror Inn: A Bobby Owen Mystery (1943) by E.R. Punshon

Esta entrada es bilingüe, para ver la versión en castellano desplazarse hacia abajo

Dean Street Press, 2016. Format: Kindle Edition. File Size: 1318 KB. Print Length: 220 pages. The Conqueror Inn was first published in 1943 by Victor Gollancz. It is  the eighteenth of the Bobby Owen mysteries, a series eventually including thirty-five novels. This new edition features an introduction by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans. ASIN: B01IXU9RTS. ISBN: 978 1 911413 36 3.

This entry is my first contribution this month to Crimes of the Century at Past Offences. The year under consideration is #1943.

51d6LunW2CLBook Description: The remote Conqueror Inn, possibly the oldest licensed house in England, has an unexpectedly key role to play in World War Two. Lorry drivers, army camps, black marketeers and even the IRA become entangled in the sinister web which draws this novel’s plot together. Bobby Owen, after finding a case of banknotes, has to identify a corpse mutilated in its grave, ignore the red herrings thrown in his way … and identify a ruthless killer who uses the confusion of war to conceal his tracks.

The introduction by Curtis Evans is available at Amazon clicking on Look inside here.

My take: For an excellent summary and an erudite introduction to this book, I would suggest to read the prologue by Curtis Evans, referenced in the link above. I’m very pleased to have had the chance to read The Conqueror Inn, a really captivating book in my view that reflects very well the atmosphere and the spirit at the English countryside during the Second World War. The storyline is rather complex but is very nicely structured and, at the end, all the pieces of the puzzle fit perfectly well. The solution to the mystery is stylish and provides an appropriate explanation to all the unknowns posed. Besides, Punshon writes in a style that, in my view, is both elegant and convincing. All in all an enjoyable enigma. There’s an excellent review of this book at Beneath the Stains of Time. In a sense the following passage sets out very nicely the tone of the story: 

‘He moved towards the inn and Bobby followed him, slightly offended. He didn’t feel at all young. He doubted if he was really much younger thna Christopherson himself, even though about this farmer innkeeper there seemed to hang something of the ageless past of the lands in which he lived. A fantastic notion came into his mind that perhaps this man had always been here, and himself had watched the passage of Briton and Roman and knight and cavalier. An ageless man in an ageless land.’

My rating: A ( I loved it)

About the author: Ernest Robertson Punshon (1872-1956) is one of the most shamefully neglected writers of detective fiction. His ability to construct labyrinthine plots that keep the reader fascinated but not confused is rivalled only by John Dickson Carr, with whom he shares a powerful imagination, a gift of conveying atmosphere and setting, and a most ingeniously fertile mind, adept at devising clues and situations. Yet his work is not only exemplary detective fiction, but studies of character, of the catalyst that drives an ordinary human being to commit the ultimate crime. In their emphasis on bizarre psychology, fantastic (but logical and convincing) plots, and the ability of the past to influence the present (whether it be in the form of past crimes or literary or artistic treasures), his work resembles a combination of H C Bailey, Gladys Mitchell, G K Chesterton and Michael Innes. Inspector Carter and Sergeant Bell are the detectives in five early books, but his principal detective is Bobby Owen, who rises from the rank of police constable (in Information Received, 1933) to Commander of Scotland Yard by the later books (Six Were Present, 1956).

The new set of E. R. Punshon “Bobby Owen” detective novel reissues are available now from Dean Street Press at Amazon, Amazon.co.uk and other Amazon sites.  These are: The Dark Garden (1941); Diabolic Candelabra (1942; The Conqueror Inn (1943); Night’s Cloak (1944); Secrets Can’t Be Kept (1944); There’s a Reason for Everything (1945); It Might Lead Anywhere (1946); Helen Passes By (1947); Music Tells All (1948), and The House of Godwinsson (1948).

The Conqueror Inn has been reviewed at Beneath the Stains of Time

Dean Street Press publicity page

Fantastic Fiction

E. R. Punshon, Bobby Owen, and Art

La hostería del Conquistador de E. R. Punshon

Descripción del libro:  La apartada y remota hostería del Conquistador, posiblemente la casa autorizada para servir alcohol mas antigua de Inglaterra, tiene que jugar inesperadamente un papel clave en la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Los conductores de camiones, los campamentos del ejército, los traficantes ilegales e incluso el IRA quedan enredados en la siniestra red agrupados por la trama de esta novela. Bobby Owen, después de encontrar una caja con billetes, tiene que identificar un cadáver mutilado en su tumba, ignorar las falsas pistas que obstalizan su investigación … e identificar a un despiadado asesino que utiliza la confusión de la guerra para ocultar su rastro.

La introducción de Curtis Evans está disponible en Amazon haciendo clic en Echa un vistazo.

Mi opinión: Para un excelente resumen y una introducción erudita a este libro, sugeriría leer el prólogo de Curtis Evans, mencionado en el enlace anterior. Estoy muy contento de haber tenido la oportunidad de leer The Conqueror Inn, un libro realmente cautivador en mi opinión que refleja muy bien la atmósfera y el espíritu en el campo inglés durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial. La historia es bastante compleja pero está muy bien estructurada y, al final, todas las piezas del rompecabezas encajan perfectamente bien. La solución al misterio es elegante y proporciona una explicación apropiada a todas las incógnitas planteadas. Además, Punshon escribe en un estilo que, en mi opinión, es a la vez elegante y convincente. En general, un enigma entretenido. Hay una excelente reseña de este libro en Beneath the Stains of Time. En cierto sentido, el siguiente pasaje muestra muy bien el tono de la historia:

“Se dirigió hacia la posada y Bobby lo siguió, ligeramente ofendido. No se sentía joven. Dudaba de que fuera realmente más joven que el propio Christopherson, a pesar de que sobre este campesino y mesonero parecía que colgaba algo del eterno pasado de las tierras en las que vivía. Se le ocurrió una idea fantástica, que quizás este hombre siempre había estado aquí, y había visto él mismo el paso de británicos y romanos, caballeros y jinetes. Un hombre sin edad en una tierra sin edad.” (Mi traducción libre)

Mi valoración: A (Me encantó)

Sobre el autor: Ernest Robertson Punshon nació en Londres en 1872. A la edad de catorce años comenzó a trabajar en una oficina. Sus patrones pronto le informaron que él nunca llegaría a ser un oficinista realmente aceptable, y él, en concordancia, pasó los siguientes años deambulando por Canadá y los Estados Unidos, tratando sin éxito de ganarse la vida en cualquier ocupación que le ofrecían. Al regresar a casa pagándose el pasaje trabajando en un barco de ganado, comenzó a escribir. Colaboró con muchas revistas y publicaciones periódicas, escribió obras de teatro, y publicó cerca de cincuenta novelas, entre las que sus novelas policíacas resultaron ser las más conocidas y duraderas. Disfrutó de un cierto éxito literario en los años 1930 y 1940. También escribió bajo el seudónimo de Robertson Halket. Hoy en día, se le recuerda, en su mayoría, como el creador del agente de policía Bobby Owen, el protagonista de muchas de las novelas de Punshon. Reseñó muchas de las novelas de Agatha Christie para The Guardian cuando se publicaron por primera vez. Falleció en 1956. (Fuente: Amazon y Wikipedia)

The Bobby Owen Mystery Series by E. R. Punshon

To participate in the #1941book sign-up page hosted by Rich Westwood at Past Offences I’ve pre-order Ten Star Clues (Bobby Owen Mystery # 15) by E.R. Punshon. It was first published in 1941 and, if my information is corrects, was out of print.  The Kindle edition by Dean Street Press will go on sale on 7 December.

81l4SkbuXIL._SL1500_ Book Description

“I’ll have breakfast ready before you’re dressed,” Olive said, her mind full of bacon and eggs, tea, toast.

“Can’t stop,” Bobby told her. “I’ve to be at Castle Wych at once.”

“What’s happened there?”

“Murder,” Bobby answered as he made for the door.

Bobby Owen has left London and is now a policeman in the bucolic county of Wychshire. The local community is stunned when a missing heir returns to Castle Wych, determined to claim his inheritance. But following the ensuing dispute over his identity, Castle Wych plays host to murder. There are ten “star clues” investigated by the resourceful Bobby, with help from his wife Olive, in this delightful and classic example of the golden age mystery novel.

Ten Star Clues, originally published in 1941, is the fifteenth novel in the Bobby Owen mystery series. This new edition features an introduction by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans. (Source: Dean Street Press)

E.R. Punshon (Ernest Robertson Punshon) was born in London in 1872. At the age of fourteen he started life in an office. His employers soon informed him that he would never make a really satisfactory clerk, and he, agreeing, spent the next few years wandering about Canada and the United States, endeavouring without great success to earn a living in any occupation that offered. Returning home by way of working a passage on a cattle boat, he began to write. He contributed to many magazines and periodicals, wrote plays, and published nearly fifty novels, among which his detective stories proved the most popular and enduring. He died in 1956. (Source: Amazon)

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