There’s a Reason for Everything

Bobby Owen Mysteries #21

by E.R. Punshon

With a slow gesture of one lifted hand, Bobby pointed. There, in a space between the prostrate stag and posturing goddess, was a human leg, a twisted, motionless leg in a strained, unnatural position.

Bobby Owen, now Deputy Chief Constable of Wychshire, finds himself taking part in a ghost hunt at legendary haunted mansion Nonpareil. What he discovers is the very real corpse of a paranormal investigator. It seems that among the phantoms there are fakes – but will that end up including a priceless painting by Vermeer?

There’s a Reason for Everything was first published in 1945, the twenty-first of the Bobby Owen mysteries, a series eventually including thirty-five novels. This edition features a new introduction by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans.

“What is distinction? … in the works of Mr. E.R. Punshon we salute it every time.” Dorothy L. Sayers

“No fictional policeman deserves professional advancement more than solid, intelligent Bobby Owen. It’s gratifying to learn he’s now deputy chief constable of Wychshire and equally gratifying to know that his promotion doesn’t keep him from investigating such absorbing problems as this. …” San Francisco Chronicle

“A splendid riddle, partly plush and partly modern jigsaw, in Mr. Punshon’s top vein. Your money’s worth of real British detection and trimmings to match.” New York Times Book Review

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Mystery Thriller

279 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1945

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 3 out of 5]

This begins with a couple of men going to a very large and empty estate in search of ghosts and other supernatural. I thought "Perfect for October and Halloween." Next we are witness to Bobby readying for a gathering where he must make a speech. Olive has reasons to accompany him.

Bobby had suggested that a really dutiful wife would get someone else to take her place and herself stay at home, rather than see her husband make an ass of himself—as Bobby was always gloomily sure would be his fate whenever he had to speak in public. Olive, however, had pointed out that to see a husband making an ass of himself was no novelty to any wife; ...

Punshon always makes sure Bobby doesn't get too full of himself. It is a bonus for reading enjoyment. There are no ghosts in this and instead, as usual, there is a murder. In fact, there are two murders. Are they related and, if so, how?

I was restless at the beginning. I am not interested in ghosts and the supernatural. As I got further into this, and we left ghost-hunting behind, I enjoyed it more. I'm not sure I enjoyed it enough to make it more than 3-stars.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoy Punshon’s ability to come up with different types of crime for his Bobby Owen novels - this time a murder linked to the possible existence of a stolen Vermeer painting - this one was a little disappointing. The plot was quite muddled and the perpetrator was quite predictable, even if the various clues took some work to bring together.

The start of the book was intriguing, and Bobby was back to his world weary ways (always amusing). The character of Tails was interesting and funny, and my interest perked up when he made an appearance, but the rest of it seemed to fall rather flat - a shame when the premise had a lot of promise. I still like this series a lot, but I’m hoping for a bit more sparkle in the next one.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another different plot. This time about a lost piece of art, a derelict house, blackmail and murder. Bobby Owen has now achieved the rank of Deputy Chief Constable, and so to have a hands-on investigation was not expected of him, but the situation was proving to be something he just could not resist. It got complicated with art sellers and past prisoners, some of which had changed their ways but others continued to break the law.
We are still reminded of the shortages and rationing that the war was causing, both of police men and food and petrol.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three and a half stars.
Another good yarn from Punshon. Bobby is now Deputy Chief Constable and continues to try to keep the County Police Force going despite all the wartime manpower and other shortages. When a psychic investigator is found dead in an empty mansion he needs all his wit and experience to untangle the web of intrigue. Some good characters, plenty of suspects and red herrings.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bobbby has been promoted so there are no snarky comments about his boss. Olive does get in her digs regarding men in general. This story involves twins, missing art and large empty deserted mansion.

[Giles47 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ingenious story

Very clever plot involving murders, dodgy art dealers and and a gloomy abandoned mansion. Whodunnits are always complicated, but I found the characters in this more confusing than most. I also felt that others might have made more of it: Freeman Wills Crofts would have made it crisper, Marjory Allingham would have built up the atmosphere and tension, while Michael Innes would have been wittier and made more of the arty aspects. But all credit to Punshon for another good story.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

A wartime mystery with Chief Inspector Bobby Owen becoming involved in a complicated case that includes a deserted mansion, a missing Vermeer, two sets of twins, two competing art dealers, shots fired in the night, appearing and disappearing blood stains... it was a bit too complicated for me to really enjoy.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bobby Owen is now in charge, but a murder brings him in on a perplexing case that seems to be related to finding a missing valuable painting.

Good classic mystery but a bit wordy.