''The Attending Truth'' by E. R. Punshon (d. 1956), public domain. . The story centers on a baffling murder investigation in the village of Pending Dale where nearly everyone becomes a suspect.
The plot kicks off when a traveling salesman is found dead with his head severely bashed in. Taking on the case, Bobby Owen soon uncovers a tangled web of village gossip, dark secrets, and suspicious characters, making the inquiry particularly complex. Like many of Punshon's celebrated Golden Age works, the novel is known for its clever plotting, wit, and subtle social commentary.