Reading the Detectives discussion

Welcome to our buddy read of A Tangled Web .

Having finished the Nigel Strangeways series, we are now turning our attention to the stand-alone mysteries by Nicholas Blake/Cecil Day Lewis.

A Tangled Web aka Death and Daisy Bland was published in 1956.

Hugo Chesterman is on trial for murdering a policeman. Why did he do it? Or could he be innocent?

Daisy Bland is young, beautiful and naive, and her testimony threatens to send her husband to the gallows.

For Daisy, it all started when she literally bumped into Hugo and fell madly in love. She gave up everything for him: her job, her friends, her independence. Blinded by love, she asks no questions about his vague profession as a 'commission agent', his suspicious associates and his reckless financial decisions.

When Hugo is arrested for the murder of a policeman in a burglary gone wrong, Daisy doesn't know what to believe. Her husband's life is now in her hands.

Apparently, this case was based on a real-life crime - in anyone knows which one, I would be interested to hear.

Please do not post spoilers in this thread. Thank you.

This had mixed reviews, but I liked it far more than I thought I would. Anyone else going to read this?

I've started this one but am not very far in as yet - I'm enjoying Blake/Cecil Day Lewis's writing style, with some very poetic descriptions of the scenery! Hugo is also quite an intriguing character so far.

It feels quite modern, in a way. A far more personal look at a crime.

Sorry, I think I mentioned, I can’t find Nicholas Blake mysteries,but enjoy!

Susan wrote: "It feels quite modern, in a way. A far more personal look at a crime."

I agree - it feels more serious about crime and more tautly written than most of the Nigel Strangeways books, I think. Hugo is clearly a "bad hat" as he says early on, but you can feel his charm and why Daisy is attracted.

I've just got up to a mention of the painting Lady Hamilton at Prayer, and found a picture of it online:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...

I’ll be starting tomorrow. I really like Blake’s writing and I’m intrigued to read this more serious book.

Interested to hear your thoughts, Pamela.

Susan, sorry to hear you can't get hold of the book. I suppose Nicholas Blake is quite niche.

Judy - that looks how I imagined Daisy - thanks for posting ;)

Hope you enjoy it, Pamela - I'm about halfway through now and enjoying it so far.

Susan, I heard a talk somewhere about Lady Hamilton and the tableaux she used to model for, but I don't remember where or why I heard this. It was interesting though.

I have finished part 1 and enjoyed Blake's Strangeways' books more. Perhaps I'll be more engaged in part 2.