📚 While waiting for more Bellairs and Burton novels to be published as ebook I turned to a new (for me) series, starting with Nicholas Blake: A question of proof (1935), the first with Nigel Strangeways. I found it enjoyable to read, although I'd like a bit more inside information to have at least a chance at drawing my own conclusions. But will read more of them.
Wikipedia, no spoiler:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Question_of_Proof
📚 I read the next two novels of the Nigel Strangeways series, "Thou shell of death" (1936) and "There's trouble brewing" (1937).
In both there is enough information to solve the crimes at the same speed as the investigator - and so I did. I very much recommend reading the books in chronological order! The brewery book could have been a bit longer, and the investigation in the second half more elaborate, but better too short than too long.
📚 The 4th novel of the Nigel Strangeways series, "The beast must die" (1938) seems to be the most famous. I'm in two minds about it.
The first part is brilliant, following the suspect through his daily life along his diary entries. But the investigation in the 2nd part is disappointing imo. The story had so much more potential, and I can think of more satisfactory solutions.
If you don't want a spoiler, don't read the Wikipedia article!
📚 The 5th novel of the Nigel Strangeways series, "The smiler with the knife" (1939) Is incredible. Read it! Especially the first half is frightening as the similarities to today's populism are painfully close.
Good plot, only the latter stages of the flight seemed a bit too sensational.
Not many male authors are able to write from a female perspective without making me cringe but Blake does it so well I never even thought about it while reading.
📚 The 6th novel of the Nigel Strangeways series, "Malice in Wonderland" (1940) is a bit of an anti-climax because it cannot compete with the 5th novel of the series. It's set in a holiday camp. The side mystery was quite interesting but the main story was a bit flat. I liked the style.
The war is not mentioned which is very strange.
📚 The 7th novel of the Nigel Strangeways series, "The Case of the Abominable Snowman" (1941) takes place during the war in the snow-covered countryside. I thought most of the book well constructed and written. It was good to read, only felt a bit rushed towards the end. I'm not sure that giving the role of the snowman away at the start was a really good idea. Why not give Nigel something more to detect?
☃️
Brìghde