History in Vogue discussion

After spending the night at their apartment, Dorothy accuses Nick and Nora of siding with her mother against her. Meanwhile, the police draw Nick further into the case of the missing Clyde Wynnant, who was having large and sums of money delivered to an undisclosed location. And information arrives from Wynnant to his lawyer stating that he and Julia were no longer personally involved, and that she was leaving his employ. He claims he distrusts his ex-wife, and a man named Kelterman he once had trouble with, and begs Nick's assistance in solving Julia's murder as quickly as possible, ensuring the police do not discover his whereabouts due to the secrecy of his work.

Just a head's up... some great film noir on tonight on TCM. "The Black Book" from the late 40's is on, which certainly hits our historical vein to some degree.

I like how the criminals respect Nick.
Nora is a very understanding woman. I don't think I would invite Dorothy to spend the night at my place when it's obvious she has a crush on Nick. Then Nora gets in some flirtation of her own, which I like.

QNPoohBear wrote: "I like how the criminals respect Nick.
Nora is a very understanding woman. I don't think I would invite Dorothy to spend the night at my place when it's obvious she has a crush on Nick. Then Nora g..."

Well, I probably wouldn't have too much tolerance for things such as "don't worry your pretty little head about it", either--though he doesn't seem to mean it seriously, as she instigates their involvement.

I am not sure exactly how to say this, but I am enjoying the differences in how flirtation of that period contrasts with similar desires today. Subtle, yet probably overt for that period. Scandalous behaviors then would barely register today.

I'm not sure the book give me adequate reasoning as to why the criminals "should" respect Nick. Perhaps his history and background are implied enough.

Erik wrote: "I am not sure exactly how to say this, but I am enjoying the differences in how flirtation of that period contrasts with similar desires today. Subtle, yet probably overt for that period. Scandalou..."

I'm almost done with it; am finding it too hard to keep track of Mimi's lies/all the clues/names when I'm reading several mysteries at once. It's because half of them-he beat their a&^*es at some point. Some want a friendly rematch.

I see what you mean about the flirting, most definitely.

Erik wrote: I'm not sure the book give me adequate reasoning as to why the criminals "should" respect Nick. Perhaps his history and background are implied enough. "

It's not explicitly stated in the book but in one of the movies, they say the criminals respect Nick because he was the only one able to catch them. The police always come across as total morons in the mysteries I've read.

QNPoohBear wrote: "Erik wrote: I'm not sure the book give me adequate reasoning as to why the criminals "should" respect Nick. Perhaps his history and background are implied enough. "

It's not explicitly stated in t..."

Part of the genre.
In the days of Sherlocke Holmes, the police consulted with him because they needed his superior intelligence when they hit a brick wall. And since they were new as a force, and he wasn't concerned with power (meting out justice) but rather the intellectual challenge of solving the mystery, everyone got what they wanted.
By the time of the hard-boiled, police forces had become institutionalized, expanded exponentially, and there were signs of corruption. There was tension between the police and P.I.s mostly because the cops recognized that they weren't as sharp, and it hurt their pride. Usually, the only thing they can threaten a P.I. with is some roughing up (but since he's so tough, it doesn't scare him) or taking away his license. Here, since Nick's not getting paid, they can't even threaten him to make him stay off the case. Also, they've been friends in the past. But notice the dance between Guild and Nick regarding being forthcoming with information. It's a constant (and we'll see it get worse later on).
Studsy, the one with the speakeasy, is the one who recalls how Nick beat him in a fight and wants a rematch, which Nick admits (to himself) he's scared to face. "I'm not in fighting shape" makes me think they'd both been boxers before.

Being tough also means acknowledging when overmatched. I had assumed the fight was a lucky win for Nick, and he was admitting it. I might be misreading that however. I did not get the impression the fight was professional...in fact it felt like a bar room brawl to me.

Erik wrote: "Being tough also means acknowledging when overmatched. I had assumed the fight was a lucky win for Nick, and he was admitting it. I might be misreading that however. I did not get the impression th..."

Oh, no, I agree. He felt as though he'd been lucky, and tells Studsy as much (something about his balance, right?). At first, Studsy passes it off as Nick being gracious, but then says he's probably right-it was a fluke.
I guess I thought of it as boxing/streetfighting, because Studsy proposes a friendly fight, with some money riding on it. You know? "Fight Club" sort of thing.

I didn't think much of reading aloud that book/story about cannibalism.

Was that DH just stretching to make more installments for publication to get paid more?

What was the point of including that in the text of the story?

Very tiresome to hear.

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "I didn't think much of reading aloud that book/story about cannibalism.
."

I skipped it. It didn't bear any relevance to the plot whatsoever except to showcase Gilbert's character. He's a weird kid. Very strange hobbies.

QNPoohbear,

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks Gilbert is strange.

I'll have to pay attention to see if he's involved or knows anything about what is going on.

I'm pretty sure Gilbert is meant to be the oddest duck in the book. I think he knows more than he's letting on, but wants to see the drama played out.

QNPoohBear wrote: "I'm pretty sure Gilbert is meant to be the oddest duck in the book. I think he knows more than he's letting on, but wants to see the drama played out."

You´re both right, kinda sorta. But yes, there´s no doubt about the fact that most of them consider Gilbert to be more than an odd duck....if he were like that in modern times, we´d be keeping a close eye on him and banning weapons from his possession.