The Tangled Mane by Charlie Tyler - REVIEW
A review by Victoria Walsh
Charlie Tyler's The Tangled Mane is a cleverly constructed tale of survival, loss, and resilience. At its heart are two young people, left to fend for themselves amidst a world of neglect and chaos, their mother—a drug-addicted cleaner with many bed partners —unable to provide the love and stability they need. Though the themes appear heavy, Tyler's deeply descriptive writing creates a vivid narrative of a sad but only too regularly reported life, along with the fleeting moments of happiness, balancing sadness with humour. It's storytelling that captivates, both beautiful and harrowing.
Much like a grimier, modern take on The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Tyler explores an almost magical transformation of mundane settings into epic battlegrounds of emotional and physical survival. Perfumes, soupy wafts of onions, burgers, and other olfactory details linger throughout the book, creating a sensory narrative that feels both visceral and inescapable.
The mention of C.S. Lewis's first book in The Chronicles of Narnia series is a reference point many will know. Aslan is widely seen as a saviour, especially in his willingness to sacrifice himself to save Edmund (in this case, Mikey). Mikey's reinvention adds an interesting touchpoint to the story.
Early on in the plot, we are introduced to Cally, a disillusioned child actress turned private investigator. Cally is thrown into the deep end by the unexplained death of a social media influencer in a bathtub, leaving readers caught between plausible theories and the beguiling mysteries that Tyler so deftly crafts.
Yet, for all its intensity, the book is grounded in little acts of kindness—moments that sustain the girls and remind us of humanity's brighter side. Tyler masterfully weaves these tender threads amidst the fabric of dark twists and turns, unexpected tragedies, and the surprising kindness of strangers - or at least, that is what they want you to think.
The plot spirals through the bleak realities of children's homes, teenage pregnancies, and the sinister underbelly of society—complete with dead men harbouring predilections for the young and the disappearance of a famous actress, who may not be who the public thinks she is. Oh, how the plot thickens!
The story runs in two timelines: what's happening now and what happened then. Dual-timeline narratives are not easy to write; readers often find them confusing, but Tyler is a master at this style of writing. You need the back-and-forth to understand the whys and wherefores, and you get those in droves.
What stands out is Tyler's ability to use rich detail to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. A sandwich isn't just food; it's a symbol of survival. Head lice aren't merely a nuisance; they're a testament to the indignities endured. These layers make The Tangled Mane as much a reflection of how bleak society can be as it is a story of resilience and also a clear reflection on how your parents or parent, in this case, can really mess you up!
Our hero is not who you think, and the story is not predictable—far from it. It's an emotional read that touches on modern themes. Ultimately, while the book's tragedies are plentiful, The Tangled Mane is far from misery-lit; it's written just like a true detective story straight from the pen of Barbara Vine in her Ruth Rendell series or Erin Kelly, author of The Poison Tree. While authors want to be individual and don't like comparisons, Tyler has a Rendell-esque touch, a skill most can't even get near to, no matter how hard they try.
It's sad (in places) and uplifting and funny in others, a clever novel, a journey that challenges and rewards its readers. Like the characters, we're left to read between the lines and find a positive within the darkness and the meat on the bones.
Charlie Tyler's bio mentions that she signed a four-book deal with SpellBound Books in 2024, with The Tangled Mane kicking off this cosy crime series. Tyler lives in the UK and is part of the 5 am club (I’m guessing here). She says, 'Her favourite way to start the day is plotting a fictional murder, even before her first coffee.' She studied Theology at Worcester College, Oxford, and now calls a picturesque village in Leicestershire home, where she lives with her husband and their beloved dog, Otto.
The next book - The Welland Valley Murders: The Serpent Noose. In this gripping sequel, a body is discovered hidden in a sealed-up priest hole within Collyhurst Convent—a sixth-form girls' boarding school run by nuns. We can expect to see more of Cally, and that’s a positive; she makes the perfect PI, clever but not overbearing, down-to-earth but also a cut above the rest. Tyler loves juxtaposition, and so do I. So, while trying to be objective, I can wholeheartedly recommend this book!
You can buy The Tangled Mane on Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tangled-Mane-Welland-Valley-Murders/dp/1917611056
And also from her website - https://www.charlietyler.com/
