What does the detective listened to her tales with a wooden face means?

The phrase "the detective listened to her tales with a wooden face" means that the detective was showing no emotion or reaction while listening to the woman's story.

Here's a breakdown of why:

* Wooden face: This is a figurative expression. A wooden face is like a carved wooden doll, lacking any expression or movement.

* Listened to her tales: This indicates that the woman was telling a story, likely a personal one with some emotional weight.

* Implication: By listening with a wooden face, the detective is conveying that they are:

* Unimpressed: They don't believe her story or find it interesting.

* Uninterested: They are not emotionally invested in what she's saying.

* Suspicious: They might suspect she is lying or withholding information.

The detective's lack of reaction could also be a deliberate tactic to get the woman to reveal more information. By appearing unmoved, they might encourage her to elaborate or provide more details.

In short, the phrase suggests that the detective is keeping their emotions in check and maintaining a neutral demeanor, likely for strategic reasons.