Nancy Drew 21: The Secret in the Old Attic

The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

Saturday morning Nancy Drew with sweet Finian. He lives close to quite a few Little Free Libraries, so I figured I should knock this off the list while I‘ve got so many convenient places to stick it when I‘m done! The last one I read let a lot of educational opportunities pass it by, which seemed weird, but this one‘s back on form with a fair bit about fabric production and antiquing.

Ruthiella I thought the bit about using spider silk was made up, but when I googled it, it is a real thing! 3w

AlaMich There she is with her “titian hair.” 😂 3w

dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 3w

xicanti @Ruthiella that Nancy Drew, increasing our general knowledge case by case. 3w

xicanti @AlaMich always with the titian hair. 3w

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MariaW

Nancy Drew 21: The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

so-so

I‘m not sure what to think. Even though I liked the part with Nancy nosing around in the factory and trying to get hold onto a stolen chemical formula, I get more and more annoyed by the same structure of all the ND novels. I understand that they were written for teenagers, but wouldn‘t they realize that at some point as well. I will stick to reading the next 7 novels because I already bought the ebooks, but after that I will probably bail.

Ruthiella I don‘t think teenagers are the target audience. These are intended for a middle grade reader. 1mo

Librarybelle Let‘s hope there are some new elements to the next story! 1mo

willaful When I realized as a kid that every single chapter of ND ending with an exclamation point, I was done. 1mo

MariaW @Librarybelle I hope so too. 🙈 (edited) 4w

MariaW @willaful 🤣 4w

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CogsOfEncouragement

Nancy Drew 21: The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

pick

I‘m with @Librarybelle and also rate this a light pick. I always enjoy the #NancyDrewBR discussions of these iconic chapter books. I have more to say about this one and put my comments as spoilers below.

CogsOfEncouragement What I found kinda far fetched in this one was using a candle to search the attic. ND drove back and forth from the March's home a zillion times. She is even said to have run errands at one point. Girl, pick up a battery from your house or the store. Better yet, grab a camping lantern from your garage which we all know you have. 1mo

CogsOfEncouragement I love when Ned is around to take direction from ND and do just as she says. To have her back, and assist in the caper. Ned showed up out-of-nowhere just to save ND this time and that was a disappointment. George and Bess should have saved ND if the writer couldn't figure out how to have Ned in the plot. 1mo

dabbe 🩵🎯🎯🩵 for both of your points. 1mo

Librarybelle Yes! Completely agree! 1mo

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MariaW

Nancy Drew 21: The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

Last to time it was a recipe for super exclusive porcellain, this time it is a formula for a unique silk-making progress. what‘s next? The elixier of the Fountain of Youth or the experiment to transform lead into gold? 🧪🧪🧪

dabbe 🩵🎯🩵 1mo

DebinHawaii Maybe a how-to on exploding oranges!?!💥🍊😉 1mo

Librarybelle @DebinHawaii 😂 1mo

MariaW @DebinHawaii I forgot about those! 🤣🤣🤣 1mo

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Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 21: The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

So sorry I am late in posting today! I overslept, had things to do this morning, and today is Sebastian‘s birthday. Crazy morning!

5 questions are posted as spoilers; you can find them on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching #NancyDrewBR .

Next month, we uncover The Clue in the Crumbling Wall. 😮

rubyslippersreads, DebinHawaii, DGRachel, BarkingMadRead, Jennifer3, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, MariaW, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, Bookwormjillk, Read4life, StayCurious, bookandbedandtea, Laughterhp, Sace, Bren912, kwmg40, CSeydel, Ruthiella, dabbe, Julies_Bookshelf_Adventures, Enchanted_Bibliophile, Allylu, TheAromaofBooks, Charityann, Roary47, KristiAhlers, peanutnine, PageShifter, AmandaBlaze

Roary47 Happy Birthday Sebastian! I hope the rest of your day runs more smoothly. Thank you for posting the discussion questions. 💛 1mo

Ruthiella No worries! Happy birthday to Sebastian! 🥳😻 1mo

Sace Happy birthday Sebastian! 1mo

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DGRachel Happy Birthday Sebastian! 🥳 1mo

Librarybelle Thank you, @Roary47 @Ruthiella @Sace @DGRachel ! I hate oversleeping, something I rarely do, and that threw me off. My priority this morning was to make sure Sebastian felt some extra love and received extra yummies from me! 1mo

BarkingMadRead Happy birthday to Sebastian 1mo

DebinHawaii Happy Birthday to Sebastian! 🎉🎉🎉 1mo

Librarybelle Thank you, @BarkingMadRead @DebinHawaii ! 1mo

MemoirsForMe Happy Birthday Sebastian! 🎉 1mo

Librarybelle Thank you, @MemoirsForMe ! 1mo

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Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 21: The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

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5. We talked about the spookiness of the story, but I always like to compare the adventures in the books (what does that say about me??? 😂)

Think of the dangers Nancy faces in this one--even Mr. March had a rock thrown at him in the beginning of the book. Any stand outs this time? I'd not be happy if a spider, poisonous or not, was on the loose and approaching me. #NancyDrewBR

Bookwormjillk Her stealing the chemicals from the scarf factory (?) stood out to me. While probably not admissible in court I loved that part. 1mo

Roary47 @Bookwormjillk I didn‘t even think of that! It‘s true she did swoop them. I thought it was interesting that she knew someone that she disliked, and that girl still left her alone to wander the factory. Like I mentioned earlier I didn‘t think the spider was all that scary, but Mr March getting in the way and alerting the intruder felt like he was purposely trying to sabotage the investigation. Although she did seem really alone and needed backup! 1mo

Ruthiella While she was not conked on the head, she was imprisoned-very common predicament for the sleuth! 😅 And the industrial espionage was pretty nail biting, though I found it a little cavalier of Mr. Drew to ask her to do it. 1mo

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Sace I actually liked the industrial espionage story better than the stolen music story. 1mo

DGRachel I‘m with @Sace in liking the industrial espionage aspects more. I do love a good attic search for hidden “treasures” but I think Mr March‘s character, his insistence that the music was his son‘s based on having heard the melody and the constant woe-is-me made me less interested in the outcome. I found him a pathetic character instead of sympathetic, if that makes sense, and that annoyed me. 1mo

dabbe Nancy being captured and tightly bound by the culprit leaves her completely helpless. Unlike other “bound“ moments in other books, she literally can't wiggle her way out of this one, truly becoming the damsel who needs a #nednickersonrescuefromoutoftheblue. 1mo

DebinHawaii @dabbe I feel like George & Bess could have done the spider stepping! 👞🕷️🥿 Okay, maybe not Bess! 🤣🤣🤣 1mo

Ruthiella @DebinHawaii Don‘t sell Bess short! Remember in the case of the exploding oranges aka The Moss Covered Mansion , she ran to a doctor and fed the attacking bobcat tranquilizer-doped meat! 😂 1mo

DebinHawaii @Ruthiella You bring up a very valid point! 😂 1mo

MariaW I liked the Mr Drew part of the mystery more interesting as well, Nancy‘s mystery was more about poking around the attic cluelessly. (edited) 1mo

kwmg40 I found Nancy's spying in the factory the most tense part of the story. 1mo

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Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 21: The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

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4. Though in the story, we do not see much of Bess and George. And in the 1970 edition, Ned is a very random insert into the story...I almost rolled my eyes thinking of the “knight in shining armor“ just happening upon Nancy in distress.

Instead, we have the Marches and Effie. Any thoughts on the secondary characters? More in the comments regarding Effie and a theory from one reader. #NancyDrewBR

Librarybelle While most reviewers believe that Effie is the Effie from the Larkspur story--Effie is Hannah's niece--one reviewer thinks this is a different Effie. Nowhere in this story is Effie mentioned as Hannah's niece; this reviewer's thoughts indicate that Effie is a stereotypical non-white servant character as portrayed in literature in the early 1900s, and her mannerisms suggest the stereotype's exaggeration. I think she's the niece. Thoughts? 1mo

Bookwormjillk I kind of was on team Effie. If my employer left me alone in a falling down house with poison spiders I'd want to go home too! Honestly where is HR when you need them? I thought she was the niece as well. 1mo

Roary47 @Bookwormjillk @Librarybelle I also think it was the niece. Nancy knew her and picked her to help our father/granddaughter duo. Effie doesn‘t seem like a common name/nickname so I didn‘t think much of it. Effie in the other book helped out in maid like duties too didn‘t she? “Where is HR” I love that! 🤣 It‘s true she got bit and sick and then she is being left alone. Poor Effie! 1mo

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Ruthiella I just assumed it was the same Effie from before. And she was a bit of a dingbat in Larkspur Lane too. 1mo

DGRachel While they didn‘t mention Effie being the niece, her name was dropped like she was a character we‘d seen before, so I assumed she‘s the niece. I agree that she does have non-white servant stereotypical mannerisms, but I still think she‘s the niece and that the ditzy air is the “young working class girls are not as sophisticated as brilliant Nancy Drew” and therefore classist not racist in this instance. 1mo

dabbe Did anyone read the 1944 version? I didn't, but in researching, it definitely had Effie exhibiting more lower-class stereotypical behavior, especially with her dialect. Just for fun, I asked AI if these Effies were the same, and AI said NO! 😱 ... quite emphatically, I might add. Even though they have the same name, AI stated that this was l“ikely due to the Stratemeyer Syndicate‘s reuse of minor character names across ghostwritten books.“ 🤷‍♀️ 1mo

BarkingMadRead Effie is such a space case, she makes me nuts, and don‘t even get me started on Ned showing up. I‘m sure the 70s girls swooned 🤣 1mo

bookandbedandtea @Roary47 @Bookwormjillk @Librarybelle I thought Effie was the same character from the earlier book. She worked as a "flighty" maid before and she seemed to react much the same way in this book so it made sense to me that she was the same person we had already met. As for Ned showing up, I love him, generally, but this came out of nowhere and struck me as annoying. Would have made more sense for it to be Mr Drew. 1mo

CogsOfEncouragement Same name + same role = same character. I love a Ned that is around to take direction from ND and do just as she says. This out-of-nowhere-Ned was a disappointment. George and Bess should have saved ND if the writer couldn't figure out how to have Ned in the plot. Mr. March is useless, but I guess that is the point. ND needed to come do things he couldn't seem to get done. He was too old and Susan was too young. 1mo

DebinHawaii I think she is the niece. She‘s also the one who packed Nancy‘s passport into the trunk in the Brassbound Trunk. @dabbe Interesting on the AI but ask it what it‘s sources are because I asked it once if a particular character died at the end of a book because I needed fair warning & it said yes & I questioned it and then got who actually died, so 🤷🏻‍♀️ Also, I must repeat my response to an earlier question, Ned came in & stepped on a spider ⬇️ (edited) 1mo

DebinHawaii … to “save” Nancy. I‘m not ready to knight him yet! 🕷️😱🤣 1mo

dabbe @DebinHawaii Oh, I know AI gets things WAY wrong! For some reason I find great pleasure in telling it that it was wrong, but then I think I'm enabling it by making it smarter. 😅 And good call on Ned. He's nowhere near ready to be a knight yet. 😍 1mo

DebinHawaii @dabbe I like telling it that it‘s wrong too! 😉🤣 1mo

MariaW I loved the relationship of Mr March and his granddaughter and how he tries everything to male sure he can care for her. And I agree on Effie being the niece as well. There must be a character that is firghtened a lot, so that Nancy can outshine them with her bravery and this time it‘s Effie. 1mo

kwmg40 I would have liked more George and Bess and I agree that Ned showing up out of nowhere and saving Nancy seemed somewhat artificial. 1mo

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Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 21: The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

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3. An element I picked up on in this story was the extra spooky tone, and that could be because of the black widow spiders (I think I would pass up on the mystery and drive off into the sunset) and the skeleton. I did not read this one as a kid, but I think it would have given me nightmares (I'm very squeamish).

What did you think of the spooky level? #NancyDrewBR

Bookwormjillk I loved it. There's something about an old skeleton in an attic with hidden rooms that makes me happy. 1mo

Roary47 @Bookwormjillk I agree I really enjoyed this spooky level. I double as an entomologist when I focused my degree on plants and bugs…. So I‘m probably outside the norm in not thinking ONE spider was scary. Give me an 8 legged freaks scenario and then I‘ll be creeped out the skeleton in the attic was pretty creepy since it moved a few times! 😱 1mo

Ruthiella Agree, this one doubled down on the spookiness! Skeletons, spiders, secret compartments and rooms…😱 1mo

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Sace I found this pretty spooky as well especially the music coming from seemingly no where. 1mo

DGRachel I loved the spookiness, especially with the skeleton, but I do wish Nancy would get a functioning flashlight. How she managed not to set the dusty old attic on fire with her candles is beyond me. 😂 1mo

dabbe @DGRachel 😂🙌🏻😂 1mo

dabbe I particularly loved the 1970 cover art (featuring a skeletal hand and candlelit shadows): it leans into Gothic horror, evoking the DARK SHADOWS aesthetic of the era. And how can you not love the literal skeleton in the closet that figuratively holds the secrets, too? And that creepy attic! The March mansion‘s attic is described as dark, cluttered, and filled with hidden dangers, you know, like black widow spiders. Sure, use them to make gossamer. 1mo

BarkingMadRead Very spooky in the best way, I‘m not a fan of spiders so that helped and I loved the spooky attic 1mo

bookandbedandtea @DGRachel I'm with you! I cringed every time she went up there with a candle! ONE candle! 🤦‍♀️ 1mo

CogsOfEncouragement I think this has a good level of peril for a chapter book. And the use of poisonous spiders by the bad guy because he has an obsession with them would make perfect sense to my 1970s kiddo self. I grew up where we would find them in the garage sometimes. I knew to carefully kill them on sight. So, scared of them in a way that respected their danger but not too scared to deal with them. 1mo

DebinHawaii Spiders plural are scary & black widows scare me from childhood. I like a good spooky attic & skeleton. @bookandbedandtea & @DGRachel if mystery is you business, you need extra flashlights & batteries! 🔦🔦🔦 1mo

MariaW I thought the spiders were pretty scary because most people are afraid they can be poisonous. But I laughed hard at rhe skeleton in the closet … ehm … wardrobe, it sounded like a joke right away. 1mo

kwmg40 I liked the extra bit of spookiness that the spiders and fake skeleton brought. The setting did have some haunted-house vibes even if we knew that there wasn't any supernatural element. 1mo

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Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 21: The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

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2. In the previous question, we thought about the novel overall. Now, let's dive into the plot and the mysteries themselves. I saw lots of great reviews so far about this 21st in the series...some #LittenDetectives noting the two mysteries intertwined nicely. What do you think of the plot? Any aspects completely unbelievable? Any plot point you're dying to talk to others about? #NancyDrewBR

Bookwormjillk Almost a little too well, but that's what we expect now right? I liked how feisty Nancy was in this one standing up to all the bad guys and sneaking into factories. 1mo

Roary47 @Bookwormjillk The factory sneaking was interesting. I had to keep reminding myself that there probably wasn‘t cameras and security everywhere. I liked the tie in of spider silk and the spider that Nancy was trapped with, but I didn‘t really sense the danger. Like girl you are really tough… why don‘t you just squish it? Lol 1mo

Ruthiella I found the coincidences too convenient, as usual. But a kid wouldn‘t care about that. And while I have a healthy fear of black widow spiders, they aren‘t predatory. The using spiders to spin silk for cloth was interesting. I thought for sure it was made up, but I googled it and while humans have not been able to actually achieve it in a large scale, it has been successfully done. 1mo

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DGRachel I liked that Nancy got to work with her dad a bit more on this, that the mysteries were tied to his cases. I‘m still mad about Nancy being saved by Ned at the end, but I know that‘s a “where my head is” kind of thing. Like @Bookwormjillk I found the factory investigation fun. 1mo

BarkingMadRead My tour in Costa Rica yesterday had a tarantula sighting and we talked all about what they use spiderwebs for now. Lots of really cool uses 1mo

bookandbedandtea @Roary47 @Bookwormjillk I also thought the factory sneaking was fun and had to remind myself of the lack of cameras! 😄 1mo

bookandbedandtea @Ruthiella The coincidences did feel a bit much this time but one of my expectations about ND is that there are always two mysteries that tie together at the end so I just roll with it. 😁 1mo

CogsOfEncouragement For a chapter book, I thought the tie-ins were kinda fun. I appreciated knowing that Trott threw the rock at Mr. March, I thought we might never know. Don't you just love it when the bad guy monologues all his misdeeds? 1mo

DebinHawaii Yep, again River Heights is the Mecca for art, music, industry & invention & they all show up there.🤷🏻‍♀️ The coincidences & twin mysteries do get a little old, but it‘s Nancy Drew & often fun, so, I‘m okay with it. I think Nancy‘s sneaking around the factory was interesting. @CogsOfEncouragement It‘s so helpful when they do that! 🤣 1mo

MariaW I like how Nancy is always able to sneak her way into houses or in this one a factory. From the point of view of bystanders she must seem innocent young woman or why would Diane follow/believe her that promply? And even though Nancy already solved 20 cases in the area the word did not get through to the Dights. 🤦‍♀️ 1mo

kwmg40 I liked the undercover spying that Nancy did at the factory, even if everyone there did seem a bit too gullible. 1mo

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Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 21: The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

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1. While the 1944 and the 1970 versions are fairly similar, the 1944 version has a possible love triangle with Ned and Diane Dight. As if! 😂

Which version did you read? Overall, what did you think of the story? Better or worse than the others we have read so far? Somewhere in the middle? #NancyDrewBR

Bookwormjillk I read 1970 but in my opinion Diane can have him! I liked this one. It was a little strange that what's his name thought he could carry out his evil plan by just letting one spider loose, but that was balanced by the skeleton and the old attic in my opinion. I'm realizing though these books are all pretty much the same and external circumstances very much influence how I feel about these books. This month I had a nice long metro ride. 1mo

Roary47 I did the 1970s also and I actually like Ned. However, I‘ve read bits and pieces of series where she is older too. I was sad that the side characters were not there and Effy (spelling) was super annoying and probably scaring the little girl more. I enjoyed the creepy factor. I‘m not sure Black Widows are the worst spider though. I would be more scared of a Brown Recluse! 😱 1mo

Ruthiella I like Ned too! He‘s always there for Nancy. The love triangle does sound intriguing however. 😅 I read the 1970s version, so I missed all that. Overall I found it silly but entertaining. I thought Effie AND Mr. March were annoying. But somebody‘s got to move that plot along! 😂 (edited) 1mo

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Sace I read the 1970 version. I got annoyed with Mr March too @Ruthiella ! The mystery could have been solved earlier without him! 1mo

DGRachel I read the 1970s version and I think it was on par with most - somewhere in the middle. I gave it a so-so because Effie and Mr March were so obnoxious and the black widow spider as murder weapon made my eyes roll. But actually, what pushed me over the edge was Ned‘s miraculous save at the end. Like dude, where have you been this whole book? I‘m glad to miss the love triangle, though. I HATE those. 1mo

dabbe This one would be a middle-tiered ND for me. Too many coincidences: Ben Banks just happens to be a Dight who just happens to be in cahoots with Bushy Trott? (gotta love that name, though). Ned just happens to be there to rescue ND, our so-called damsel in distress of the moment? And at the moment of capturing Trott, George and Bess just wanna go home? And Trott just happened to know Fipp in the army? As Biden would say, “C'mon, man!“ 1mo

BarkingMadRead I had the 1970 version and I‘m still mad on Nancy‘s behalf 🤣 boys are dumb! So many parallels in this one 1mo

bookandbedandtea I read the 1970 version and I'm glad I did. I'm not down for a love triangle in ND books AND I can't see Ned having eyes for anyone but Nancy! I thought the events of this story was pretty typical for ND (no meteors barely missing their ship!) and I suspect child- me found the whole thing thrilling. 1mo

CogsOfEncouragement 1970. This started out w/a rando rock to the head and was somewhat slow in some parts after that, IMO. I thought it was fine for a chapter book overall. What I found most irritating was the candle. ND drove back and forth from the March's home a zillion times. She is even said to have run errands at one point. Girl, pick up a battery from your house or the store. Better yet, grab a camping lantern from your garage which we all know you have. 1mo

DebinHawaii Late to the party—had to wait until after work. I read the 70‘s version only & would also not be happy with a love triangle! 🤬 This was in the middle for me, just not that exciting & too much Effie. I do remember being terrified by the spiders but did have to laugh when it said Nancy pointed to the spider 2 feet away & Ned stepped on it & saved the day. That just seemed less scary than I remember it & as @Bookwormjillk said—one spider doesn‘t ⬇️ 1mo

DebinHawaii … seem like a great diabolical murder plan. Bonus points for “Bushy Trott!” 🤣 1mo

MariaW I‘ve read the 1970 version as well, so no love triangle for me. But I think it would have heated up things a little bit. And I was already wondering why Ned was appearing so suddenly at the end of the story. And I have to admit I am getting more and more annoyed with the stories‘ structure. It the same every single time. (edited) 1mo

kwmg40 I'd read the 1970 version and also happy for no love triangle. 1mo

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Bookwormjillk

The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

pick

I liked this one. Just a sucker for hidden rooms and skeletons I guess. Murder by spider seems a little far fetched though? #NancyDrewBR

Librarybelle

Librarybelle I did like the level of spookiness in this one. That skeleton! 1mo

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DebinHawaii

The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

pick

#Read2025 #SeriesLove2025

Finished this one last Sunday for #BobWhiteBuddies. I‘m so behind on all my review but wanted to get this one up before the discussion. I do remember this one from childhood, mainly due to the black widow🕷️angle. When I was growing up, my older sister was in the bathroom in the dark & felt something tickling her leg & when she turned on the light, it was a big black widow!😱 Trust me when I say that I was terrified & ⬇️

DieAReader, Librarybelle

DebinHawaii …needed all the lights to be on for quite some time. But I digress. This was an okay book in the series—not that much non-spider action & Nancy‘s noggin was not knocked so the #NNK counter is 9/21. Also “Bushy Trott” is quite a name & really, what good is Effie, ever? Looking forward to the discussion on the 15th. 1mo

Ruthiella Bushy Trott still makes me giggle! 🙊 1mo

Librarybelle I could have done without the black widows in this one. 1mo

DieAReader 🎉 I always look forward to your #NNK counter🤣💖 1mo

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dabbe

The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

pick

#NancyDrewBR @Librarybelle This story delivers fast-paced fun but strains believability. Nancy quickly IDs stolen music, stumbles on hidden clues too easily, and outsmarts cartoonish villains. While her super-sleuth skills feel unrealistic (trespassing? no problem!), the escapism is part of the series‘ charm—Nancy‘s superhero brilliance lets young audiences imagine themselves outsmarting grownups. Classic Drew charm, but don‘t overthink the logic.

Librarybelle Great review! 1mo

dabbe @Librarybelle TY! 🩵💙🩵 1mo

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Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 21: The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

pick

**I‘m running a bit behind for the discussion Tuesday, but will post the questions ASAP!**

Light pick. This one had a lot of good, creepy elements—spooky attic, possible disembodied sounds, and yucky spiders—but the character of Effie was so terribly distracting and annoying. Nancy would have done well to use one of her friends to help her with the Marches in this one.

#NancyDrewBR : discussion Tuesday!!

Ruthiella Lots of “classic” elements in this one. 1mo

Sace I‘m curious about the Effie character. I want to know the history and origins because I almost wonder if in the 1944 version the character was a stereotype that they tried to remake in the 1970 version. At least that‘s how it read to me. (Have we seen Effie before?) 1mo

Librarybelle @Ruthiella Yes! 1mo

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Librarybelle @Sace Was Effie the one who appeared as a “help” to Hannah when she was laid up in bed? I feel like we have seen her before. Maybe I can find something regarding the purpose of Effie in my research… 1mo

Ruthiella @Librarybelle @Sace Yes, Effie was introduced in

Nancy Drew 10: Password to Larkspur Lane

1mo

Librarybelle Thanks, @Ruthiella ! 1mo

Bookwormjillk My commute book for tomorrow 1mo

BarkingMadRead I liked it, I‘m getting more used to all random things converging at the end 🤣🤣 1mo

Sace @Ruthiella ah. Ok. I did not read that with y‘all and it has been quite a long while. Maybe I‘ll go back and read it this week while Effie is still fresh in my mind. 1mo

Librarybelle @Bookwormjillk 😁 1mo

Librarybelle @BarkingMadRead 😂 1mo

Luke-XVX Is the Nancy Drew series something you loved growing up? I don‘t know how widely available they were here in the UK but I remember being aware of them (mostly likely pop culturally) Same with the Hardy Boys. Not something I‘d ever read but I caught the tv series on Disney+ and enjoyed it 1mo

Librarybelle @Luke-XVX I did like them when I was a kid. My mom and I read through several of them together, and that was probably my gateway into loving mysteries. 1mo

Luke-XVX So many of them too! You may never run out! 1mo

DGRachel @BarkingMadRead I agree. I‘m getting better at just rolling with the insanity and therefore enjoying them more. 😂 1mo

Librarybelle So true, @Luke-XVX ! 1mo

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DGRachel

Nancy Drew 21: The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

so-so

We didn‘t get nearly enough of the old gang - minimal Bess, George Hannah, and Carson, although more Papa Drew than normal. Instead, we get Effie, but sadly she‘s an obnoxious scaredy cat. I actually found this one slow and rather tedious, and I don‘t think there was a single side character, villain or victim, that I liked. I think I‘m just in a mood, though. More grumbling under the spoiler tag. 😬 #nancydrewbr

Librarybelle

DGRachel Venomous vs poisonous. It‘s not that hard to distinguish between the two and shouldn‘t we be teaching kids the correct terminology? Also, they are not aggressive. They aren‘t hunters. And dang it, Nancy, would it kill you to have a functioning flashlight instead of relying on candle? And how do you not hear a desk being moved across the floor? 🤦🏻‍♀️ 1mo

Ruthiella Having grown up with Black Widow spiders, I also found the threat of an attack ridiculous. But kudos to Nancy for applying the correct first aid when Effie is bitten. 1mo

DGRachel @Ruthiella The other thing that irritated me was the miraculous save by Ned at the end. He totally came out of nowhere. 1mo

Librarybelle Feel free to grumble! This is a light pick for me—not the strongest in the series, but not the worst. 1mo

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DGRachel

Nancy Drew 21: The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

Oh, Nancy. Will you never learn? 😮‍💨

#nancydrewbr

Librarybelle

Suet624 😂😂😂 1mo

Librarybelle 😂 1mo

Ruthiella Alas I am afraid not ! 😂 1mo

DGRachel @Ruthiella Too true! 1mo

dabbe How many times dies she di this? We should start counting these as well. #rashynancy 1mo

45 likes5 comments

Sace

Nancy Drew 21: The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

pick

#NancyDrewBR @Librarybelle

There were two mysteries that ended up being connected, but not in too convoluted a way. Right when I thought it was going to be a Ned-less mystery he showed up like an afterthought 😂

TW- spiders 🕷️

Can‘t wait for the discussion.

Librarybelle I started this morning! Yuck…spiders! 1mo

Ruthiella When I read the name Bushy Trott, I died laughing. 😆 1mo

Sace @Librarybelle I‘m also not a fan. 1mo

Sace @Ruthiella honestly the names in this series are so entertaining! 1mo

52 likes4 comments

Sace

Nancy Drew 21: The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

There‘s a lot going on in this synopsis and to be honest that makes me nervous. 😂

#NancyDrewBR @Librarybelle

Librarybelle 😂 What a synopsis! 1mo

43 likes1 comment

DebinHawaii

Nancy Drew 21: The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

#Naturalitsy #HyggeHourReadathon

Spending tonight‘s #HyggeHoyr with Nancy Drew in the old attic for #NancyDrewBR

Drinking iced green tea & having a few senbei (Japanese rice crackers) for some savory crunch.

My mood is a bit sad that 4 days from work went so quickly & the fact that it‘s Monday tomorrow.😵‍💫

TheBookHippie, Chrissyreadit, AllDebooks

AnnCrystal 🫂💝. 1mo

AllDebooks ❤️🫂❤️ 1mo

Chrissyreadit how yummy are the crackers? and what fat content? i need to find crunch snacks i can eat on my diet- maybe i should be looking at the international store. 1mo

See All 8 Comments

Chrissyreadit also Mondays stink… 1mo

TheBookHippie Ugh Mondays. 😵‍💫 1mo

dabbe 🩵💙🩵 1mo

DebinHawaii @Chrissyreadit They are pretty yummy but not as low-fat/low-calorie because they are fried. For 2 large crackers (31 g) it‘s 140 calories& 5 g fat (1 g saturated fat). There are other baked rice crackers that are less fat. 1mo

Chrissyreadit ugh!!! that‘s disappointing. everything yummy is high in fat 😂 1mo

52 likes8 comments

Roary47

Nancy Drew 21: The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

so-so

3✨ I feel like this one is more believable than others. No major risks, and good friends to get you out of trouble. I‘ll actually be able to discuss on time! 🤩 #NancyDrewBR @Librarybelle
Plus I can show off my coloring I did with my kiddos today. 🥰

Librarybelle Yay!! And lovely coloring! 1mo

Roary47 @Librarybelle Thank you! 🥰 1mo

24 likes2 comments

Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 21: The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

#LittenDetectives : We‘re two weeks away from our next #NancyDrewBR discussion!

What could be the secret in the old attic? How will Nancy discover the secret? Will she have a head injury this time? Will Ned continue to sulk that he is second to a good mystery in Nancy‘s eyes?!? Let‘s find out!

Discussion July 15th!

BarkingMadRead I can‘t wait! 1mo

Ruthiella What secret talent will Nancy display this time? 😂 1mo

Librarybelle Yay, @BarkingMadRead ! 1mo

See All 10 Comments

Librarybelle @Ruthiella It‘ll be something that seems so random yet very helpful for the situation! 😂 1mo

dabbe Thanks for posting this! 🤩 We should take a bet on #NNK's! 😂 1mo

Librarybelle @dabbe 😂 1mo

TheAromaofBooks This one was sooooo scary to me growing up!!! 1mo

Librarybelle @TheAromaofBooks I don‘t remember this one! Maybe I didn‘t read it. Now I‘m really intrigued! 1mo

TheAromaofBooks All I remember are the spiders 😂 1mo

Librarybelle @TheAromaofBooks OMG! 😱 1mo

34 likes10 comments

Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 21: The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

What is the secret in the old attic? Never fear…Nancy will figure it out! Discussion of this 21st in the series will take place July 15th.

All are welcome to join. Please comment if you wish to be added to or removed from the tag list. #NancyDrewBR

Librarybelle @LitsyEvents 2mo

Ruthiella Looking forward to finding out the secret! 🤫 2mo

Librarybelle Yes, @Ruthiella ! 2mo

See All 18 Comments

BarkingMadRead Can‘t wait! 2mo

Honeybeebooks Would love to learn how it works. 2mo

Librarybelle Yay, @BarkingMadRead ! 2mo

Sace Can‘t wait! I love the monthly ND discussion. 😁 2mo

Librarybelle @Honeybeebooks The #NancyDrewBR group is reading through the original Nancy Drew mysteries, one a month. The group reads at its own pace, and we discuss the book on the 15th of the month. I post discussion questions, and the group jumps in whenever they are ready. I hope this helps, and I hope you join us! 2mo

Librarybelle They are so fun, @Sace ! I plan to jump in on the discussion tomorrow! 2mo

TheBookHippie How many concussions ?? 2mo

JenlovesJT47 Dang I got behind. Going to try to finish this week! 2mo

Librarybelle @TheBookHippie A couple books ago, she had a head injury and also fainted/lost consciousness! I think we‘re up to at least 9 of the books the describe at least one head knock for Nancy. 2mo

Librarybelle @JenlovesJT47 No worries! 2mo

bookandbedandtea Looking forward to it! 2mo

TheBookHippie @Librarybelle 🫣😵‍💫🤣 2mo

Librarybelle Yay, @bookandbedandtea ! 2mo

Pageturner1 @Librarybelle Hi. I have enjoyed this group a lot. I haven‘t been following for a while. Can you take me off list for now. 2mo

Librarybelle Of course, @Pageturner1 . Thanks for joining us! 2mo

53 likes18 comments

JuliaTheBookNerd

The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

#Attic 💛💙 #StorySettings 🐝🌷🎣🏕️🌳

#BookNerd 🤓📚💙

Eggs, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs Wonderful 👏🏻👏🏻 1y

53 likes1 comment

peanutnine

The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

#AutumnPlease Day 20 🤐 #Secrets
A few from my Nancy Drew collection. She's always uncovering some secrets
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Excellent 💛 2y

Kimzey ❤️ 2y

Eggs So many secrets for Nancy 👍🏼👏🏻👌🏼 2y

42 likes3 comments

Blueberry

The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

#Attic #SavvySettings
@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 📚📚👍🏻 3y

Eggs Great collage😱 3y

LindaLappin love the collage and loved Nancy Drew!
3y

57 likes3 stack adds3 comments

LiseWorks

The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

March 4 #SavvySettings Attic, when I was a teen I read every Nancy Drew book and every Hardy Boy mystery. This one always stuck in my mind as a good one. @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs Great books!! 3y

12 likes1 comment

TheSpineView

Nancy Drew 21: The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

#SavvySettings @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs
#Attic

LiseWorks I swear, you and I think alike 😅 3y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Perfect 👍🏻 3y

Eggs Well done 👍🏼 3y

TheSpineView @LiseWorks IKR! 3y

TheSpineView @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @eggs 😊 3y

65 likes1 stack add5 comments

SilverShanica

Nancy Drew 21: The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

pick

Working two separate mysteries at once had Nancy running all over town. Can she get them both solved when things turn dangerous?

6 likes

peanutnine

Nancy Drew 21: The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

#haunted 🏚️ Haunted House
I loved Nancy Drew growing up and still have a bunch from my old collection. These two take place in spooky houses
@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs A classic❣️ 4y

39 likes1 comment

ravenlee

Nancy Drew 21: The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

pick

20 down for #nancydrewchallenge ! This one took longer than usual, due to life stuff getting busy recently.

Not my favorite but pretty good. The connection between mysteries strains credulity, Ned doesn‘t show up until the very end and has little to do, but there‘s some solid sleuthing. 3.5/5⭐️

ravenlee I had to laugh at the idea of a black widow “hunting” Nancy in a dark attic though. What, like a trained killer spider? 6y

27 likes1 comment

Christinak

Nancy Drew 21: The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

“I‘ve nothing to explain!
I publish the music in good#faith.”

#QuotsyFeb19 #NancyDrew

TK-421

33 likes1 stack add

EllieDottie

The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

The very first Nancy Drew I ever read was #21! This book and series began my love of reading! #novemberbythenumbers

JoeStalksBeck, BibliophileMomma

CathyJ I loved Nancy Drew when I was a kid. Couldn't get enough. 8y

slategreyskies I loved Nancy Drew too! Those hardback yellow books in a long row at the library... 8y

EvieBee Nice!! Mine was

The Clue of the Dancing Puppet

See All 6 Comments

idrinkandiknowthings @slategreyskies I had a very well used set of those yellow hardcovers when I was a kid 😊 remembering them definitely puts a smile on my face! 8y

Jaimelire Same here. Nancy got me hooked on books. I used to pretend I was her and look for clues! 😜 8y

BestDogDad Neat! My sister checked out all the Nancy Drew books when we were kids, and I read all the Hardy Boys books. 8y

94 likes1 stack add6 comments

howjessicareads

The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

Juliet and I are puzzling, and Eleanor's in the kitchen making a double batch of pancakes. ❤️ #nancydrewpuzzle

tjwill That is an awesome puzzle! 8y

howjessicareads Thanks @tjwill!! It's surprisingly hard, bc all the covers look so similar after a while. 😜 8y

30 likes2 comments

Bklover

The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

#characters2017 #ravenclaw. My dear friend Nancy Drew is most definitely a Ravenclaw!

LibrarianRyan

Bindrosbookshelf I need a Nancy Drew reread in my future though sadly I wouldn't know where to get all the books now besides the random one or two to be found on eBay...and the four that come in the box set... 8y

LibrarianRyan 🤓👍 8y

LibrarianRyan @jadedeverafter you can get the first 8 with the new covers on Bookoutlet, heck most of the old ones and various spin offs too. I have a post somewhere on my page with the new covers if you are board and want to go looking. 8y

See All 7 Comments

Bklover @jadedeverafter @LibrarianRyan Nancy was always my home sick day choice. I would see how many I could read in one day! 8y

LibrarianRyan @Bklover when I was a kid I know I read the spin offs and some of the originals, but very few originals. When I saw the new covers I couldn't help myself. I just hope they do the entire series. 8y

Bklover @LibrarianRyan I'm on my way to check out the new covers now!😉 8y

EllieDottie Agree!!! 8y

102 likes4 stack adds7 comments

CogsOfEncouragement

The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

I'm in California, and we've got a new state law mandating reusable shopping totes. My #latestbookishbuys were a few cute bags from B&N. Coming home from Target with my necessities bagged up in quotes and Nancy Drew was #booknerdbliss #photoadaynov16

RealLifeReading

mrsh62010 I love Nancy Drew and love that bag! I have a Great Gatsby one from B&N, but I don't care for F. Scott Fitzgerald, believe it or not.... the bag was a hand me down and I still use it anyway, bc books! Congrats on your bag ban. It's so important! Saving the planet 🌎🌏🌍 9y

Blueberry Think I will head to Barnes and Nobles today. 9y

RealLifeReading Cute! 9y

See All 7 Comments

CogsOfEncouragement Thanks, @mrsh62010 & @RealLifeReading I plan to gather more book cover bags with time. 9y

CogsOfEncouragement @Blueberry Right? 😄 9y

Blueberry No Nancy Drew but I got Catch-22 and The Jungle Book. :) 9y

CogsOfEncouragement @Blueberry 👏🏼📚❤️ AWESOME! 9y

30 likes1 stack add7 comments

megt

The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

I'm prepped and ready! Hitting up my first ever library "mega" sale this morning. I've got my totes, my cash in a little purse (I'm THAT lady who runs into people/things with my bag), and comfy shoes. Wish me luck Littens - I'll see you on the other side! #librarysale

LauraBrook Good luck! I'm debating going to a library sale today too. Trying to talk myself out of it - I don't think it's working. 9y

tpixie Have fun hunting for great 📚! 9y

OrangeMooseReads Good luck and have fun 9y

See All 15 Comments

Hornsby78 I'm going to an auction this afternoon to specifically look for another book shelf. #StorageProblems #LibrarySales 9y

megt @LauraBrook thanks! When this sale got announced last week I told myself I wouldn't go because I bought a lot of books while I was on vacation last month. But obviously I have zero willpower 😊 9y

megt @tpixie @OrangeMooseReads thanks! I made it out in one piece. I'll post again later with details of the haul! 9y

megt @Hornsby78 oh, I'm always looking for new places in my house to stash books. I think I've officially run out of places to put bookshelves, though! 9y

Bookzombie Have fun! I love the Nancy Drew bag! 9y

LisaJo I love your Nancy Drew bag. Jelly. By the way, the floor makes the back book shelves. 9y

DebinHawaii Have fun!!! 📚📚📚📚📚 9y

Hornsby78 I'm giving away my TV and putting a book shelf in the place of the entertainment center because I haven't turned on the TV in YEARS. I watch everything on my laptop, computer, or phone. 9y

megt @DebinHawaii @Bookzombie @LisaJo thanks! The Nancy Drew bag was an impulse buy at Barnes & Noble a few months ago. 9y

megt @Hornsby78 nice! I got rid of a dresser a few years back to make room for two bookshelves. Why have extra clothes when you can have books? 9y

ApoptyGina69 I keep hoping B&N will print more totes because, you know I *need* more and I already have all the ones on offer. 😉Also, LOVE Nancy and her chums! 9y

megt @ApoptyGina69 other than books, totes are the things I collect the most! And by collect, obviously I mean buy way more than necessary 😉 9y

89 likes2 stack adds15 comments

queerbookreader

The Secret in the Old Attic | Carolyn Keene

Nancy collection photo 💕 (not including all the PC games coz I've got every single one of them and they require their own photo bcz there's so many)

15 likes

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