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#9, The Sign of the Twisted Candles

This is the second book written by Walter Karig (revised in 1960 by Patricia Doll). I’ve come to appreciate Karig’s fearlessness in putting Nancy in dangerous situations, as she gets drugged for a second time in this book. (“As she struggled to get away, the man pulled a small bottle from his pocket and waved it under her nose. Nancy held her breath, all the while fighting like a tigress. She heard a car drive in. If she could only hold out until help came! But the room began to reel. Nancy couldn’t breathe. Then she blacked out.”) There are also other incidences where Nancy is at risk of actual bodily harm.

I was rather amused that upon witnessing a villain bury an elderly character’s chest (full of supposed treasure), Nancy’s response was to dig it up and take it to the bank for safe keeping.

Two honorable mentions for phrases include one that I would imagine comes from the original edition, and one that I think may have come from the revised edition, as it mentions things more pertinent to the late 1960s.

“If I can’t tell a very pretty and very much alive young woman from an old piece of canvas and paint, then I shall have to visit an oculist.”

“Is there any fruit punch left? Let us drink to the new world of electronics, spaceships, and trips to the moon–but always soft candlelight. Salute!”

In this book we have the juxtaposition of some really luxurious birthday party food (“jellied consomme, sliced breast of chicken, hearts of lettuce with Roquefort dressing, nut bread, ice cream, chocolate layer cake, and fruit punch”) and quite possibly the worst food that I’ve seen in a Nancy Drew book yet (“canned chocolate milk, potted ham, and some relatively fresh bread”).

Phrase of the Book

“Search me”

(used in the context of saying you don’t know something)

Foods Mentioned

• “some tea and cinnamon toast”
• “jellied consomme, sliced breast of chicken, hearts of lettuce with Roquefort dressing, nut bread, ice cream, chocolate layer cake, and fruit punch”
• “maraschino cherry which obstinately remained in the bottom of her glass”
• “a cup of steaming cocoa and homemade cookies for Nancy, while she and Mr. Drew had second cups of coffee”
• “sandwiches… and a pitcher of cocoa”
• “leg of lamb”
• “waffles”
• “tea and toast”
• “roast beef”
• “lemon chiffon pie… two large wafers which she had fashioned into the shape of butterfly wings… decorated them in various patterns with vegetable colorings”
• “roast beef sandwiches”
• “canned chocolate milk, potted ham, and some relatively fresh bread”

Outfits

• “a black dress with a small, frilled white apron”