Koffee & Kpop

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#10, The Password to Larkspur Lane

The book starts out with a waylaid carrier pigeon.

“I’ll wire the International Federation of American Homing Pigeon Fanciers and give them the number stamped on the bird’s leg ring. All homing pigeons are registered by number so the owners can be traced.”

After Nancy wires the IFAHPF, she receives the following wire back, which I found really amusing:

“LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE WILL CALL. BIRD NOT REGISTERED. SUSPECT TROUBLE. KEEP MESSAGE SECRET.”

Only in a Nancy Drew novel can we have a suspicious, possible accessory-to-criminal-activity carrier pigeon.

Helen is back in this book! I’ve missed her. According to wikipedia, Bess takes one of her scenes in the 1960s revised edition, which is a shame. Helen is a much more interesting character than George and Bess, in my opinion, and it was odd for the scaredy-cat character to go with Nancy on a dangerous mission.

There were a number of really good phrases in the book.

“Well, it takes all kinds of folks to make a world. What’s more, pigeons, planes and telegrams aren’t getting tonight’s dinner ready. We’re having hot biscuits and chicken, one of your father’s favorites.” – Hannah

“You’ll never be satisfied until you lick the problem. Go ahead.”

We also got a lot of Ned flirting with Nancy in this book.

“Ned’s eyes filled with mischief. ‘You don’t expect me to look at this, do you, when I could be looking at you?’”

There is a racist phrase and action in the book, connected with the wearing of a “Chinese-style” kimono.

Nancy also proves to be something of a rebel on the road, which I am very much here for:

“She swung around, her tires squealing on the asphalt, and stopped short, facing her pursuer.”

There were two scenes that really fit the 1960s vibe.

“’Operator, this is an emergency! Ring the phone nearest the entrance on Main Street, please!’” In a second the voice said, ‘“Silverware!’”

I can just see Nancy in a department store, calling up the other side of the department store on an old-fashioned phone. The fact that there is a silverware department is also amusing to me.

“To keep Hannah company, Nancy and Effie ate supper on trays in her room and afterward watched a television play.”

Ah, yes, the TV dinners of the 1960s. (Not that I would know.) I’m a little unsure what a “television play” is, and upon googling it appears that they fell out of fashion after the 1960s in the US. I just like to imagine Nancy sitting in front of a vintage television set with a foldable tray, eating a dinner like one of these:

At one point, Effie, a young teenage girl, is scared while she’s tagging along with Nancy and decides that instead of waiting in the car for Nancy like a normal person would, the trunk would be a better place to hide. Honey, if the criminal were to steal Nancy’s car (which is a good possibility) and you’re in the trunk, things would not look good for you.

Phrase of the Book

“I don’t know which is harder: to keep on a diet or keep in a secret.”

(Bess, obviously)

Foods Mentioned

• “hot biscuits and chicken”
• “sweet pickles”
• “munching a banana”
• “chicken salad, hot rolls, and iced tea”
• “cool drinks”
• “steak, potatoes, green beans, and watermelon”
• “glass of milk and some crackers”
• “served cake and glasses of milk”
• “hot sandwiches and milk”
• “I have some nice hot consommé and toast and rice pudding. Doesn’t that make your mouth water?”
• “Taste it, and remember that tomorrow there will be only stale bread and warm water for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if you don’t obey our dear good Dr. Bell, who is so kind to you.”

Outfits

• “Chinese-style pink kimono, with high-heeled satin mules”
• “pink butterfly print dress”
• “pajamas, robe, and slippers”
• “pretty lime-green dress with a matching sweater”
• “Nancy’s turquoise suit set off her smooth suntan perfectly, while Bess looked attractive in a butter-yellow one. George was a trim contrast in sea green.”
• “simple rose-colored formal and her hair was piled high with a gardenia tucked in it”
• “black oxfords, a black hat with a heavy veil, gray gloves, and a long black coat much too big for me!”
• “a nurse’s uniform and a pair of horn-rimmed glasses”

Nancy’s Reward

“Ned grinned. ‘If I were to give Nancy the reward she’d like best, I’d hand her another mystery to solve.’”