Litsy

Nancy Drew 23: Mystery of the Tolling Bell | Carolyn Keene

September‘s #NancyDrewBR takes us away from River Heights and into another mystery that includes the kidnapping of Carson Drew! Oh my!

Discussion on September 15th. All are welcome to join. Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the tag list!

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

Librarybelle @LitsyEvents 1d

BarkingMadRead I read this earlier in the year, I‘m definitely in to discuss! 1d

Librarybelle Yay, @BarkingMadRead ! 1d

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Ruthiella Let‘s find out for whom the bell tolls! 😅 1d

Librarybelle @Ruthiella 😂 1d

bookandbedandtea @Ruthiella 🤣 15h

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DGRachel

Nancy Drew 22: The Clue in the Crumbling Wall | Carolyn Keene

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Lots of action in this installment of Nancy Drew's adventures! Multiple noggin‘ knockouts for more than just Nancy, a missing dancer, a crumbling “castle”, secret formulas, boat crashes, and more kidnappings than you can shake a stick at. This one was pretty fun. #nancydrewbr

Librarybelle

Librarybelle It was fun! 2d

dabbe 😍😍😍 1d

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Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 22: The Clue in the Crumbling Wall | Carolyn Keene

Let‘s discuss Heath Castle and a missing heiress! I have five questions posted as spoilers. You can find them on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching #NancyDrewBR .

Next month, Nancy has to uncover The Mystery of the Tolling Bell, which now makes me think of Hemingway and For Whom the Bell Tolls. 😂

Official post tomorrow!

DGRachel I totally forgot that the 15th was today and didn‘t get this read over the weekend. I did start it last night but I am only 1/4 done. 😭😭 3d

dabbe Thank you! 💛🤎🧡 2d

Ruthiella I also need to start reading this. Time slipped up on me! 2d

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Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 22: The Clue in the Crumbling Wall | Carolyn Keene

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5. A Chaucer reference! Nancy makes note that she learned to read Middle English, as she read Chaucer. I was amazed at this.

The other quirky element I wanted to mention was Salty, who I dearly wish we see again, and his clam song. I think I actually giggled when I read his lyrics. Something about a door-to-door clam salesman does make me wonder about product safety...

Were there any elements that surprised you or made you giggle? #NancyDrewBR

Bookwormjillk The Chaucer thing definitely made me laugh. 3d

CogsOfEncouragement This might not be exactly what you are looking for, but the “lucky we wore jeans” is really something. The Hardy Boys get to wear pants for every adventure. Nancy, George, and Bess are usually doing all this in skirts, hosiery, and possibly kitten heels. 3d

BarkingMadRead I loved Salty! I also loved the secret clue in the castle, very creative! 2d

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dabbe @CogsOfEncouragement #truth! 😂🎯😂 2d

dabbe As someone who taught a few of the CANTERBURY TALES to my sophomore honors students, not ONE of them became an avid reader of Middle English, so I really had to suspend my disbelief on that one.

The fake Juliana is exposed because her feet are too big, like Cinderella's stepsisters. Nancy literally stares at the woman‘s shoes to solve the case: no DNA tests, just “Nope, those feet are definitely not ballet material!“ 😂 2d

DGRachel I‘d forgotten about the jeans conversation, but I did laugh at that. I just remember thinking “of course she translates Middle English” 🙄. Random side note, for one of the requirements for my English Lit degree I had to choose between Shakespeare Studies or an entire semester spent reading Chaucer in Middle English. I chose Shakespeare and have never regretted that decision. 😂 2d

DGRachel @Librarybelle product safety! 😂😂 2d

DebinHawaii Yes, I worried about the safety of eating those mollusks quite a lot even while appreciating Salty. And of course Nancy studies Middle English! (Do you think she can tap dance it out too?) 🤪 1d

kwmg40 Nancy knowing how to read Middle English did seem amazing. That girl can do anything! 1d

Librarybelle OMG, @DebinHawaii ! She might be able to—such a talented girl is our Nancy! 😂 I forgot about the jeans observation, @CogsOfEncouragement , but you‘re right! I‘m all for trying Chaucer in Middle English, but probably not when I was 18. 😂 @Bookwormjillk @BarkingMadRead @dabbe @DGRachel @kwmg40 10h

Ruthiella Nancy knowing enough Middle English to translate sure made me laugh! 😂 2h

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Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 22: The Clue in the Crumbling Wall | Carolyn Keene

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4. Think about the adventures in this one. It almost seemed like a comedic adventure when Bess was trapped because of the dogs, George was without clothes in the outbuilding, and Nancy, who decided sleuthing was better than helping George, gets locked in the tower. But, there were some creepy adventures too--bet me I'd lay on the ground of an abandoned garden!

What did you think of the adventures in this one? #NancyDrewBR

Bookwormjillk There were some good ones. The part where Bess got knocked out and flung into the water was scary! 3d

CogsOfEncouragement @Bookwormjillk I forgot about that one. Which then reminded me of the explosion which threw Nancy into a closet and shut her in behind rubble! The whole George undressed in the tool shed was crazy to me. I‘ll stay in my wet clothes, thankyouverymuch. When Nancy finally gets out of the parapet after being stuck for hours (chap IX, pg 82) she says, “What an adventure!” I thought that was such a Nancy thing to say - in a good way. Always positive. 3d

BarkingMadRead So many funny ones for comic relief over the distressing ones! Nancy has horrible luck 🤣 2d

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dabbe I thought the revised 1973 version added quite a threat to Hannah Gruen, raising the personal stakes. I don't like when ANYONE messes with Hannah! 😂 2d

DGRachel @dabbe Right?!? Leave Hannah alone! This one seemed to have a lot of high stakes danger, and Bess got more than her fair share! I‘m pretty protective of Bess, too. I‘m with @CogsOfEncouragement re: wet clothes. I thought that was a little nuts. Also, I know I‘m obsessed with this, but so many unconscious people: Bess, Nancy, and Salty! My head was starting to hurt! 🤣🤣 2d

dabbe @DGRachel You had your own #NNK! 💛🤎🧡 2d

DebinHawaii Way too many head blows for my liking! 🤕 Will my greatest concern remains with Nancy‘s noggin & the #NNK no one‘s head is safe. The George‘s clothes thing made me both laugh & shake my head. “Sure you go investigate while I stay naked in a tool shed at a creepy old place that might have bad guys running amok…” 😳🙄 (edited) 1d

kwmg40 This story was definitely full of action, and though some of the dangers were comedic, they were at least not eye-rolling like the random meteorite from an earlier book. 1d

Librarybelle I forgot about Hannah‘s ordeal, @dabbe ! You know things are really bad when Hannah is also in peril. This certainly had a ton of entertaining and not-so-good-for-the-head moments! @Bookwormjillk @CogsOfEncouragement @BarkingMadRead @DGRachel @DebinHawaii @kwmg40 10h

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Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 22: The Clue in the Crumbling Wall | Carolyn Keene

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3. Did anyone else have an issue with Julianna not letting her sister know she was alive? I had hoped her accident left her with amnesia, preventing her from remembering her past. Alas, no. So crazy!

But, Nancy and friends (no Ned, who's in South America!) must find Julianna and also uncover the secrets of the castle. They meet some shady people along the way. Thoughts on the characters in this book? #NancyDrewBR

Bookwormjillk I liked Salty and appreciated the break from Ned. I agree that she should have gotten in touch with her sister or at least checked on her. 3d

CogsOfEncouragement Yes! I thought she was going to be a Jane Doe situation as well. It reminded me of the movie An Affair to Remember. This was so sad, the lost years, but I feel the ending made the point. This chapter book gives hope and purpose in this kind of situation. Life isn‘t over, don‘t isolate, we all make a difference. (edited) 3d

BarkingMadRead I was definitely thinking amnesia! I can almost understand not telling her fiance, but not her sister! 2d

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dabbe Perhaps Juliana's secrecy stems from embarrassment about her condition, and she fears pity or being a burden to anyone, including her sister. You'd think she would have at least kept track of her, though. RE: the shady characters: the lawyer definitely fulfills the “greedy professional“ trope; the henchman seem to function more as thugs and are more brutish than cunning. And we barely know anything about the woman imposter to analyze. 2d

DGRachel I really expected an amnesia plot. The shady lawyer was a stereotypical “curse you meddling kids” kind of villain, which was fine. Cobb and Biggs felt very cookie cutter, too, but I found Salty humorous (other than some rather sexist comments). I liked getting more Dad time and I really like the policewoman that got Nancy involved in the first place. Also, like @Bookwormjillk I liked the lack of Ned. 2d

DebinHawaii I am always for a break from Ned swooping in! I agree about the Affair to Remember” vibe, along with the Cinderella vibe from the tiny feet. 1d

kwmg40 Yes, that complete break from her sister seemed strange to me, but not as implausible as some other plot elements from earlier books. 1d

Librarybelle Good thought on An Affair to Remember, @CogsOfEncouragement ! There are definite shades of that with the choice of not sharing whereabouts and condition. Ned can be a drag! 😂 @Bookwormjillk @BarkingMadRead @dabbe @DGRachel @DebinHawaii @kwmg40 10h

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Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 22: The Clue in the Crumbling Wall | Carolyn Keene

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2. Now on to the story! There are not really any reported changes between the 1945 and the 1973 editions, so no matter which edition you read, we've all had pretty much the same story.

What are your overall thoughts? How does this compare to the prior books? We're up to book 22 in the series, which is so hard to believe!

Bookwormjillk Other than thinking it was weird that they were kind of trying to make the river seem like the ocean I liked this one. I read the 1970‘s version but I can see how people in the 30‘s would have liked that Nancy always finds a way to make income from these old buildings. 3d

CogsOfEncouragement @Bookwormjillk I liked that Nancy helped the women set up a vibrant livelihood for themselves in this one too. This had maybe the best feel good ending of any we‘ve read so far. The sisters were helped and immediately started helping others with their resources. 3d

CogsOfEncouragement I was so happy to see Nancy and her friends leave a note to say where they were going! George brought a whistle! Nancy pretended to faint so the bad guys would unhand her and she could get to a room with a lock and a phone. It was nice that Nancy wasn‘t bound and gagged again in this one. 3d

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BarkingMadRead It‘s a good mystery, and the ending was so happy 3d

dabbe To me, this is a solid mid-series Nancy Drew mystery with classic elements—hidden treasure, a missing heiress, and a decaying estate. The pacing is brisk, and the stakes (a race against time to find Juliana before the inheritance deadline) add tension. However, the plot relies on some dated tropes, like the “disabled woman hiding out of shame“ angle, which feels outdated by modern standards. 2d

DGRachel I agree with @CogsOfEncouragement that it was one of the best feel-good endings we‘ve seen, and also how the girls were at least a little better prepared for potential problems. The note that saved them from the room under the trap door was brilliant. But so many noggin knockouts. 😂 2d

DebinHawaii I found this one pretty solid. I sometimes miss the crazier aspects like exploding oranges & black widow spiders but I agree that I like the ending with Nancy helping them be self-sufficient & together. 1d

kwmg40 I enjoyed this mystery very much, and found it more plausible than many of the others we'd read earlier. I agree with @dabbe that there are some dated tropes that seem uncomfortable today, but I guess the books really do reflect the times in which they were written, and the “updated“ versions often still show the attitudes of the original books. 1d

dabbe @kwmg40 🎯🩵🎯 1d

Librarybelle I liked this one, and I loved the feel-good ending too. It didn‘t make me want to roll my eyes like some feel-good endings do. @Bookwormjillk @CogsOfEncouragement @BarkingMadRead @dabbe @DGRachel @DebinHawaii @kwmg40 11h

Ruthiella @Bookwormjillk I also appreciated Nancy‘s money making skills in this one! 💰💰💰😆 2h

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Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 22: The Clue in the Crumbling Wall | Carolyn Keene

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1. Let's start with the setting first this time. A spooky castle with crumbling walls and secret passages would have spooked me out a bit as a kid! But, to get us into the setting, there is an older article with abandoned castles from around the world.

Maybe it was just me, but I felt the setting of the castle really added to the story this time, almost as a character. What do you think? Have you visited a castle? #NancyDrewBR

Librarybelle https://www.businessinsider.com/abandoned-castles-history-2018-9 3d

Bookwormjillk I liked the castle too. I‘m a big fan of turrets. I have visited castles when I studied abroad. 3d

CogsOfEncouragement Yes, I agree it was a huge part of the story, and I hated the picture in my head of the needless destruction to such a place. I‘ve been to Hearst Castle, in San Simeon California. lol 3d

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BarkingMadRead I‘ll be visiting my first castle next fall! I loved the castle, and it was totally a character in this book! I was so angry when they were destroying it 3d

dabbe The castle definitely provided an eerie setting for this one. I love how it just happens to be located near River Heights because of course it does. I have visited quite a few mansions but never a castle that I recall. 2d

DGRachel I loved the castle as the setting, as it offered so many opportunities for getting trapped, lost, or nearly buried alive. So much room for danger and adventure! 2d

DebinHawaii Late to the party as usual. I too liked the castle setting, very atmospheric & yes, @dabbe right by River Heights of course! 🤣 1d

kwmg40 I too really liked the castle setting. It definitely added to the atmosphere. 1d

Librarybelle I‘ve only visited one castle ever, located in Vermont, and I remember thinking how cool it was. Heath Castle was such a cool setting! @Bookwormjillk @CogsOfEncouragement @BarkingMadRead @dabbe @DebinHawaii @kwmg40 11h

Ruthiella I‘ve visited castles before but nothing quite like what was portrayed in the book. I liked it and like @dabbe and @DebinHawaii find it hilarious that this just happens to be in River Heights! 😅 2h

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CogsOfEncouragement

Nancy Drew 22: The Clue in the Crumbling Wall | Carolyn Keene

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I got to read a copy my daughter earned in a library summer reading program a dozen years ago (or so). I liked this one, Nancy and her friends seemed to have learned a thing or two and took more precautions for their safety, and are getting quite good at outsmarting the bad guys that would cause them harm. One would hope so by caper twenty-two. #NancyDrewBR

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Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 22: The Clue in the Crumbling Wall | Carolyn Keene

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Nancy, Nancy, Nancy…she‘s on a mission this time to find info on the rightful owner of a crumbling castle. This one has a lot of adventures and nail biting moments, plus a moment where Nancy finally gets back at Bess and George for hurting her feelings several books ago. 😂

Personally, I love Salty‘s song. It‘s a cute balm for a crappy day. 😂

Discussion tomorrow in the AM for #NancyDrewBR !

Bookwormjillk I loved Salty in general 3d

Librarybelle @Bookwormjillk It would be nice if he became a recurring character! 3d

dabbe Loved #sassysalty! 💛🤎🧡 2d

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