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Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #16
The Clue of the Tapping Heels
CHALLENGING questions confront Nancy Drew when she attempts to solve the mystery of the strange tapping sounds in the house of a retired actress. Who is the tapper? How does he gain access to Miss Carter's house, despite securely locked doors and windows? Why do the tapping sounds come in Morse code? Is there a sinister motive behind the prowler's actions?
While trying to learn the answers to these and other puzzling questions, Nancy finds her investigations complicated by the dishonest administrator of a will and by a thief who steals the actress's prize Persian cats.
How Nancy communicates with the ghostlike intruder by tap dancing in code, how she outwits three criminals wanted by the police, and how she brings happiness to Miss Carter in a romantic reunion with the actress's former leading man will thrill the lively young detective's host of fans.
While trying to learn the answers to these and other puzzling questions, Nancy finds her investigations complicated by the dishonest administrator of a will and by a thief who steals the actress's prize Persian cats.
How Nancy communicates with the ghostlike intruder by tap dancing in code, how she outwits three criminals wanted by the police, and how she brings happiness to Miss Carter in a romantic reunion with the actress's former leading man will thrill the lively young detective's host of fans.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1939
228 people are currently reading
2849 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
948 books3,854 followersCarolyn Keene is a writer pen name that was used by many different people- both men and women- over the years. The company that was the creator of the Nancy Drew series, the Stratemeyer Syndicate, hired a variety of writers. For Nancy Drew, the writers used the pseudonym Carolyn Keene to assure anonymity of the creator.
Edna and Harriet Stratemeyer inherited the company from their father Edward Stratemeyer. Edna contributed 10 plot outlines before passing the reins to her sister Harriet. It was Mildred Benson (aka: Mildred A. Wirt), who breathed such a feisty spirit into Nancy's character. Mildred wrote 23 of the original 30 Nancy Drew Mystery Stories®, including the first three. It was her characterization that helped make Nancy an instant hit. The Stratemeyer Syndicate's devotion to the series over the years under the reins of Harriet Stratemeyer Adams helped to keep the series alive and on store shelves for each succeeding generation of girls and boys. In 1959, Harriet, along with several writers, began a 25-year project to revise the earlier Carolyn Keene novels. The Nancy Drew books were condensed, racial stereotypes were removed, and the language was updated. In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.
Other writers of Nancy Drew volumes include Harriet herself, she wrote most of the series after Mildred quit writing for the Syndicate and in 1959 began a revision of the first 34 texts. The role of the writer of "Carolyn Keene" passed temporarily to Walter Karig who wrote three novels during the Great Depression. Also contributing to Nancy Drew's prolific existence were Leslie McFarlane, James Duncan Lawrence, Nancy Axelrod, Priscilla Doll, Charles Strong, Alma Sasse, Wilhelmina Rankin, George Waller Jr., and Margaret Scherf.
Edna and Harriet Stratemeyer inherited the company from their father Edward Stratemeyer. Edna contributed 10 plot outlines before passing the reins to her sister Harriet. It was Mildred Benson (aka: Mildred A. Wirt), who breathed such a feisty spirit into Nancy's character. Mildred wrote 23 of the original 30 Nancy Drew Mystery Stories®, including the first three. It was her characterization that helped make Nancy an instant hit. The Stratemeyer Syndicate's devotion to the series over the years under the reins of Harriet Stratemeyer Adams helped to keep the series alive and on store shelves for each succeeding generation of girls and boys. In 1959, Harriet, along with several writers, began a 25-year project to revise the earlier Carolyn Keene novels. The Nancy Drew books were condensed, racial stereotypes were removed, and the language was updated. In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.
Other writers of Nancy Drew volumes include Harriet herself, she wrote most of the series after Mildred quit writing for the Syndicate and in 1959 began a revision of the first 34 texts. The role of the writer of "Carolyn Keene" passed temporarily to Walter Karig who wrote three novels during the Great Depression. Also contributing to Nancy Drew's prolific existence were Leslie McFarlane, James Duncan Lawrence, Nancy Axelrod, Priscilla Doll, Charles Strong, Alma Sasse, Wilhelmina Rankin, George Waller Jr., and Margaret Scherf.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 305 reviews
February 16, 2018
A whole bunch of cat breeding.
Once again, Nancy is perfect at whatever activity she chooses. This time it's tap dancing. Also Morse code.
These books have strange combinations of plot elements! Honestly, Nancy's assignment is to assist a woman whose job/hobby is breeding and housing Persian cats. And some thieves get it into their heads that it'll be a really lucrative scheme to steal these cats and sell them on the black market.
Nancy Drew books always feature really stupid villains.
Also, at the end, Nancy pretty much ruins a tap dancing recital by doing an endless solo of Morse code to a man in the audience.
Once again, Nancy is perfect at whatever activity she chooses. This time it's tap dancing. Also Morse code.
These books have strange combinations of plot elements! Honestly, Nancy's assignment is to assist a woman whose job/hobby is breeding and housing Persian cats. And some thieves get it into their heads that it'll be a really lucrative scheme to steal these cats and sell them on the black market.
Nancy Drew books always feature really stupid villains.
Also, at the end, Nancy pretty much ruins a tap dancing recital by doing an endless solo of Morse code to a man in the audience.
March 24, 2023
TW: Animal cruelty, Racism
Although I am revisiting books of my childhood, I never read mystery #16 of the Nancy Drew series. Originally published in 1939, Nancy and her friends( Bess and George), along with Mr. Drew and Ned Nickerson find themselves helping a Persian cat owner who finds herself a target of intimidation.
It had a great premise but I was so uncomfortable reading this book. I did not see Nancy Drew in a good light.
Goodreads review published 24/03/23
Although I am revisiting books of my childhood, I never read mystery #16 of the Nancy Drew series. Originally published in 1939, Nancy and her friends( Bess and George), along with Mr. Drew and Ned Nickerson find themselves helping a Persian cat owner who finds herself a target of intimidation.
It had a great premise but I was so uncomfortable reading this book. I did not see Nancy Drew in a good light.
Goodreads review published 24/03/23
November 16, 2023
Thank you Nancy Drew, for being so patently offensive and utterly random. What a fantastic blast from the past. A few of the highlights:
Nancy Drew teaches herself to tap dance Morse Code. What better way to spend a Wednesday afternoon? It's so much easier to "shuffle ball change" than to tell a friend, "I love monkeys."
Nancy Drew and her friends find an injured Persian kitten on the side of the road. Nancy and pals take the kitten home, where they treat its broken leg without the help of a licensed veterinarian. There's nothing one can't do with a little Elmer's glue and glitter.
Nancy goes on a boat trip with her college boyfriend Ned. The boat sinks in a dramatic Titanic-style fashion. Nancy saves the lives of countless individuals, because she is an unlicensed veterinarian and a skillful doctor.
Nancy and Ned discover some letters have been stolen from her father's desk, stowed in his tool box, and then stolen again. By a black man. Nancy says a number of racist things. And, scene.
Nancy is drugged at the Temple of the Stars, after paying $3 for some terrible soup, and kidnapped by a man who is pretending to be Egyptian, but whom she believes to be ::gasp:: black.
Nancy and her friends travel to New York City, where she ruins a young actress's life by causing her to be cut off financially. Nancy then spends an enjoyable afternoon at the Met.
Nancy is kidnapped, yet again.
Nancy assists an elderly cat lady by discovering that the strange tapping in her house is actually a mentally handicapped child living in the old woman's basement, surviving on cat food. Nancy arranges for him to have a magical and very expensive operation which cures his disabilities and restores him to full mental capacity.
Five stars for absurdity and hilarity. One star for being a terrible piece of literature. But I have to give it to you Nance: for all your racist, unlicensed, and thoughtless antics, you were nothing short of entertaining.
Nancy Drew teaches herself to tap dance Morse Code. What better way to spend a Wednesday afternoon? It's so much easier to "shuffle ball change" than to tell a friend, "I love monkeys."
Nancy Drew and her friends find an injured Persian kitten on the side of the road. Nancy and pals take the kitten home, where they treat its broken leg without the help of a licensed veterinarian. There's nothing one can't do with a little Elmer's glue and glitter.
Nancy goes on a boat trip with her college boyfriend Ned. The boat sinks in a dramatic Titanic-style fashion. Nancy saves the lives of countless individuals, because she is an unlicensed veterinarian and a skillful doctor.
Nancy and Ned discover some letters have been stolen from her father's desk, stowed in his tool box, and then stolen again. By a black man. Nancy says a number of racist things. And, scene.
Nancy is drugged at the Temple of the Stars, after paying $3 for some terrible soup, and kidnapped by a man who is pretending to be Egyptian, but whom she believes to be ::gasp:: black.
Nancy and her friends travel to New York City, where she ruins a young actress's life by causing her to be cut off financially. Nancy then spends an enjoyable afternoon at the Met.
Nancy is kidnapped, yet again.
Nancy assists an elderly cat lady by discovering that the strange tapping in her house is actually a mentally handicapped child living in the old woman's basement, surviving on cat food. Nancy arranges for him to have a magical and very expensive operation which cures his disabilities and restores him to full mental capacity.
Five stars for absurdity and hilarity. One star for being a terrible piece of literature. But I have to give it to you Nance: for all your racist, unlicensed, and thoughtless antics, you were nothing short of entertaining.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2023
Like all of Nancy’s adventures, this one was no less crazy. What can’t Nancy do? Apparently she’s not only an amateur detective and a golfer, but she can also tap dance haha.
That said, this mystery was as twisty and suspenseful as the others, though being trapped by fire and the appearance of a bomb really upped the ante.
All this to say, I thought the ending a little anti-climactic, but overall, I enjoyed this one!!
I mean, who doesn’t love cute Persian cats? Plus I love when Ned, Dave, and Burt come from Emerson to help Nancy, George, and Bess solve the mysteries.
A fun and quick read :)
That said, this mystery was as twisty and suspenseful as the others, though being trapped by fire and the appearance of a bomb really upped the ante.
All this to say, I thought the ending a little anti-climactic, but overall, I enjoyed this one!!
I mean, who doesn’t love cute Persian cats? Plus I love when Ned, Dave, and Burt come from Emerson to help Nancy, George, and Bess solve the mysteries.
A fun and quick read :)
August 27, 2018
Another typical format Nancy Drew mystery, this one involving a lot of Persian cats, the usual Nancy Drew drama, people trying to kill Nancy by locking her in a room on fire, knocking heavy stage scenery over on her, etc. How is this girl still alive?!?
October 17, 2021
In this instalment of Nancy Drew, she is invited to solve a mystery for an actress turned cat breeder. A friend of Hannah Gruen, the nurse attending to the actress, Miss Carter, was scared to stay at the house because of strange sounds at night. Hannah persuaded Nancy, Bess, and George to go investigate. Not only does Nancy solve the mystery of the odd sounds, she also prevents the theft of the valuable Persian cats.
I really enjoyed this book. It had a criminal who was not really a criminal. Nancy engages in a tap dance / Morse code battle with this odd character. There is a backstory of child abuse and disabled abuse, which gives this story a little sadness. I also enjoyed the scenes with the cats.
It had its absurdities, such as Carson Drew diffusing a bomb all by himself since "he had taken a course". 😂 It always amazes me how much work the three girls put in for their "clients" apart from just solving the mystery. They took care of the cats, groomed them, sold them, and didn't get a single cent for their trouble? It must be nice being rich.
Overall, an enjoyable book, and one without much difference between the 1930s and the 1960s editions, as far as the main plot is concerned. I think I read the 1969 version.
I really enjoyed this book. It had a criminal who was not really a criminal. Nancy engages in a tap dance / Morse code battle with this odd character. There is a backstory of child abuse and disabled abuse, which gives this story a little sadness. I also enjoyed the scenes with the cats.
It had its absurdities, such as Carson Drew diffusing a bomb all by himself since "he had taken a course". 😂 It always amazes me how much work the three girls put in for their "clients" apart from just solving the mystery. They took care of the cats, groomed them, sold them, and didn't get a single cent for their trouble? It must be nice being rich.
Overall, an enjoyable book, and one without much difference between the 1930s and the 1960s editions, as far as the main plot is concerned. I think I read the 1969 version.
September 23, 2011
Honestly, one of the weaker Nancy Drew stories that I have read, but they are all so good, even the bad one's are great.
January 25, 2025
Two stars for the story 🫠 and one extra for enjoying reading it to Henry 😅
May 17, 2020
The setting up of the 'mystery' was better than the usual, and was engaging. However the drama fussed out quite easily, as usual, without meeting its potential.
But it is technically children's, and overgrown children's (like me), literature. Added to nostalgia, it is forgivable I guess.
Happy reading! ☕🍪
But it is technically children's, and overgrown children's (like me), literature. Added to nostalgia, it is forgivable I guess.
Happy reading! ☕🍪
Read
October 28, 2018Review to come
March 17, 2020
This is the first Nancy Drew where the writing by committee REALLY shows up for me by reading the books in order, and not within the same "era" version.
There were cats, a cat lady (who lived poor but was really quite wealthy), tapping dancing where code was expressed - morse code - performances thereof, a kidnapped kid, an egocentric budding actress who later repents, a long lost lover, and bad guys - and that's where it stuck in my craw. (yea. I have a craw.)
Halfway through this one the narrator switches from being third-person subjective - confined to Nancy or occasionally her very close mates to third person omniscient - and we are getting the whole insight of the villains! It was weird. Also, the writing felt like a masculine perspective, cars, sports, the inner working of machinery, revenge. . . .
But most distasteful to me were the racist labels and stereotypes that popped up in this one (and continues in the next. . .).
2 stars. Least favorite Nancy so far.
There were cats, a cat lady (who lived poor but was really quite wealthy), tapping dancing where code was expressed - morse code - performances thereof, a kidnapped kid, an egocentric budding actress who later repents, a long lost lover, and bad guys - and that's where it stuck in my craw. (yea. I have a craw.)
Halfway through this one the narrator switches from being third-person subjective - confined to Nancy or occasionally her very close mates to third person omniscient - and we are getting the whole insight of the villains! It was weird. Also, the writing felt like a masculine perspective, cars, sports, the inner working of machinery, revenge. . . .
But most distasteful to me were the racist labels and stereotypes that popped up in this one (and continues in the next. . .).
2 stars. Least favorite Nancy so far.
January 13, 2024
5 stars. This was rather an unusual mystery, in my opinion! Especially the vilain was unorthodox, and I enjoyed that. The plot wasn’t your usual Nancy Drew either. There was a kiss/hug mentioned & some handholding but it was very clean and quite baffling and intriguing!!
October 8, 2023
Carolyn Keene GrossetDunlap 1939 illustrated Russell H Tandy
25 chapters 214 pages
While practicing a dance Nancy cleverly decides to use her tap dance steps to send messages in Morse Code and teaches it to her pals George and Bess. This comes in handy while solving the mystery of a missing boy. An elderly lady, previously a famous actress now living in poverty, tries to help the boy. Very cool orange Frontspiece.
25 chapters 214 pages
While practicing a dance Nancy cleverly decides to use her tap dance steps to send messages in Morse Code and teaches it to her pals George and Bess. This comes in handy while solving the mystery of a missing boy. An elderly lady, previously a famous actress now living in poverty, tries to help the boy. Very cool orange Frontspiece.
September 3, 2019
Oh the memories. In the late 60s or early 70s, the local supermarket (you heard me!) in my Grandma's town was selling cheap hardback editions of this book series. My Grandma was not a pleasant person to visit (she didn't get along well with her own daughter, let alone us kids) so stopping for a couple of Nancy Drews on the way home was a good reward to ensure "proper" behaviour, which in Grandma's book meant leave the house and stay out for the duration of the visit, only returning to get in the car to go home with one Keebler cookie apiece. I remember breathlessly waiting for my older sister to read as far as this title, which I thought would be deliciously suspenseful and creepy.
Well, it isn't suspenseful, but it is a bit creepy, though not in the suspenseful sense of the word. If it had been written today for YA, it would have been more like that weird seventies movie called Bad Ronald. The bad guy would be closer to a full-blown sociopath, and even in the 1969 version he considers that a wallet left with another person's belongings is "just waiting for me to steal it"! But have no fear--Nancy not only catches the baddy, but interrogates him and makes him see the error of his ways! The reader is left with the impression that he is ashamed of himself and will never do anything even marginally questionable again, in spite of spending years in an institution for "disturbed" young people. The adventure is well-larded with fire, bombs, repeated thefts, a death-defying climbing scene, and ghostly tapping sounds in the middle of the night.
Aside from all that, Nancy's client is a backyard breeder of Persians who supposedly has prize-winning cats, and yet refers to a rescued Persian as "you poor tabby!", something a breeder would never do. Tabbies are a specific type of shorthaired cat, nothing to do with this long-haired breed. Since this was originally written in 1939, it's quite possible that the woman used the expression "poor pussy", which at the time had no sexual connotation. Why the editors didn't decide on "poor kitty" is anyone's guess. But then the only concession to current 1960s slang in the rewrite was the insertion of a couple of "cool"s and one single "groovy."
At one point the bad guy says, "Girls aren't supposed to be so bright!" Well, buckaroo, you reckoned without Nancy Mary Sue! She has already added "intricate" tap dancing and Morse code to her repertoire of abilities. She treats handsome Carson Drew like her private secretary now--all she has to do is snap those pretty fingers and he jumps to do her bidding , such as spending hours and dollars making phone calls for her and then relaying the information. Hold on, isn't he a busy lawyer with a thriving practice that keeps his daughter in convertibles and roast lamb? Nancy even finds time to reunite a couple who had loved and lost.
I continue to chortle at some of the weirder details of these stories, such as the director of the charity show being named Mr Skank! Ned and his football playing friends turn up to devour Nancy's client's food at one point and do little else. They're very much token window-dressing in this instalment, though the author manages to find space for a couple of fat-shaming remarks to poor old Bess. Considering that in those days the stick insect of today wasn't the norm, it's even more gratuitous.
Well, it isn't suspenseful, but it is a bit creepy, though not in the suspenseful sense of the word. If it had been written today for YA, it would have been more like that weird seventies movie called Bad Ronald. The bad guy would be closer to a full-blown sociopath, and even in the 1969 version he considers that a wallet left with another person's belongings is "just waiting for me to steal it"! But have no fear--Nancy not only catches the baddy, but interrogates him and makes him see the error of his ways! The reader is left with the impression that he is ashamed of himself and will never do anything even marginally questionable again, in spite of spending years in an institution for "disturbed" young people. The adventure is well-larded with fire, bombs, repeated thefts, a death-defying climbing scene, and ghostly tapping sounds in the middle of the night.
Aside from all that, Nancy's client is a backyard breeder of Persians who supposedly has prize-winning cats, and yet refers to a rescued Persian as "you poor tabby!", something a breeder would never do. Tabbies are a specific type of shorthaired cat, nothing to do with this long-haired breed. Since this was originally written in 1939, it's quite possible that the woman used the expression "poor pussy", which at the time had no sexual connotation. Why the editors didn't decide on "poor kitty" is anyone's guess. But then the only concession to current 1960s slang in the rewrite was the insertion of a couple of "cool"s and one single "groovy."
At one point the bad guy says, "Girls aren't supposed to be so bright!" Well, buckaroo, you reckoned without Nancy Mary Sue! She has already added "intricate" tap dancing and Morse code to her repertoire of abilities. She treats handsome Carson Drew like her private secretary now--all she has to do is snap those pretty fingers and he jumps to do her bidding , such as spending hours and dollars making phone calls for her and then relaying the information. Hold on, isn't he a busy lawyer with a thriving practice that keeps his daughter in convertibles and roast lamb? Nancy even finds time to reunite a couple who had loved and lost.
I continue to chortle at some of the weirder details of these stories, such as the director of the charity show being named Mr Skank! Ned and his football playing friends turn up to devour Nancy's client's food at one point and do little else. They're very much token window-dressing in this instalment, though the author manages to find space for a couple of fat-shaming remarks to poor old Bess. Considering that in those days the stick insect of today wasn't the norm, it's even more gratuitous.
October 12, 2016
Oh, sweet Jesus, buckle in. Nancy gets kidnapped TWICE in this one.
Important plot anvil: Nancy is learning to tap (her feet/heels) in Morse code, and then she teaches that to Bess and George, which honestly isn't a bad idea. Anyway, outside Berryville the girls find a lost, wounded kitten and return it to its owner, an honest to God CRAZY CAT LADY who has like 25 of the damn things, and her neighbors are ready to burn the house down. Crazy Cat Lady is named Ms. Carter, and she used to be an actress. Now she spends all of her money helping other people and feeding cats. The Bunces accuse her of having done something to Gus/Gussie, their "ward," and it later turns out he's their son and they were pretending he was the heir to the Woonton fortune (yes it is a crazy scheme), but he can be made normal via a delicate expensive surgery (which he gets, because this is a Nancy Drew book, except he pretty much seems the same after, idk). Ned takes Nancy on a romantic dance-heavy riverboat cruise, which crashes, and Nancy saves the captain, who is a nice old man who lost his son... and the lost son is one of Ned's Emerson buddies! He's also a total nerd, but anyway, he and his dad are reunited, and hooray!
Nancy and George, while trying to track down one of the villains, end up drugged and passing out in a fortune teller's place in River Heights, and the guy tries to ransom Nancy for $3,000 (this would be just over $50,000 in today's money). Carson says "Pshh, this guy's an amateur, he should have asked for more," and then GETS THAT OUT OF HIS CHECKING ACCOUNT. "My dad's well off," my ass, Carson is rolling in it. Anyway, the cops spotted something sketch and rescued the two girls, so Carson didn't lose the ransom money (he had a detective there to catch whoever picked it up anyway).
The second time Nancy's kidnapped, she's in New York (she and the girls rode there on the FANCY NEW ELECTRIC TRAIN, GUYS) tracking villains and a dog alerts them to her presence and they kidnap her pretty damn easily, honestly. They smuggle her onto a boat headed for South America, but Bess and George are able to find her. We all need friends like Bess and George.
So, by the end of it, Nancy has gotten Ms. Carter back together with her old beau Mr. St. Will (I totally thought that was a stage name) and found Gussie and reunited the captain with his son, and testified in spectacular fashion against the Bunces and the first kidnapper, and all is right with the world. Also, Ms. Carter promises Nancy a fluffy Persian kitten, which may or may not be Snowball (we shall see).
Important plot anvil: Nancy is learning to tap (her feet/heels) in Morse code, and then she teaches that to Bess and George, which honestly isn't a bad idea. Anyway, outside Berryville the girls find a lost, wounded kitten and return it to its owner, an honest to God CRAZY CAT LADY who has like 25 of the damn things, and her neighbors are ready to burn the house down. Crazy Cat Lady is named Ms. Carter, and she used to be an actress. Now she spends all of her money helping other people and feeding cats. The Bunces accuse her of having done something to Gus/Gussie, their "ward," and it later turns out he's their son and they were pretending he was the heir to the Woonton fortune (yes it is a crazy scheme), but he can be made normal via a delicate expensive surgery (which he gets, because this is a Nancy Drew book, except he pretty much seems the same after, idk). Ned takes Nancy on a romantic dance-heavy riverboat cruise, which crashes, and Nancy saves the captain, who is a nice old man who lost his son... and the lost son is one of Ned's Emerson buddies! He's also a total nerd, but anyway, he and his dad are reunited, and hooray!
Nancy and George, while trying to track down one of the villains, end up drugged and passing out in a fortune teller's place in River Heights, and the guy tries to ransom Nancy for $3,000 (this would be just over $50,000 in today's money). Carson says "Pshh, this guy's an amateur, he should have asked for more," and then GETS THAT OUT OF HIS CHECKING ACCOUNT. "My dad's well off," my ass, Carson is rolling in it. Anyway, the cops spotted something sketch and rescued the two girls, so Carson didn't lose the ransom money (he had a detective there to catch whoever picked it up anyway).
The second time Nancy's kidnapped, she's in New York (she and the girls rode there on the FANCY NEW ELECTRIC TRAIN, GUYS) tracking villains and a dog alerts them to her presence and they kidnap her pretty damn easily, honestly. They smuggle her onto a boat headed for South America, but Bess and George are able to find her. We all need friends like Bess and George.
So, by the end of it, Nancy has gotten Ms. Carter back together with her old beau Mr. St. Will (I totally thought that was a stage name) and found Gussie and reunited the captain with his son, and testified in spectacular fashion against the Bunces and the first kidnapper, and all is right with the world. Also, Ms. Carter promises Nancy a fluffy Persian kitten, which may or may not be Snowball (we shall see).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2019
I actually quite enjoyed this mystery. There were so many parts that had no answers which made it so enjoyable. By the end of the book, when we found out the answers, it was nice to find out the answers!
September 2, 2016
I am absolutely ecstatic to say I've read another Nancy Drew book for a long time. The Clue of the Tapping Heels by Carolyn Keene is a great book to read for those looking for a plot twist mystery. This is a great book because it keeps you excited. It makes you get goosebumps and makes you bite your fingernails, teeth chattering, eager to see what happens next! When I read this book, I was satisfied with my book choice. Nancy Drew is an amzing series. Nancy Drew is the detective, she's always going out doing what she enjoys, and same goes here! I didn't want to close this book and put it away. It made me finish it in 4 days! It's amazing how this book makes you take use of your time in this phenomenal book series. Go Nancy Drew!
March 19, 2022
Having recently re-read the original version of THE MYSTERY AT THE MOSS-COVERED MANSION and finding it somewhat different from what I remembered, I was leery of re-reading another original version of a book in the series. I needn't have worried, however, as I discovered that TAPPING HEELS in its original form -- racial stereotypes aside -- remains the better of the two editions of the book.
July 6, 2019
This book slaps!! The plot is mostly coherent and the Ned content is absolutely stellar. Driving Nancy to rehearsals just to hang out with her and sit in the audience and watch her???? That’s the sweetest thing Ive ever heard I love these guys.
September 25, 2018
Meow, meow, meow. Cats, cats and more cats. Since I already have a house full of cats I really didn't care for this portion of the story. Who was stealing the Persian cats? Who cares? Let them clean the litter boxes.
Next was the tap, tap, tapping in the house. Was it a raven? Nevermore! But either Nancy in her tap shoes, Nancy practicing Morse code or the forgetful burglar. Very strange.
Finally, did you know that Carson Drew is a multi-talented dude? Not only is he a super cool lawyer with connections in states around the country, but he can also disarm a bomb!! I tell you, there is no lack of talent in that family! :)
Still, I found the story pretty interesting (aside from the cats) and the mystery a good one.
Next was the tap, tap, tapping in the house. Was it a raven? Nevermore! But either Nancy in her tap shoes, Nancy practicing Morse code or the forgetful burglar. Very strange.
Finally, did you know that Carson Drew is a multi-talented dude? Not only is he a super cool lawyer with connections in states around the country, but he can also disarm a bomb!! I tell you, there is no lack of talent in that family! :)
Still, I found the story pretty interesting (aside from the cats) and the mystery a good one.
November 30, 2020
This was definitely one of the stranger mysteries Nancy solves.
The plot was a bit all over the place. She's enlisted to help a friend of Hannah's who's looking after an old woman. There is a strange tapping noise in the house at night so Nancy undertakes to find out the cause. The old woman breeds perian cats which keep getting stolen, Nancy's rehearsing for a show in which she tap dances - there's lots of tapping in morse code! There are hidden rooms and passageways, mysterious tapping everywhere and general oddness! Not one my of favourites!
The plot was a bit all over the place. She's enlisted to help a friend of Hannah's who's looking after an old woman. There is a strange tapping noise in the house at night so Nancy undertakes to find out the cause. The old woman breeds perian cats which keep getting stolen, Nancy's rehearsing for a show in which she tap dances - there's lots of tapping in morse code! There are hidden rooms and passageways, mysterious tapping everywhere and general oddness! Not one my of favourites!
March 17, 2024
LOL this one was so bizarre. The tap dancing and Persian cats were completely unrelated. Shocking.
Also there were too many antagonists 😂
If nothing else, I was amused. Also her dad randomly diffusing a car bomb???????????? Lmao this one was just wacky.
This mystery was absolutely fueled by 1960s weirdness.
Also there were too many antagonists 😂
If nothing else, I was amused. Also her dad randomly diffusing a car bomb???????????? Lmao this one was just wacky.
This mystery was absolutely fueled by 1960s weirdness.
January 20, 2025
There is a *lot* going on in this Nancy Drew mystery, and an unusual amount of violence and danger. Still, though, the mystery is wholesome and sweet (except for the shaming poor Bess always gets for being plump!).
March 20, 2018
I loved book!! I think this was an amazing book packed with exciting adventure and danger. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a great book!!
October 19, 2018
These are fun stories to read. Even back in the 30's the term groovy was used. LOL!
August 18, 2023
This is one of the Nancy Drew books that I physically own. Yay. But honestly, the plot is definitely on the sillier end.
October 27, 2024
A super sleuth story of Nancy and Gang. Persian Cats, a pudgy man, a thief and a crook. A well told story indeed. Loved reading this one.
May 30, 2025
Tapping plotline was mid. Wish there was more cat content
March 20, 2018
Really enjoyed this book. It was funny, and I loved how it says that Nancy enjoys going to church! I also thought it was really smart the the next mystery starts right after the end of this one. To be honest, I’m quite surprised to see that this book doesn’t have very good reviews?
August 29, 2019
Pure joy in reading my Nancy Drew mysteries over again! Nancy brought me into the world of mysteries, which remains my favorite genre!
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