What do you think?
Rate this book
Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #9
The Sign of the Twisted Candles
Another exciting mystery begins for the young detective when her friends Bess and George ask her to investigate a rumor that their wealthy great-granduncle, Asa Sidney, is virtually a prisoner in his own mansion. But solving the mystery and befriending Carol Wipple, the sixteen-year-old foster daughter of the caretakers of the old mansion, nearly costs Nancy the friendship of Bess and George. It takes all of Nancy's sleuthing ability as well as diplomacy to save it.Nancy braves one danger after another to bring to justice the swindlers who are stealing Asa Sidney’s fortune. With only the sign of the twisted candles to guide her, Nancy uncovers hidden treasure and an amazing letter that ends a family feud and brings unexpected happiness to Carol.
177 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1933
262 people are currently reading
4869 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
1,018 books3,873 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 614 reviews
January 17, 2019
With the tower room, the twisted candles, and the mysterious old man forming the basis for the setting, there’s just enough of a creepy factor to make this an enticing read. Throw in some secret and stealthy searches, the usual bad guys, and a few overzealous relatives and you’ve got the makings of a good mystery. I liked this one better than #8 but not as well as some of the others. I can see kids being enchanted by the story but as an adult I found it just average.
October 16, 2017
They are out of print now (I'm fortunate to own all but a couple they published) but Applewood Books turned back the hands of time and gave the real Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys back to readers with these facsimile editions. The reproduction of the original dust jackets conjured up images and phrases from the enchanted America of yesteryear. Faithfully restored to its original form, word-for-word, The Sign of the Twisted Candles is the Nancy your mother or grandmother remembers. These beautifully reproduced hardback editions are not condensed, rewritten or updated. In Sign of the Twisted Candles, we have not only the Nancy of the 1930s, with her blonde bob, but one of the best written books of the entire series.
While it is still a book designed for youthful readers, there is much better writing, a bit more depth, and not a small dose of nostalgia when read today. You can almost see the Coke sign outside the River Heights Theatre showing the latest Nancy Carroll picture as Nancy goes whizzing past in hot pursuit of a clue. A warm and affectionate introduction by popular mystery writer Carolyn G. Hart is the only addition or deviation from Twisted Candles first appeared in this lovely edition.
Nancy and her pals George and Bess are caught in a rainstorm and seek shelter at The Sign of the Twisted Candles. Nancy befriends a young orphan named Sadie and finds danger and mystery lurking at the Twisted Candles, of course. The plot revolves around Asa Sydney and his will, and a family feud which will cause George and Bess to desert Nancy for a time until a lesson about loyalty is learned. Nancy's father, famous lawyer Carson Drew, gets involved on behalf of his daughter, and Hannah Gruen, the Drew's houskeeper and mother-figure to Nancy, is present here as well.
Buried secrets and an attempt to run Nancy off the road offer plenty of action unmarred by today's brand of violence for readers. An exciting and heartfelt conclusion punctuates a wholesome mystery which provides a role model even today. These Applewood editions stand head and shoulders above the others, helping young readers discover Nancy in a romantically nostalgic past. It is a past more innocent to be sure, filled with ice cream parlors and roadsters, five-cent Saturday mornings at the movies watching our favorite serial adventure and, of course, Nancy Drew.
And yes, before someone in the PC brigade squawks, attempting to apply current views with those closing in on a hundred years ago, there are societal elements portrayed here which have changed for the better. However, this is an accurate presentation of the views during the time period in which this was written. It is a quite charming and very nostalgic read. The Sign of the Twisted Candles is one of the finest in the series, in its original form, and this is the real Nancy Drew. Most older readers will certainly emit a wistful sigh for a time long gone in America's past, at the turning of the final page...
While it is still a book designed for youthful readers, there is much better writing, a bit more depth, and not a small dose of nostalgia when read today. You can almost see the Coke sign outside the River Heights Theatre showing the latest Nancy Carroll picture as Nancy goes whizzing past in hot pursuit of a clue. A warm and affectionate introduction by popular mystery writer Carolyn G. Hart is the only addition or deviation from Twisted Candles first appeared in this lovely edition.
Nancy and her pals George and Bess are caught in a rainstorm and seek shelter at The Sign of the Twisted Candles. Nancy befriends a young orphan named Sadie and finds danger and mystery lurking at the Twisted Candles, of course. The plot revolves around Asa Sydney and his will, and a family feud which will cause George and Bess to desert Nancy for a time until a lesson about loyalty is learned. Nancy's father, famous lawyer Carson Drew, gets involved on behalf of his daughter, and Hannah Gruen, the Drew's houskeeper and mother-figure to Nancy, is present here as well.
Buried secrets and an attempt to run Nancy off the road offer plenty of action unmarred by today's brand of violence for readers. An exciting and heartfelt conclusion punctuates a wholesome mystery which provides a role model even today. These Applewood editions stand head and shoulders above the others, helping young readers discover Nancy in a romantically nostalgic past. It is a past more innocent to be sure, filled with ice cream parlors and roadsters, five-cent Saturday mornings at the movies watching our favorite serial adventure and, of course, Nancy Drew.
And yes, before someone in the PC brigade squawks, attempting to apply current views with those closing in on a hundred years ago, there are societal elements portrayed here which have changed for the better. However, this is an accurate presentation of the views during the time period in which this was written. It is a quite charming and very nostalgic read. The Sign of the Twisted Candles is one of the finest in the series, in its original form, and this is the real Nancy Drew. Most older readers will certainly emit a wistful sigh for a time long gone in America's past, at the turning of the final page...
February 6, 2024
Continuing my grand journey of sleuthing/completing the original Nancy Drew series!
Book 9/56 ✔️
3 stars ☆☆☆
I gave this 3 stars, but perhaps it didn’t quite deserve that. After looking back, I realized there wasn’t too much of an actual mystery to solve! It starts out a bit exciting as sort of a spooky mystery—a tower, a mysterious inn, twisted candles, and a centenarian man. Then it leads into this family feud (involving Nancy’s best friends–Bess and George, and an orphan that works at the inn) all over a living will and inheritances. I suppose the real mystery was discovering the connection between the will/inheritance and the orphan? But there wasn’t too much to ponder there.
Even though the mystery was weak, other things made up for it slightly. Nancy Drew really showed some gumption! There was physical danger on several occasions, and she even had to go “hands on” a few times!! There were also some fun Ned & Nancy moments, a fallout between Nancy, Bess, and George, and even time for a quick shopping spree!
Regardless of the disappointing mysteries of the last several books (I don’t know what happened!), I keep coming back to search for the nostalgia of the simpler times long disappeared in America. And I’m also still a helpless completionist determined to eventually read the whole series since I owe it to my childhood. Nancy Drew created my love for reading.
For those who are just pleasure reading Nancy Drew books, I would not really recommend wasting time with this one! There are much better mysteries in the series! I plan to keep updating as I go and highlight the best ones. Happy sleuthing!
Book 9/56 ✔️
3 stars ☆☆☆
I gave this 3 stars, but perhaps it didn’t quite deserve that. After looking back, I realized there wasn’t too much of an actual mystery to solve! It starts out a bit exciting as sort of a spooky mystery—a tower, a mysterious inn, twisted candles, and a centenarian man. Then it leads into this family feud (involving Nancy’s best friends–Bess and George, and an orphan that works at the inn) all over a living will and inheritances. I suppose the real mystery was discovering the connection between the will/inheritance and the orphan? But there wasn’t too much to ponder there.
Even though the mystery was weak, other things made up for it slightly. Nancy Drew really showed some gumption! There was physical danger on several occasions, and she even had to go “hands on” a few times!! There were also some fun Ned & Nancy moments, a fallout between Nancy, Bess, and George, and even time for a quick shopping spree!
Regardless of the disappointing mysteries of the last several books (I don’t know what happened!), I keep coming back to search for the nostalgia of the simpler times long disappeared in America. And I’m also still a helpless completionist determined to eventually read the whole series since I owe it to my childhood. Nancy Drew created my love for reading.
For those who are just pleasure reading Nancy Drew books, I would not really recommend wasting time with this one! There are much better mysteries in the series! I plan to keep updating as I go and highlight the best ones. Happy sleuthing!
December 22, 2023
What a great story. Cousins George and Bess asked Nancy to check on an old relative of theirs that they believe is being held captive in a tower. Nancy and her father go to the Sign of the Twisted Candles Inn to check on the old man who happens to be 100 years old that day. His door is unlocked, so he is not Bean held captive. They celebrate his birthday with him and learn that he has a lot of treasure that he has hidden in the Inn He wants a new will written out immediately. It seems everybody wants his money.
August 31, 2019
Actual rating: 2.5 Stars
I just popped my Nancy Drew cherry and it went basically how I expected it to go. Only more boring!
Nancy's great mystery was about an old man with a lot of money and his family fighting with each other and waiting for him to die so they could have a share of his fortune. Meanwhile a young girl named Carol is the only one who actually cares about the old man.
Please tell me you already can't tell what's going to happen?
Maybe this book was exciting back when it was written, but I find it to be boring now.
I did not like the writing style. Nancy thought too much to herself "dialogue style" and kept deciding to investigate. That's it! That's the depth of her character. The other characters were all one dimensional and way too flat. Carol was just a tree truck! She had only one purpose, and that's just lazy writing!
Honestly, I appreciate the legendariness of the series, but it wasn't that good of a mystery. Perhaps my kid self would've enjoyed this more. Or not! I've always been very critical of books.
I still don't think this is a bad book. It is enjoyable in its own right and can be consumed quite fast. Maybe the other books in the series could be better even. So yay for my first Nancy Drew book! I may come back to this series for something fast and mindless in the future.
I just popped my Nancy Drew cherry and it went basically how I expected it to go. Only more boring!
Nancy's great mystery was about an old man with a lot of money and his family fighting with each other and waiting for him to die so they could have a share of his fortune. Meanwhile a young girl named Carol is the only one who actually cares about the old man.
Please tell me you already can't tell what's going to happen?
Maybe this book was exciting back when it was written, but I find it to be boring now.
I did not like the writing style. Nancy thought too much to herself "dialogue style" and kept deciding to investigate. That's it! That's the depth of her character. The other characters were all one dimensional and way too flat. Carol was just a tree truck! She had only one purpose, and that's just lazy writing!
Honestly, I appreciate the legendariness of the series, but it wasn't that good of a mystery. Perhaps my kid self would've enjoyed this more. Or not! I've always been very critical of books.
I still don't think this is a bad book. It is enjoyable in its own right and can be consumed quite fast. Maybe the other books in the series could be better even. So yay for my first Nancy Drew book! I may come back to this series for something fast and mindless in the future.
November 14, 2025
3 stars ⭐️ Children’s Classic [Yellow Flashlight revised 1960s edition - Listened to Penelope Heaven’s audiobook of this on YouTube]
Hated the horrible foster parents in this book. Bess and George are snide friends to Nancy and it did not elevate their standing in my eyes at all. Ned was great in this book, though.
Main Content notes for parents-
A couple mentions of a well-worn old Bible; A couple mentions of a toddler being found at a church by the rector.
Dangerous Situation Counter: A tree almost lands on Nancy’s car when she’s driving; A woman smacks Nancy with a hairbrush; A car chase; Seeing two men fighting and one trying to choke the other (Nancy gets in the middle of it to stop the attacker; She is threatened throughout the book); Seeing someone bound and gagged; Being Chloroform’ed & Passing out; Being locked in a room; A scare with a copper snake (which is killed); Being pushed off a ladder.
A young woman has horrible foster parents (belittling, yelling, and smacking her with a hairbrush and a whip in anger; Later abandoning her).
Mentions of deaths & grief; Mentions of a little girl who died & a wife leaving her husband with their other children; Mentions of a kidnapping & threats; Mentions of being drugged; Mentions of a fight/attack & injuries; Mentions of criminals, thieves, stealing, & stolen items; Mentions of eavesdropping & gossip.
A few mentions of dating & dates.
Some things that worked for the time period this book was written/revised in, but might raise eyebrows now: “queer” (odd) is used once.
Hated the horrible foster parents in this book. Bess and George are snide friends to Nancy and it did not elevate their standing in my eyes at all. Ned was great in this book, though.
Main Content notes for parents-
A couple mentions of a well-worn old Bible; A couple mentions of a toddler being found at a church by the rector.
Dangerous Situation Counter: A tree almost lands on Nancy’s car when she’s driving; A woman smacks Nancy with a hairbrush; A car chase; Seeing two men fighting and one trying to choke the other (Nancy gets in the middle of it to stop the attacker; She is threatened throughout the book); Seeing someone bound and gagged; Being Chloroform’ed & Passing out; Being locked in a room; A scare with a copper snake (which is killed); Being pushed off a ladder.
A young woman has horrible foster parents (belittling, yelling, and smacking her with a hairbrush and a whip in anger; Later abandoning her).
Mentions of deaths & grief; Mentions of a little girl who died & a wife leaving her husband with their other children; Mentions of a kidnapping & threats; Mentions of being drugged; Mentions of a fight/attack & injuries; Mentions of criminals, thieves, stealing, & stolen items; Mentions of eavesdropping & gossip.
A few mentions of dating & dates.
Some things that worked for the time period this book was written/revised in, but might raise eyebrows now: “queer” (odd) is used once.
March 4, 2024
As usual, this series delivers.
December 27, 2023
TW// death (including children, parents, siblings), mention of fatal car crash, child abuse (foster mother hurting foster kid), animal death (snake)
This was my first time reading Nancy Drew since I was a child. I used to adore this series and I used to think it was the peak of all literature. Unfortunately I’m not too into this series anymore.
My biggest issue is that everything felt bland. The writing was super plain and left a lot to be desired. The characters were dull and very two dimensional. I needed more interesting things to hold my attention, but this book didn’t provide much of interest to me.
I found this mystery to be extremely predictable. You learn who the bad guys are right away so there were no shocking twists about who has been engaging in illegal activities. The bad guys were also hard for me to read about because of how much they attempted to gaslight the good guys.
The only thing I really liked about this story was the idea of hunting through an old mansion to find hidden treasures. I feel like a fun Nancy Drew themed escape room could be made using the twisted candle clue that Nancy was using to find all the treasure.
I personally prefer the movie and tv show adaptations to the books now. The two movies from the past twenty years and the CW show really flesh out the characters and the mysteries a lot more.
This was my first time reading Nancy Drew since I was a child. I used to adore this series and I used to think it was the peak of all literature. Unfortunately I’m not too into this series anymore.
My biggest issue is that everything felt bland. The writing was super plain and left a lot to be desired. The characters were dull and very two dimensional. I needed more interesting things to hold my attention, but this book didn’t provide much of interest to me.
I found this mystery to be extremely predictable. You learn who the bad guys are right away so there were no shocking twists about who has been engaging in illegal activities. The bad guys were also hard for me to read about because of how much they attempted to gaslight the good guys.
The only thing I really liked about this story was the idea of hunting through an old mansion to find hidden treasures. I feel like a fun Nancy Drew themed escape room could be made using the twisted candle clue that Nancy was using to find all the treasure.
I personally prefer the movie and tv show adaptations to the books now. The two movies from the past twenty years and the CW show really flesh out the characters and the mysteries a lot more.
February 24, 2023
Re-read of 2023
Nancy, if it is mystery you thrive on, you will have your fill discovering the secret sorrow in Mr. Sidney's life.
With all my e-book devices charging, I decided to grab a familiar read as my last comfort read of the day- the twelfth book in the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories. Nancy and her friends, George and Bess have some car trouble during a sudden storm and take refuge at the Twisted Candles. It is there that Nancy will once again find a mystery to solve.
As always, I enjoyed Nancy's determination to help out and set things right. I also loved how much her father, Carson Drew factored in this one. The ghostwriter certainly made him a fascinating character. The only thing I didn't like was the fight between Nancy and her friends and I was relieved that they did come to a reconciliation.
Goodreads review published 24/02/23
Nancy, if it is mystery you thrive on, you will have your fill discovering the secret sorrow in Mr. Sidney's life.
With all my e-book devices charging, I decided to grab a familiar read as my last comfort read of the day- the twelfth book in the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories. Nancy and her friends, George and Bess have some car trouble during a sudden storm and take refuge at the Twisted Candles. It is there that Nancy will once again find a mystery to solve.
As always, I enjoyed Nancy's determination to help out and set things right. I also loved how much her father, Carson Drew factored in this one. The ghostwriter certainly made him a fascinating character. The only thing I didn't like was the fight between Nancy and her friends and I was relieved that they did come to a reconciliation.
Goodreads review published 24/02/23
August 22, 2023
3.5⭐️ 4/5 🎧
Another solid mystery solved by Nancy Drew! I have dived back into this series from the beginning to relive my childhood and I am not regretting it. I love listening to these quick and easy reads via audiobooks.
A mysterious old man, a decades-old family rivalry, hidden secrets, and of course twisted candles made for an interesting tale. It started out a bit differently than the other Nancy Drew mysteries with there not really being a mystery. Just Nancy barging her way up into the tower of a restaurant in order to get a peek at a man who was turning 100 (creepy, nosy Nancy at it again). Then after becoming friends with an orphan girl who was forced to work at the inn because of her sneaky foster parents, she finds out so much more about the old man.
When the man dies - that's when the mystery really starts. Bess and George (her good friends) suddenly won't speak to her and of course, Ned whom she is getting to know better and is dating gets involved as well. I was shocked that after NINE books and this supposed lifelong friendship that Bess and George would suddenly stop speaking to Nancy all because of their parents and his rivalry. I mean what kid actually listens to their parents? And aren't these supposed to be at least 18-year-olds?? What age are we talking about here?
But even with some confusion - Nancy solves the mystery while narrowly escaping danger. Not a spoiler because seriously? Every book follows the same format - Nancy stumbles into mystery, Nancy inserts herself into said mystery, clues are uncovered, Nancy gets into trouble, narrow escape and WOOHOO Nancy is the hero. But we love a Nancy Drew tale so we just keep reading.
Another solid mystery solved by Nancy Drew! I have dived back into this series from the beginning to relive my childhood and I am not regretting it. I love listening to these quick and easy reads via audiobooks.
A mysterious old man, a decades-old family rivalry, hidden secrets, and of course twisted candles made for an interesting tale. It started out a bit differently than the other Nancy Drew mysteries with there not really being a mystery. Just Nancy barging her way up into the tower of a restaurant in order to get a peek at a man who was turning 100 (creepy, nosy Nancy at it again). Then after becoming friends with an orphan girl who was forced to work at the inn because of her sneaky foster parents, she finds out so much more about the old man.
When the man dies - that's when the mystery really starts. Bess and George (her good friends) suddenly won't speak to her and of course, Ned whom she is getting to know better and is dating gets involved as well. I was shocked that after NINE books and this supposed lifelong friendship that Bess and George would suddenly stop speaking to Nancy all because of their parents and his rivalry. I mean what kid actually listens to their parents? And aren't these supposed to be at least 18-year-olds?? What age are we talking about here?
But even with some confusion - Nancy solves the mystery while narrowly escaping danger. Not a spoiler because seriously? Every book follows the same format - Nancy stumbles into mystery, Nancy inserts herself into said mystery, clues are uncovered, Nancy gets into trouble, narrow escape and WOOHOO Nancy is the hero. But we love a Nancy Drew tale so we just keep reading.
January 9, 2018
Though written better than some of the ND books, this one is so convoluted I can only imagine myself at eleven or twelve years old saying what? What just happened? What?
There's an old man being kept 'sortof' as a prisoner in the tower room of a mansion, and said mansion is now a restaurant. Said mansion is also filled with all sorts of rooms and corridors and even, added at the very end of the story, a hidden staircase. Okay, so when you need a way for evil persons and their cohorts to get in and out of a big, spooky house, ADD a staircase, make it hidden, tell everyone that oh, we sortof forgot that was there!
Now add in a banker who acts like a superhero and is only on scene when needed; a prominent lawyer,Carson Drew, who is really a big-time player in this story; a foster child being overworked and abused by her foster parents; a long-time family feud which just so happens to involve Nancy's two friends, Bess and George; AND a boyfriend who shows up at the most opportune of moments. Also, a storyline involving a will, hidden valuables, and guards who are too easily drugged to be believable. (Who needs security guards who are so stupid as to believe, hey, one of you can go home now? Oh, whoops, you're drugged!) This story is so bloated and contrived and trope-laden, it needs a new title: The Sign of the Twisted Tropes, and yes if you've ever heard of a mystery contrivance, it's here...
Nancy gets drugged, hidden under a bed, hides in a closet (wardrobe), is briefly estranged from her two best friends, helps a foster child, and deals with two nasty people who are nasty from the get-go. She gets struck early on by a nasty woman but will 'let it go' if the woman promises to treat her foster daughter better. (Like that would happen! Come on!) Nancy drags her father into things as well as kindly Hannah Gruen, the housekeeper, a woman who stupidly allows the foster girl to be kidnapped right from under her nose! (Fire that woman, please, Mr. Carson Drew, you prominent lawyer, you!) There's a terrible storm at the start of the book - isn't there always? - and tire-slashing and car chases involving a taxi and people creeping around with boxes which they bury in a mere foot of dirt or hide in an old building. There are so many characters in this short little book I should have made a cue card. (Sometimes I do!)
The book was a whirlwind of convolution, contrivance and complete confusion. I cannae give it any more than two stars and even that's generous.
There's an old man being kept 'sortof' as a prisoner in the tower room of a mansion, and said mansion is now a restaurant. Said mansion is also filled with all sorts of rooms and corridors and even, added at the very end of the story, a hidden staircase. Okay, so when you need a way for evil persons and their cohorts to get in and out of a big, spooky house, ADD a staircase, make it hidden, tell everyone that oh, we sortof forgot that was there!
Now add in a banker who acts like a superhero and is only on scene when needed; a prominent lawyer,Carson Drew, who is really a big-time player in this story; a foster child being overworked and abused by her foster parents; a long-time family feud which just so happens to involve Nancy's two friends, Bess and George; AND a boyfriend who shows up at the most opportune of moments. Also, a storyline involving a will, hidden valuables, and guards who are too easily drugged to be believable. (Who needs security guards who are so stupid as to believe, hey, one of you can go home now? Oh, whoops, you're drugged!) This story is so bloated and contrived and trope-laden, it needs a new title: The Sign of the Twisted Tropes, and yes if you've ever heard of a mystery contrivance, it's here...
Nancy gets drugged, hidden under a bed, hides in a closet (wardrobe), is briefly estranged from her two best friends, helps a foster child, and deals with two nasty people who are nasty from the get-go. She gets struck early on by a nasty woman but will 'let it go' if the woman promises to treat her foster daughter better. (Like that would happen! Come on!) Nancy drags her father into things as well as kindly Hannah Gruen, the housekeeper, a woman who stupidly allows the foster girl to be kidnapped right from under her nose! (Fire that woman, please, Mr. Carson Drew, you prominent lawyer, you!) There's a terrible storm at the start of the book - isn't there always? - and tire-slashing and car chases involving a taxi and people creeping around with boxes which they bury in a mere foot of dirt or hide in an old building. There are so many characters in this short little book I should have made a cue card. (Sometimes I do!)
The book was a whirlwind of convolution, contrivance and complete confusion. I cannae give it any more than two stars and even that's generous.
March 4, 2021
Nancy, Bess, and George are on their way to check up on an old relative of the Marvins and the Faynes. He lives in an inn run by a couple and their foster daughter. His relatives believe that he may not be treated well. But as it turns out, Nancy discovers more than an old man at the inn. She discovers a creepy mystery involving lost treasures, lost heirs, and family feuds.
This had a very different tone than the usual Nancy Drew books. For one thing, there is conflict between Nancy and her friends. That happens in the Nancy Drew Files but never in the main series. It was also interesting to see the cousins' parents get involved in the mystery since they are usually just vague characters in the background. I rather also liked the (momentary) suspicions of the 'good' people. Karig obviously did make an effort to bring variety to the series.
And now, on to the next one...!
This had a very different tone than the usual Nancy Drew books. For one thing, there is conflict between Nancy and her friends. That happens in the Nancy Drew Files but never in the main series. It was also interesting to see the cousins' parents get involved in the mystery since they are usually just vague characters in the background. I rather also liked the (momentary) suspicions of the 'good' people. Karig obviously did make an effort to bring variety to the series.
And now, on to the next one...!
September 2, 2009
I have to call this a favorite.... this was the book that started my obsession with reading.
My parents bribed me into reading by telling me I could have $1 for every Nancy Drew book I finished. The Sign of the Twisted Candles was the first one I finished and I LOVED it. I loved it enough to keep going without remembering to get the $$ from the parents.
I've been a bookworm ever since. :)
My parents bribed me into reading by telling me I could have $1 for every Nancy Drew book I finished. The Sign of the Twisted Candles was the first one I finished and I LOVED it. I loved it enough to keep going without remembering to get the $$ from the parents.
I've been a bookworm ever since. :)
May 26, 2017
Thanks to Melanie Rehak's enlightening treatise on the Stratemeyer company; I know Walter Karig penned volumes 8-10, after hardworking Mildred A. Wirt refused a pay cut. Walter blew the Carolyn Keene cover; a guarded pseudonym. I was aware of keener enjoyment of “The Sign Of The Twisted Candles”; noticeably more creative and engrossing than volume #8. My grade is three stars because this fantastic setting did not milk the awe of searching-out hiding places. It furnished little more than idiots running around, asininely trying to steal valuables that were monitored!
A duo very dumbly kept returning to the property after being expelled, instead of fleeing with what they had stowed! Their culpability was clear! They were wanted for arrest but kept stealing and rendering guards unconscious! The premise that started out plausibly is cousins Bess and George hearing a relative might be in distress. When they check Asa Sidney's mansion with Nancy, which runs a restaurant; it is plain the couple he employed confined him upstairs and was harsh with their foster daughter. This is great material with important portrayals to the present day: non-physical abuse of the elderly and young. A feud divided the patriarch from relatives.
The poorest-written part is Bess and George hardening towards Nancy because her Dad becomes his lawyer. No reader believes they would turn on her, especially so flimsily. I feel this error stemmed from Walter not being invested in these iconic friends like Mildred. Jenny letting herself be nabbed from Nancy's house was ridiculous too. There were numerous aspects I loved, had this mystery been plotted intelligently. I learned the word “chandler” and thrillingly observed Asa celebrating his hundredth birthday with Nancy, Bess, George, and Jenny! Also early in the novel, it felt triumphant when Carson Drew took charge and locked the house.
A duo very dumbly kept returning to the property after being expelled, instead of fleeing with what they had stowed! Their culpability was clear! They were wanted for arrest but kept stealing and rendering guards unconscious! The premise that started out plausibly is cousins Bess and George hearing a relative might be in distress. When they check Asa Sidney's mansion with Nancy, which runs a restaurant; it is plain the couple he employed confined him upstairs and was harsh with their foster daughter. This is great material with important portrayals to the present day: non-physical abuse of the elderly and young. A feud divided the patriarch from relatives.
The poorest-written part is Bess and George hardening towards Nancy because her Dad becomes his lawyer. No reader believes they would turn on her, especially so flimsily. I feel this error stemmed from Walter not being invested in these iconic friends like Mildred. Jenny letting herself be nabbed from Nancy's house was ridiculous too. There were numerous aspects I loved, had this mystery been plotted intelligently. I learned the word “chandler” and thrillingly observed Asa celebrating his hundredth birthday with Nancy, Bess, George, and Jenny! Also early in the novel, it felt triumphant when Carson Drew took charge and locked the house.
November 11, 2019
In my great re-read of the ND series, so far #9 is the top. . . more energy, more actual conflict, and a dead guy (old, of natural causes, but still. . . .). Families were conflicted and Nancy was caught in the middle since her good buddies, Bess and George were in the conflicted families. The drama never seems to involve Nance directly, but in this case it did.
The writing by committee that just about killed #8 completely is not an issue in #9 - which means the committee may have simply delegated to someone who could actually write better than the co-op!
4 stars since this was better.
My exercise in visiting the past is losing a little of its original glow, but having invested in the set, I'm carrying on. . . . .I do have to channel the youthful me to get there tho, and that's not easily done. . .
The writing by committee that just about killed #8 completely is not an issue in #9 - which means the committee may have simply delegated to someone who could actually write better than the co-op!
4 stars since this was better.
My exercise in visiting the past is losing a little of its original glow, but having invested in the set, I'm carrying on. . . . .I do have to channel the youthful me to get there tho, and that's not easily done. . .
Read
October 17, 2022This was another audiobook listen for the kids and me. The twins weren't so sure about it at first (I guess they're used to the more modern installments, and this was our first vintage Nancy Drew), and I had to convince them to give it more than one chapter. They ended up loving it.
November 23, 2025
Nancy Drew, a comfy, cozy, nostalgic read in every sense, with suspense and thrill at all turns, but not graphic enough to make you scared of your own shadow! lol
Call them cliche, but I truly love this series!
Call them cliche, but I truly love this series!
September 27, 2020
Seeking shelter during a terrible storm, teen sleuth Nancy Drew and her friends Bess Marvin and George Fayne find themselves at the Sign of the Twisted Candles, a Civil War-era mansion turned into a restaurant and hotel. Here they encounter Sadie Wipple, the much-put-upon adopted daughter of the couple running the restaurant, and Mr. Asa Sidney, the elderly man who owns the mansion, and who is turning one hundred on the day they arrive. Celebrating with Mr. Sidney, the friends little realize that his sad life - the death of his young daughter many years before, the break-up of his family, and the beginning of a multi-generation family feud - will effect them as well. As Nancy and her father get involved in Mr. Sidney and Sadie's affairs, Bess and George, who turn out to be involved in the family feud, turn their back on Nancy. When Sadie is named Mr. Sidney's heir, things become even more complicated, and Nancy must step in to protect the timid young girl...
Originally published in 1933, The Sign of the Twisted Candles is the ninth entry in the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories series, and the second, after Nancy's Mysterious Letter , to be ghost-written by Walter Karig, rather than Mildred Benson, who wrote most of the first twenty-five books in the series. Like all of the early Nancy Drew books, there are two versions of the story: the original one, and the revised and condensed one created in the late 1960s. I read the Applewood Books edition from 1996, which contains a facsimile reproduction of the original 1933 text. This was an enjoyable entry in the series, with plenty of atmosphere, thanks to the gloomy old mansion, and lots of excitement, as Nancy engages in everything from a road race with the dastardly Mr. Semmit, to a confrontation in which she is drugged and left behind, when Sadie is kidnapped. This also had a little bit more of an emotional pull than these books usually do for me, due to the rift between Nancy and her friends. Recommended to young mystery lovers, and to fans of Nancy Drew and her daring adventures.
Originally published in 1933, The Sign of the Twisted Candles is the ninth entry in the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories series, and the second, after Nancy's Mysterious Letter , to be ghost-written by Walter Karig, rather than Mildred Benson, who wrote most of the first twenty-five books in the series. Like all of the early Nancy Drew books, there are two versions of the story: the original one, and the revised and condensed one created in the late 1960s. I read the Applewood Books edition from 1996, which contains a facsimile reproduction of the original 1933 text. This was an enjoyable entry in the series, with plenty of atmosphere, thanks to the gloomy old mansion, and lots of excitement, as Nancy engages in everything from a road race with the dastardly Mr. Semmit, to a confrontation in which she is drugged and left behind, when Sadie is kidnapped. This also had a little bit more of an emotional pull than these books usually do for me, due to the rift between Nancy and her friends. Recommended to young mystery lovers, and to fans of Nancy Drew and her daring adventures.
dnf
August 23, 2021This audiobook is very short, but I'm about 45% of the way through and I can't continue.
The story is quite dull - it's about a 100-year-old man whose claim to fame is inventing twisted candles - you can get the picture just from that tidbit, I think. The narrator is also quite childish.
I doubt I'll ever pick up the book to complete the story. I'm just not interested in the fate of this man and I have no idea why Nancy and Carson Drew have rallied around him so decisively to try to handle his affairs. There's no real mystery here. Just a drawn-out tale of a man whose family feud has shaded the last years of his life.
The story is quite dull - it's about a 100-year-old man whose claim to fame is inventing twisted candles - you can get the picture just from that tidbit, I think. The narrator is also quite childish.
I doubt I'll ever pick up the book to complete the story. I'm just not interested in the fate of this man and I have no idea why Nancy and Carson Drew have rallied around him so decisively to try to handle his affairs. There's no real mystery here. Just a drawn-out tale of a man whose family feud has shaded the last years of his life.
May 19, 2022
Read these many, many years ago. Needed a book with a green cover for a challenge and came across the book. Fun read, will have to read a few more.
April 25, 2021
The Sign of the Twisted Candles by Carolyn Knee is a mystery book which follows Nancy solving a mystery. The mystery is that Nancy stops at a restaurant in a storm but as usual, discovers some things that lead to her solving the same.
Plot and mystery
The plot was simple, and a little boring. All Nancy Drew books that I have read, the plot and mystery is really simple. Nancy goes somewhere, finds something, has a gut feeling, talks to her father, investigates further (which is really nothing, just further clues automatically come to her. Kind of.), talks to the police (whom, despite being police, believe everything she says without proof.), gut feeling is right, many times get caught, someone saves her at the NICK OF TIME, official forces come, everything is saved. Summary of the plot. Almost all of them follow this similar pattern.
The mystery, though, was a little intriguing. We saw Nancy being resourceful and smart in this one, and I really liked that. She was being threatened, chased, confused, hit, she was hiding, fighting – everything a mystery book includes. And for ONCE, someone was not nice to her (apart from the villains). In this book, she was not that perfect, and needed help, which was refreshing after reading her books in which she is the perfect girl whom everyone likes.
The conflict was over a will, which we also saw in the 1st book, The Secret of the Old Clock, but this one was different and I highly appreciate that.
Writing
The writing was okay for me, but good for the reading age. It’s quite good for children, and a nice start to reading for them! I would like to share a quote from the book to which still makes me laugh.
"Er-- excuse me a minute. I have to mass the grow-- I mean maw the gross, you know. Mow the grass. Ha ha! There's no charge for your snack you understand. We like to cuss our treatamores-- I mean-- treat our customers--"
Characters
Nancy Drew was ok. I did not find her to be really good, but she was okay. Her personality seemed unreal. I mean, nobody is and was perfect, even in the 1930s. She is really pretty; with blonde hair and blue eyes she is smart and intelligent(which the author reminds us a lot of times). For example, a line from a book reads
“Automatically Nancy’s mind deduced the meaning of Semitt’s activities, which to an untrained observer would have been dismissed as some unimportant chore."
Like was it really necessary to remind us that Nancy is perfect? She doesn’t have a flaw. All her hunches are correct. Perfect. We did not know any of her flaws. She solves many mysteries, and speaking of mysteries, she has NO enemy. Everyone is polite to her and helps her, except the villains, obviously. Also, she is at a huge and unreal advantage as her father is a lawyer. Everyone believes her. EVERYONE. Just because she is the daughter of Carson Drew, the famous lawyer. She has a nice car, everything. She is just too perfect to seem real.
Carson Drew was better than Nancy, and certainly acted like his role. We can expect a lawyer and father to be like Carson, always reminding Nancy to be careful. A nice character, overall.
I am going to review only these characters in this review, as the others' review from this book may be a spoiler.
All in all, the book was good, and simple. It was an enjoyable read. The plot was ok, mystery a little bit good, but as mainly a Young Adult reader, I have read and seen far better books and plots.
P.S – I first rated this book a 5. I seriously didn’t know what was going in my mind.
Plot and mystery
The plot was simple, and a little boring. All Nancy Drew books that I have read, the plot and mystery is really simple. Nancy goes somewhere, finds something, has a gut feeling, talks to her father, investigates further (which is really nothing, just further clues automatically come to her. Kind of.), talks to the police (whom, despite being police, believe everything she says without proof.), gut feeling is right, many times get caught, someone saves her at the NICK OF TIME, official forces come, everything is saved. Summary of the plot. Almost all of them follow this similar pattern.
The mystery, though, was a little intriguing. We saw Nancy being resourceful and smart in this one, and I really liked that. She was being threatened, chased, confused, hit, she was hiding, fighting – everything a mystery book includes. And for ONCE, someone was not nice to her (apart from the villains). In this book, she was not that perfect, and needed help, which was refreshing after reading her books in which she is the perfect girl whom everyone likes.
The conflict was over a will, which we also saw in the 1st book, The Secret of the Old Clock, but this one was different and I highly appreciate that.
Writing
The writing was okay for me, but good for the reading age. It’s quite good for children, and a nice start to reading for them! I would like to share a quote from the book to which still makes me laugh.
"Er-- excuse me a minute. I have to mass the grow-- I mean maw the gross, you know. Mow the grass. Ha ha! There's no charge for your snack you understand. We like to cuss our treatamores-- I mean-- treat our customers--"
Characters
Nancy Drew was ok. I did not find her to be really good, but she was okay. Her personality seemed unreal. I mean, nobody is and was perfect, even in the 1930s. She is really pretty; with blonde hair and blue eyes she is smart and intelligent(which the author reminds us a lot of times). For example, a line from a book reads
“Automatically Nancy’s mind deduced the meaning of Semitt’s activities, which to an untrained observer would have been dismissed as some unimportant chore."
Like was it really necessary to remind us that Nancy is perfect? She doesn’t have a flaw. All her hunches are correct. Perfect. We did not know any of her flaws. She solves many mysteries, and speaking of mysteries, she has NO enemy. Everyone is polite to her and helps her, except the villains, obviously. Also, she is at a huge and unreal advantage as her father is a lawyer. Everyone believes her. EVERYONE. Just because she is the daughter of Carson Drew, the famous lawyer. She has a nice car, everything. She is just too perfect to seem real.
Carson Drew was better than Nancy, and certainly acted like his role. We can expect a lawyer and father to be like Carson, always reminding Nancy to be careful. A nice character, overall.
I am going to review only these characters in this review, as the others' review from this book may be a spoiler.
All in all, the book was good, and simple. It was an enjoyable read. The plot was ok, mystery a little bit good, but as mainly a Young Adult reader, I have read and seen far better books and plots.
P.S – I first rated this book a 5. I seriously didn’t know what was going in my mind.
January 14, 2021
4.5 stars & 5/10 hearts. So apparently when Nancy ISN'T in trouble with the police, she's being kidnapped by her enemies?
This book was really mysterious. The villains were quite frankly terrible and I was a little surprised at how intense things got at the end. Carol was a sweetheart and I liked old Abe... I was confused by the feud, but then I was reading so fast, it's not surprising. The Bess & George issue was a surprising and interesting touch! I really liked Carson Drew in this one too. A bit of an intense but quite interesting and enjoyable read!
This book was really mysterious. The villains were quite frankly terrible and I was a little surprised at how intense things got at the end. Carol was a sweetheart and I liked old Abe... I was confused by the feud, but then I was reading so fast, it's not surprising. The Bess & George issue was a surprising and interesting touch! I really liked Carson Drew in this one too. A bit of an intense but quite interesting and enjoyable read!
May 19, 2020
My daughter and I enjoyed this as a read-aloud..we used the original version, and I really like the way the original Nancy Drew books are written. This was a great mystery 'in an old house,' one of my favorite types of mysteries.
September 26, 2012
Ya can't beat a Nancy Drew Mystery!
November 24, 2018
Nancy, George and Bess visit George and Bess's family members at an inn known as "The Sign of the Twisted Candles". Here they're caught in a family feud over the oldest member of the family's fortune. 100-year-old Asa Sydney passes away, but no one knows what became of his priceless fortune. And let me tell you, this family gets vicious. They're very cutthroat and manipulative over who gets what. But of course Nancy is willing to help out, especially when it comes to young Carol, a foster child of two of the people involved. I liked the fact that this wasn't a typical mystery for Nancy. It focused mostly on family dynamics rather than an actual crime.
November 29, 2017
Finally! Another Nancy Drew book with a proper meal in it!
Nancy and her friends find themselves at an inn, where the caretakers (as usual) have made the unwise decision of abusing the elderly owner who may or may not have a large fortune to dispose of in his will. This happens often in Nancy Drew novels, it seems.
At any rate, while the caretakers are taking a break from belittling their staff and neglecting the elderly benefactor, Nancy places a fancy lunch order, because, surprise! Mr. Elderly Benefactor is turning 100 years old today.
The Meal
~jellied consommé
~sliced breast of chicken
~hearts of lettuce with Roquefort dressing
~nut bread
~ice cream
~chocolate layer cake
~fruit punch
When asked about the secret of his longevity, elderly man answers: "The only reason I have lived to be a hundred is because I have not died!" What a cheery thought while digging into that consommé, Roquefort, and nut bread.
Lo and behold, our centenarian friend provides many clues for Nancy to uncover whilst the caretakers may or may not be trying to kill her and everyone else. What fun!
Nancy and her friends find themselves at an inn, where the caretakers (as usual) have made the unwise decision of abusing the elderly owner who may or may not have a large fortune to dispose of in his will. This happens often in Nancy Drew novels, it seems.
At any rate, while the caretakers are taking a break from belittling their staff and neglecting the elderly benefactor, Nancy places a fancy lunch order, because, surprise! Mr. Elderly Benefactor is turning 100 years old today.
The Meal
~jellied consommé
~sliced breast of chicken
~hearts of lettuce with Roquefort dressing
~nut bread
~ice cream
~chocolate layer cake
~fruit punch
When asked about the secret of his longevity, elderly man answers: "The only reason I have lived to be a hundred is because I have not died!" What a cheery thought while digging into that consommé, Roquefort, and nut bread.
Lo and behold, our centenarian friend provides many clues for Nancy to uncover whilst the caretakers may or may not be trying to kill her and everyone else. What fun!
March 6, 2011
I should be embarrassed to add this to my "read" books, but I just finished it and wanted to record it in Goodreads. Wanting something light and fun to read, I selected it from our bookroom, and enjoyed every minute reading it...again. The last time I read it was a looooong time ago. Today the language is rather stilted, but the action moves right along. Why the old man wanted to keep Sadie's heritage a secret is not revealed. That part of the book was nonsensical to me, but then again, it is a Nancy Drew mystery, and just a fun read.
May 31, 2019
One of the challenges of my book group wwas to read a childhood favorite. I grew up with Nancy Drew, Cherry Ames and the Hardy boys. In this book, Nancy tries to help an old man who is imprisoned in the tower of a home he owns. The caretakers are keeping people from seeing him, and stealing his fortune. Nancy discovers their scheme, finds hidden hoards of stocks and jewelry (marked by the sign of the twisted candle) and discovers that the old man's great grandaughter has been working for the caretakers for several years without knowing who she was.
November 15, 2015
Another classic Nancy Drew episode. Nancy helps her friends George and Bess check on a long-lost relative. I found it very ironic that the mystery they ask Nancy to help with, almost ruins their friendship. That just added a little bonus to the overall mystery. I really liked that Nancy interacted more with her father in this episode. I loved seeing their relationship up-close.
November 7, 2021
Wasn’t as great as the other ones, to be honest. But it did make me stay up till midnight. 😃 Every chapter just ended with a question so of course I had to finish it. The only problem was that it went so fast and the story was a little dull, but Nancy Drew herself is really fantastic and she expands my love for mystery! Perfect read for a cold and rainy day!! 3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 614 reviews