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Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #43
The Mystery of the 99 Steps
Nancy Drew must search for a flight of 99 steps to solve the mystery of a friend’s weird dream. Her search leads her to France, but before she leaves the United States, an unknown person calling himself Monsieur Neuf warns the young sleuth not to pursue her mission.With her friends Bess and George, Nancy arrives in Paris to join her father who is working on another to find out what, or who, is frightening wealth financier Monsieur Leblanc into selling large amounts of securities. Startling discoveries convince the young detective that Mr. Drew’s case and her own mystery are linked by the 99 steps, and that a mysterious man has a strong hold over Leblanc. Is it blackmail? Nancy’s quest for further clues leads to the romantic chateau country in the Loire Valley, where a web of danger closes in tightly around the three girls.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1966
201 people are currently reading
2870 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
950 books3,858 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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 231 reviews
April 6, 2020
A mystery that starts with a weak premise turns into a Parisian adventure for Nancy, George, and Bess. Some elements of the mystery were easy enough to understand (the 9's) while other parts would be more challenging for young readers (alchemy). I liked the flow and action of the story, and while the storyline itself is creative, it just didn't excite me.
August 24, 2020
BE NICER TO BESS. STOP TEASING HER ABOUT BEING A LITTLE "CHUBBY."
Honestly. Nancy and George are supposed to be all perfect and nice and stuff, but they're always so mean to Bess whenever she's eating.
They're cruel and horrible to her, in general, and not just in this book. They always mention her love for the kitchen, even if it's not relevant at all.
Plus, in the description of each girl, Bess is perpetually written as "plump." It's basically her entire personality at this point.
Stop making her a running joke!
Bess needs to get new friends.
Honestly. Nancy and George are supposed to be all perfect and nice and stuff, but they're always so mean to Bess whenever she's eating.
They're cruel and horrible to her, in general, and not just in this book. They always mention her love for the kitchen, even if it's not relevant at all.
Plus, in the description of each girl, Bess is perpetually written as "plump." It's basically her entire personality at this point.
Stop making her a running joke!
Bess needs to get new friends.
November 4, 2014
She is not as finicky as Poirot and nor is she as condescending as Sherlock. But just like her fellow detectives, she has a fine brain under her well-coiffed locks and will always hold a special place in my long-buried girlish heart. When I came across an ancient, dog-eared, much-doodled Nancy Drew mystery at my library, I couldn’t resist picking it up.
In The Mystery of the 99 Steps , Nancy Drew is working on a dual case with her father, eminent lawyer Carson Drew. A lady called Mrs. Josette Blair is troubled by a recurring nightmare : being blindfolded and falling down a long flight of stairs as someone whispers, ‘99 Steps’ .By itself, that's a pretty tedious dream to interpret but when Mrs. Blair receives a mysterious letter from Paris saying " Tell no one about the 99 Steps. Monsieur Neuf. ", things turn decidedly eerie.
Add to that, Carson Drew’s case involves a frightened financier who is secretively drawing large sums of money and threatening to shut down his factory. Somehow, the two cases seem to be interlinked and Nancy Drew has her work cut out.
Will our young sleuth save the day and also manage to enjoy the many beauties of Paris (where most of the plot is located) is what this tale is all about.
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I enjoyed the book. It was wholesome, smart and redolent with school time memories for me. Sure, it’s predictable at places and there are too many quick escapes from tight spots to be realistic. But therein lies the charm. Nancy gets together with her two trusty friends, tomboy George and curvy Bess and the trio have a ball of a time as they catch dastardly villains and uncover devious plots. It’s as simplistic as that. And as endearing.
I come away with a fond smile on my face.
In The Mystery of the 99 Steps , Nancy Drew is working on a dual case with her father, eminent lawyer Carson Drew. A lady called Mrs. Josette Blair is troubled by a recurring nightmare : being blindfolded and falling down a long flight of stairs as someone whispers, ‘99 Steps’ .By itself, that's a pretty tedious dream to interpret but when Mrs. Blair receives a mysterious letter from Paris saying " Tell no one about the 99 Steps. Monsieur Neuf. ", things turn decidedly eerie.
Add to that, Carson Drew’s case involves a frightened financier who is secretively drawing large sums of money and threatening to shut down his factory. Somehow, the two cases seem to be interlinked and Nancy Drew has her work cut out.
Will our young sleuth save the day and also manage to enjoy the many beauties of Paris (where most of the plot is located) is what this tale is all about.
---
I enjoyed the book. It was wholesome, smart and redolent with school time memories for me. Sure, it’s predictable at places and there are too many quick escapes from tight spots to be realistic. But therein lies the charm. Nancy gets together with her two trusty friends, tomboy George and curvy Bess and the trio have a ball of a time as they catch dastardly villains and uncover devious plots. It’s as simplistic as that. And as endearing.
I come away with a fond smile on my face.
February 18, 2024
Like usual, this series delivers fun and excitement.
October 4, 2023
I remember not liking this the 1st time around. I will not try it again.
September 25, 2011
Yet another great addition to the Nancy Drew mystery book series.
July 5, 2013
When I was about 10 or 11, my mother signed me up for a book of the month club. Every month, I received two Nancy Drew or two Hardy Boys books. Every month, they were both read in a week and I was asking when the next book would be there!
I thank my mother for recognizing and encouraging my love of reading.
I thank my mother for recognizing and encouraging my love of reading.
December 29, 2018
Carson Drew is in Paris, doing a bit of investigative work. He has been hired by worried friends of Monsieur LeBlanc, a wealthy businessman, to find out why he is selling all his securities and buying diamonds. Mr. Drew needs Nancy’s help so he invites his daughter and her friends on the trip. Which is wonderful for Nancy as she has a mystery of her own to solve. River Heights resident, Mrs. Josette Blair, has suffered a great family misfortune and has been recently plagued by nightmares. All she can recall, is that it has to do with her early childhood in Paris and 99 steps. What 99 steps, and how does that tie with the dream? Well, that’s what Nancy has to figure out.
Phew! Okay. We’re in Paris, France!!
Um, Nancy’s mystery is fascinating. She doesn’t really have any clues to go on but she still manages to find a connection between her case and her father’s. Now, Mr. Drew’s case is, well, uh, ridiculous. Monsieur LeBlanc is being duped pretty much. Someone has made him believe that he can turn anything into gold, making LeBlanc panic because currency is backed by gold and so he starts buying up diamonds. Honestly, his greed got the better of him.
So… the girls speak fluent french. Qui convient, n’est-ce pas? They do a lot of sightseeing which ya’ll know are my favorite parts. I’ve been to Paris before, so it was like I was there once again. They discuss the history of some of the places they visit. Loved it.
While in Paris, Nancy meets Henri Durant. To quote Bess: “Frenchman. Mmm!” ooh lala haha. Oh, and where’s Ned you ask? I don’t know!! He was never mentioned! Should I worry? Even when he doesn’t appear, he’s at least mentioned in passing by someone. But not this time!
Anyway, Nancy and the police capture one of the culprits right before she leaves River Heights. This doesn’t lessen the danger she faces in Paris though. She’s in a car accident, nearly drowned (Henri rescues her), her brakes are cut, and an innocent dog is drugged!
In conclusion, this was a really great mystery!
Phew! Okay. We’re in Paris, France!!
Um, Nancy’s mystery is fascinating. She doesn’t really have any clues to go on but she still manages to find a connection between her case and her father’s. Now, Mr. Drew’s case is, well, uh, ridiculous. Monsieur LeBlanc is being duped pretty much. Someone has made him believe that he can turn anything into gold, making LeBlanc panic because currency is backed by gold and so he starts buying up diamonds. Honestly, his greed got the better of him.
So… the girls speak fluent french. Qui convient, n’est-ce pas? They do a lot of sightseeing which ya’ll know are my favorite parts. I’ve been to Paris before, so it was like I was there once again. They discuss the history of some of the places they visit. Loved it.
While in Paris, Nancy meets Henri Durant. To quote Bess: “Frenchman. Mmm!” ooh lala haha. Oh, and where’s Ned you ask? I don’t know!! He was never mentioned! Should I worry? Even when he doesn’t appear, he’s at least mentioned in passing by someone. But not this time!
Anyway, Nancy and the police capture one of the culprits right before she leaves River Heights. This doesn’t lessen the danger she faces in Paris though. She’s in a car accident, nearly drowned (Henri rescues her), her brakes are cut, and an innocent dog is drugged!
In conclusion, this was a really great mystery!
May 12, 2011
I loved the Nancy Drew books as a kid. I voraciously read every one I could get my hands on. Reading this now, I'm struck by several things (some of which other reviewers have also pointed out):
1. The stereotypical characters
Every character is a 'type' to a tee. We've got the perfect one, the uber supportive parent, the impulsive tomboy, the part-of-the-family hired help, the fat friend, etc. When you're a kid you may not notice it, but as an adult you keep looking for flaws beyond the obvious and when they don't appear, you feel cheated by your childhood memories somehow....
2. The pacing
As a kid, the non-stop action is fantastic... now it just seems sloppy and a way to force the reader into believing some pretty unbelievable plot points.
3. The ridiculous of this mystery!
Really? The entire book is based on solving an old woman's dream about 99 steps? Okay, while far-fetched that doesn't sound too bad... oh, wait it also ties in with a lawyer's case. okay still not too terrible... and the criminal's name is M. Neuf, and masked men ring your doorbell to hand you threatening letters, oh and fathers are always okay with their daughters running after dangerous criminals in the middle of the night as long as they ask permission first... how did I just believe this stuff as a kid?!
Okay, maybe I am viewing this with jaded eyes of a twenty-two year-old. I'll go back to the beginning and try at least the first couple out to see if my childhood love of these books was misplaced.
1. The stereotypical characters
Every character is a 'type' to a tee. We've got the perfect one, the uber supportive parent, the impulsive tomboy, the part-of-the-family hired help, the fat friend, etc. When you're a kid you may not notice it, but as an adult you keep looking for flaws beyond the obvious and when they don't appear, you feel cheated by your childhood memories somehow....
2. The pacing
As a kid, the non-stop action is fantastic... now it just seems sloppy and a way to force the reader into believing some pretty unbelievable plot points.
3. The ridiculous of this mystery!
Really? The entire book is based on solving an old woman's dream about 99 steps? Okay, while far-fetched that doesn't sound too bad... oh, wait it also ties in with a lawyer's case. okay still not too terrible... and the criminal's name is M. Neuf, and masked men ring your doorbell to hand you threatening letters, oh and fathers are always okay with their daughters running after dangerous criminals in the middle of the night as long as they ask permission first... how did I just believe this stuff as a kid?!
Okay, maybe I am viewing this with jaded eyes of a twenty-two year-old. I'll go back to the beginning and try at least the first couple out to see if my childhood love of these books was misplaced.
February 6, 2019
What I always find funny in these stories are criminals who are so afraid of teenage detectives (Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew) that they send someone across the ocean to try to stop them from coming to investigate. It would make more sense if they did something to try to frighten Nancy when she is in their country and making trouble for them. Why give a detective anything to work with. I also don't buy that most criminals would be afraid of a teenager detective.
Specifically to this book, the use of alchemic symbols to convey message was a clever device. However, I didn't think using the Green Lion and Red King as signatures on some random notes was the best way to use this. I thought it could have been more threatening.
The book did convey some of the beauty of the buildings and countryside. History was imparted without feeling like you were reading a tour book. The scene of where the group were almost pushed off the stairs by a heavy woman coming down the stairs while they were going up was funny and completely realistic. That has happened to me visiting some of these old buildings.
It was a nice touch having Bess talk about how Joan of Arc was a hero of hers growing up. It added a dimension to Bess' characters which is usually about her liking food and being slightly overweight and the more timid of the three young women. That is what fun about reading a series, you get to learn things about characters over the many books.
Specifically to this book, the use of alchemic symbols to convey message was a clever device. However, I didn't think using the Green Lion and Red King as signatures on some random notes was the best way to use this. I thought it could have been more threatening.
The book did convey some of the beauty of the buildings and countryside. History was imparted without feeling like you were reading a tour book. The scene of where the group were almost pushed off the stairs by a heavy woman coming down the stairs while they were going up was funny and completely realistic. That has happened to me visiting some of these old buildings.
It was a nice touch having Bess talk about how Joan of Arc was a hero of hers growing up. It added a dimension to Bess' characters which is usually about her liking food and being slightly overweight and the more timid of the three young women. That is what fun about reading a series, you get to learn things about characters over the many books.
September 28, 2019
Read in 2009
September 1, 2024
I thought I remembered reading this one as a preteen, but I don’t think I did because NONE of the plot rung familiar 😅
Nancy got to travel around France after some brief River Heights adventures. There were twins, alchemy, and lots of sight seeing.
My read through of this was spread over too many days, and I kept losing the plot strings, which I think made what was probably a 4 star experience into a 3 star one.
I loved the dream regarding the 99 steps, super creepy for a Nancy Drew.
I read someone else’s review of a previous book that said they wished they had kept a concussion count for all the times Nancy has blacked out in this series ☠️☠️. Girl’s going to have NFL player levels of CTE.
EDITED TO ADD: Laughed out loud at the gold standard plot, and enjoyed picturing Pedro Pascal (as Carson Drew) busting down a wooden door.
Nancy got to travel around France after some brief River Heights adventures. There were twins, alchemy, and lots of sight seeing.
My read through of this was spread over too many days, and I kept losing the plot strings, which I think made what was probably a 4 star experience into a 3 star one.
I loved the dream regarding the 99 steps, super creepy for a Nancy Drew.
I read someone else’s review of a previous book that said they wished they had kept a concussion count for all the times Nancy has blacked out in this series ☠️☠️. Girl’s going to have NFL player levels of CTE.
EDITED TO ADD: Laughed out loud at the gold standard plot, and enjoyed picturing Pedro Pascal (as Carson Drew) busting down a wooden door.
May 31, 2021
This Nancy Drew adventure takes her and her buddies off to France where she solves mysteries having to do with the number 9, alchemy, blackmail and takes her into the chateau country in the Loire Valley. An old day care provider repents and spills the beans, and explains all.
This one didn't hold me as some of the others have. But good too have the 99 steps explained!
This one didn't hold me as some of the others have. But good too have the 99 steps explained!
June 3, 2020
I enjoyed the fact that Nancy got to go to France with her friends Bess and George and take on some seriously sinister characters, but I'm not sure I really bought the ending of the book. Without giving away spoilers let's just say that from the start you could tell that a financier was being hoodwinked in some way. When that way came to light, I just didn't feel like it was plausible. I mean, if a guy is smart enough to make it far in business, I don't think he would fall for something that wasn't extremely well planned out and orchestrated. I'm thinking Italian Job shenanigans. When expressing my feelings to my 9yo niece however she explained to me that she felt it all came down to greed though, because, "if you have one chocolate chip cookie, you instantly want two because one is not enough." So that's how she came to terms with the story's weak point. Maybe if I had the naivety of my niece I can come to terms with it as well.
February 8, 2013
I have to be impressed by a book that is this good - and is NUMBER 43 in the series. Nancy Drew really is awesome! Sightseeing in France, conspiratorial alchemy, strange dreams about a long staircase, lots of historical references (including Joan of Arc), and really cool cover art make this adventure stand out.
http://pixie-sleuth.blogspot.com/
http://pixie-sleuth.blogspot.com/
October 31, 2024
3 and a half stars ⭐
Once again, an intriguing Nancy Drew mystery story! The plot was fun, but I felt like alot of things happened that didn't really have to do with the actual plot. But it was a fun read!
Once again, an intriguing Nancy Drew mystery story! The plot was fun, but I felt like alot of things happened that didn't really have to do with the actual plot. But it was a fun read!
July 29, 2011
I absolutely adored these growing up, much more so than the Hardy Boys, and still carry a fondness for them into adulthood
June 30, 2020
Great mystery set in France! 5 stars
October 12, 2023
This was a fun book to read, makes you appreciate the Nancy Drew series and how classic they are.
December 2, 2009
I read this book with 7th grade student, and she loved it! Nancy Drew and her friends, Bess and George, find themselves on another mystery case, this time taking them to France. Nancy and her father both have mysteries to solve, but could their cases be connected? Nancy soon realizes that she is being watched; how long can she escape danger?
The text of this book provides great opportunity to learn new vocabulary--even a little French. This particular Nancy Drew mystery might be considered more challenging because of the vocabulary and the general subject matter (ancient alchemy). If I could read this book again, I would definitely make plans in advance for more vocabulary activities and vocabulary journaling.
The text of this book provides great opportunity to learn new vocabulary--even a little French. This particular Nancy Drew mystery might be considered more challenging because of the vocabulary and the general subject matter (ancient alchemy). If I could read this book again, I would definitely make plans in advance for more vocabulary activities and vocabulary journaling.
January 17, 2016
3.5 stars
This isn't my personal favorite of the Nancy Drew series, but it's a perfectly competent addition to the series, and still holds up as a light page-turner of a mystery. The characters are still in good form, and though the mystery plotline isn't always wholly believable, I still enjoyed the experience.
The Mystery of the 99 Steps is an engaging and intelligent mystery story with some nice creativity to its storyline, and though there is still a certain degree of predictability(seriously, how many times has Nancy's car been sabotaged by now?) and the character development could have been better, it's still fun to read, whether for nostalgic value or simply to take a brief break from "heavier" reading.
This isn't my personal favorite of the Nancy Drew series, but it's a perfectly competent addition to the series, and still holds up as a light page-turner of a mystery. The characters are still in good form, and though the mystery plotline isn't always wholly believable, I still enjoyed the experience.
The Mystery of the 99 Steps is an engaging and intelligent mystery story with some nice creativity to its storyline, and though there is still a certain degree of predictability(seriously, how many times has Nancy's car been sabotaged by now?) and the character development could have been better, it's still fun to read, whether for nostalgic value or simply to take a brief break from "heavier" reading.
October 24, 2017
Even if I mostly laugh at the ridiculousness/implausibility of it now, I still love spending an afternoon with the Drew girl.
This one finds Nancy, Mr. Drew, Bess, and George in France and it was especially hilarious to read the occasional sentence or two squeezed in to describe their museum & cultural heritage stops. Like, two sentences for the Louvre, where there were no crowds impeding their view of the Mona Lisa. But mostly they are too busy solving two ridiculous mysteries to be distracted for long by such frivolities as museums and beautiful scenery.
This one finds Nancy, Mr. Drew, Bess, and George in France and it was especially hilarious to read the occasional sentence or two squeezed in to describe their museum & cultural heritage stops. Like, two sentences for the Louvre, where there were no crowds impeding their view of the Mona Lisa. But mostly they are too busy solving two ridiculous mysteries to be distracted for long by such frivolities as museums and beautiful scenery.
August 2, 2018
How did I miss this series when I was growing up. This is the first of the Nancy Drew books I have ever read and I think I would enjoy more. I like how the girls fit sightseeing and proper behavior as far as being good guests and eating at reasonable times and such into their sleuthing endeavors. I also enjoyed the use of French, famous locales, and persistent action and intrigue to move the story along. I really wish I had found this series in middle school. Highly recommend for young readers and adults.
August 25, 2023
5 stars & 5/10 hearts. I will always have a soft spot for stories set in France. ;) It's just such a quaint, galant place that I thoroughly understand--and that is French. XD So naturally I loved this book! It had all the tropes--the quick-tempered French, the gallant French, the emotional French... <3 All very true tropes, by the way. I felt that this mystery was unique in the fact that it related to a dream, not to anything concrete. I loved seeing how Mr. Drew's mystery crossed with Nancy's, and the plot was quite fascinating!
January 2, 2015
I've always enjoyed the Nancy Drew travel mysteries because they introduce me to new places, though running around Versailles and quickly finding a character unconscious on Louis XIV's bed stretches the imagination more than these books usually do! The interior illustrations are nicely done. I like that the mystery was initiated by a dream, though the mystery itself is just ok.
April 27, 2020
Absolutely loved this one! Although the plot was a little shaky (alchemists! turning lead into gold! a frightened financier!), I loved that it took place in France. And Nancy Drew speaks French, who knew?
January 7, 2024
Not one of my very favorite, but I always enjoy a quick meander into Nancy's world when I want some really light reading.
October 21, 2019
Each chapter's end compels you to continue reading, good flow. A generic visit to Paris didn't quite capture me.
July 19, 2020
Nancy Drew - you are a childhood retreat for my brain. ☺️
September 2, 2025
It's been a bit since Nancy showed off a new talent in one of her books, but this one not only gives her a new ability, but spreads the love to Bess and George as well: all three of them are now able to converse in French! This certainly comes in handy, since the mystery Nancy is working on involves a trip to France, where she sets out to find a set of 99 steps and help her father with another one of his random cases that doesn't actually make a lot of sense. Nonetheless, this was an entertaining enough read - there's lots of danger, a decent mystery, and plenty of sightseeing. Not my favorite of the series, but definitely not the worst.
Side note: the girls have a run-in with a woman the author describes as "enormously fat" who nearly knocks the entire group down a spiral staircase. She doesn't appear anywhere else in the story, so this was utterly unnecessary and just further proof that all of the various ghostwriters of this series have an issue with anyone who isn't perfectly thin like Nancy and George.
Side note: the girls have a run-in with a woman the author describes as "enormously fat" who nearly knocks the entire group down a spiral staircase. She doesn't appear anywhere else in the story, so this was utterly unnecessary and just further proof that all of the various ghostwriters of this series have an issue with anyone who isn't perfectly thin like Nancy and George.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews