“The Sign of the Twisted Candles” by: Carolyn Keene

This is the 9th book in the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories series by: Carolyn Keene

Age: 8-12 (I would recommend 14+ due to violence)

Description: 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.


My Rating: 5/5

This book was really good, though it did have a lot more violence than some of the others.

Sometimes I wonder how different these mysteries would be if Nancy didn’t have her family’s reputation behind her. 

SPOILER! Mr. Drew’s reaction to Mr. Sidney’s death felt very unemotional (while I was shocked): “As Mr. Drew walked into the hall, Nancy stated soberly, ‘Mr. Sidney is dead.’
‘Too bad,’ he said with a shake of his head.” END OF SPOILER!

Notable Quotes:
“‘Men should be content,’ Mr. Sidney said. ‘If they let success make them greedy, they lose the happiness money can’t buy.’”
- This applies to women as well!

“The only reason I have lived to be a hundred is because I have not died!”

Things to be aware of in “The Sign of the Twisted Candles”

Language:
- Mild name calling including: “brat” and “simple-minded”

Violence:
- Two characters are hit with the back of a hairbrush multiple times.
- A fight breaks out including: throwing, punching (in the face, stomach and head) and throat clenching.
- Characters are gagged.
- A character is hit and knocked out.
- A character is captured.
- 2 characters are drugged so they’d pass out.
- A character is kidnapped.
- Many threats are given - some pertain to physical violence.
- A character is punched.


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