In the our kickoff of Season 4, we delve into Nancy Drew & the Crooked Banister! Kelly wants a robot that will rub her back. Karen wants a robot that provides a “spontaneous bring”. We are both big Robby the Robot fans, we loved the cool clues but hated they went nowhere, and we love a flaming moat but hate a loose birch tree bridge. Also - Rawley totally faked his own death right?

Rated 9.25 out of 12 poisonous paintings

Recommendations:

• Here One Moment, by Lianne Moriarty
• Vanishing in the Haight, by Max Tomlinson
• Dead Wake, by Erik Larson
• Anxious People, by Fredrik Backman

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In the Season 3 Finale, we get to go to Turkey with the Clue Crew –— Karen thought it was sassy, and Kelly thought it was meh but full of derring-do. We also discuss our theories on doppelgängers, our summer dreams, and how much we want to go to the Grand Bazaar and the Basilica Cistern.  Some thoughts to ponder: Would you buy a life insurance policy from Ned Nickerson? Would you have known Aisha was the mannequin? Should locksmiths and librarians have a Hippocratic oath? 

Rated 7 out of 12 deadly waterwheels.

Recommendations:

• Loot - Apple TV (Maya Rudolph)
• People to Follow - Olivia Worley

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In Episode 57, let’s talk about our very first Hardy Boys book - The Tower Treasure! (Spoiler alert, we both friggin’ love the Hardy Boys now!). But first, Kelly loves an earmuff, Karen has a brain meld with Will Shortz, the word “panopticon” is used for the first time on this show, and Aileen’s gonna hook us up with proof of robotic puppets. Over in . . . Bayside? Baywatch? Bayport?….we have our first perishing, there’s lots of reckless driving, and Joe & Frank get paid even though they probably couldn’t take a fingerprint off a moving horse. 

Rated 9.5 out of 12 Decrepit Water Towers

Up Next:

• Baby-Sitter’s Club Super Mystery 1: Baby-sitter’s Haunted House

Recommendations:

• All the Sinners Bleed by SA Crosby
• Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison

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Let’s dig into Nancy Drew & the Moonstone Castle Mystery! But first, we’re in the chute to the holidays, Kelly’s crowd sourcing a cookie recipe, and Karen had a full-on mail mystery. Meanwhile, George and Bess are full-on BEEFING, the entire Clue Crew finally gets arrested, we’re missing a people talker to tell us about the random castle in the middle of Indiana, Nancy fears being a friendship pusher but is an #influencer, and moats are swum (ew). A group of Corvettes is a cascade, Mrs. Hemstead is an NPC, and Baby Joanie-Jolene-Judy-Jodine’s grandparents have Stockholm Syndrome. 

Rated 11 out of 12 River Police 

Up Next:

• Hardy Boys 1: The Tower Treasure
• Baby-Sitter’s Club Super Mystery 1: Baby-sitter’s Haunted House

Recommendations:

• Bad Cree by Jessica Johns
• Silver Nitrate - Silvia Moreno-Garcia
• Mexican Gothic - Silvia Moreno-Garcia

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In Episode 55, we discuss Nancy Drew & The Clue of the Dancing Puppet. First though, Kelly tells us about The Soupening, Karen is in “snuggalump mode”, and we get to see each other this week IRL! Tammy puts the A in “Amateur” but needed more villainous agency, Nancy receives a gratuitous number of head injuries, and some California-based slippery operators slap a giant puppet on a non-existent problem, which seems like a bad idea. In other news, we left in some outtakes, Kelly references a ridiculous number of movies and musicals, and Karen hates a cute little bait-and-switch ghost. Be sure to help us decide if it was it a police electrician or an electrician for the police.

Rated 9.5 out of 12 Falling Cannonballs

Recommendations:

Sisters of the Lost Marsh, by Lucy Strange

One of the Good Guys, by Araminta Hall (out in 2024)

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Let's go to Hong Kong with Nancy Drew in "The Mystery of the Fire Dragon"! It is well nigh Halloween, Karen has been going all around but found time to update her eyeballs, and Kelly has read so many vampire books she's terrified after sundown. This book is a solid "meh" on the Nancy-o-Meter, but on the plus side: there's a stop in NYC before a trip to Hong Kong, and a bookstore smuggling front that is giving "Joe-from-You Bookstore Lair" vibes. Everyone gets individually kidnapped, we believe in thought transference, Karen could eat a piece of cheese, Officer Tommy has 54 problems, and don't forget your lipstick in case of a 505 emergency. 

Rated 6 our of 12 exploding ovens. 

Recommendations:
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
Dracula by Bram Stoker 

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Let's go to Adult Summer Camp & investigate "The Clue in the Old Stagecoach" with the Clue Crew! Karen wants to know which side of the tree lichen grows on, and Kelly wants to flirt around a campfire in a uniform. Then on to one of our favorite light-hearted, laugh-out-loud funny capers yet! Nancy solves the mystery of Sally the Bear, the gals are hilarious water ballet-ers, Rick demonstrates Kenergy, and we get a valuable PSA about the importance of dead tree removal. Don't forget to Googer geigle counters. 

Rated 11.75 out of 12 Hand-Knitted Sweaters

Recommendations:
- The September House by Carissa Orlando
- Holly by Stephen King
- The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

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In Episode 52, the Clue Crew heads to Hawaii to investigate The Secret of the Golden Pavillion! Karen loved the horror elements of this book, but not the gratuitous Mr. Rogers-ing. Nancy almost gets taken down by tripping off a volcano, and she probably irons her underwear. Kelly rebrands magnifying glasses and can’t remember Gilligan’s Island. Togo is a prize winner and is rewarded in scritches and helicopters. And the boyfriends survive a near-miss and help take down a bunch of scorps. All in all, an unsatisfying mystery, but Hawaii sounds fantastic!

Rated 10 out of 12 Double Scorps, or 20 out of 24 Single Scorps. 

Recommendations:

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Knock at the Door (film by M. Night Shyamalan)

Hide by Kiersten White

The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

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In Episode 51, Kelly & Karen discuss Nancy Drew & the Haunted Showboat! After a refreshing summer during which time Kelly reunited with her Barbies and Karen took on the roller derby alter-ego "Sylvia Wrath", your hosts are officially ready to take a literary trip to New Orleans with the Clue Crew. Join them as they discuss inappropriate methods to diffuse car bombs, what pecan-caramel things are called, and why it's called a showboat. Plus some suggestions for plot improvements by Kelly and additions to Nancy's list of life-skills by Karen. Brought to you by canoes. 

Book recommendations:
- Safe & Sound, by Mercury Stardust
- Mister Magic, by Kiersten White
- The Quiet Tenant, by Clémence Michallon 

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On episode FIFTY (!!!!) of It's A Clue, Kelly and Karen are joined by professional podcast host—and a true Helen Corning if there ever was one—CRAIG!  Join us as Craig moderates this hard-hitting Q&A session, featuring questions submitted by you!

In this episode, we discuss:
- Why we started the podcast
- When we first fell in love with Nancy Drew
- What's George's actual problem
- How we got our jingle
- Which book Karen didn't read before recording
- And many more ridiculous topics.

Thank you to all of our listeners who have supported us through 50 episodes and 2 seasons! We're off on a summer break, but we'll be back to you with Season 3 when the leaves change color (aka September). 

Happy Sleuthing!

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In this Super Sleuth episode, we delve into the genius brain of Encyclopedia Brown: Boy Detective, following which we have a few mysteries of our own to solve such as: 

• The Mystery of the Missing Golf Ball
• The Clue of the Burlesque Racing Snake
• The Secret Behind Corporate Jargon

Kelly apologizes in advance for turning pages directly into her microphone, we verbally generate an Encyclopedia / Nancy Venn Diagram, and Karen yada yadas through a watermelon robbery. 

Rated 11.5 out of 12 stolen roller skates.
Unofficially brought to you by The (American) Office. 

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Let's chat about Nancy Drew & the Hidden Window Mystery!

Are you superstitious, neutralstitious or substitious? Karen encounters a loose dog, Kelly is  distracted by a decimated tailbone, Nancy sinks a canoe for old time's sake, Bess steals the show yet again, Luke and Annette fake date, and phones get un-invented. This book is filled with unnecessary double peacockery which may or may not be a good thing.

Rated 8 out of 12 screaming peacocks. (Did we mention peacocks?)

Nancy Drew Action Figure Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wanderingplanettoys/nancy-drew-retro-style-action-figures

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In episode 65 of It's A Clue, we discover our new favorite book, Nancy Drew & the Invisible Intruder!  Helen is BACK, and The Clue Crew teams up with a pack of married couples to investigate, like, five different hauntings and sea-shell thefts. Rita has ESP, Bess loves Dave, George has amazing illustrated hair, Ned is the most kidnappable boy ever, and Nancy adds some soft skills to her resume. Plus, ring-around-the diplodocus skeleton is a thing that occurs. 

Rated 12 out of 12 surveillance stingrays.

Recommendations:

• On the Bricks by Penni Jones 
• Funny Story by Emily Henry

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Let’s chat about the Witch Tree Symbol! But first, we take our “corpuses” on walks, Karen likes A banana (emphasis on “a”), Kelly is excited about all the quilts, and we need a rec on which ND game to play first.

George falls into the earth, a child uses slingshottery to fell a witch, Ned is all leg and sideburn, and Nancy does an actual muscle up.

Please send us your questions for our upcoming Q&A episode!

Brought to you by baked goods.

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In this episode of It’s A Clue, we delve into Nancy Drew & the Scarlet Slipper Mystery. Spoiler Alert: we hated it. In Karen’s words, “a swing and a miss”. In some positive news, we learn that Karen doesn’t rob bookstores, Kelly’s joining bookclubs, and Nancy has perfected her fall-downs. Written by Shark Shooter McGee, and sponsored by heavy sighing.

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Let’s discuss our NEW FAVORITE BOOK OF ALL TIME: Nancy Drew & the Ringmaster’s Secret!  

Nancy survives over 5 murther attempts, George is on the struggle bus, Ned fights off a lion (retold by Karen in an Emmy winning performance), Nancy gets to go on a 30 minute shopping spree in London, and it’s all topped off by a circus wedding (upsettingly with no one guarding the presents)!  

In other news, Karen’s gonna graze her way through Icemageddon, Kelly jumped off a moving train, and we all want to know how Karen will use her $1 jingle proceeds. 

Rated 11.75 out of 12 enraged lions.

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In Episode 44, we delve into Nancy Drew & the Clue of the Velvet Mask. 

This episode is brought to you by Costumes. 

Kelly reveals what she was carrot teasing about, Karen did in fact read the book, George wears a Nancy Suit and almost gets murthered, Bess is terrible at being on the Clue Crew, and Nancy bails during peak cloak clerking time. We bid farewell to our girl Mildred Wirt Benson, and we revise our end of show sign-off so stick around to watch us nail the landing. 

Rated 9 out of 12 Slippery Rascals.

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In Episode 43, we chat about "Nancy Drew & the Mystery at the Ski Jump", in which Nancy: 

• meets a mink named Arabella
• performs in an unrehearsed ice skating competition
• has two boyfriends, neither of whom she seems to like
• investigates the lower orb of a snowman

In other news, Karen saves the day with theater, Kelly dangles a carrot, Karen pitches a brilliant TV idea, Kelly is writing a full side-character romance novel, and both wax nostalgic for Trapper Keepers. 

Rated 7.5 out of 12 taxidermied deer heads (not dear heads). 

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In this episode, we discuss "The Final Gambit", the third book in the Inheritance Games trilogy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. This book has nothing to do with ham or hot pockets, so be forewarned if you were here just for the meat. 

Join us as we discuss a veritable Winchester Mystery House, Roombas for werewolves, and what the appropriate cocktail-to-peanut ratio is for safe air travel. 

Karen is NOT Cliff, Kelly eats the scenery with her pronunciation of "milieu", the Phantom of the Opera is the most emo, Coldplay is not emo at all, and Grayson should hie himself back to Harvard for additional baking. 

Rated 12 out of 12 brooding brothers.

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In episode 41, we talk all about "Nancy Drew & the Clue of the Black Keys". Let's talk about live wires, hot archeologists, Home Alone and other inspirational burglar-busters. Nancy meets the love of Kelly's life, Karen uses the phrase "the snout of an airplane", we have a Floridian boat chauffeur, Fran gets involved with "international maritime crime", Hannah gets a day off, and George is le tired. 

Also introducing musical artist 'Lil Pickle.

Sponsored by: Background Checks

Rated 11.25 out of 12 jewel encrusted frogs.

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In episode FORTY, we talk all about the 2019 epic film, Nancy Drew & the Hidden Staircase. Hear how we'll spend our lottery winnings, find out if Kelly saw a snake in Yosemite, and learn Karen's innermost thoughts on a Skarsgard brother. Then, join us as we dive into this very excellent movie starring a lovable emo Nancy. Bonus content: Helen Corning, Linda Lavin, Carson (meow), and Baby Deputy Patrick. Rated 11 out of 12 longboards.

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Let's talk about Nancy Drew & the Secret of the Wooden Lady!  We talk about life upon the sea, Karen's bathtub dealbreaker, and Kelly being coerced into Yosemite. Karen yeets her Kindle out the window, Kelly sends up the Introvert's Prayer, Ned snatches defeat from the jaws of victory, and Leos face off against Geminis. Kelly has too much wine and oversells a mediocre IWHBAI. Karen uses the phrase "orc's last gasp". And our new favorite character, Old Grizzle Face, is a nude model and lumbersexual. Rated 11.75 tragic lizards. Please don't unsubscribe after this episode. Sincerely, Kelly and Karen.

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In this episode, the chimneys lean, the pottery is forged, and we dip a toe into the forensics pool. You guessed it - this week, it's all about Nancy Drew & the Clue of the Leaning Chimney! In addition to a very complex plot rife with intrigue, thievery, and kidnappings, we get jealous boyfriends, fake Helens, bouquet dodging, and yet another unsatisfactory gift in exchange for Nancy's hard work. Karen is the actual heart-eyes emoji, grand gestures make Kelly uncomfy, Karen's cheating on us with her OTHER podcast, and we worry about what hipster potter Dick Milton was actually getting up to with his basement grappling hook ladder. 

Rated 9.5 / 12 dogs with rabies. 

Recommendation Station:
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/60021192

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56554626-the-ex-hex?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=Htvxlth74i&rank=1

https://libro.fm/podcast

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In Episode 64, we talk about Nancy Drew and the Spider Sapphire Mystery! But first: Karen is moving into her hammock, Kelly is off to the Space Needle, and we learn a new vocab word: ossicones! Giraffes aside, Ned and George get 'napped, Gwen gets reformed and needs her own book, the Emerson guys get in a "dust-em-up" and lose horribly, and Nancy sings the amnesia right outta' someone. We both want to go to Africa after reading this book, which you probably will too - caveat being, you've gotta do it Nancy Style with full amenities.

Rated 8.5 / 12 deadly suitcases

Recommendations:

• Palm Royale on Apple TV+
• Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide by Rupert Holmes

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Let's discuss "Nancy Drew & the Ghost of Blackwood Hall", mkay? Join us in a discussion of google-able physics, a debate over quicksand logistics, and whether or not Ned is here for the right reasons. Nancy sinks zero boats, Hannah steps into the spotlight, hypnosis makes its first appearance, and we get to go on a trip to New Orleans!  In other news, Karen is going to cosplay as Super Basil, Kelly is an accused commie, we mourn the loss of Albert 2, and grow concerned about the Clue Crew's exposure to all this "phosphorescent" stuff. 

Rated 11.5 out of 12 ghostly apparitions.

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This week, we unravel (get it?) some clues in "Nancy Drew & the Clue in the Old Album"! This doll-infested thriller is right up Karen's alley. Join us as we discuss the "too many dolls" threshold, the pros and cons of adult recitals, summer fire pits, and the potential addition of sound effects. Karen loves the poisoned dolls, Kelly loves an informant, we both love a vendor show, and we completely forget to discuss Nancy's mistaken identity (aka Nanny Dew) - so now it's a description Easter egg to see who of you actually read these things.   

Rated 10 out of 12 Deadly Dolls



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2006923/Well-hello-dollies-Astonishing-collection-worth-whopping-1-23m-fills-house.html

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In Episode 35 of "It's A Clue", up for discussion is  "Nancy Drew  - Mystery of the Tolling Bell".   Kelly & Karen realize they're  guppies, not sharks (in the swimming sense, and not a reflection of internalized self-worth). Karen tells us about a near-miss, Kelly apparently has a beef with Lamb Chop, and we share a listener email that may bring a tear to your eye.  We question George's hatred for telescope-users, judge Ned's newfound career path, and fall in love with Bess all over again. Nancy steals a bell, Kelly has trouble suspending her disbelief, and Karen makes several water horse references (IYKYK).

Rated 6 out of 12 Rusty Telescopes.

Recommendation Station: Teen Killers in Love (by Lily Sparks)

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In this bonus episode, Kelly and Karen solve the mystery of "Where They've Been & When The Show's Coming Back".  Hear all about Karen's cross-country adventure, learn the meaning of a non-humble brag, and discover what's coming next for "It's A Clue". 

We completely inadequately express our thanks to our listeners, and then fail to stick the landing on the sign off. 

Season 2 starts September 1!

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In Episode 33 of "It's A Clue", we delve as deep as is humanly possible into "Nancy Drew and the Clue In the Crumbling Wall". From a series of Roger Rabbit-esque shenanigans, a spate of incredibly tame juevenile delinquent activity, and a full-on artisanal castle, this book has a little somethin' for everybody.  

We also got an incredibly rare boating accident, twin towers, and for the first time ever, a sad little girl-child who needs Nancy's help. In other news, Kelly's having nightmares about the library, Karen feels like Carolyn Keene is a foot-shamer, and a Zillow listing sparks both inspiration and questions about HOAs.  

Rated 9.75 / 12 stolen blouses.

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Join us as we interrogate - I mean "interview" - Lily Sparks, author of "Teen Killers Club"! We'll chat about the inspiration for some of our favorite parts of the book and her personal writing process, while intermittently badgering her to reveal the entire contents of the upcoming sequel, "Teen Killers In Love"! Most importantly, Lily weighs in on the controversial owl theory and Karen spills the tea on her romantic run-in with Robert Pattinson.

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We may not have gone out on Halloween but we partied in our own way: We recorded this VERY SPECIAL Super Sleuth episode about the one and only TEEN KILLERS CLUB by Lily Sparks! 

Honestly, we could not have loved this book more if we tried. Tune in for our enthusiastic ruminations on the super-unique characters, settings, and intrigue that made us fall in love with this chilling and thrilling read. Who would you choose: Eric, Javier, Nobody, or nobody....?

Karen's a Class C due to her crimes against the library, Kelly insults the cannibal community, and we both are far too invested in our crafting projects. 

Rated 11.5 out of 12 dog face masks.

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WOW were there a lot of spiders in this book. Join us this week as we share our appreciation of "Nancy Drew and the Secret in the Old Attic," a book we did not expect to enjoy nearly as much as we did. 

In addition to setting poor boundaries with her clients, Nancy will wow you with her piano skills, her next level social engineering capabilities, and her fearlessness before the villianiest villain to date, BUSHY TROTT.

We'll regale you with our lingering trauma around high school theater foibles, and we even manage to launch a new Ned Nickerson pun into the Nancy-verse! Bonus: Find out why Kelly is afraid of her mailbox and why Karen is really doing CrossFit.

Rated 10.5 out of 12 black widow spiders (which sounds like a bad thing, but is really a pretty good rating).

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Welcome to episode 29, in which we spend more time talking about Anastasia Romanov than "Nancy Drew and the Clue in the Jewel Box". Trophy winners from this book include: Escaped Romanovs hiding out in River Heights, Helen Corning's return to our lives (thank goodness), and Nancy's meteoric rise to to the top of the local modeling industry. Unfortunately, there are no corn mazes but there is an autumnal hay ride, so we'll take it. 

Most importantly, we've agreed to write Nancy Drew: The Musical in our spare time. Listen to the end for a sneak peak of what are sure to be the greatest hits from the soundtrack. We'll be auditioning for tap dancing twins shortly.

Rated 9 out of 12 Faberge Eggs.

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If you guessed "Nancy Drew & the Quest of the Missing Map" had something to do with a buried treasure, welp, you were correct. Brace yourself for an (extremely brief) island adventure, a bad guy named (wait for it) SNORKY, and a full on sea captain infestation near land-locked River Heights. If you're interested in solving a missing treasure case, we will present you with some available real-life opportunities, so dust off your codebreaking skills. As the kids say, "X marks the spot." 

In other news, Kelly momentarily forgets how to podcast and Karen premiers the world's first Hannah Gruen pun. Most importantly, we're gonna start writing anachronistic fanfic about Mrs. Nancy's Mom.

Rated 5 out of 12 poisoned pea soups.

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In this Super Sleuth episode, we talk about “The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie” - aka, the first in the series about our second favorite girl detective of all time, Flavia de Luce. Karen gives us some great background on author Alan Bradley and how this book came to be. Then we dig into poison lipstick, the love of libraries, priceless stamps, the need for a Clue Crew, and how Nancy and Flavia overlap (and don’t) in the Venn Diagram of Sleuths. 

In other news, Karen wants a tertiary understanding of everything in the universe, Kelly wants to visit The Poison Garden, and Karen’s mind is blown by a burning question. Don’t forget - kick ‘em in the Casanovas!

Rated 11.75  poisonous lipsticks

Recommendations:
“Murder in New York”  (Netflix)
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang 

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The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is finally here and we DEVOURED it! The sequel to the Inheritance Games, this book doubles down on the puzzles, teen drama, and thrillery goodness we have all come to cherish. Karen does an impromptu William Blake poetry recitation and Kelly blows it out of the water with her theories for the conclusion of the trilogy. Our sisterhood becomes divided over allegiances to competing Hawthorne brothers, but we forge a truce in our devotion to Libby, the greatest character of all time. (Except for Helen. #teamhelenalways)

Just remember: SPOILERS. 

Listen to the end for the upcoming reading list and an exciting update on our next Super Sleuth episode!

Rating: 10.5 out of 12 private jets

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You thought Nancy was going to chill at a Moss Covered Mansion this week? PSYCH! She's going straight to NASA! We've got exploding oranges. We've got look-a-likes. We've got an illegal, poorly-fenced big cat preserve and a subterranean death lair. Bess has a run-in with an alligator because FLORIDA! If you loved Austin Powers, you're going to love Nancy's adventure to prevent a spaceship from being exploded. Also, we've officially turned on Ned. 

In other news, a railroad tycoon is actively trying to haunt Kelly out of her home. Karen wiped out while running so please be gentle with her feelings (and foot). 

Rating: 7 out of 12 exploding oranges

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It's Brass Bound Trunk o'clock, and (spoiler alert) we un-ironically LOVED this book. This week we have international cruises, random roommates, deadly meteors, skateboarding demon children, ping pong tournaments... What's not to love?! Kelly even shares a thoughtful literary analysis using classic plot devices from Friends, which will change lives.

Additionally, Karen confesses to a secret hobby, Kelly has gotten worse at pottery, and we all need to re-watch Titanic because it's constantly applicable in day-to-day life.

Rated 11 out of 12 life preservers.

Proud winner of the Nobel "I Tried" Ribbon in Literature.

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Whelp, it finally happened. We mistakenly read different versions of "The Clue of the Tapping Heels". Regardless of the (many and insane) divergences, both feature garage-fulls of titian-furred cats, midnight tapping, tap dancing, morse code taps, and a Tony-Award winning off-off -off Broadway production of "The Tapping Heels".  Join us as we discuss the two different iterations of this book, recap how chickens work, reveal how not to dismantle a bomb, and reminisce about our long-lost love John McBride. Nancy stars in a show, Karen is a weaver, and Kelly is waiting for pumpkin season.  

Rated 8 out of 12 cans of tuna.

Proud winner of the Nobel "I Tried" Ribbon in Literature.

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In Episode 23, we didn't want to read anything because it's hot out, so instead, we heated up our kitchens for 90 minutes and cooked a classic Nancy Drew / Hannah Gruen 1930s recipe: creamed (canned) chicken on burned (canned) bread. (Note: We added the burning all on our own.). 

In this poorly-done, unintentional ASMR episode, we burn our fingers, sister-splain measuring spoons, and play "What's that taste?" with a new-to-us pantry staple, tinned bread.  

For reference, this dish is served to Nancy and (RIP) Helen in "The Mystery at Lilac Inn" shortly after they capsize their canoe (#shocker) when they crash into a submerged creek submarine. Obvi. 

Join us as we cook a delicious but very beige plate of food. Or better yet, cook along with us! 

Proud winner of the Nobel "I Tried" Ribbon in Literature.

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This week, we talk about "Enola Holmes & The Case of the Missing Marquess". We absolutely fall in love with Enola  for being an amazing perditorian, a rebel in disguise, and a lover of lists and ciphers. Join us as we discuss:

1. our new favorite Holmes
2. alternate uses for bustles and hip amplifiers
3. corsets of the teeth
4. crafting and other unrelated hobbies

 UYLOSSNSMOAOEVLW
ODUHODAELHLNEOE

Rated 10.5 out of 12 dress bustles.

Proud winner of the Nobel "I Tried" Ribbon in Literature.

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This week we chat about "Nancy Drew and the Haunted Bridge" which, spoiler alert, is completely not haunted even a little bit.  Karen ruins her life by seeking out haunted bridge tales, and Kelly wants a kidney-shaped pool in her survival bunker. We bemoan the ungodly amount of golf in this book, decide that our loyalty to Ned is about to be recalled, and watch in awe as George wins the entire book by "achieving the prize boo boo." 

***Trigger warning for discussions of hauntings and racially-motivated crimes.****

Rated 5 out of 12 autographed golf balls.

Proud winner of the Nobel "I Tried" Ribbon in Literature.

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This week, it's "Nancy Drew & the Whispering Statue". The Drew Clue takes a page out of the Scoobie Doo play book, we go deep undercover with saucy brunette Debbie Lynbrook, Ned's a casual insurance salesman, we're gonna start a rumor about Star Wars, Karen's going on the lam as newsie Papey Jones, and Kelly wants to see a P&L on these investigations. 

Rated 10.75 out of 12 fake statuettes.

Proud winner of the Nobel "I Tried" Ribbon in Literature.

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This week, we're still afraid of the ghost pets in our childhood home. Karen hunts for clams, Kelly is turning into Demi Moore, and what's up with Ouija boards? Nancy improves her criminal skill set and might be a skosh psychic. Plus, an abandoned circus house which very much rules. #savetheelephants

Rated 6.5 out of 12 broken mirrors.

Proud winner of the Nobel "I Tried" Ribbon in Literature.

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Join Kelly and Karen as they talk about "Truly Devious" by Maureen Johnson, Ellingham Academy (aka Muggle Hogwarts), scratch and sniff stickers, Dorothy Parker, and more rhyming riddle poems than you can even handle!  Also, Karen wants to write you a letter, and Kelly  wants to be a (cozy) mystery-solving master chef.  Hear all about theories, characters, dollhouse clues, and tons more random nonsense. Join along, but be warned - #spoilers. 

Plus, next month’s books are revealed!

Rated 9.5 out of 12 cut out magazine letters.

Proud winner of the Nobel "I Tried" Ribbon in Literature.

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In episode 62, we "dig" (get it?) into Nancy Drew & The Clue in the Crossword Cipher. First, we discuss extreme weather events IRL, read a letter from Eloise, talk about raver dolls and cryptid fests, and get a thorough history lesson about the Nazca Lines! Then, we go along with the Clue Crew on a Succession-worthy all-expenses paid trip to South America  where Nancy & Co:

• almost get sucked from an airplane
• dig up a very important archaeological site
• find a mummy and a treasure
• and do lots of judo! 

Rated 6.5 out of 12 Parachutists

Next up - a TBD super sleuth mystery!  

Recommendations:
The It Girl by Ruth Ware
Sociopath: A Memoir by Patric Gagne PhD
Less by Andrew Sean Greer
How to Be Eaten by Maria Adelmann 

Proud winner of the Nobel "I Tried" Ribbon in Literature.

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Hypers, y’all!  In this episode all about “Nancy Drew & the Message in the Hollow Oak” Karen wants more jaunty poems, Kelly thinks Nancy gave up a little easily in the pirate cave, and Nancy gets trapped in an elevator for no reason. We also discover that we independently think our childhood home is haunted by ghost pets (no Newsies, thankfully). Why is Claire so damaged, why is Art displaying such toxic masculinity, and why is everything so snazzy?  Don’t forget to be the detective club you want to see in the world.

Rated 8 out of 12 whirlybirds!  

Proud winner of the Nobel "I Tried" Ribbon in Literature.

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In Episode 16, Karen & Kelly discuss how "Nancy Drew & the Clue of the Broken Locket" snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by under-utilizing a ghost ship and over-utilizing orphans and twins.  Kelly is annoyed, Karen is hot, and both have some suggestions for plot improvements, along with concerns about food sanitation standards at the confectionary and bait shop. If you want to hear about their shared trauma from seeing Titanic with their parents, you've come to the right place. Kelly mispronounces yacht and Karen thinks the past tense of squeeze is "squoze".

Rated 5.5 out of 12 Iron Flamingos.

Proud winner of the Nobel "I Tried" Ribbon in Literature.

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In Episode 15, it's all-things "Nancy Drew & the Password to Larkspur Lane." Karen is not cranky BUT KEEP YOUR VOICES DOWN, and Kelly is a man with no country after hours of stalker shows. Karen hates planes but somehow knows the word “fuselage”, and Kelly feels all men should be held to the Ned Nickerson boyfriend metric standard. HELEN IS BACK, Nancy is a titian-haired butterknife, and we daydream about Donald from the IFAHPF.  Rated 11 out of 12 sprained ankles. Now with more bad-ass than ever. 

Proud winner of the Nobel "I Tried" Ribbon in Literature.

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In this month’s Super Sleuth Special Episode, Karen and Kelly fully geek out over “The Inheritance Games” by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. In addition to this AMAZING book (think “Westing Games” meets “Twilight”, but in the best way possible), K&K commiserate over their nameless house beasts’ simultaneous reigns of terror. If they won billions, Kelly wants to learn to cook amongst the chickens and Karen wants more room for activities. Kelly gets confused about alcohol branding, and Karen graciously goes along with it rather than calling her out mid-recording. The “Invest / Cultivate / Create” birthday challenge is pondered, the science of fandoms is touched on, and Reading List #4 is revealed!

Rated 12 out of 12 glass ballerinas. 

Proud winner of the Nobel "I Tried" Ribbon in Literature.

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