RUDY NAPPI: The Nancy Drew "Flashlight Edition" Cover Art

In 1952, Rudy Nappi was assigned by publisher Grosset & Dunlap to create cover art for the original Nancy Drew Mystery Stories. Nappi concluded his assignment in 1979 with what is considered to be the final volume in the original series, volume 56.

The first iteration of ND cover art was begun by Russell H. Tandy in 1930, followed by Bill Gillies in 1950. Then Nappi took over with volume 30, eventually completing covers for all of the forthcoming titles as well as each existing title before going back and creating new, additional cover art for volumes 10-24 and 30-34, essentially replacing some of his own initial work. Nappi only skipped volumes 6 and 7 along the way for reasons not known. The modern "Flashlight" hardcover editions, published by G&D starting in 1998, are a heady mixture of both his one-offs and his own replacements.
 
The Flashlights themselves are reprintings of the updated texts that were revised beginning in 1959, and of course those new stories that were written after that fact. These textual revisions modernized Nancy Drew while also eliminating uncomfortable stereotypes and obsolete or unsuitable language. In some instances new plot twists were introduced. Page counts were also reduced for the sake of uniformity, in effect lowering publishing costs too. Initially, the revised editions were issued with dustjackets, but by 1962 they were transitioned over exclusively into illustrated boards, dropping the dustjackets entirely. When I was a kid that was all you could buy in stores. What sets the Flashlights apart from those earlier printings is primarily their slick, glossy boards; image resolution, unfortunately, has remained about the same.

I would prefer to feature those earlier printings instead of the Flashlights, but I can't stress enough how difficult it is to actually collect them, and frankly, the much newer Flashlight's had already been handed to me on a yellow platter. Go with what you got, I always say.

THE FIRST ARTIST: RUSSELL H. TANDY

THE SECOND ARTIST: BILL GILLIES

THE THIRD ARTIST: RUDY NAPPI

At the beginning Nappi tried to honor the original existing cover art wherever he could, while also updating Nancy's look as per his publisher's instructions. Eventually though, he followed his own instincts, and especially his wife's, who actually read the books on his behalf, composing new scenes for some titles, and on others actual montages, a first for the series. Nappi painted most of these with gouache on board. Along a similar vein, and coinciding with the ND's, Nappi produced more than 58 of the original Hardy Boys series covers for the same publisher.

Joseph Rudolph "Rudy" Nappi (1923-2015) studied at the Art Students League in New York City before serving in the United States Air Force during World War II. He married his sweetheart and collaborator Peggy Schubert, a nurse, in 1951, and they stayed married until her death three days before his own.

During his career as a commercial illustrator, Nappi pretty much did it all: advertising art, greeting cards, men's magazine illustrations and paperback covers-- lots and lots of paperback covers. Not surprisingly, he didn't consider his Nancy Drew covers to be all that special, and they aren't in comparison to most his other work. But Nancy has a shine all her own, often eclipsing everything around her, and when a former employee at Penguin (current holder of ND rights) purloined six of Nappi's original ND paintings that were supposed to be returned to the artist for his own financial benefit, Penguin quickly filed suit against the culprit to prevent him from selling them on ebay. That was in 2006. I don't know if the paintings were returned to Nappi after that or not, but it is admirable that Penguin placed the welfare of its artist above its own bottom line.

Volume 1:  THE SECRET OF THE OLD CLOCK  (painted by Nappi in 1966).  "Nancy Drew, unaided, seeks to find a missing will. To the surprise of many, the Topham family will inherit wealthy Josiah Crowley's fortune, instead of deserving relatives and friends who were promised inheritances. Nancy determines that a clue to a second will might be found in an old clock Mr. Crowley had owned and she seeks to find the timepiece. Her search not only tests her keen mind, but also leads her into a thrilling adventure."

Volume 2:  THE HIDDEN STAIRCASE  (painted by Nappi in 1965).  "After receiving a call from her friend Helen Corning, Nancy Drew agrees to help solve a baffling mystery. Helen's Aunt Rosemary has been living with her mother at the old family mansion, and they have noticed many strange things. They have heard music, thumps, and creaking noises at night, and seen eerie shadows on the walls. Could the house be haunted? Just as soon as she hangs up the phone, a strange man visits Nancy's house to warn her and her father that they are in danger because of a case he is working on buying property for a railroad company. This warning leads Nancy and her father Carson to search for the missing Willie Wharton, a landowner, who can prove he signed away his land to the railroad and save the railroad from a lawsuit. Will Nancy be able to find the missing landowner and discover how these mysteries are related?"

Volume 3:  THE BUNGALOW MYSTERY  (painted by Nappi in 1967).  "While driving a motorboat around the Twin Lakes, Nancy Drew and her friend Helen get caught in a dangerous storm. Luckily, they are rescued by another teenage girl in a rowboat. They soon learn that their rescuer is Laura Pendleton, whose mother has recently having passed away. Laura has come to meet up with her new guardians, but something isn't quite right about them. Nancy investigates the situation, and soon she stumbles upon a shocking surprise in the cellar of a bungalow!"

Volume 4:  MYSTERY AT LILAC LAKE  (painted by Nappi in 1961).  "Nancy Drew and her friend Helen visit their friend Emily Willouby at the Lilac Inn, which Emily now owns, to help her plan her wedding. Emily plans on selling inherited diamonds in order to help fix up the Lilac Inn. However, Nancy soon learns that someone has been impersonating her and making expensive purchases under her name. Soon after, Emily's diamonds are stolen! Can Nancy find the thieves and recover the missing diamonds?"

Volume 5:  THE SECRET OF SHADOW RANCH  (painted by Nappi in 1966).  "Nancy Drew arrives in Phoenix, Arizona, eagerly looking forward to a fun-filled vacation at Shadow Ranch, but abruptly finds herself involved in a baffling mystery. The ranch is being haunted by an unknown enemy. Local people believe that the ghostly animal is carrying out the curse of Dirk Valentine, the romantic outlaw who was killed many years ago at Shadow Ranch, where he had gone to fulfill a promise to his sweetheart. Aided by her friends Bess Marvin and George Fayne, Nancy comes face-to-face with disaster when she is trapped inside a building that is toppled by a rockslide-- a rockslide which is deliberately caused. But the detective remains undaunted in her determination to solve the mystery."

Bill Gillies produced the cover art on Volumes 6 & 7, in 1950, and still used on all the later printings including the Flashlights. They happen to be the only two titles that Nappi failed to paint when he was assigned the series.

Volume 6:  THE SECRET OF RED GATE FARM.  "Nancy Drew, Bess and George and their friend Joanne Byrd set out to unravel a mysterious conspiracy, a secretive cult, and a ring of counterfeiters."

Volume 7:  THE CLUE IN THE DIARY.  "Nancy Drew uses a lost diary to exonerate an innocent prisoner." 

Volume 8:  NANCY'S MYSTERIOUS LETTER  (painted by Nappi in 1968).  "By mistake Nancy Drew receives a letter from England intended for an heiress, also named Nancy Drew. When Nancy undertakes a search for the missing young woman, it becomes obvious that a ruthless, dangerous man is determined to prevent her from finding the heiress or himself. Clues that Nancy unearths lead her to believe that the villainous Edgar Nixon plans to marry the heiress and then steal her inheritance."

Volume 9:  THE SIGN OF THE TWISTED CANDLES  (painted by Nappi in 1968).  "Another exciting mystery begins for Nancy Drew 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."

Volume 10.  THE PASSWORD TO LARKSPUR LANE  (painted by Nappi in 1966).  "Blue bells will be singing horses! This strange message, attached to the leg of a wounded homing pigeon, involves Nancy Drew in a dangerous mission. Somewhere an elderly woman is being held prisoner in a mansion, and Nancy is determined to find and free her. Meanwhile, the young detective's close friend, Helen, begs her to solve a second mystery. Helen's grandparents, the Cornings, are frightened by a sinister wheel of blue fire that appears after dark in the woods outside their home at lonely Sylvan Lake. When Nancy discovers the significance of the eerie signal, she also learns that her two mysteries are connected."

Volume 11:  THE CLUE OF THE BROKEN LOCKET  (painted by Nappi in 1965).   "When Nancy Drew and her friends arrive at Misty Lake, they meet pretty, red-haired Cecily Curtis, who seeks Nancy's help in solving two mysteries. One concerns Cecily's fiancé, Niko Van Dyke, a popular singer who believes that his record company is cheating him of royalty payments. The other involves a family treasure hidden before the start of the Civil War; Cecily's only clue is half of a gold locket. Nancy's investigations lead her to Pudding Stone Lodge, where the sinister Driscoll family lives. Strange coincidences give Nancy plenty of opportunity to test her sleuthing skills. Braving a series of dangerous situations and discouraging developments, the alert young detective perseveres in her attempts to solve both mysteries and reveal the astounding secrets of Pudding Stone Lodge."

Volume 12:  THE MESSAGE IN THE HOLLOW OAK  (painted by Nappi in 1972).  "A group of professional detectives challenge Nancy Drew to tackle a mystery that they have failed to solve: find an invaluable message hidden by a missionary centuries ago in a hollow oak tree in Illinois. While searching the woods for the ancient tree, Nancy and her friends live with a group of young archaeologists who are excavating prehistoric Indian burial mounds on a nearby farm. A shadowy enemy stalks Nancy and harasses everyone at the dig. The young investigator pursues her dangerous adversary to an outlaws' cave, and is threatened when she discovers an unusual treasure. How Nancy, with few clues to go on, solves this complex mystery will thrill all readers."

Volume 13:  THE MYSTERY OF THE IVORY CHARM  (painted by Nappi in 1974).  "What secret life-giving power does the exquisite ivory elephant charm contain? Can the trinket really protect its wearer from all harm? Nancy Drew finds out when the owner of the Bengleton Wild-Animal Show asks her to investigate one of the performers who may be involved in some mysterious illegal scheme. The girl detective's assignment becomes complicated when the elephant trainer's young assistant, Rishi, seeks refuge at the Drew home from his cruel foster father, Rai. While following clues to help the boy find his real father, Nancy learns about an eerie abandoned house. She is harassed by its strange owner, Anita Allison, and the fiendish Rai. How Nancy uses the ivory charm, reunites a maharaja with his son, and brings the evildoers to justice will mystify readers from beginning to end."

Volume 14:  THE WHISPERING STATUE  (painted by Nappi in 1970).  "Once again, Nancy Drew faces two puzzling mysteries at once! The first concerns a valuable collection of rare books that Mrs. Horace Merriam commissioned an art dealer to sell-- has he swindled her instead? The second mystery revolves around the baffling theft of a beautiful marble statue. To solve both mysteries, the famous young detective disguises herself and assumes a false identity. Despite these precautions, danger stalks Nancy's every move. An attempted kidnapping, a nearly disastrous sailboat collision, and an encounter with a dishonest sculptor are just a few of the exciting challenges that Nancy is faced with as she gathers evidence against a clever ring of art thieves."

Volume 15:  THE HAUNTED BRIDGE  (painted by Nappi in 1972).  "Mr. Drew is on the trail of an international ring of jewel thieves and asks Nancy to assist him. The trail leads to a summer resort area. Before Nancy Drew has a chance to start work on her father's case, a golf caddy tells her a frightening tale-- in the dense woods nearby is an old wooden footbridge guarded by a ghost! Intrigued by the caddy's story, Nancy decides to investigate. Several riddles confront the young detective as she attempts to solve the mystery of the haunted bridge and track down a woman suspected of being a key member of the gang of jewel thieves."

Volume 16:  THE CLUE OF THE TAPPING HEELS  (painted by Nappi in 1969).  "Challenging questions confront Nancy Drew when she attempts to solve the mystery of the strange tapping sounds in the house of a retired actress. Who is the tapper? How does he gain access to Miss Carter's house, despite securely locked doors and windows? Why do the tapping sounds come in Morse code? Is there a sinister motive behind the prowler's actions? While trying to learn the answers to these and other puzzling questions, Nancy finds her investigations complicated by the dishonest administrator of a will and by a thief who steals the actress's prize Persian cats."

Volume 17:  THE MYSTERY OF THE BRASS-BOUND TRUNK  (painted by Nappi in 1976).  "From the moment Nancy Drew boards an ocean liner leaving for New York, she becomes involved in a new and dangerous mystery. A man on the pier gestures to someone on board in sign language. BEWARE OF NANCY DREW AND NE, he signals. Who is NE? Can it be Nelda Detweiler, a young woman who shares a cabin with Nancy, Bess, and George? Mystery and intrigue follow the girls across the ocean; but with her usual ingenuity Nancy solves the mystery and defeats her enemies before the ship reaches New York."

Volume 18:  THE MYSTERY OF THE MOSS-COVERED MANSION  (painted by Nappi in 1971).  "A friend of Carson Drew's has been arrested and charged with sending a truck loaded with explosive oranges into the Space Center complex at Cape Kennedy. Knowing that Mr. Billington could not possibly be guilt of sabotage, Nancy Drew and her father rush to the defense of the accused man. During the Drews' investigation Nancy become suspicious of an old spooky mansion that houses fierce African wild animals on its extensive grounds. Soon, she discovers that something besides the training of wild animals is going on at the mysterious estate. Many dangerous moments await Nancy before she proves Mr. Billington's innocence and thwarts the plans of treacherous subversives bent on undermining the U.S. space program."

Volume 19:  THE QUEST OF THE MISSING MAP  (painted by Nappi in 1969).  "Prompted by the concerns of a young child, Nancy Drew investigates a small studio on the Chatham estate. She discovers that there is a connection between the mysterious occurrences at Ship Cottage and her search for a treasure island. With only half of a map, Nancy sets out to find the man who possess the rest of the map that will pinpoint the location of buried treasure. Constantly beset by danger and intrigue, Nancy courageously outwits her enemies and solves one of the most challenging cases in her career as a teenage investigator."

Volume 20:  THE CLUE IN THE JEWEL BOX  (painted by Nappi in 1972).  "An antique dealer's revelation about a former queen's priceless heirloom starts Nancy Drew on a trail of exciting adventures. Madame Alexandra, now living incognito in River Heights, asks Nancy to find her missing grandson. With only one clue to go on-- a faded photograph of the prince at the age of four-- the young detective begins her search. Nancy's investigation unmasks a slick imposter and reunites the long-separated family in this suspense-filled story."

Volume 21:  THE SECRET IN THE OLD ATTIC  (painted by Nappi in 1970).  "Nancy Drew races against time to unravel the clues in a dead man's letters. If she succeeds, Philip March and his little granddaughter can be saved from financial ruin. Following obscure clues, Nancy undertakes a search for some unpublished musical manuscripts which she believes are hidden in the dark, cluttered attic of the rundown March mansion. But someone else wants them enough to put many frightening obstacles in Nancy's way. Will she outwit a trio of ruthless thieves and solves the Marches' problems?"

Volume 22:  THE CLUE IN THE CRUMBLING WALL  (painted by Nappi in 1973).  "When Nancy Drew is asked to find a professional dancer who disappeared several years before, the young detective becomes involved in a mystery reaching far beyond a missing-person's case. During Nancy's investigation at Heath Castle, she and her friends Bess and George realize that its crumbling walls contain a secret, but what is it? And who are their enemies that try to foil their every attempt to unravel the intricate puzzle? Danger lurks in a castle tower and throughout the vine-tangled grounds of the estate. The girls' gripping adventures culminate in a dramatic climax when Nancy exposes a sinister plot to defraud the dancer of her inheritance."

Volume 23:  THE MYSTERY OF THE TOLLING BELL  (painted by Nappi in 1973).  "Nancy becomes involved in another mystery when she accepts an invitation from Mrs. Chantrey, a client of Mr. Drew, to vacation at her cottage in a picturesque seaside town. Carson Drew has promised to join his daughter, but fails to arrive. The alarming disappearance of Mr. Drew and the odd circumstances surrounding his rescue are only the start of a series of highly dangerous adventures for Nancy and her friends Bess and George. Mrs. Chantrey's story about a nearby Cliffside cave reputedly inhabited by a ghost intrigues Nancy and she decides to investigate. Several frightened townspeople claim to have seen an apparition and heard the weird sounds of a tolling bell just before water rushes from the cave. Will Nancy discover the true cause of these mysterious occurrences?"

Volume 24:  THE CLUE IN THE OLD ALBUM  (painted by Nappi in 1977).  "Nancy Drew witnesses a purse snatching and runs after the thief. She rescues the purse, but not its contents, then is asked by the owner, a doll collector, to do some detective work. Readers will enjoy Nancy's clever ways of finding all she seeks, and bringing happiness to a misunderstood child and her lonely grandmother."

Volume 26:  THE GHOST OF BLACKWOOD HALL  (painted by Nappi in 1968; amazing how much sharper the original painting is compared to its Flashlight reproduction).  "When Mrs. Putney seeks Nancy Drew's help in recovering her stolen jewelry, the search for the thieves takes the teen-age detective and her friends Bess and George to the colorful French Quarter of New Orleans. But the quest is hampered by the strange behavior of Mrs. Putney, and two young women who are being victimized by so-called spirits. How can Nancy fight these unseen perpetrators of a cruel hoax? And how can she help the gullible victims when the spirits warn them not to have anything to do with Nancy?"

Volume 26:  THE CLUE OF THE LEANING CHIMNEY  (painted by Nappi in 1967).  "Nancy Drew and her friend Bess discover that a rare and valuable Chinese vase has been stolen from the pottery shop of Dick Milton, a cousin of Bess. Dick had borrowed the vase from his Chinese friend, elderly Mr. Soong, and he is determined to repay Mr. Soong for the loss. He tells Nancy that if he can find "the leaning chimney," he will be on the track of a discovery which will solve his financial problems. Nancy finds the leaning chimney, but it only leads her into more puzzles. Can there be any connection between the vase theft-- one of a number of similar crimes-- and the strange disappearance of the pottery expert Eng Moy and his daughter Lei?"

Volume 27:  THE SECRET OF THE WOODEN LADY  (painted by Nappi in 1967).  "Adventure abounds on the Bonny Scot in Boston Harbor as Nancy Drew helps Captain Easterly uncover the mystery of his ghostly visitors. From the moment the clever young detective and her friends, Bess and George, take up residence on the old clipper ship they are confronted with fire, theft, and other dangerous situations. Nancy faces an additional challenge: to find a clue to the clipper's missing figurehead. If she is successful, it will help her lawyer father to trace the history of the Bonny Scot and establish a clear title to the ship for Captain Easterly. But strangely there are no records of the Bonny Scot's past. Why? And why has the prime suspect in the recent robbery at Bess Marvin's home followed the three girls to Boston?"

Volume 28:  THE CLUE OF THE BLACK KEYS  (painted by Nappi in 1968).  "Terry Scott, a young archaeology professor, seeks Nancy's help in unearthing a secret of antiquity which can only be unlocked by three black keys. While on an archaeological expedition in Mexico, Terry and Dr. Joshua Pitt came across a clue to buried treasure. The clue was a cipher carved on a stone tablet. Before the professor had time to translate the cipher, the tablet disappeared-- along with Dr. Pitt! Terry tells Nancy of his suspicions of the Tinos, a Mexican couple posing as scientists who vanished the same night as Dr. Pitt. Nancy and her friends follow a tangled trail of clues that lead to the Florida Keys and finally to Mexico in this suspense-filled story that will thrill readers."

Volume 29:  THE MYSTERY AT THE SKI JUMP  (painted by Nappi in 1968).  "When Nancy learns that the Drews' housekeeper has been duped by an elegantly dressed woman into buying a stolen fur piece, the young detective starts a search for the clever swindler. To Nancy's astonishment, she discovers that the woman is using the name Nancy Drew. The dishonest acts of the impostor point the finger of suspicion at Nancy herself and result in her being questioned by the police. Join Nancy in this thrilling mystery as she solves the mystery and clears her name."

Volume 30:  THE CLUE OF THE VELVET MASK  (painted by Nappi in 1969).  "A masquerade party at the Hendricks' mansion quickly turns into a mystery when Nancy and her favorite date, Ned Nickerson, spy a stranger about to climb the rose trellis to the second story. Who is this enigmatic man in the black cloak and the exotic woman in the Javanese costume? Are they members of a gang of wily thieves who sneak into partied given by wealthy people and steal jewels and art treasures? And why is the owner of the black velvet hooded mask that Ned finds in the Hendricks' garden so desperate to get it back? To find the answers Nancy and her friend George devise a daring plan. The two girls switch identities! George soon discovers that while it is exciting to play amateur detective it can be dangerous to masquerade as Nancy Drew."

Volume 31:  THE RINGMASTER'S SECRET  (painted by Nappi in 1974).  "Nancy is given a beautiful gold bracelet and finds that one of the charms is missing. When she learns the unusual story behind the jewelry, she sets out to solve the fascinating mystery. The bracelet had been presented to a former circus performer by a queen who loved horses. For some reason the performer had to sell the bracelet but would not reveal her true identity. Clues lead Nancy to Sims' Circus, where she meets Lolita, an unhappy young aerialist who has a horse charm wrought exactly like those on Nancy's bracelet. Will Nancy be able to find the original owner of the bracelet?"

Volume 32:  THE SCARLET SLIPPER MYSTERY  (painted by Nappi in 1974).  "Nancy meets Helene and Henri Fontaine, refugees from Centorvia who run a dancing school in River Heights. Strange circumstances have brought the brother and sister to the United States. When they receive an anonymous note threatening their lives, Nancy offers her help, but she encounters nothing but puzzles. Are the Fontaines involved with the Centrovian underground? Have they been threatened by their own countrymen? When the Fontaines disappear, Nancy and her friends pursue the trail, even though danger lurks around every corner."

Volume 33:  THE WITCH TREE SYMBOL  (painted by Nappi in 1975).  "When a neighbor asks Nancy Drew to accompany her to an old uninhabited mansion, a new mystery opens ups, and danger lurks on the second floor. Nancy finds a witch tree symbol that leads her to Pennsylvania Dutch country in pursuit of a cunning and ruthless thief. The welcome the young detective and her friends receive from the Amish people is friendly but soon changes to hostility when it is rumored that Nancy is a witch! Superstition helps her adversary in his attempt to get her off his trail, but Nancy does not give up. Persistently she uncovers one clue after another. Nancy's intelligence and sleuthing ability finally lead to the fascinating solution of this puzzling case."

Volume 34:  THE HIDDEN WINDOW MYSTERY  (painted by Nappi in 1975).  "A magazine article offering a large reward to anyone who can find a missing medieval stained-glass window intrigues Nancy. She asks Bess and George to join her on a search in Charlottesville, Virginia. Before the three friends leave River Heights, their adversary tries to get them to postpone the trip. But no luck. Nancy is determined to carry through her plans. During the girls' investigation of old southern mansions, they encounter a ghost who turns the tables and makes them disappear. Eerie sounds come from a beautiful estate that is surrounded by a high brick wall. Why will the owner allow no one to enter?"

Volume 35:  THE HAUNTED SHOWBOAT  (painted by Nappi in 1957).  "Bess and George invite Nancy on a trip to New Orleans, to help their relatives solve a mystery. Their uncle wants to restore an old showboat, the River Princess, but no one will go near it! Mysterious occurrences are making everything believe the boat is haunted. Can Nancy uncover the truth?"

Volume 36:  THE SECRET OF THE GOLDEN PAVILION  (painted by Nappi in 1959).  "Bess and George invite Nancy on a trip to New Orleans, to help their relatives solve a mystery. Their uncle wants to restore an old showboat, the River Princess, but no one will go near it! Mysterious occurrences are making everything believe the boat is haunted. Can Nancy uncover the truth?"

Volume 37:  THE CLUE IN THE OLD STAGECOACH  (painted by Nappi in 1960).  "Mrs. Strook requests Nancy's help finding an old stagecoach she believes her uncle hid in her hometown of Francisville. Mrs. Strook believes the stagecoach houses a clue that will be valuable for the town! Can Nancy help her find the missing stagecoach."

Volume 38:  THE MYSTERY OF THE FIRE DRAGON  (painted by Nappi in 1961).  "Nancy receives an urgent call from her Aunt Eloise in New York, requesting her help in solving a mystery. Her neighbor's granddaughter, Chi Che Soong, has gone missing! Nancy and her friends fly to New York to help track down the missing girl."

Volume 39:  THE CLUE OF THE DANCING PUPPET  (painted by Nappi in 1962).  "When the eerie performances of a life-size puppet begin to haunt the old Van Pelt estate, where an amateur acting group-- The Footlighters-- have their theater, Nancy Drew is called upon to unravel the baffling mystery. From the moment the detective and her friends Bess and George arrive at the mansion, the dancing puppet puzzle is further complicated by Tammi Whitlock, the Footlighters' temperamental leading lady, and Emmet Calhoun, a Shakespearean actor. Nancy's search of the mansion's dark, musty attic for clues to the weird mystery starts a frightening chain reaction. A phone call from a stranger with a witchlike, cackling voice warns her to "Get out!" Next an encounter with two jewel theft suspects adds another perplexing angle to the puzzle. When Nancy finally sees the life-size puppet flitting across the moonlit lawn and chases it, she learns that someone with a sinister motive is determined to keep her form solving the case. Is it one of the Footlighters? Or is it an outsider?"

Volume 40:  THE MOONSTONE CASTLE MYSTERY  (painted by Nappi in 1963).  "When Nancy Drew receives a valuable moonstone as a gift from an unknown person, she is amazed and puzzled. But it is only the first of several startling events in this complex mystery that challenge the ingenuity of the pretty sleuth. Why are the Bowens-- a missionary couple who recently returned to the United States-- having so much trouble finding their missing seventeen-year-old granddaughter, Joanie Horton? Nancy and her friends travel to Deep River, the town where the young Jonie lived. From the motel where Nancy and her friends stay, they can see an intriguing castlelike structure with a drawbridge. Gossipy Mrs. Hemstead at the village tearoom insists that Moonstone Castle is haunted. Curious, the three girls attempt to explore the abandoned castle, but an ominous voice warns them away. Other strange happenings in Deep River convince Nancy that there is a connection between Moonstone Castle and the mysterious moonstone gift. But what is the significance? And where does the baffling disappearance of Joanie Horton fit into the intricate puzzle?"

Volume 41:  THE CLUE OF THE WHISTLING BAGPIPES  (painted by Nappi in 1964).  "Warnings not to go to Scotland can't stop Nancy Drew from setting out on a thrill-packed mystery adventure. Undaunted by the vicious threats, the young detective-- with her father and her two close friends-- goes to visit her great-grandmother at an imposing estate in the Scottish Highlands, and to solve the mystery of a missing family heirloom. And there is another mystery to be solved: the fate of flocks of stolen sheep. Baffling clues challenge Nancy's powers of deduction: a note written in the ancient Gaelic language, a deserted houseboat on Loch Lomond, a sinister red-bearded stranger in Edinburgh, eerie whistling noises in the Highlands. Startling discoveries in an old castle and in the ruins of a prehistoric fortress, lead Nancy closer to finding the solution to both mysteries."

Volume 42:  THE PHANTOM OF PINE HILL  (painted by Nappi in 1965).  "When Nancy Drew and her two close friends arrive for the Emerson University June Week celebration and learn there has been a mix-up in their motel reservations, the confusion leads to a baffling mystery. Uncle John Rorick, a descendant of the early settlers of the town of Emerson, invites the three girls to be his guests at his historic mansion on Pine Hill. Shortly after their arrival, he tells them about the phantom who haunts the mansion's library. Uncle John also relates the weird family saga of a lost French wedding gown and valuable gifts which went to the bottom of a nearby cove in the sinking of the Lucy Belle a hundred years before. Could there possibly be some connection between the phantom and the old ship disaster? Nancy wonders. In between enjoying the university's June Week boat races, river pageant, and fraternity dances, Nancy and her friends work diligently to solve the mystery of Pine Hill and to find the long-lost wedding treasures."

Volume 43:  THE MYSTERY OF THE 99 STEPS  (painted by Nappi in 1966).  "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 case: 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."

Volume 44:  THE CLUE IN THE CROSSWORD CIPHER  (painted by Nappi in 1967).  "Lovely young Carla Ponce, who lives in Peru, invites Nancy and her friends Bess and George to visit her and solve her "monkey mystery," which promises to lead to a fabulous treasure. A clue is carved on an intriguing wooden plaque that is so old, most of the crossword cipher is obliterated. When a notorious gang headed by El Gato (the Cat) steals the priceless relic, Nancy's hopes of solving the mystery are almost shattered. But the daring young detective's ability to think fast and act quickly results in the recovery of the plaque. Nancy's determined efforts to decode the crossword decipher take her to the magnificent, awe-inspiring Incan ruins at Cuzco and Machu Pichu. Through clever deductions, perseverance, and dangerous adventures, Nancy and her friends help to capture a ring of vicious smugglers and go on to make an astounding archaeological discovery."

Volume 45:  THE SPIDER SAPPHIRE MYSTERY  (painted by Nappi in 1968).  "Thrilling, dangerous adventures confront Nancy Drew while on a safari in East Africa with a group of American college students. Excitement runs high as the teen-age detective delves into the theft of a fabulous sapphire formed by nature millions of years ago. The mystery starts in Nancy's home town. Her lawyer father's client, Floyd Ramsay, who fashions beautiful and unusual synthetic gems, is accused of stealing the magnificent spider sapphire and exhibiting it as his own creation. Mr. Ramsay's enemies blackmail him and by their vicious acts try to deter Nancy from going on the safari. Readers will join Nancy as she uncovers a nefarious scheme and solves the strange disappearance of an injured jungle guide."

Volume 46:  THE INVISIBLE INTRUDER  (painted by Nappi in 1969).  "Nancy Drew, forget the ghost hunt!" a male voice rasps on the telephone. Despite the mysterious warning, the teenage detective and a group of friends start out on a ghost-hunting expedition to investigate five places reputed to be haunted. Danger strikes at once when Nancy tries to overtake the canoe that paddles itself on Lake Sevanee. Thrills and chills mount as the ghost hunters pursue a phantom horse and ghost rider racing across the field that surrounds the Red Barn Guesthouse. During these happenings and other weird events Nancy finds herself pitted against a dangerous adversary, clever enough to operate invisibly."

Volume 47:  THE MYSTERIOUS MANNEQUIN  (painted by Nappi in 1970).  "The strange disappearance of a young Turkish client of Mr. Drew's and the gift of an Oriental rug with a coded message woven into its decorative border start Nancy on a difficult search for a missing mannequin. What happened to the attractive figure that Farouk Tahmasp used in the display window of this rug shop? Who is trying to keep Nancy from finding it-- and why? Tracking down the intricate trail of clues takes Nancy and her friends Bess and George, Ned, Burt, and Dave to Turkey. Their sleuthing leads them to the Grand Bazaar in the exotic city of Istanbul, where Bess mysteriously disappears. Suspense mounts when Nancy encounters a vengeful enemy at an ancient underground reservoir. Events move swiftly as Nancy and her friends try to solve this challenging mystery!"

Volume 48:  THE CROOKED BANISTER  (painted by Nappi in 1971).  "Nancy and her friends Bess and George spend an exciting week exploring a mysterious zigzag house with its fantastically crooked staircase, its bizarre serpent picture, and an unpredictable robot that nearly causes the young detective to lose her life. But despite the threat of danger from the robot, Nancy is determined to solve the mystery of the weird house and to locate the missing owner who is wanted by the police. It takes keen logic and quick thinking for the young detective to plow through the tangled thicket of clues and find the key to this complex puzzle. With the help of her friends, Nancy captures an elusive swindler and uncovers the secret of the crooked banister, but not before they have several hair-raising adventures-- one on a broken bridge over flaming water, another in a hidden room with poisoned portraits!"

Volume 49:  THE SECRET OF MIRROR BAY  (painted by Nappi in 1972).  "Aunt Eloise Drew invited Nancy and her friends to Mirror Bay Bide-a-Wee cabin near Cooperstown, New York, for a visit and a chance to solve the mystery of the woman who glides across the water. Upon their arrival, Nancy becomes mixed up in a vacation hoax and is nearly arrested for fraud. On the wooded mountain near the cabin further exciting events await Nancy and the other girls. In the deep forest, a weird luminescent green sorcerer appears who threatens to cast an evil spell on anyone investigating his strange activities. In a dangerous twist of circumstances Nancy finds that solving one mystery helps to solve another. What happens when the young detective and her friends uncover a cleverly concealed criminal operation?"

Volume 50:  THE DOUBLE JINX MYSTERY  (painted by Nappi in 1973).  "A bird of ill omen is mysteriously left on the Drew's front lawn. Did the person who put it there do so with the intent of jinxing Nancy and her father? This strange incident involves Nancy in her famous father's case concerning a rare bird farm threatened with destruction to make room for a high-rise apartment house complex. People who are opposed to the ruthless take-over of the farm are being made the victims of jinxing by bad luck symbols and other threats to their safety. Even Nancy and her friend Ned Nickerson become targets! Nancy soon realizes that helping honest people to overcome their superstitions and fears can be as challenging as tracking down criminals. The young detective's thrilling adventures will keep the reader in breathless suspense from the first page to the last."

Volume 51:  MYSTERY OF THE GLOWING EYE  (painted by Nappi in 1974).  "When Nancy Drew eagerly agrees to help her lawyer father solve the mystery of the glowing eye, she has no way of knowing that it will involve the kidnapping of her close friend Ned Nickerson. A puzzling note in Ned's handwriting set Nancy and her friends Bess and George on a hazardous search for a bizarre criminal. From their base of operations, the Emerson College campus, the three girl detectives and Ned's college pals follow a maze of clues to locate the kidnapper's hideout and rescue Ned. Not only is Nancy greatly worried about Ned, but also she is alarmed by the high-handed methods of a woman lawyer who tries to take the case away from her. Readers will follow Nancy's exciting adventures as she unravels this dangerous web of mystery."

Volume 52:  THE SECRET OF THE FORGOTTEN CITY  (painted by Nappi in 1975).  "Gold! There are rumors that long ago a treasure was hidden in a city now buried under the Nevada desert. Nancy and her friends plan to join a dig sponsored by two colleges to hunt for the gold. Before she starts, the young sleuth receives an ancient stone table with petroglyphs on it. With this amazing clue, however, come a threat and danger from a thief who also wants the treasure. One harrowing adventure after another besets Nancy, Bess, George, Ned, Burt, and Dave in 102-degree temperatures as they pursue Nancy's hunches above and below ground. They are assisted by a fine woman and a young geology student, but both are unwilling participants in a strange plot. In the end Nancy and Ned nearly lose their lives, just after she has discovered the priceless hidden treasure of gold."

Volume 53:  THE SKY PHANTOM  (painted by Nappi in 1976).  "Nancy goes to Excello Flying School in the Midwest to take lessons, while her friends Bess and George perfect their horseback riding. But soon the young sleuth is confronted with the mystery of a hijacked plane and a missing pilot. Then the rancher's prize pony, Major, is stolen. Nancy becomes a detective in a plane and on horseback to track down the elusive sky phantom and the horse thief. A lucky find-- a medal with a message to be deciphered on it - furnishes a worthwhile clue. Romance is added to mystery when Bess becomes interested in a handsome cowboy. Readers will spur Nancy on as she investigates a strange magnetic cloud, hunts for the horse thief, and finally arrives at a surprising solution."

Volume 54:  THE STRANGE MESSAGE IN THE PARCHMENT  (painted by Nappi in 1977).  "A sheep farmer receives a mysterious telephone call shortly after he buys a series of pictures painted on parchment. "Decipher the message in the parchment and right a great wrong," the voice says. Puzzled, the owner asks Nancy to help. With Junie, his daughter, Nancy tracks down a kidnapper and a group of extortionists. Is there a connection between the message in the parchment and a boy artist on another farm? And who is responsible for the atmosphere of fear in the neighborhood? After several harrowing experiences, Nancy begins to tighten the net around a ruthless villain and calls on the assistance of her friends Ned, Burt, Dave, Bess and George to bring his nefarious scheme to a dead end."

Volume 55:  MYSTERY OF CROCODILE ISLAND  (painted by Nappi in 1978).  "In a response to a friend's call for help, Nancy's father, a lawyer, asks her to travel to mysterious Crocodile Island with her friends Bess and George to study the reptiles and try to uncover a group of suspected poachers. Upon their arrival in Florida, the girls are kidnapped but cleverly escape to pursue their detective work. Dangers mount as they cope with reptiles, enemy boats, and exciting chases after the men who are responsible for a sinister racket that involves many unsuspecting victims. In the end, Nancy makes a bold move to untangle the mass of clues, but she and Ned become imprisoned in the enemy's submarine and are held for ransom!"

Volume 56:  THE THIRTEENTH PEARL  (painted by Nappi in 1979).  "Nancy is asked to locate a stolen pearl necklace that is unusual and very valuable. She soon learns that strange and dangerous people are responsible for the theft. They harass her at home and intensify it when she and her father go to Japan, until they finally manage to kidnap Nancy and her friend Ned Nickerson when she returns to River Heights. Through clever sleuthing, Nancy is able to penetrate the rites of an amazing group of pearl worshipers, some of whose members are far from devout, and she uncovers underhanded dealings of certain employees of World Wide Gems, Inc., a tremendous international jewelry company. Readers will love accompanying Nancy, disguised as a Japanese girl, in this adventure in Tokyo."

*  *  *  *  *

DO I HAVE A FAVORITE Rudy Nappi ND cover? 

Of course I do. 

Well, actually, two of them; A "scene" and a "montage", as shown below.

Nothing is more impressive than Nancy Drew climbing a tree in a skirt (is there nothing this dynamo detective can't do?).

And the robot? It's just a SF childhood thing, which persists to this day even with the threat of AI looming.

 

In a future post I will try to highlight the Nappi covers not featured on the Flashlights, of which there appear to be twenty-one. 

[© August, 2022, Jeffersen]