The Nutcracker Ballet Mystery (Repackaged)

This was a great book. Bess is helping out at the girls' old ballet school, Madam Dugrand's, making costumes for their upcoming production of The Nutcracker. The school is struggling financially and has asked Shana Edwards, an old student who has starred in New York, to perform as Sugar Plum Fairy. But while George & Nancy are visiting Bess at the school, a strange event takes place, leaving Shana injured. Nancy notices Darci Edwards, Shana's young sister, staring jealously from the sidelines. Darci is just as talented as Shana, but has to dance in the shadow of her older sister. A strange string of events follows, with Darci & Lawrence, Shana's dancer partner, looking suspicious. It keeps getting more dangerous... can Nancy, Bess & George save the school?

This was the first Nancy Drew book I ever read. I didn't know I would love it as much as I still do today. In this novel, Nancy Drew and her friend George decide to pay a visit to their old ballet school and teacher, Madame Dugrand. Their friend Bess is now helping out making costumes and she is trying to make sure they have a fun time. In fact, their old friend Shana Edwards, who has made highlights in New York is coming back to be the Sugar Plum Fairy. But Shana's visit won't be as pretty as a ballerina costume due to her younger sister, Darci, who is mad that Shana is going to be the star. But what makes matters worse for Darci, is that Shana will have to dance with her close friend, Lawrence. Sibling rivalry, theft, and fires are only a few things that Nancy, George, and Bess encounter. And when the prop mistress quits after some of the outbreaks, Nancy and George are now becoming regulars at the dance academy and closer to the danger than ever. Will Madame Dugrand have to cancel the production? Will Shana get upstaged by Darci and Lawrence who are dead set against her? You will have to read this book and see.