#secret sleuth

[bess-turani-marvin]

this love came back to me

for the wonderful @nicaraguaaa. happy holidays from your secret sleuth, ginny!

@secretsleuthexchange

[secretsleuthexchange]

Secret Sleuth 2024: Sign up now! 🕵️‍♀️❄️

The Secret Sleuth Gift Exchange is an online, fanworks-only Secret Santa-style event for the CW Nancy Drew fandom!

What type of gifts can I make?

You will only need to make one gift, which should be a type of fanwork. Whatever type of gift you end up creating, please ensure it meets these parameters:

Fanfiction: 1500 word minimum, 10,000 words maximum. Completed works only.

Graphics/gifsets: 2 image minimum

Fanart: 1 panel minimum 

Playlist: 15 song minimum, 1 cover image, and a link to the playlist on Spotify or Apple Music

Fanvids/edits: A minimum of at least 1m30s of video content, across either 1 or 2 videos

What happens if I sign up?

To sign up, you will need to fill out this form confirming a) what gift types you can create, b) what gift types you would like to receive, and c) basic information about yourself, such as your social media handles and your likes/dislikes.

After sign-ups close, our mod team will create a match and send you all relevant information to help you create your gift. And don't worry: the mod team will only ever match you with someone who wants a gift type that you are capable of creating, so you don't need to worry about making something outside of your comfort zone.

You will then have ~7 weeks to create your gift, which should be posted on an assigned day over 1st-12th January 2025. If your giftee is on tumblr, we encourage you to send them anonymous messages to build excitement and ask them questions to help inspire you!

**Important: Please don't reveal who you are to your giftee until after your gift has been posted. It's called SECRET Sleuth for a reason!**

What's the timeline?

Sign-ups open: October 21st

Sign-ups close: November 4th

You'll receive your match by: November 11th

Check-in #1: December 2nd

Check-in #2: December 16th (for scheduling your posting slot!)

Gifts should be ready by: December 31st

Gifts will be posted over: January 1st-12th 2025

What's different from last year?

This year, we're extending the gift creation window and gifts will be posted later. Instead of posting over the holidays, gifts will be posted starting in January. We hope this will take the pressure off those people who have finals for school, who have to work over the holidays, or who are busy with travel and seeing family, etc. We've also tightened up the gift requirements to ensure everyone gets a gift of similar quality.

How do I sign up?

It's easy! Fill out the sign-up form here. The deadline to sign up is Monday November 4th 2024.

-- The Secret Sleuth Mods xoxo

Join the 'have a nace day' Discord server here / Follow us on Twitter/X here

[aurora-australis-tumbles]

Hello again Jen! It's your Secret Santa again. Thank you so much for your previous answers. I'm back to ask more questions.

What are your favorite episodes of Nancy Drew? And what are your favorite Nace scenes? And favorite Plantachor scenes? What scenes do you find underrated?

Thanks and Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays to you as well!

Ok, so, full disclosure, I always struggle with favorite episodes. So in order to not hold this response up any longer, here are just four I really enjoy, one for each season. 1x14, 2x11, 3x4, 4x7.

Favorite Nace scenes - basically whenever they are just enjoying each other's company. The whole library bit, their walk in the forecast, his offer to proofread her essays, that kind of thing.

Favorite Plantachor scenes? Anytime they are ridiculously playing off each other (naming Ryan's article, whisper box cemetery clues, etc.).

I'm not sure what scenes are underrated, because I'm very new here, so I'll just say two details I really love are the glimpses of the gang's texts to each other and the incredible sound design of the show.

Again, I hope this was helpful, and I'm very sorry if it was not. 😂

[acesdrew]

a skeptic and a believer go to a haunted orphanage with their film crew. what's the worst that could happen?

happy sleuthmas to my secret sleuth @nancy-drew! i love you!

[drakesroyalromance]

it had to be you, chapter 2: kissing for cover

“Nancy, you should go with Ace to the wedding as his date!”

“What? That’s ridiculous,” Nancy says, then looks at Ace, who actually looks compelled by the idea. “Why would we do that?” she adds, aiming the question at both of them.

“Because,” Bess answers, “when Amanda finds out that you and Ace are dating, she will definitely think that he’s doing well without her.”

“Ace and I aren’t dating, though,” Nancy reminds them unnecessarily, not daring to look at Ace as she says the words.

“She doesn’t know that, does she?”

This is the second and final part of my @secretsleuthexchange present for @honey-tea-and-lemon-trees - I had so much fun creating these for you, and I really hope you liked receiving them!!

[eyescllsed]

Hey there, it’s your secret sleuth!

I just wanted to ask, are there any Christmas/holiday traditions you have that you think anyone in Nancy Drew might share? And if so, who do you think would share them?

Can’t wait to see what you think of my creation for you!

hey!! firstly i want to apologise that this is so late! i forgot my password for tumblr so i wasn't getting notifications🙀 secondly, please don't feel pressured to add any of these headcanons, since i replied so late! thirdly, i am a little bit drunk (work christmas parties, am i right?😂) so if this doesn't make any sense i sincerely apologise.

(ps, i sorta used this as an excuse to geek out about my headcanons and write a lil mini fic hehe. if you have any thoughts about this please reply!!) NOW, onto the christmas festivities! i am so excited about this question, adding headcanons to my fav characters is one of my hobbies haaha.

bess would 100% be in charge of decorating. tinsel, lights, a tree, the works. not only does she decorate the claw to an inch of its life, but the drew's placeas well. for the first time since her mother died there's colour and life in the household, and nancy doesn't know how she feels about it. ace is bess' partner in crime, diligetly holding boxes of decorations and telling her to move it slightly to the left, no right, OKAY there thats perfect.

speaking of ace, nancy is a little bit ignorant towards his jewish faith. not in an intentional way, but noticing this sort of stuff is usually nick's job (or bess). nancy is still grieving her mother, sure, but she's distant and somewhat shocked when ace mentions he doesn't celebrate christmas. they have a moment when solving a case together where he stops and explains hanukkah and his faith to nancy. obviously she knew, but she gets a bit singleminded when shes on a case. the convo ends with them having a moment (tm) and maybe a hug <3

nick has an old camcorder that his grandpa had sent him from florida. on it is loads of videos of nick during christmas time, which makes him secretly emotional. he shares this with george, but not the rest of the drew crew. he starts bringing the camera around everywhere with him; catching bess decorating the tree, ace stoned and nancy drunk in the office of the claw. theres a sneaky lil video of george half dressed, but not in a pornagraphic kind of way. nick likes recording the things he loves, and he manages to capture george in a way that is both sexaually empowering for her while still being soft, secretive and beautiful. carson and ryan even make a feature on nick's camera: the two of them arguing about how to assemble a gingerbread house that ends in a food fight.

george hates christmas. hates it with a passion. and yet...this year it doesn't seem too bad. nick is constantly around, supplying her with chocolate and organising lunch with her family and genuinely just being helpful. despite the cold the claw is busy during the christmas season, especially christmas eve when families come for a cheap meal and an even cheaper glasses of wine. ace convinces her to take a trip in florence, and they spend the night drinking lukewarm hot chocolate and staring at the christmas lights of horseshoe bay. the next day, bess is furious she wasn't invited and makes george come over for christmas cocktails and cookie decorating.

(they end up getting smashed due to bess' liberal measuring and spend the rest of the night in nancys closet, trying on sweaters and makeup)

i could go on about the drew crew for ages, but i have a finger cramp so this will have to do lmao! again, i'm sorry for replying late and please reply if you have any headcanons for the drew crew of your own! i am so excited to see what you come up with <3

@secretsleuthgiftexchange

[fightingwithtruelove]

Hi Suz, it's your secret sleuth again! What are some songs you associate with Nace? What about other ships like Ryan/Lucy and Chenford?

Hello!! I'm sorry this is late, happy belated Christmas to you (if you celebrate of course) 😊

Song hmmm, I love music, so all my ships get a playlist. Obviously aside from the important songs on the show, like Now It's Yours and For Me, It's You and Without You, the song I've always really connected to them is The Great War by Taylor Swift. I could do a whole analysis on how the lyrics corresponds to s4 Nace. The songs I listened to a lot during s4 were also The Night We Met by Lord Huron, Hits Different by TS (this song was literally written for them), and Dark Paradise by Lana Del Rey. All This Time by One Republic has such Nace vibes, also Unbreakable by Jamie Scott (found this through another fandom but it ended up on my Nace playlist).

Hmm for Ryan and Lucy I always liked the song Timeless by TS, idk why because the lyrics isn't exactly the most fitting, but I just get a vibe or something. There's just something so beautiful and heartbreaking about the idea that Lucy and Ryan would find each other in every lifetime, and that maybe in one of them they'd be happy.

My Chenford playlist at the moment is basically full of breakup songs. Right now I'm really loving the songs that emphasize the softness of their love for each other, like Surrender by Birdy. Also I Love You, I'm Sorry by Gracie has been played a lot.

Now before this gets completely out of hand, I'll wrap up bc I feel I always just ramble on. 😊

Hope you have a lovely rest of your holidays and I can't wait what you come up with!

[keepingthepeaceinouterspace]

It's your Secret Sleuth again! How are you? I hope you're having a nice start to the holiday season! I have a few more questions as I continue working on your gift: Do you like AUs? If so, what are some AUs that you'd love to see the Nancy Drew characters in? What is your favorite thing about Nace? And finally, what are some of your favorite Nace moments?

Hey!! oh boy oh boy ok. I love AUs. I love childhood best friends, Mr & Mrs Smith esque "we're both spies but we don't know the other is" except I'd prefer they not spend the whole thing trying to kill each other, best friend's brother/ sister, strangers who meet while saving the day, something Tamora Pierce/Alana esque where Nancy is pretending to be a man to become a knight, I also think something with this kind of premise could be fun with them "I never break the law but I was asked to be part of a massive heist and damn I really need to pay off my student debt" My favorite thing about Nace is their friendship because first and foremost they are FRIENDS. Favorite moments? "just because I'm mad at you doesn't mean I want you to die" or whatever, their little trip to get the love curse breaking doll, sleuthing together s1 + 2, that moment on their way to detective con, their s4 fights

[naceisonthecase]

I'm glad you're doing well! And don't worry about being late, if you hadn't seen that, I would've sent one through my point if contact. I just wanted you to know someone was thinking about you!

Are you excited about the upcoming Holidays? What do you do to celebrate?

You mentioned in your likes you like coffee shop aus (me too!) 😊 What is your favourite aspect of them?

What are some of your favorite scenes or plots in ND?

-Your Secret Sleuth

OMG sorry again that this message was so late!! I didn’t have the energy to reply at first and then went to the Eras tour so my mind was on that and then got super into NMTD/LoLiLo again so kept forgetting. Sorry!!

I am so excited for Christmas! It is my favourite holiday even though as I grow older there it comes along so fast and there’s no time for everything. 

My favourite thing about coffee shop AUs!! Ooo the cozy vibe it’s especially great for the season. And, how it can fit any ship type or dynamic and it’s a great starting off point for a lot of other story potential. I also find that someone’s personality can somewhat be determined through someone’s favourite drink.  

It’s hard to pick just one scene from the show but I love the dreamscape/forecast elements (even though the forecast ended up being angsty!). The board game episode, the lust dressing episode, and the body swap episodes also stand out as favourites. 

[seeinganewlight]

the progression of the drew crew friendship throughout the series

merry sleuthmas @bethanyactually, love your secret sleuth! 🔎

@secretsleuthexchange

[bess-turani-marvin]

when I think about pieces of me that I've found that I'll never get back 'cause I'll never grow down now’s not the time - mxmtoon

oops i made @nicaraguaaa another secret sleuth gift @secretsleuthexchange

[secretsleuthexchange]

Secret Sleuth 2024 Masterlist

Fanfiction ✍️

Ali (@eyescllsed) wrote this for Chené (@starcrssdluvrs)

Allison (@scarletslippers) wrote this for Michele (@pluckysidekick)

Ariana (@letterstoanartist) wrote this for Olivia (@heartunsettledsoul)

Ash (@flythesail) wrote this for Sara (@teamhodgins)

Beth (@honey-tea-and-lemon-trees) wrote this for Purls (@perfectpurls)

Beth (@stuckonaglacierwithmacgyver) wrote this for Suz (@timandlucy)

Carly (@drewdflorence) wrote this for Allison (@scarletslippers)

Carolyn (@keepingthepeaceinouterspace) wrote this, and this, and this, and this for Rosy (@reviewdiaries)

Carolyn (@keepingthepeaceinouterspace) also wrote this for Duchess (@duchess-of-mischief)

Duchess (@duchess-of-mischief) wrote this for Jace (@boywiththelightningbolt)

Eli (@ultraelicullen) wrote this for Susan (@stormsofsansas)

Ginny (@nicaraguaaa) wrote this for Ali (@eyescllsed)

Hayley (@ohthathayley) wrote this for Beth (@stuckonaglacierwithmacgyver)

Jen (@aurora-australis-tumbles) wrote this for Maria (@midnightsnace)

Jen (@nightspires) wrote this for Puzzle (@likestosolvethepuzzle)

Jenny (@leiaamidala) wrote this for Carly (@drewdflorence)

Katelyn (@binancydrew) wrote this for Jen (@nightspires)

Kelsey (@pressdbtwnpages) wrote this for Hayley (@ohthathayley)

Kitty (@prettysophist) wrote this for Eli (@ultraelicullen)

Laura (@mastress) wrote this for Katelyn (@binancydrew)

Maggie (@ghostmaggie) wrote this for Ash (@flythesail)

Michele (@pluckysidekick) wrote this for Kelsey (@pressdbtwnpages)

Natalie (@naceisonthecase) wrote this for Nikita (@drakesroyalromance)

Nikita (@drakesroyalromance) wrote this for Beth (@honey-tea-and-lemon-trees)

Olivia (@heartunsettledsoul) wrote this for Jenny (@leiaamidala)

Purls (@perfectpurls) wrote this for Ariana (@letterstoanartist)

Puzzle (@likestosolvethepuzzle) wrote this for Laura (@mastress)

Rosy (@reviewdiaries) wrote this for Sam (@acesdrew)

Ry (@venturismcdonald) wrote this for Kat (@katmichail13)

Sam (@acesdrew) wrote this for Katy (@nancy-drew)

Sophie (@carpinchodetecta) wrote this for Charlie (@nancedrcw)

Susan (@stormsofsansas) made this for Jen (@aurora-australis-tumbles)

Suz (@timandlucy) wrote this for Natalie (@naceisonthecase)

Fanart 🎨

Chené (@starcrssdluvrs) made this for Ani (@thereigning-lorelai)

Fanvids ▶️

Charlie (@nancedrcw) made this for Ry (@venturismcdonald)

Jace (@boywiththelightningbolt) made this and also this for Sophie (@carpinchodetecta)

Maria (@midnightsnace) made this for Vee (@jicklet)

Sara (@teamhodgins) made this for Maggie (@ghostmaggie)

Gifsets & graphics 🖼️

Abbie (@bess-turani-marvin) made this and also this for Ginny (@nicaraguaaa)

Ani (@thereigning-lorelai) made this for Caitlyn (@seeinganewlight)

Bethany (@bethanyactually) made this for Kitty (@prettysophist)

Caitlyn (@seeinganewlight) made this for Bethany (@bethanyactually)

Charlie (@nancedrcw) made this for Ry (@venturismcdonald)

Katy (@nancy-drew) made this for Carolyn (@keepingthepeaceinouterspace)

Vee (@jicklet) made this for (Abbie (@bess-turani-marvin)

Playlists 🎵

Cama (@cadetcama) & Katelyn (@binancydrew) made this for Duchess (duchess-of-mischief)

[aurora-australis-tumbles]

Hello Jen! I am your Secret Sleuth. :) You mentioned in your sign-up information that you don't have a favorite musician because you have many phases. What phase are you in now? LOL. Also, what are your favorite musicals?

Looking forward to your answers. Happy Holidays!

Hi!! 👋 Not sure how to label this phase, but currently listening to: a lot of music from and/or inspired by Agatha All Along, the Barbie movie soundtrack, Into the Spiderverse soundtrack, ABBA, and Queen (always Queen).

Favorite musicals, huh? Oof, that's so hard. Ok, well, Six, Hamilton, The Wiz, Hadestown, A New Brain, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Wicked. Singing in the Rain, anything the Muppets have ever done…

I hope this helps. I suspect it doesn't. I'm so sorry. 😂

[acesdrew]

HO HO HO IT IS I AGAIN. I have many questions. Some of them more relevant than others. It's like spaghetti. Throw a load of things and see what sticks. Firstly, how do you feel about time loops. And secondly, what are some of your other favourite shows.

TIME LOOPS... oh my gosh okay you know

I'm pretty sure there's an episode in Haven where they're in a time loop. I am so okay with it. Supernatural time loops...yes...

Also, as for like, actually acted out tv: Haven, Criminal Minds, New Girl, House. I'm sure I have more but off the top of my head those are the ones I can think of.

As for others- I am so into anime. I really like Jujutsu Kaisen, Free!, One Piece, Ouran High School Host Club, Mob Psycho 100.

[drakesroyalromance]

it had to be you, chapter 1: and they were roommates

There are a lot of things in the past year that haven’t gone Nancy’s way. Not getting into Columbia. Finding out her parents aren’t actually her parents, and that she’s, horrifyingly, a Hudson. But, she thinks as she takes in the house she found on Craigslist, moving in with three strangers I found online might just be a new low.

A New Girl AU.

@honey-tea-and-lemon-trees, this is part 1 of your present for @secretsleuthexchange! I really hope you like it, and that you’re having a great new year so far!💕

The poses are from this New Girl poster, and the slogan is from this one.

[just-a-drawing-bean]

Happy Secret Skeleton!

Shaking you around! Happy Halloween @theblog-with-thestuff !!!

please enjoy sleuth in this trying time <3

Sleuth Eclipse is from Sleuth Jesters by @naffeclipse

detective au from @/sunnys-aesthetic