Noisette Tornade was a remarkable woman whose life was marked by bravery, resilience, and a dedication to her beloved city of Paris. Noisette was a gifted linguist, and by the age of sixteen, had mastered English, French, German, and Italian. However, her life took a dramatic turn during World War II when she found herself caught in the turmoil of the German occupation.

During the war, Noisette worked as a translator for the Germans during the day, but she had a secret identity at night as an encoder for the French Resistance. Her covert activities naturally made her the subject of suspicion and accusation from both the French and the Germans. After the war ended in 1945, she faced trial for collaboration due to her association with a German soldier named Hans von Schwesterkrank, whom she was romantically involved with.

However, during her trial, it was revealed that Noisette had actually been working undercover for the Resistance, providing crucial support through her coding skills. Despite the accusations, she was acquitted, but the experience left her deeply hurt and bitter. Her countrymen accused her of collaboration even though she had risked her life for the Resistance.

After the war, Noisette went on to work as a translator for the city of Paris, and in 1973, she was appointed as the Director of Public Works, a position she held until 1995. As Director, she dedicated herself to the maintenance and beautification of the city's public parks. One of her proudest achievements was overseeing the creation and placement of monuments in Square du Vert Galant park, which became her favorite spot.

Noisette lived a private life and never married, leaving no direct heirs. She resided in a windmill, or "moulin," in Paris for an impressive fifty-five years, from 1949 to 2004. After her passing, the place was sold, and it eventually became a fashion design studio owned by Minette.

Throughout her life, Noisette carried a significant secret with her. During the war, she had taken various pieces of artwork, particularly stained glass from churches, and hid them away to protect them from the dangers of the conflict. Her actions, though noble in intent, were misunderstood, and she chose to keep her secret buried to avoid further accusations and pain.

In a poignant letter she left behind, Noisette revealed her innermost thoughts and motivations for her actions during the war. She expressed her love for Paris and her desire for the stained glass pieces to be safely returned to their rightful places. The stained glass represented the beauty, color, and joy that she hoped to preserve for future generations to appreciate and cherish.

After her passing, Nancy Drew discovered the hidden underground room filled with the beautiful stained glass and Noisette's letter. Through Nancy's efforts, the stained glass was returned to the churches they belonged to, and Noisette's bravery and dedication to the Resistance were finally recognized and respected.

Minette is an American fashion designer based in Paris, known for designing clothes primarily for plus-sized women. Her studio is located in an old windmill (moulin) in Montmartre, Paris.

Minette's behavior has become increasingly bizarre and erratic. She has been firing people impulsively, throwing temper tantrums, and running dangerously behind schedule. One of the most peculiar aspects of Minette's behavior is that she wears a full face mask all day, every day, even while working. She claims it is a fashion statement, but it is clear that there is something more to it.

Minette has a unique way of managing her anger and frustration. She goes through a process of venting rage, sobbing, and then laughing robustly, which she believes restores her "positive flux." This unusual method is employed to cope with her emotions. Minette drinks tea that is custom-blended by her tea therapist. She believes that consuming this tea helps activate her brain cells and enhances mental alertness and focus. Minette finds inspiration for her designs by collecting objects with certain qualities that stimulate her "artistic sinews".

Minette uses the word "rude" to mean something positive, good, or cool.

Minette is eccentric and shows a lack of social skills. Former employees describe Minette as difficult, temperamental, egotistical, and demanding. The only loyal friend Minette has is "Carol," who has been with Minette since she arrived in Paris. Interestingly, "Carol" is revealed to be a dressform, explaining why she is considered a lucky charm and doesn't complain about working with Minette.

Minette has been receiving dead flowers as well as threatening letters and phone calls. Someone even sent her a box of chocolates filled with live cockroaches and booby-trapped her door with some kind of paint bomb. These incidents have left her feeling vulnerable and concerned for her safety.

In the end, it is revealed that Minette has been wearing the mask to cover up a face tattoo of an alien. She got the tattoo impulsively and later regretted it, considering it the stupidest decision of her life.

Due to a commission from Ernst and Gunther Schmeck, former members of the East German secret police, Minette found herself falling behind schedule. They had requested her to design a dress for the First Lady using a unique fabric they supplied. This fabric was equipped with microscopic circuitry, aimed at facilitating covert eavesdropping on the World Summit. The Schmeck brothers had been sending the threats to Minette to keep her on track to complete the project. Eventually, both Minette and the Schmeck brothers were arrested.

Heather McKay is Minette's assistant, working closely with the fashion designer in her studio. Heather is a bright and intelligent young woman who studied fashion design at Rhode Island School of Design and Central Saint Martins in London. She is ambitious and has aspirations of becoming a fashion designer herself.

Heather has a complex relationship with Minette. On one hand, Heather is dedicated to her job as Minette's assistant and genuinely cares about Minette's success as a fashion designer. She works hard to support Minette in her work and tries to manage the challenges that come with Minette's erratic behavior and temper tantrums. Heather also understands the importance of maintaining a positive relationship with Minette, as her success as a fashion designer is crucial for Heather's own career aspirations in the fashion industry.

On the other hand, Heather has moments of frustration and exasperation with Minette's behavior. She has witnessed Minette's outbursts and emotional instability, which can make working with her challenging and unpredictable. Heather may feel overwhelmed at times due to the pressure of managing Minette's demands and the stress of meeting tight deadlines.

Despite these challenges, Heather handles her relationship with Minette with a level of professionalism and tact. She refrains from openly confronting Minette about her issues, likely because she knows it could worsen the situation. Instead, Heather handles Minette's emotional episodes with a degree of patience and understanding, recognizing the methods Minette employs to cope with her emotions, such as her unique process of venting anger and frustration.

Heather has a crush on Dieter von Schwesterkrank, the fashion photographer who used to date Minette. Dieter does not reciprocate her feelings. Despite knowing that Dieter is not interested in her romantically, Heather still harbors hopes that he might eventually come to his senses and realize that she is the one he should be with.

It is revealed that Heather sent one of the threatening letters to Minette. The letter was a way for Heather to vent her emotions and get back at Minette for the perceived mistreatment and the complications arising from Minette's relationship with Dieter. Heather's actions were impulsive and driven by her own emotional turmoil at the time. Heather later regretted sending the threatening letter and acknowledged that it was a mistake.

[NOTE] The final outcome for Heather depends on whether or not you disclose her threatening letter to Minette.

Dieter von Schwesterkrank is a German fashion photographer who works out of Paris.

For six months, Dieter was in a relationship with Minette. However, Minette suddenly ended the relationship by leaving a message on his cell phone. Since that time, their communication has been minimal, and they have maintained a strictly professional relationship, with Heather McKay acting as an intermediary for any interactions between them.

Dieter is under the impression that Heather has developed feelings for him, but he does not share the same romantic interest in her. While he acknowledges her intelligence, he views her crush as regrettable and wishes not to cause her any harm. Consequently, he has chosen not to address the matter with her.

During World War II, Dieter's great uncle, Hans von Schwesterkrank, had a romantic relationship with Noisette Tornade, a French resistance fighter, who was rumored to have hidden valuable works of art somewhere in Paris.

Dieter reveals that he initiated his relationship with Minette with a clear motive in his mind. He sought access to Minette's windmill, which previously belonged to Noisette Tornade. Dieter believed that dating Minette would provide him with an opportunity to search for the hidden treasure, as he thought it might be hidden in the windmill.

However, as time passed and Dieter spent more time with Minette, his feelings for her became genuine, and he fell in love with her. Despite his original motive, his emotions shifted, and he found himself genuinely interested in Minette beyond the potential treasure hunt.

Even after their breakup, Dieter openly acknowledges that he still harbors feelings for Minette and finds her captivating, despite recognizing her sometimes exasperating behavior. He remains hopeful and desires to win her back.

Jean Michel Traquenard is the French fashion editor for GlamGlam Magazine. He is described as being more of a glorified gossip columnist than a traditional fashion editor. Jean Michel's "office" is located at the Café Kiki on the Rue des Mauvais Garçons in the Marais. This is where he conducts his research for his column.

Jean Mi is knowledgeable about the fashion industry and holds significant influence, being well-connected and knowing "everyone who is anyone" in the fashion world. Jean Mi shares his views on the competitive world of couture, emphasizing how a single creation worn by a famous person can have a significant impact.

Jean Mi has a reputation for being a bit difficult to deal with, as Heather McKay mentions that it pays to be nice to him. He is used to people trying to please him due to fear that he might write something negative about them.

Jing Jing Ling, often referred to as JJ Ling, is a famous Australian model.

JJ works as a fitting model for Minette. Because Minette's work primarily focuses on curvy, plus-sized women, JJ is contractually obligated to maintain a size 12 weight and shape. Due to her high metabolism, JJ is constantly baking and eating cookies to maintain the required size.

JJ is friendly and down-to-earth and acts like a normal person despite her fame as a model. She enjoys playing Hangman, and she also enjoys lying and making things up sometimes. She occasionally creates false stories just for practice or to see if she can get people to believe her. She describes herself as being "creative" in this regard and says that models need to be good actresses as well.

JJ has a fear of giving out her autograph or personal information to anyone, as she worries that someone might use it to forge her name and steal her identity. This fear leads her to refuse to give her autograph to fans, even though she is a famous model with admirers.

JJ worked for Minette's rival, Hugo Butterly, earlier in the year. This experience likely contributed to Minette's eagerness to use her as a fitting model.

Although never explained, JJ has books on electrical engineering in her cupboard. This implies that JJ may be studying engineering on the side.

It is revealed that JJ's agent misled her into signing a long-term contract with Minette, and JJ plans to leave Paris as soon as her contract with Minette is over.

Hugo Butterly is a fashion designer who has gained immense popularity in a relatively short time. He started his career four years previously in a tiny London Loft but has now outgrown it. Due to his success and fan following, he recently opened a new studio in Paris.

Hugo's designs are described as "colorful, free-flowing, fill-figure flattering styles" and are known as "Butterlies," which have been embraced by fashion enthusiasts. Jing Jing Ling, the Australian model, worked for Hugo Butterly in the past.

Despite his success, Hugo seems to have a somewhat arrogant and unforgiving personality. When uninvited guests showed up at the opening of his Paris studio, he was reportedly furious. Instead of confronting them, he sent them bills for trespassing, displaying a lack of forgiveness and understanding.

According to Jean Michel Traquenard, Minette is Hugo's worst enemy. They have similar design styles and frequently compete for the same couture clients. Their rivalry often leads to insults exchanged between them. As a way to taunt the real Minette, Hugo went so far as to name his pit bull "Minette".

Zu is a young Frenchman who has developed a deep fascination and passion for the catacombs beneath Paris. While many tourists visit the part of the catacombs open to the public, Zu is drawn to the restricted and off-limits areas comprising about 300 kilometers of tunnels and chambers. He considers these hidden catacombs his home and spends all his spare time exploring them.

The catacombs were originally created in 1785 as a solution to the problem of overflowing cemeteries contaminating central Paris. The remains of millions of former residents were transferred to the network of depleted limestone quarries beneath the city and artfully arranged in vast ossuaries. Due to safety concerns, the vast majority of these catacombs have been sealed off, and trespassers face heavy fines.

Zu's motivation for exploring the catacombs lies in the silence and darkness that envelops the hidden tunnels. He finds the pitch-black environment extremely immersive and believes it heightens his awareness. Over time, Zu has become an expert in navigating the catacombs, creating hand-drawn maps to aid his explorations and keeping track of various marks and symbols etched into the walls and floors.

He is well aware of the dangers he faces during his excursions, especially from the Tunnel Police, who can appear unexpectedly. Despite the risks, Zu has developed various escape routes, showcasing his knowledge of the catacombs' intricate layout and hidden passages.

In his "other" life, Zu maintains a secretive job, and he deliberately keeps personal information hidden from others, especially the authorities. He is a fan of Jing Jing Ling, attempting to connect with her and leaving messages for her.

[NOTE] This is Prudence's second appearance in a Nancy Drew game. Her first appearance was in Secret of the Scarlet Hand.

Prudence Rutherford is a prominent and sophisticated woman who has some prior history with Nancy. She is portrayed as someone with a keen memory but occasionally forgetful, especially when distracted by her surroundings or other matters. Prudence is affluent and well-connected, mentioning her villa and the fact that her husband is present in her study, albeit in damp tennis attire.

It's evident that Prudence holds Nancy Drew in high regard, remembering her as the young detective who helped recover her stolen fire ruby necklace in the past. She acknowledges Nancy's investigatory prowess and is impressed by her abilities.

Prudence is a fashion-conscious individual who seems to have strict preferences when it comes to her personal style. She's working with Minette on designing outfits for her, and she communicates her desires for the clothing and accessories quite explicitly. She values classiness and elegance but also embraces some whimsical and funky elements in her wardrobe. Her preferences are specific, and she expects her requests to be adhered to without deviation.