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Nancy Drew Files #24
Till Death Do Us Part
Nancy turns down Ned's proposal of marriage and the very next day announces his engagement to another girl and Nancy is determined to find out what this other girl is up to.
150 pages
First published January 1, 1988
35 people are currently reading
607 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
948 books3,855 followersCarolyn Keene is a writer pen name that was used by many different people- both men and women- over the years. The company that was the creator of the Nancy Drew series, the Stratemeyer Syndicate, hired a variety of writers. For Nancy Drew, the writers used the pseudonym Carolyn Keene to assure anonymity of the creator.
Edna and Harriet Stratemeyer inherited the company from their father Edward Stratemeyer. Edna contributed 10 plot outlines before passing the reins to her sister Harriet. It was Mildred Benson (aka: Mildred A. Wirt), who breathed such a feisty spirit into Nancy's character. Mildred wrote 23 of the original 30 Nancy Drew Mystery Stories®, including the first three. It was her characterization that helped make Nancy an instant hit. The Stratemeyer Syndicate's devotion to the series over the years under the reins of Harriet Stratemeyer Adams helped to keep the series alive and on store shelves for each succeeding generation of girls and boys. In 1959, Harriet, along with several writers, began a 25-year project to revise the earlier Carolyn Keene novels. The Nancy Drew books were condensed, racial stereotypes were removed, and the language was updated. In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.
Other writers of Nancy Drew volumes include Harriet herself, she wrote most of the series after Mildred quit writing for the Syndicate and in 1959 began a revision of the first 34 texts. The role of the writer of "Carolyn Keene" passed temporarily to Walter Karig who wrote three novels during the Great Depression. Also contributing to Nancy Drew's prolific existence were Leslie McFarlane, James Duncan Lawrence, Nancy Axelrod, Priscilla Doll, Charles Strong, Alma Sasse, Wilhelmina Rankin, George Waller Jr., and Margaret Scherf.
Edna and Harriet Stratemeyer inherited the company from their father Edward Stratemeyer. Edna contributed 10 plot outlines before passing the reins to her sister Harriet. It was Mildred Benson (aka: Mildred A. Wirt), who breathed such a feisty spirit into Nancy's character. Mildred wrote 23 of the original 30 Nancy Drew Mystery Stories®, including the first three. It was her characterization that helped make Nancy an instant hit. The Stratemeyer Syndicate's devotion to the series over the years under the reins of Harriet Stratemeyer Adams helped to keep the series alive and on store shelves for each succeeding generation of girls and boys. In 1959, Harriet, along with several writers, began a 25-year project to revise the earlier Carolyn Keene novels. The Nancy Drew books were condensed, racial stereotypes were removed, and the language was updated. In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.
Other writers of Nancy Drew volumes include Harriet herself, she wrote most of the series after Mildred quit writing for the Syndicate and in 1959 began a revision of the first 34 texts. The role of the writer of "Carolyn Keene" passed temporarily to Walter Karig who wrote three novels during the Great Depression. Also contributing to Nancy Drew's prolific existence were Leslie McFarlane, James Duncan Lawrence, Nancy Axelrod, Priscilla Doll, Charles Strong, Alma Sasse, Wilhelmina Rankin, George Waller Jr., and Margaret Scherf.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
January 20, 2013
I read this book years ago, but WOW, I still wanna read it. I ADORED this book, it was just amazing. Nancy deserved that, to be reminded of how much she loved and needed Ned. That girl is SO messed up sometimes.
October 7, 2017
I gobbled up Nancy Drew books nonstop when I was a kid, and this was always my favorite. I think because I'm a sucker for a bit of romance, and this one starts with Ned proposing to Nancy. I couldn't resist rereading this one. It took me all of an hour, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
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June 25, 2025Ned is so stupid lol
September 17, 2021
4 stars. Hands down the best book in this series thus far. This was so much freakin’ fun. The plot was interesting and I genuinely could never quite figure out where it was going to go next. I will admit that I was annoyed at the beginning with both Nancy and Ned. Their whole fight was annoying but when Jessica comes into the picture is when everything gets good. She was such a fascinating villain and I liked the team up of Nancy and Ned to take her down. Such a fun adventure and I thoroughly enjoyed it. There’s great action, an interesting villain, and it wraps up well. Fun time.
February 27, 2015
This is definitely one of my favorite Nancy Drew books. I've been reading this over and over again since I was a kid. And even as an adult it still manages to tap into that young detective in me (who is very much into Ned Nickerson). It's amazing how I can still be so hooked and excited over a mystery that I've probably read almost a hundred times before. Five very pretty gold stars!
May 7, 2017
Pretty suspenseful for a Nancy Drew novel. The only drawback was that I just could not enter into the engagements, marriages and divorces of teenagers.
August 5, 2023
This one brings back the fun and excitement that I had missed in the previous volume!
May 6, 2020
I am a forty year old woman. I started reading Nancy Drew in second grade (the ghost of Blackwood hall was my first). My mom and I would read aloud to each other. As I became a preteen this series came out and i picked them up here and there. And enjoyed most if them. But this book. THIS BOOK. Maybe the first book I ever read so many times I had to use scotch tape to reattach the cover. Every time I’ve moved or reorganized in the last thirty years if I come across my well loved copy of this book I will read it again. The scotch tape has held up relatively well, so many dog ears, pages warped from tears or soup my mom made me when I was sick in bed and reading.
Some spoilers now
The emotion in this book was probably the first of its kind for me. From the beginning where Ned proposes to the scene in the mall fountain. The pure rage and indignant loathing I felt for Jessica from start to finish. The fact that we finally finally real got a real story about Ned and Nancy and their feeling and emotions for each other after all these years. This is as perfect as this type of book can be.
Some spoilers now
The emotion in this book was probably the first of its kind for me. From the beginning where Ned proposes to the scene in the mall fountain. The pure rage and indignant loathing I felt for Jessica from start to finish. The fact that we finally finally real got a real story about Ned and Nancy and their feeling and emotions for each other after all these years. This is as perfect as this type of book can be.
July 29, 2022
This is my first foray into the Nancy Drew Files. When it comes to serialized media, I tend to enjoy the ones that deal less with the villain of the week and more with the personal lives of the regular characters. In this case, the plot revolves around the romantic relationship between Nancy and her boyfriend (since 1932! 90 years!) Ned Nickerson, who proves here that he can keep up with her in terms of sleuthing. They work together to unravel the mystery, which puts Ned in quite a bit of danger.
Jessica Thorne is also a more memorable villain that I expected she would be. She has zero redeeming qualities and actually makes for a pretty effective foil to Nancy herself. She's smart, even cunning, but materialistic, narcissistic, and utterly sociopathic. Great stuff.
Jessica Thorne is also a more memorable villain that I expected she would be. She has zero redeeming qualities and actually makes for a pretty effective foil to Nancy herself. She's smart, even cunning, but materialistic, narcissistic, and utterly sociopathic. Great stuff.
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January 2, 2023enjoyable trash! the first two sentences describing nancy letting an "elegant dress" consisting of a "sheath of turquoise silk" "falling down around her slender figure" was an immediate turn off (give me dowdy nancy or give me death) howeber. it really hammers home the idea that nancy's true priority is mysteries and ned is more of a convenience, which is always fun! i do have to give ned points for playing along with the mystery solving in this one though!
July 13, 2025
I was craving an easy-read mystery and remembered Nancy Drew and found a fan book list with this one towards the top. It has mystery, suspense, and romance. Kept me on my toes.
What knocks it down a star is I have never been able to relate to Nancy Drew as a person. She is superwoman. she is 18 years old, has her pilot's license, sky dives, and already solved several cases. Her only flaw is she is willing to jump into danger to solve a case.
What knocks it down a star is I have never been able to relate to Nancy Drew as a person. She is superwoman. she is 18 years old, has her pilot's license, sky dives, and already solved several cases. Her only flaw is she is willing to jump into danger to solve a case.
June 10, 2018
2.5 STARS
My first Nancy Drew in, like, 10 years probs. This was way more rushed and juvenile than I would have thought. Were the OG classic Nancy Drews this short? I can't remember.
But anyway, this stroll down memory lane wrt my childhood books gave me some thirst to read more Nancy. I'd only ever read a couple ones. Prayer circle the originals are *much* better than this.
My first Nancy Drew in, like, 10 years probs. This was way more rushed and juvenile than I would have thought. Were the OG classic Nancy Drews this short? I can't remember.
But anyway, this stroll down memory lane wrt my childhood books gave me some thirst to read more Nancy. I'd only ever read a couple ones. Prayer circle the originals are *much* better than this.
August 20, 2020
Oh man I remember reading this in like 6th grade and LOVING the more mature Nancy over the “secret of the old clock” Nancys. Reading this brought back some of those feelings but these are a lot shorter than I’d thought.
May 29, 2022
this was so fun and dumb, i had an amazing time. long live ned nickerson
dave’s review: “other than the technical details, like not tracking the plane through air traffic control, i thought the rest of it was pretty good– was plausible. and entertaining.”
dave’s review: “other than the technical details, like not tracking the plane through air traffic control, i thought the rest of it was pretty good– was plausible. and entertaining.”
January 27, 2023
I have been dying to read this one ever since I read the summary of it, but it sadly wasn't as good as I was hoping.
I loved the mystery behind Jessica, but Ned's actions in this book are just so out of character.
I loved the mystery behind Jessica, but Ned's actions in this book are just so out of character.
December 26, 2019
Sandra review
That was another good book to read, it was a shame how Jessica try to get her husband money by killing ned
That was another good book to read, it was a shame how Jessica try to get her husband money by killing ned
July 13, 2021
Not really romantic (as one might expect), but passable mystery
December 25, 2021
ned nickerson is too good for this world
August 6, 2022
My recap/review (contains cursing): https://anchor.fm/nancy-drew-nickerso...
Also OMG PROPOSALLLLLLLLLLLLL
Also OMG PROPOSALLLLLLLLLLLLL
October 28, 2022
throughout reading this , i felt really stupid 'cause i cannot predict what's gonna happen next . it's too unexpected . and the plot oh my god. can't say anything about it. too good
April 3, 2024
It was so cool loved how it has the romance andvthe crime to solve.
August 18, 2024
A tad different in the type of mystery.....liked it
April 10, 2019
I read Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys throughout my school and college days.
Nancy Drew is an amateur detective who solves crimes with occasional help from her best friends, Bess and George and, her boyfriend Ned. She also has occasional help from her father Carson Drew who runs a private law practice. From finding stolen goods to missing persons and solving mysterious happenings, Nancy is a force of nature.
Until I discovered that Carolyn Keene is a pen name for a whole bunch of ghostwriters, I used to feel confused about the slight differences in each character from books to book over the many series of Nancy Drew mysteries. I like the character of Nancy best in the original books written by Mildred Wirt Benson where Nancy is truly a character to root for – an independent and street smart girl with a penchant for trouble.
Nancy Drew is an amateur detective who solves crimes with occasional help from her best friends, Bess and George and, her boyfriend Ned. She also has occasional help from her father Carson Drew who runs a private law practice. From finding stolen goods to missing persons and solving mysterious happenings, Nancy is a force of nature.
Until I discovered that Carolyn Keene is a pen name for a whole bunch of ghostwriters, I used to feel confused about the slight differences in each character from books to book over the many series of Nancy Drew mysteries. I like the character of Nancy best in the original books written by Mildred Wirt Benson where Nancy is truly a character to root for – an independent and street smart girl with a penchant for trouble.
June 29, 2014
Suspenseful
I think that teenagers and young adults would like this book because to leaves you wondering what will happen next. You can never stop at the end of a chapter because Carolyn Keene leaves you wondering what happened to Nancy, Ned, Bess, George
I think that teenagers and young adults would like this book because to leaves you wondering what will happen next. You can never stop at the end of a chapter because Carolyn Keene leaves you wondering what happened to Nancy, Ned, Bess, George
August 22, 2009
i luv this book! #1 on my faves! :)
August 19, 2010
It's freaky...well kinda
July 28, 2010
very mysterious!!
November 22, 2010
dumb mystery!but love the love triangle!
May 6, 2013
Awesome book has lots of suspense
June 11, 2013
Nancy drew books were and will always be my favorite book series second to harry potter !
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews