Captive Heart

Nancy Drew Files #108

by Carolyn Keene

Finding her romance with Ned threatened, Nancy learns of a gang of pirates who are hijacking million-dollar yachts and setting the yacht owners adrift after piercing their ears. Original.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Childrens, Juvenile

160 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 1995

About the author

Carolyn 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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.

Reviews

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are always such fun.

[Aaliyah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that Nancy got jealous never new who that the coup parent would be the couple it.

[V. Arrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

"So you're saying there are pirates in the Caribbean?" ::giggle giggle giggle::

[bookssheread · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good quick read. Intriguing enough to hook you in but a bit rushed.

[K.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title has nothing to do with the plot which involves pirates and parrot fish. Also Ned is yet again an ass, ignoring Nancy to flirt with another woman - despite Nan being out there at HIS invitation and staying with HIS friend. Nice boyf Ned!!

[Dr. Aditi Kapoor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not upto the usual Nancy Drew books, this mystery of the pirates. Ned flirts with someone under Nancy 's watchful eyes while Nancy flirts with danger.

[Prerna · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book!suspense!

[Lizzy F · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the book Nancy Drew Captive Heart, one conflict is character vs character where Manny is fighting against the illegal hunting of parrot fish because they eat away at the coral reef. He wants a protect the reef from the fish. Another conflict is caregivers character Nancy is fighting Lee Po and the other pirates from stealing more boats in a holding Mr. Cutler for ransom. I read 100% of the book this week.