What do you think?
Rate this book
Nancy Drew Files #96
The Runaway Bride
In Tokyo for the traditional Japanese wedding of her friend, Midori Kato, Nancy moves into high gear when Midori disappears on the morning of the ceremony. Original.
153 pages
First published January 1, 1994
About the author
Carolyn Keene
1,080 books3,957 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 12, 2020
Yet another fun mystery featured that famed teenage sleuth, this time in the land of the rising sun.
Read
November 4, 2019I have a thing for fictions taking place in Japan written by Occidental. It's difficult to navigate descibing a society so foreign to the western one without being stereotypical and, yes, sometimes rather racist. Surprisingly enough, that book is in the top panel of the stories that manage rather well. It has some stereotypical elements, but they're not treated as "exotic", and the racism is entirely absent (which, when it come to white people talking about those "crazy japanese", is unbelievably rare). I think it is mostly due to a desire not to frighten young readers with something too alien, or to have to describe things at length. Most of the cultural stuff is therefore lightened, sometimes to the point where the cultural difference disappears (for instance, the bath tradition -- especialy the fact that you have to clean yourself BEFORE entering the tube -- is never explained). So it's not stereotypical, but it's not overly informative either.
The most over the top elements are all concentrated on the murder attempts against good girl Nancy Drew : poisonous fugu, thrown in a bonfire at a matsuri and last, but not least, SHURIKEN !!! I think the adult writer was having an inside joke by using those ridiculouse methods.
The book has a distinctive Good Ol' Time 90s feeling to it that will be entirely lost on young readers : the height of fashion is denim, holes in clothes and black vinyl, people are nicknamed Mad Dog in all seriousness, and the Rolodex is sooo modern. I think sometimes, it might even feels like a story happening on another planet to younger readers.
The most over the top elements are all concentrated on the murder attempts against good girl Nancy Drew : poisonous fugu, thrown in a bonfire at a matsuri and last, but not least, SHURIKEN !!! I think the adult writer was having an inside joke by using those ridiculouse methods.
The book has a distinctive Good Ol' Time 90s feeling to it that will be entirely lost on young readers : the height of fashion is denim, holes in clothes and black vinyl, people are nicknamed Mad Dog in all seriousness, and the Rolodex is sooo modern. I think sometimes, it might even feels like a story happening on another planet to younger readers.
November 27, 2019
Nan and George go to Japan to the wedding of a school friend , but the bride disappears just before the wedding. Strangely all Japanese people speak perfect English. Do they?
August 27, 2022
Nancy and George head to Tokyo for their friend Midori's wedding. At the wedding, Midori disappears without a word, and before she weds. Nancy immediately jumps to action to find her missing friend and, along the way, finds her life in peril.
The Runaway Bride is a thrilling and mysterious adventure.
I particularly enjoyed the plot with the political agenda using infamous art. I would have appreciated Japanese culture more, the culture is expressed moderately well, but it just needed a bit more.
Overall, an adventurous and thrilling mystery for fans of Nancy Drew.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Runaway Bride is a thrilling and mysterious adventure.
I particularly enjoyed the plot with the political agenda using infamous art. I would have appreciated Japanese culture more, the culture is expressed moderately well, but it just needed a bit more.
Overall, an adventurous and thrilling mystery for fans of Nancy Drew.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
July 5, 2024
Some serious ick factors. Namely, I'd really hoped that the baddie would be one of the inexplicably present white dudes, because knowing the political context of intense anti-Japanese bigotry (leading to the murder of Vincent Chin, who wasn't even Japanese) in which this book was written and released makes the "sinister smiling Japanese millionaire" trope feel even grosser.
October 4, 2025
Really enjoyed this one! Great setting. Loved reading about all the Tokyo neighborhoods especially Harajuku which sounded like a punk version of Grease. The ending was exciting and kinda funny with the paint.
The villain side kick was kinda like a Bond villain with his star blade and puffer fish. The motorcycle scene does happen in the book.
George was such a killjoy though! Complaining about Japanese food the entire time!
Take a drink every time someone sports a crew cut.
Also, a character named Mad Dog.
Published in 1994.
The villain side kick was kinda like a Bond villain with his star blade and puffer fish. The motorcycle scene does happen in the book.
George was such a killjoy though! Complaining about Japanese food the entire time!
Take a drink every time someone sports a crew cut.
Also, a character named Mad Dog.
Published in 1994.
December 23, 2025
Nancy and George went to Tokyo for a friend’s wedding but ended up getting involved in a lot more than just a missing person after their friend bailed on the wedding. There was more than some were saying that was going on at a certain company, but leave it to Nancy, George and an old friend to sleuth it out.
February 10, 2019
This is the book that got me into books. I read it fourteen years ago in fourth grade during testing. I was completely absorbed. I don't remember the plot well but I'm curious to re read this and see if I enjoy it all these years later.
October 31, 2023
I really enjoyed this one!
Read
February 28, 2008this was a good one not keen on Japan but this was ok.
July 18, 2010
Cheesy as all get out, but I still love Nancy Drews.
November 22, 2010
AMAZING!
April 28, 2011
I thought it was okay, very good plot with fascinating detail.
May 4, 2013
Don't remember much but I know I liked it.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews