Circle of Evil

Nancy Drew Files #18

by Carolyn Keene

While enjoying a fabulous party hosted by wealthy Joanna Tate, Nancy finds herself investigating a major jewel theft. Joanna's newest prize -- a diamond and ruby necklace -- is missing. And since Joanna hasn't kept the necklace a secret, Nancy has plenty of suspects. Her chief problem is rookie police detective John Ryan, who wants to nab the thief himself. But a rash of copycat robberies -- and some devishly original murder attempts -- convince Nancy to collar the country club burglar right away... or pay dearly later.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Childrens, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, American

156 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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

Yet another great installment in this series.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. This one was fine. I wasn’t that invested in the mystery but I did like the new detective character and I hope there’ll be more of him and he wasn’t just a one off character. Also, I did like the way the mystery was wrapped up and how it was Nancy that solved it despite the fact that she was told to stay away from the case. That was pretty fun. Other than this one was fine.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mean, I don't know that it was really a circle of evil, more like a circle of moderate badness, but I guess that title isn't quite as catchy.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had all the right aspects i like. Suspense early on in the book to keep me gripped and sustained the suspense throughout the whole book.

[Melody · Rating 2 out of 5]

God, I love the cover of this one. The story is not so great however.

[Celestria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read four of these Nancy Drew Files books and this one has been my favorite so far. I think the books are well paced. I don't get bored with them and almost every chapter ends with a cliff hanger, so you have to keep reading, which I don't mind because these books are very small and I can easily finish one in a day.

[Roderick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stupid decision needlessly endangered her (again, right after being rescued) at the end, but otherwise solid fare

[A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

No real lesson or deeper meaning (which is fine, not every book has to have one) but lots of action. Two stars for the book, one extra star for nostalgia.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, I am having a blast reading these books.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My summary/review (includes cursing):

https://anchor.fm/nancy-drew-nickerso...

[Andrew Thais · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5)

[Bookish Indulgenges with b00k r3vi3ws · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[K.L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joanna Tate is an idiot, she blabs to all and sundry about her wealth and where things are hidden and is then surprised when a precious necklace gets stolen! Nancy and the girls investigate the country club in search of suspects. Nancy has to contend with a grouchy police detective (probably natural IRL) and with Joanna constantly shooting her mouth off. The ending was a tad silly though

[Cupof Tea · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Suspenseful" was my one-word description in grade 7.

[V. Arrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is sooooooo '80s. What a money-obsessed, gross decade. But also: flashy and fun.