High Marks for Malice

Nancy Drew Files #32

by Carolyn Keene

Nancy and Ned visit prestigious Basson College to see their friend Linc Sheffield. Soon they learn Linc is lying unconscious after a mysterious accident, and Nancy and Ned become embroiled in a case of bogus degrees and blackmail that leads to murder.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Childrens, Middle Grade, Own, Detective, Crime

180 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1989

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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 3 out of 5]

Not what I've come to expect from this series, but still good.

[V. Arrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this title! The mystery felt genuinely urgent and threatening, and while the baddie was predictable early on, their motive was revealed much more slowly and skillfully than usual.

[Eric Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The mystery was interesting and suspenseful and had me engrossed. The characters and setting were also interesting, I think the characters were the best part of the book actually. I really enjoyed them and they added enjoyment to the story. Although, the culprits were obvious and the mystery was a bit convoluted. I thought the solution could have also been more explained in detail. Nancy's detecting was fine, though I didn't understand when in one scene, she hears somebody talking about her and some other characters in a room, possibly the culprit, but instead of confronting them or waiting until they leave the room to see who it is, she walks off and ignores it! Really Nancy?? Overall, this is a entertaining, interesting book that will keep you turning the pages, but is a bit convoluted. 3 stars.

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

3 stars. I enjoyed this installment to the series. It was fun but also just pure chaos but in a good way. The plot was bonkers and there were a lot of big, dramatic moments and some entertaining action happening here. The mystery was good and I liked the way everything wrapped up. Very fun read.

[Susanna Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read but not a lot of depth. It was good fun to look back on times where computers were still fairly new.

[Darinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy Drew Files #32. Nancy travels to a college to visit a friend. She solves a mystery while there. Light and entertaining.

[Roderick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Computer mystery: pretty advanced, for its time

[Seema M. Fazil · Rating 4 out of 5]

#32 High Marks for Malice is the first Nancy Drew Files I've ever read. It was amazing!
Glad I gave it a go.
In the past, I put a couple of ND Files on my TBR but at the same time, I was hesitant as I kept hearing that some (or most) of the Files books have inappropriate contents.
This one didn't.
I loved how the author was true to the character of Nancy.
I would've finished this earlier, but because of things coming in my way over the weekend, it took me four days to finish. I'm usually fast in finishing a Nancy Drew or a Hardy Boys book as I love them so much.
I would recommend this book to Nancy Drew fans out there.

Unless there is another good one out there, I don't know if I will ever pick up another Nancy Drew Files.

[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.

[H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some inconsistencies and didn't really grab my attention. Still, I enjoyed it because I love Nancy Drew! :-)

I kinda miss the old days when we can just chuck a slim paperback in our bags that still weighs less than tablets.

[Partridge Public]

Keene,Carolyn PB

[Sahar · Rating 2 out of 5]

okish book

[Shreela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the very first Nancy Drew book I read.. around 15 years back. Got me hooked for life ! :)

[Nattie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.