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Nancy Drew Files #89
Designs in Crime
In a world of lace, silk, and chiffon, Nancy finds that murder is made to order! Beau Winston is a hot name in fashion, and he's invited Nancy Drew into his New York studio to find out who is stealing his original designs. But now he has suffered an even greater loss -- one that threatens to destroy his reputation. Someone has made off with his most prized a wedding gown custom-made for heiress Joanna Rockwell. Nancy's investigation draws her into a web of hidden motives and twisted ambitions. She uncovers a pattern of intrigue, betrayal, and revenge stretching from Manhattan's Garment District to the Fifth Avenue triplex of the billionaire Rockwell family. And every new thread in the case leads to an increase in for the thief of fashions is now dressed to kill!
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
2 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
1,122 books3,905 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 9, 2020
As usual, this series delivers. An exciting whodunit with plenty of twists and turns.
November 27, 2019
Bess and Nancy investigate the theft of billionairess Joannas wedding dress. Bess becomes a petite model for a famous designer
November 19, 2025
Very fun.
November 12, 2015
An exciting Nancy Drew mystery set in the world of high fashion.
When Nancy is asked to assist a dress designer on a case she gets more than she bargained for!
Beau Winston designs wedding dresses and formal wear but someone has stolen his biggest client's wedding dress, Joanna daughter of the millionaire Michael Rockwell and on top of that disaster someone is also stealing his dress designs and selling them to a cut price rival outfit called Budget designs but who is the spy in the camp that is selling his sketches?
Is it his dressmaker Mrs. Chong? His head designer Angel Ortiz or is it somehow his rival since design school Mimi Piazza?
Nancy thinks she has solved the case and found the suspect but when one of the above suspects is murdered Nancy is thrown a curveball and has to reevaluate the whole case.
Can she solve the mystery of the design thief in time AND locate Joanna's dress as time ticks down to her society wedding!
Fast paced, fun and a great murder mystery.
A worthy read for fans of the teen detective.
When Nancy is asked to assist a dress designer on a case she gets more than she bargained for!
Beau Winston designs wedding dresses and formal wear but someone has stolen his biggest client's wedding dress, Joanna daughter of the millionaire Michael Rockwell and on top of that disaster someone is also stealing his dress designs and selling them to a cut price rival outfit called Budget designs but who is the spy in the camp that is selling his sketches?
Is it his dressmaker Mrs. Chong? His head designer Angel Ortiz or is it somehow his rival since design school Mimi Piazza?
Nancy thinks she has solved the case and found the suspect but when one of the above suspects is murdered Nancy is thrown a curveball and has to reevaluate the whole case.
Can she solve the mystery of the design thief in time AND locate Joanna's dress as time ticks down to her society wedding!
Fast paced, fun and a great murder mystery.
A worthy read for fans of the teen detective.
October 19, 2008
So far that i have read it is a good book
January 26, 2009
This book was great, but it won't ever compare to the original Nancy Drew series.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews