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Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #77
The Bluebeard Room
The young sleuth travels to Cornwall, England to uncover a mysterious coven of witches plaguing an old friend.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
26 people are currently reading
1414 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
948 books3,854 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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 - 30 of 43 reviews
June 11, 2017
Now, I have read some poorly-written Nancy Drew books before, but this really takes the cake. It's as if the writer had never read a Nancy Drew book before. Nancy refers to Carson as "Daddy" rather than "Dad" and calls Aunt Eloise "Aunt Ellie." Worse yet, George's characterization is completely wrong; she comes off as a clone of Bess, rather than her opposite. Additionally, the descriptions of Lance seem to have come from an especially inept romance novelist. (As in, I have read literal Harlequin novels with far more realistic, far less clichéd descriptions of their heroes and heroines.) For example:
Yes, you did just read a passage from a Nancy Drew book that made an analogy of a musician having sex with his audience. I CANNOT.
The book also contains many cultural anachronisms: Lisa is called "Lady Lisa," rather than the correct "Lady Hugh"; accents are rendered and described inexpertly; the time difference between London and River Heights is given as five hours, but since River Heights is a suburb of Chicago, it must be in the Central time zone, making a six-hour difference; and a butler addresses his employer as "m'luv," which really ANYONE should know would never happen. While none of those things would be a serious problem on their own, together they made it pretty clear that the writer really didn't do their homework, so to speak, which really diminished my suspension of disbelief. Which is hard to do, honestly. Furthermore, the book is more mired in the time of its writing (the '80s) than any other ND I've read, with references to Boy George and Billy Idol, and cocaine dealing as an important part of the plot.
All this, and what attracted me to the story, the connection to the fairy tale of Bluebeard, is barely touched on. There are Nancy Drews out there with far better writing, and with more interesting plots and characters. Unless you have a special fixation on wanting to read this one, I'm pretty confident in telling you to skip it.
Addendum, 7/1/16: I was just going through my old Goodreads reviews and found this one. I had completely forgotten till now how awful this book was, but my God, it's all coming back to me now. Interestingly, last year while I was eating up Nancy Drew criticism, I found an essay in the collection Murdering Miss Marple that characterizes The Bluebeard Room as the moment Nancy discovers sexuality, which I suppose is interesting and all, but couldn't it have come in a better book? Yikes. It also mentions that the book was written by James Lawrence, so at least now we know who to blame for this mess. (Is anyone surprised it was a man who was so unfaithful to the characters of Nancy and George, and couldn't write a romantic description of the leading man for crap? Anyone?)
In summary: I still CANNOT.
He was dressed like a futuristic highwayman, in a cocked hat and glittering blue metallic tights, with pistol bandoliers across his bare chest and his legs encased in silver boots. Sweat beaded his forehead as the music grew louder and his voice rose to a hoarse shout. At times he seemed to be threatening or sneering at the audience, at others, cajoling or making love to it. [...] He seemed to play on his fans' emotions as easily as he twanged out chords on his guitar. At times Nancy felt certain he was playing and singing especially to her.
Yes, you did just read a passage from a Nancy Drew book that made an analogy of a musician having sex with his audience. I CANNOT.
The book also contains many cultural anachronisms: Lisa is called "Lady Lisa," rather than the correct "Lady Hugh"; accents are rendered and described inexpertly; the time difference between London and River Heights is given as five hours, but since River Heights is a suburb of Chicago, it must be in the Central time zone, making a six-hour difference; and a butler addresses his employer as "m'luv," which really ANYONE should know would never happen. While none of those things would be a serious problem on their own, together they made it pretty clear that the writer really didn't do their homework, so to speak, which really diminished my suspension of disbelief. Which is hard to do, honestly. Furthermore, the book is more mired in the time of its writing (the '80s) than any other ND I've read, with references to Boy George and Billy Idol, and cocaine dealing as an important part of the plot.
All this, and what attracted me to the story, the connection to the fairy tale of Bluebeard, is barely touched on. There are Nancy Drews out there with far better writing, and with more interesting plots and characters. Unless you have a special fixation on wanting to read this one, I'm pretty confident in telling you to skip it.
Addendum, 7/1/16: I was just going through my old Goodreads reviews and found this one. I had completely forgotten till now how awful this book was, but my God, it's all coming back to me now. Interestingly, last year while I was eating up Nancy Drew criticism, I found an essay in the collection Murdering Miss Marple that characterizes The Bluebeard Room as the moment Nancy discovers sexuality, which I suppose is interesting and all, but couldn't it have come in a better book? Yikes. It also mentions that the book was written by James Lawrence, so at least now we know who to blame for this mess. (Is anyone surprised it was a man who was so unfaithful to the characters of Nancy and George, and couldn't write a romantic description of the leading man for crap? Anyone?)
In summary: I still CANNOT.
November 15, 2013
Review for curious fans of Blackmoor Manor:
-Aunt Eloise from Secrets Can Kill, hey now.
-Linda Penvellyn was originally Lisa. (Name change prolly due to Lisa already being used in Treasure in the Royal Tower.)
-Nigel (different last name) is "an immensely fat man with a gray mustache and goatee," who owns a bookstore.
-Whole bunch of nonsense with bands occurs. Notable: a one "Jane Royce" described as a strikingly attractive woman of either 21 or 22, with taffy-blond hair styled in a artful bush, a publicity agent/producer, who is for some reason is wearing a silver jumpsuit is present. (She smokes!)
-Butler named Landreth, no Mrs. Drake, although mandrake root was mentioned...
-Hugh is at home/meets Nancy.
-Ethel is a 60-year-old retired games mistress from a nearby girls' school. She makes Lisa/Linda special herbal tonic. Appears to be obsessed with offering massages.
-No Loulou...
-Aunt Eloise from Secrets Can Kill, hey now.
-Linda Penvellyn was originally Lisa. (Name change prolly due to Lisa already being used in Treasure in the Royal Tower.)
-Nigel (different last name) is "an immensely fat man with a gray mustache and goatee," who owns a bookstore.
-Whole bunch of nonsense with bands occurs. Notable: a one "Jane Royce" described as a strikingly attractive woman of either 21 or 22, with taffy-blond hair styled in a artful bush, a publicity agent/producer, who is for some reason is wearing a silver jumpsuit is present. (She smokes!)
-Butler named Landreth, no Mrs. Drake, although mandrake root was mentioned...
-Hugh is at home/meets Nancy.
-Ethel is a 60-year-old retired games mistress from a nearby girls' school. She makes Lisa/Linda special herbal tonic. Appears to be obsessed with offering massages.
-No Loulou...
March 19, 2018
Nancy falls for two Brit boys at the same time - one is a rock star and the other a journalist. She gets both at the end - and that's not a spoiler! So anyway, Nancy goes to New York along with her besties to spend some time with Aunt Eloise. She gets invited to a concert there and meets the arrogant Lance, who takes her for one of his groupies. She also meets an old neighbour who buys her a ticket to London and tells her to check up on her daughter. Lucky Nancy! My old neighbours aren't that nice!
The next thing we know Nancy is in England mingling with rockstars and aristocrats. Her friend Lisa married a blueblood - don't they all? But not everything seems to be good with their marriage. And then, there is a mysterious locked room in the castle. The local witch coven is a good place to start investigating.
Love, drugs, rock 'n' roll, occult - sounds more 60s than the 80s. But with so much pop culture shoved in, the writing and the story does take a backseat. And frankly, this is yet another ND where Nancy's char does not live up to expectations. There is also far too much romance than mystery in this. But it's vastly better than The Emerald-Eyed Cat Mystery, which made no sense whatsoever. So, three stars.
The next thing we know Nancy is in England mingling with rockstars and aristocrats. Her friend Lisa married a blueblood - don't they all? But not everything seems to be good with their marriage. And then, there is a mysterious locked room in the castle. The local witch coven is a good place to start investigating.
Love, drugs, rock 'n' roll, occult - sounds more 60s than the 80s. But with so much pop culture shoved in, the writing and the story does take a backseat. And frankly, this is yet another ND where Nancy's char does not live up to expectations. There is also far too much romance than mystery in this. But it's vastly better than The Emerald-Eyed Cat Mystery, which made no sense whatsoever. So, three stars.
April 4, 2021
The title of this one is pretty tenuous. The mystery doesn't really centre around a mysterious locked room. Nancy goes to Cornwall to help an old schoolfriend. She encounters rock stars, journalists and Cornish superstition. She suspects witchcraft to be the root of her friend's unhappiness. There's not much mystery solving - the story focusses more on Nancy's relationships with rock star Lance Warrick and then her affection for journalist Alan Trevor. The mystery is insubstantial and there's not much sleuthing going on. The resolution is rushed and there are lots of unanswered questions. Not a favourite.
June 7, 2022
Nancy, Bess, and George are visiting Nancy's Aunt Eloise in New York City. They are invited to a society function and just happen to meet British rock star Lance Warrick of the super-group Crowned Heads. But it's Nancy who has turned his head. Nancy also meets Olive Harwood, mother of one of Nancy's friends from River Heights. Lisa Harwood had married a British aristocrat in a fairy tale wedding, but from what Mrs. Harwood tells Nancy, it doesn't sound like they are living happily ever after. Lisa looks thin and haunted and Mrs. Harwood wants Nancy to go to England (at her expense) and get to the bottom of whatever is troubling her daughter.
Nancy agrees to go and finds herself in the middle of a mystery involving ancient statues, drugs, witchcraft, hypnosis, and hidden caves. She also finds herself juggling the attentions of Lance Warrick and a handsome young reporter by the name of Alan Trevor. Both men help Nancy unravel the mystery. But Nancy is the one who tracks down all the clues.
The basic mystery is pretty good as Nancy Drew plots go. Nancy makes logical deductions based on what clues she's able to find and takes the lead in investigating the hidden cave. But I do take great exception to the ghost writer having Nancy call Carson Drew "Daddy" (which she never did in the original hardbacks) and having her so very caught up in how she looks. It seemed to me that whoever wrote this under the Keene name had very little real knowledge of the character. And don't get me started on how many times her "heart skipped a beat" or her "pulse quickened" and it wasn't about some mysterious clue she noticed--oh, no. It was all to do with Lance "rock star" Warrick. I've never taken to the idea that her special beau Ned is being quietly shoved aside in these later novels. And I certainly am not a fan of making Nancy behave like the heroine of a romance novel.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
Nancy agrees to go and finds herself in the middle of a mystery involving ancient statues, drugs, witchcraft, hypnosis, and hidden caves. She also finds herself juggling the attentions of Lance Warrick and a handsome young reporter by the name of Alan Trevor. Both men help Nancy unravel the mystery. But Nancy is the one who tracks down all the clues.
The basic mystery is pretty good as Nancy Drew plots go. Nancy makes logical deductions based on what clues she's able to find and takes the lead in investigating the hidden cave. But I do take great exception to the ghost writer having Nancy call Carson Drew "Daddy" (which she never did in the original hardbacks) and having her so very caught up in how she looks. It seemed to me that whoever wrote this under the Keene name had very little real knowledge of the character. And don't get me started on how many times her "heart skipped a beat" or her "pulse quickened" and it wasn't about some mysterious clue she noticed--oh, no. It was all to do with Lance "rock star" Warrick. I've never taken to the idea that her special beau Ned is being quietly shoved aside in these later novels. And I certainly am not a fan of making Nancy behave like the heroine of a romance novel.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
September 11, 2018
Possibly the worst Nancy Drew book I've ever read...badly written, confusing plot, flat characters, ugh....it's not really a Nancy Drew book honestly. She gets distracted by romances with shitty guys, and calls her father "Daddy"...it's just wrong on so many levels
September 15, 2022
Comparison to the Nancy Drew: Curse of Blackmoor Manor computer game. Regretfully, this has got to be the worst Nancy Drew book I've ever read. It's just really weird and Nancy doesn't seem like Nancy at all. The only thing it has in common with the game is a few character names (largely Penvellyn) and the premise of how Nancy ends up in London to begin with. If you're looking for alchemy and werewolves, this one is not it. 1/10
March 10, 2022
This the worst Nancy Drew novel I've read yet. It feels like the person who pitched this manuscript initially didn't intend for it to be a Nancy Drew book, or they REALLY wanted to push Nancy into having a crappy romance novel feel? (I mean no hate towards romance novels, there are good ones too, believe me, lol)
There isn't really a mystery for most of the book, Nancy is a bit too distracted by her 2 new English love rivals the entire time (and occasionally thinks of Ned). In fact, she doesn't even end up in England till about a 3rd through the book.
In researching it, I realized this author also wrote "The Haunted Carousel" which I have also read, which doesn't have major characterization issues, but in this one, Nancy calls Carson "Daddy"...ew... however, George takes the cake in out of character writing by calling Bess "cuddles" at one point.
There is unfortunately just a lot to dislike in this book, my least favorite line had to be "a Yank female private eye who combines curves with brains" ugh.
There isn't really a mystery for most of the book, Nancy is a bit too distracted by her 2 new English love rivals the entire time (and occasionally thinks of Ned). In fact, she doesn't even end up in England till about a 3rd through the book.
In researching it, I realized this author also wrote "The Haunted Carousel" which I have also read, which doesn't have major characterization issues, but in this one, Nancy calls Carson "Daddy"...ew... however, George takes the cake in out of character writing by calling Bess "cuddles" at one point.
There is unfortunately just a lot to dislike in this book, my least favorite line had to be "a Yank female private eye who combines curves with brains" ugh.
May 10, 2022
It’s been a minute since I’ve read a Nancy mystery, and unfortunately I think I chose the wrong one. As much as I enjoy reading the books that were used to create the games, this one was very bizarre. This book supposedly inspired Curse of Blackmoor Manor. And while there were some occasional similarities, these two mysteries are nothing alike. I don’t remember Nancy encountering rock stars, druggies, and cheating on Ned with two different guys in CUR. As entertaining as this book was, it just was all over the place and not a great mystery or storyline. Pick it up if you’re looking for a bizarre one, but if you’re looking for a Nancy Dres mystery with a good storyline, I’d leave this one on the shelf.
April 3, 2020
The Bluebeard Room By Carolyn Keene
Series: Yes Nancy Drew #77
Format: Softcover
Stars: 5
Recommend: Yes
Would Reread: Yes
3rd reread 4-1-20
I give honest reviews and all my opinions are my own.
For more of my reviews go to Heavenly High Seas Books
https://heavenlyhighseasbooks.blogspo...
Series: Yes Nancy Drew #77
Format: Softcover
Stars: 5
Recommend: Yes
Would Reread: Yes
3rd reread 4-1-20
I give honest reviews and all my opinions are my own.
For more of my reviews go to Heavenly High Seas Books
https://heavenlyhighseasbooks.blogspo...
July 5, 2021
I read this book cover to cover in one day, so it gets points for being engaging. However, the plot was pretty much nonsensical, more so than any other ND book I’ve read so far.
There are several plot points in this book that all come together to form a crazy, vaguely connected mystery. There is drug dealing, an ancient witch coven, possible poisoning, art theft, underwater caves, and probably some other loose threads that the author failed to tie up. I was struggling to make sense of what I was reading most of the time.
Curse of Blackmoor Manor is my favorite Nancy Drew PC game, but my expectations for this book (the game’s inspiration) were still extremely low, as I’d read reviews prior to reading. Still, I expected to have a sort of “so bad it’s good” experience, and instead I find myself disappointed. I found that there were aspects of the book that really did intrigue me. I love the idea of spooky witches, a “Bluebeard” room, a husband possibly poisoning his wife, and hypnotizing/drugging a young woman to throw herself off a tower in the middle of the night. It’s far-fetched, but it still could have been pretty fun if the author had known how to pull it off.
Some ways in which this book fails spectacularly:
1. The author attempts to teach the reader some English history. At one point, he brings up how King Arthur and his knights didn’t speak Oxford English, but instead Welsh, Cornish, and Latin. Can somebody please tell this guy that no one knows for sure whether King Arthur actually existed?
2. In the first chapter, Nancy is employed by Olive Harwood to investigate why her daughter Lisa seems so sick and run-down. Olive suspects that Lisa's new husband, Hugh Penvellyn, is poisoning her and she asks Nancy to go to London right away, preferably the next morning. Then FOR LITERALLY HALF OF THE BOOK we are stalled by Nancy having an affair with a rock star named Lance Warrick. If all of that nonessential nonsense would’ve been cut out, the author would have had much more time to develop the mystery.
3. The book dwells a little on an ancestor named Phoebe Penvellyn who was tortured into admitting she was a witch and then executed (basically the inspiration behind Elinor Penvellyn in the game). Later on, we find out Phoebe’s maiden name is Harwood, just like Lisa. After seeing a portrait of Phoebe, Nancy realizes that the two look eerily similar, further implying that Phoebe and Lisa are related. At the end, we somehow discover that one of the culprits was spreading rumors around the village about Lisa being Phoebe's reincarnation, which caused everyone to fear her. Skirting around how ridiculous this is...can we just talk about how Phoebe is a blood ancestor of both Hugh and Lisa? Incest much?
4. Nancy also ends up attracted to a reporter in London who spreads nasty rumors about her, Alan Trevor. The ending of the book is:
“You still haven’t said which one of us you care for most, Nancy luv!” Lance complained.
A voice announced that it was time to board. Nancy kissed each of her suitors and replied lightly, “I guess that’s one riddle I haven’t solved yet!”
Yup. That is the very last sentence. I literally rolled my eyes and shut the book.
One thing that did perk me up was that the line “I’m so glad you’ve come, Nancy” was given to Hugh, reminding me of my favorite missing character, Jane Penvellyn. (Seriously, her lack of presence makes this book all the more disappointing for me.) I also noticed some elements that were later added to other games. Such as Nancy sinking into a bog “like quicksand” after being lured by an Irish tune (Castle Malloy?) and an old lady distributing herbal remedies (Crystal Skull?). Not sure if they were just coincidences, but it was interesting.
There are several plot points in this book that all come together to form a crazy, vaguely connected mystery. There is drug dealing, an ancient witch coven, possible poisoning, art theft, underwater caves, and probably some other loose threads that the author failed to tie up. I was struggling to make sense of what I was reading most of the time.
Curse of Blackmoor Manor is my favorite Nancy Drew PC game, but my expectations for this book (the game’s inspiration) were still extremely low, as I’d read reviews prior to reading. Still, I expected to have a sort of “so bad it’s good” experience, and instead I find myself disappointed. I found that there were aspects of the book that really did intrigue me. I love the idea of spooky witches, a “Bluebeard” room, a husband possibly poisoning his wife, and hypnotizing/drugging a young woman to throw herself off a tower in the middle of the night. It’s far-fetched, but it still could have been pretty fun if the author had known how to pull it off.
Some ways in which this book fails spectacularly:
1. The author attempts to teach the reader some English history. At one point, he brings up how King Arthur and his knights didn’t speak Oxford English, but instead Welsh, Cornish, and Latin. Can somebody please tell this guy that no one knows for sure whether King Arthur actually existed?
2. In the first chapter, Nancy is employed by Olive Harwood to investigate why her daughter Lisa seems so sick and run-down. Olive suspects that Lisa's new husband, Hugh Penvellyn, is poisoning her and she asks Nancy to go to London right away, preferably the next morning. Then FOR LITERALLY HALF OF THE BOOK we are stalled by Nancy having an affair with a rock star named Lance Warrick. If all of that nonessential nonsense would’ve been cut out, the author would have had much more time to develop the mystery.
3. The book dwells a little on an ancestor named Phoebe Penvellyn who was tortured into admitting she was a witch and then executed (basically the inspiration behind Elinor Penvellyn in the game). Later on, we find out Phoebe’s maiden name is Harwood, just like Lisa. After seeing a portrait of Phoebe, Nancy realizes that the two look eerily similar, further implying that Phoebe and Lisa are related. At the end, we somehow discover that one of the culprits was spreading rumors around the village about Lisa being Phoebe's reincarnation, which caused everyone to fear her. Skirting around how ridiculous this is...can we just talk about how Phoebe is a blood ancestor of both Hugh and Lisa? Incest much?
4. Nancy also ends up attracted to a reporter in London who spreads nasty rumors about her, Alan Trevor. The ending of the book is:
“You still haven’t said which one of us you care for most, Nancy luv!” Lance complained.
A voice announced that it was time to board. Nancy kissed each of her suitors and replied lightly, “I guess that’s one riddle I haven’t solved yet!”
Yup. That is the very last sentence. I literally rolled my eyes and shut the book.
One thing that did perk me up was that the line “I’m so glad you’ve come, Nancy” was given to Hugh, reminding me of my favorite missing character, Jane Penvellyn. (Seriously, her lack of presence makes this book all the more disappointing for me.) I also noticed some elements that were later added to other games. Such as Nancy sinking into a bog “like quicksand” after being lured by an Irish tune (Castle Malloy?) and an old lady distributing herbal remedies (Crystal Skull?). Not sure if they were just coincidences, but it was interesting.
January 1, 2019
Tja, det är ju en Kitty-bok... Tam kärlekshistoria (där kärleken inte grundas på något egentligt, som väl är vanligt i den här stackars genren tyvärr) men en lagomt spännande deckarintrig. Läste denna som barn (mellanstadiet kanske?) och det jag mindes var Kittys vän som gick i sömnen, så det måste ha gjort intryck på mig åtminstone. När jag minns min Kittyläsning är det nog den bilden, och ett övergivet rum där det är gjort att se ut som att det är lämnat i all hast för länge sedan, maten kvar på bordet och spindelväv och möjlig mat osv, men som visar sig vara arrangerat för att avleda misstankarna. Och ett äpple som någon stoppat in rakblad i på något Halloweenfirande tror jag. Mer spår än så har dessa böcker inte lämnat i mig. Men jag gillar ändå att jag hade en kvinnlig dektektivförebild, det var säkert nyttigt.
July 20, 2019
Nancy is asked by an old friend Mrs Olive Harwood to investigate why her recently married daughter Lisa is so unhappy and looking increasingly haggard - is she being poisoned by her new husband Hugh?
It has been many years since I have read a Nancy Drew story but a recent discovery of old copies in a charity shop reignited my interest. Now I can quite understand why I developed an early love for murder mysteries. Even today I think they stand the test of time, Nancy is an independent spirit who investigates crimes on her own has a reputation for being a sleuth and being dependable, a caring and good friend. The story is not at all predictable it has an interesting and expansive storyline with unexpected twists.
It loses a star for having Nancy being tempted by the oily charms of rock star Lance Warwick, although she does realise the error of her ways.
It has been many years since I have read a Nancy Drew story but a recent discovery of old copies in a charity shop reignited my interest. Now I can quite understand why I developed an early love for murder mysteries. Even today I think they stand the test of time, Nancy is an independent spirit who investigates crimes on her own has a reputation for being a sleuth and being dependable, a caring and good friend. The story is not at all predictable it has an interesting and expansive storyline with unexpected twists.
It loses a star for having Nancy being tempted by the oily charms of rock star Lance Warwick, although she does realise the error of her ways.
February 7, 2024
This Nancy book was crazy. It was written in the 1980s which became apparent soon by the reference to David bowie and Mick jagger. I disliked the sort of love triangle romance between Nancy , Lance , and Alan. I wrote sort of because Alan was shoved in 2/3 way through the book . He wasn't even a player. I disliked both love interests. I though Lance was annoying,condescending and irrating . I particularly despised his stupid " punky english" flirting . I also disliked Alan , though not as much as Lance though. I though he was snoopy and annoying . I personally have no idea why Nancy like either of them because I would 'nt give them a passing glance. Also the mystery showed promise at the beginning but the ending was unsatisfying with the writer making every person Nancy met a badguy . My reaction to the ending :😒.
December 28, 2023
I've read The Bluebeard Room(Nancy Drew story book) by Carolyn Keene. It's about a young sleuth who travels a trip to Cornwall England to uncover the mystery coven of witches who plaguing an a old friend. I enjoyed these types of books because it is interesting to read with parents. I recommend the book to an a eight year old children those who also like to read interesting books.
By shaalini
Gogineni
By shaalini
Gogineni
October 24, 2024
Nancy drew mysteries are easy to read and are extremely engaging so that you do not feel like putting the book down and eventually one finishes the book in one day.
This book takes Nancy to Cornwell where she investigates two mysteries at a time. She finds out that both of them are connected and finally she manages to solve both of them.
Happy reading.
This book takes Nancy to Cornwell where she investigates two mysteries at a time. She finds out that both of them are connected and finally she manages to solve both of them.
Happy reading.
May 8, 2019
L'aspect "romantique" de ce 77ème tome ne me plait pas du tout.
Ils sont entrain de détruire l'image de notre Alice...
En plus de ça, le style d'écriture est vraiment différent... et pas dans le bon sens !
Ils sont entrain de détruire l'image de notre Alice...
En plus de ça, le style d'écriture est vraiment différent... et pas dans le bon sens !
May 23, 2020
what is this? First off I am NOT someone who writes offensive reviews but this is not a good book. Nancy drew is literally dating 3 people that all hate each other. I have to say this is not a good story and I love nancy drew.
December 5, 2024
English coastal town straight out of a Hammer film.
Witches. Contraband drugs.
A group called the Crowned Heads with a Bowie-Jagger-Idol look-alike lead singer.
What's not to love about this book!
Witches. Contraband drugs.
A group called the Crowned Heads with a Bowie-Jagger-Idol look-alike lead singer.
What's not to love about this book!
December 2, 2019
2.5 stars. Quite a modern take on Nancy Drew!
March 28, 2020
Drugs and multiple british boyfriends. Edgy Nancy.
June 6, 2021
Nancy Drew Mystery Series #77. Nancy travels to England to solve a mystery. Light and fun.
June 24, 2021
This was BAD. I don't remember Nancy Drew being like this
June 12, 2022
This one was insane in the best possible way, and I loved every second of it.
July 13, 2022
A cute story and a solid entry in to the series. I'm catching up!
Set in Cornwall, UK, so very interesting descriptions.
Set in Cornwall, UK, so very interesting descriptions.
September 13, 2022
Never thought I would see a day when I give a Nancy Drew book less than 3 stars but here we are.
July 25, 2023
Was expecting better, but since I read a translated version I’m not sure if maybe something’s were just lost.
May 22, 2024
Awful!
This book has no place in this series. Absolutely nothing about this book was even close to the others. Who wrote this garbage?
This book has no place in this series. Absolutely nothing about this book was even close to the others. Who wrote this garbage?
March 24, 2025
What the actual fuck did I just read? Sex, drugs, and rock and roll, but with a Nancy Drew twist?
I picked this up because apparently Curse of Blackmoor Manor was based partially on this. This book was bananas. Nancy was juggling two men (three if you count Ned) and spend literally half of the book in relationship drama before even arriving at Pennvelyn Castle. Lisa was such an afterthought. We had Jane who was such a nothing in this story and who somehow ended up as a twelve year old girl in the game. Ethel was an old drug pusher instead of a creepy cult leader. Nigel barely existed in the book. I’m glad the game didn’t get into the relationship drama, as entertaining as it was. And at the end Nancy just ran off into the sunset and left both boys hanging? Wild. (Side note - Nancy and Ned should just not date if they’re going to see other people. Clearly they don’t care about each other enough to remain committed.)
I can’t say I liked this book because I don’t actually think it was a good book. But it was entertaining as heck, so I did enjoy the wild ride.
I picked this up because apparently Curse of Blackmoor Manor was based partially on this. This book was bananas. Nancy was juggling two men (three if you count Ned) and spend literally half of the book in relationship drama before even arriving at Pennvelyn Castle. Lisa was such an afterthought. We had Jane who was such a nothing in this story and who somehow ended up as a twelve year old girl in the game. Ethel was an old drug pusher instead of a creepy cult leader. Nigel barely existed in the book. I’m glad the game didn’t get into the relationship drama, as entertaining as it was. And at the end Nancy just ran off into the sunset and left both boys hanging? Wild. (Side note - Nancy and Ned should just not date if they’re going to see other people. Clearly they don’t care about each other enough to remain committed.)
I can’t say I liked this book because I don’t actually think it was a good book. But it was entertaining as heck, so I did enjoy the wild ride.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2016
I have to agree with everyone else, this is a pretty bad Nancy Drew. Over half of the book is weird romance with a rockstar Nancy literally just met, and the mystery definitely plays second fiddle to the love triangle which develops. I'm thinking this book was originally a Nancy Drew Files(the series aimed at teens) book that was repurposed for the main series, because there's a reference to "making love", tons of romance and poor Ned being shoved aside, and not to mention, DRUGS. If I had read this book as a kid and not a 22 year old trying to read the entire series, I would have dropped this book like it was corrupting filth. All in all, this is an extremely weird ND. I also came to this playing Curse of Blackmoor Manor, which is supposedly based on this book, but the only thing the same between the two is some of the names, but even half of those are slightly different.
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