Lights, Camera...

Nancy Drew: Girl Detective #5

by Micol Ostow

I'm a detective,not an actor, so who would think I'd be involved in a crime both offscreen and on? A producer has come to River Heights to film a reenactment of the heist that gave our town it's name, and he thinks I'm perfect for the part of Esther, the sister of the thieving Rackham boys. So I figure, why not give it a try?
But once the cameras start rolling, the trouble begins. Food poisoning. Broken generators. And worse! If I don't sniff out some suspects soon, this might be my final act.

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Crime

160 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2004

About the author

Micol Ostow has been writing professionally since 2004, and in that time has written and/or ghostwritten over 40 published works for young readers. She started her reign of terror with Egmont with her novel FAMILY, which Elizabeth Burns named a favorite of 2012 on her School Library Journal-syndicated blog, A Chair, a Fireplace, a Tea Cozy. Micol's graphic novel, SO PUNK ROCK (and Other Ways to Disappoint Your Mother), was named a 2009 Booklist Top Ten Arts Books for Youth Selection, a Booklist Top Ten Religion Books for Youth Selection, and a Sydney Taylor Notable Book for Teens. She received her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts.

Her young adult horror novel, AMITY, will release from Egmont in August 2014, and her first chapter book series, LOUISE TRAPEZE, will debut in Spring 2015 from Random House.

She lives and works in Brooklyn, NY, alongside her Emmy Award-winning husband, their daughter, and a finicky French bulldog. Visit her at www.micolostow.com.

Reviews

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series continues to deliver; I've enjoyed pretty much every volume featuring the infamous teenage sleuth.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

prity cool and i sordove saw it comeing because the bad guy was really proud.

[Zelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

a little boring but good. nancy drew is alwyas good.

[Cathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

For anyone that grew up with the 'old' Nancy Drew books, they would know that Carolyn Keene was a pseudonym for authors that wrote the entire series. Obviously, the tradition is continuing with a revamp of this updated series but the only thing the same is the name Nancy Drew. One of the beautiful things about the original books is how the authors painted a beautiful picture of the characters --- you felt as if you knew (or wanted to know) all of them. There is no flow to the writing and the author seems unable to build interest in the characters or the story. Such a shame that they used the Nancy Drew series for the book - it could have been any character so why ruin a series?

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this with my daughter. She really liked it. It is kind of like the Hercule Poirot stories for tweens.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m so glad I’ve been able to track more of these down, because they’re just so cute and fun to read!

[Sammi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as I remember, unfortunately, but worth a read just to see how the character and style has changed for a modern audience. 2.5 / 5

Read the full review, and others, on Sammi Loves Books: https://sammicox.wordpress.com/

[Vibhavari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lights, camera and thrill!

[Megan Oettinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars.

What I Liked:
• The action
• Felt more like the old Nancy Drew books

What Wasn't My Cup of Tea:
• Nancy knowing a part for everyone

Overall Thoughts:
This book was better than the last one I read (which was definitely intended for a younger audience). But this one had action in it where Nancy was getting herself into all kinds of trouble which was great because it felt reminiscent of the original Nancy Drew series. I really enjoyed that part of it but what was kind of annoying was that she knew just how to fix everything, knew just the part that George or Bess or George's mom could help out with. I half expected Nancy to freakin' direct this movie because she was solving problems left & right. So while I enjoyed the story & the style I wasn't a fan of Nancy being the hero character (except when solving the case).

[Ashlyn Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book the main character Nancy goes undercover on a movie set as the lead actresses stand in. Nancy has to find out who has been writing the threatening emails to the director Gordon, the lead actor Brett, and the lead actress Fiona. Nancy makes a few mistakes that create problems with her boyfriend Ned and her friend Betsy. In the end Nancy makes a wrong turn and has to get herself and everyone else out alive. What will happen, who is the corporate?
The theme of this book is to never give up. In the book nancy has to follow the corporate, but they get in a car and drive away. Nancy does not give up so easily though so she follows the tracks and memorizes them. She also helps Brett get out of a jam and in order to do it she has to just go and not worry. She never gives up on solving the mystery.
I really liked this book. It was exciting and kept me on the balls of my feet. It had lots of exciting twist and turns that I was not expecting. I didn't like how a person was killed in it though. I loved the ending because everything end out perfect. This was a fun and thrilling book.

[Marissa Farhi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lights, Camera was a very interesting book. It kept me reading and curious at each page I read. Some parts got a little slow and boring, but for the most part it was a very different book then I'm used to, and I enjoyed it.
The book Lights, Camera is about an adult, Nancy Drew, who is a very experienced and smart detective. She and her friend Luther hear about a television movie that is being filmed in their town about one of the most-known crimes in their town. They go to check it out, and get hired to work on it! Mysterious things happen on the set and it gets suspicious. You won't be disappointed with the outcome of Nancy's work.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy crime and mystery books. It will leave you hanging at moments and you won't regret reading it!

[LuAnn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stupid--that was my reaction when I finished this. Nancy didn't interview a real suspect until p 128 then by 138, based on a magazine article and supposition, she had wrapped it up. Sometimes she spend more time sleuthing than doing her cover job, but this was the opposite. And Bess is handily both a mechanic who can fix diesel generators and a certified and trade licensed carpenter and George is an expert hacker--not sure what Nancy's talents are anymore other than headhunter for the doomed movie shoot--she even got George's mom the catering job! Love the environmental activist called Bongo who says ,"Sure man." But of course I have to read the next one which continues the setting and premise, unusual for this series.

[Deanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a new take on Nancy Drew written in the first person. The problem I have with this series is that the facts about Nancy, Ned, George, and Bess are not accurate with the original series of Nancy Drew and Nancy Drew files. The ages, descriptions, etc. are so different that I cannot stand this book series.

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided to read a new Nancy Drew book to see if the series was still good. It was just liked I remembered except with cell phones and computers. It was nice to revisit my childhood by reading a new book with familiar, old friends.

[matilde · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*
I read this on the train as a little breakup from everything and because it is so easy to read. Took a while before they solved the mystery. The book is filled with fantastic scenes and everything comes to life in a way.

[V. Arrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always think that I don't like the NDGD series as much as the other lines, but then I enjoy the books when I do give them a chance. This was a much more well-developed ND book than the last several I've read in the main line and Files.

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is action packed and thrilling

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you read this book you have to read #6 because they connect.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far I am liking this book. I always get hooked at the end of the chapters when I have to go to bed or something. I hope they end the book with a PAZAZ!

[Hailey]

Started.. but didn't really get into.

[Alsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting and thrilling. Great book

[Duygu Pınar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hıms tadına baktım bitmiştir. 3 verecektim ama sonlara doğru çok daha sıkıldım.

[Palak Jain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy is awesome

[Ainiah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad read, personally but I prefer the older stories.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a really funny book. you figure out something about Esther that's really shocking

[Ashlyn]

I loved this book, and of course i am a fan of ALL nancy drew books

[Alexana · Rating 5 out of 5]

great series, always has been and this book doesnt disappoint