What do you think?
Rate this book
Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #171
Intrigue at the Grand Opera
WHEN THE CURTAIN GOES DOWN, THE REAL DRAMA BEGINS
The American Grand Opera has come to River Heights to perform "Tosca, Aida," and "The Marriage of Figaro," and Nancy's friend Bess is going to be a chorus extra. It's all so exciting for the girls; the costumes, the music, the glamor! Little do they expect, though, the drama that will take place backstage. When a falling sandbag from the scenery catwalk nearly misses the two female stars of the opera during a dress rehearsal, Nancy begins to suspect foul play.
As it turns out, the falling sandbag isn't the first incident of the tour. In the dressing room, Nancy finds out that rival singers Rosacrucia Alba, the hot new soprano, and Marta Willentz, an older member of the company, have been involved in a few scary situations. As rehearsals continue and the threat to these singers increases, Nancy scrambles to determine why someone is trying to ensure that only one singer will be the star of these shows.
The American Grand Opera has come to River Heights to perform "Tosca, Aida," and "The Marriage of Figaro," and Nancy's friend Bess is going to be a chorus extra. It's all so exciting for the girls; the costumes, the music, the glamor! Little do they expect, though, the drama that will take place backstage. When a falling sandbag from the scenery catwalk nearly misses the two female stars of the opera during a dress rehearsal, Nancy begins to suspect foul play.
As it turns out, the falling sandbag isn't the first incident of the tour. In the dressing room, Nancy finds out that rival singers Rosacrucia Alba, the hot new soprano, and Marta Willentz, an older member of the company, have been involved in a few scary situations. As rehearsals continue and the threat to these singers increases, Nancy scrambles to determine why someone is trying to ensure that only one singer will be the star of these shows.
152 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2003
6 people are currently reading
745 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
1,047 books3,882 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 18, 2017
This one had a very convoluted plot!
May 10, 2021
This is the book I usually site as what first piqued my interest in opera when I was younger. It's a fun little story but at the same time, once you know who did it, it takes away from the excitement and intrigue of the mystery of it all. I, of course, am familiar with this story so it just wasn't that thrilling to read this time around.
I was also a little put off by the fact that Marta and Jackie were going to start building a relationship after everything she'd done to her mother. How do you go forward after something like that went down? They never really tell you.
But to quote Nancy, what do you expect from a story that involves opera? A happy ending?
I was also a little put off by the fact that Marta and Jackie were going to start building a relationship after everything she'd done to her mother. How do you go forward after something like that went down? They never really tell you.
But to quote Nancy, what do you expect from a story that involves opera? A happy ending?
Read
February 28, 2023Trying to get through all of my childhood books I've been holding onto all these years. I don't know if I ever actually read this one as a kid. This was pretty alright. I'll definitely read more Nancy Drews in the future. Didn't love some of Nancy's weird opinions. Had to remind myself that she is a child and not an adult with more knowledge and life experience.
January 24, 2021
Edgier dialogue, edgier story, different ghost writer? While I question a famous company with famous divas being in River Heights, the plot, characters and resolution suited the opera setting. Bravo!
July 27, 2017
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
April 27, 2020
2.5 stars
Not my type . It’s ok , quick read ...
Not my type . It’s ok , quick read ...
October 5, 2021
I am beginning a homeschool unit on Opera with my granddaughter and I picked this to perhaps pique her interest. I found it to be perfect in that respect. Nancy Drew's friend Bess has a chorus role in the three operas the American Opera Company are performing, but strange things begin to happen and the director encourages Nancy to join the chorus as a cover for some sleuthing. As a mystery for its target audience, I think it is quite good.
There is actually quite a bit of information about the 3 operas and how opera companies work, including some prima-donna behavior which becomes part of the plot. There is a rivalry between the older opera star who is getting ready to pass her peak and the younger, and somewhat ill mannered diva.
There is actually quite a bit of information about the 3 operas and how opera companies work, including some prima-donna behavior which becomes part of the plot. There is a rivalry between the older opera star who is getting ready to pass her peak and the younger, and somewhat ill mannered diva.
April 3, 2013
When Nancy Drew encounters another mystery, this one concerning a famous opera that has come to River Heights, she tries to solve it. Two rivals have been placed in the same opera and have begun to be the victims of a mystery. Falling sandbags, formaldehyde in singer's atomizers, vicious attacks on the stars, and stage props that could collapse at any given moment could just be the least of it! Nancy tries her best to solve this mystery before one of the singers could get seriously hurt-or killed!
June 1, 2010
Nancy Drew msteries are always worth a read, whoever it is who writes them these days!
This one is no different.
The touring opera company encounter all sorts of calamities as they prepare for their opening productions in River Heights. But Nancy and her trusty friends are there to sort everything out - and they do it with aplomb and with plenty of excitement along the way.
This one is no different.
The touring opera company encounter all sorts of calamities as they prepare for their opening productions in River Heights. But Nancy and her trusty friends are there to sort everything out - and they do it with aplomb and with plenty of excitement along the way.
November 14, 2009
...nice book ...not one of my favorite though ...
December 7, 2010
I read almost all the Nancy Drew books several times when I was a kid, and thought I'd check out one of the newer ones. It was pretty enjoyable - a nice light read and brought back fond memories.
July 5, 2012
I really love the Nancy Drew series. This one I especially like because it has a suprising twist that I did not see coming!
October 10, 2009
my fave nancy drew book.
June 13, 2011
I just love to read Nancy Drew sometimes. That's all. They're all fun, without fail.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews