The Eskimo's Secret

Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #76

by Carolyn Keene

Nancy suspects that sabotage in a chain of West Coast shops selling imported art objects is connected with the theft of a valuable Eskimo sculpture

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

176 pages

First published June 1, 1985

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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

[LuAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Nancy Drew Mystery is more intense and almost seems more 'adult' than most. There's no time for fun in this mystery because Nancy's friend is in trouble, her father has been kidnapped and a significant work of Eskimo sculpture has been stolen.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

-a Daddy/daughter mystery set in Victoria, Canada. Very little Seattle or Victoria content.
-darker vibes. Kinda crime noir. It rains a lot. -Nancy’s on her own. No Bess, George or Ned
-they go to one island, Coachman Island
-no bear in the story
-too bad the cover artists weren’t brave enough to draw the missing art piece. It sounded very intricate
-things happen a bit too conveniently

[Niranjan M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much a nostalgia fed read, the font is huge and the story light on details. Quick fun read about a pair of simple, convenient mysteries.

[Laura (Reading is a Doing Word) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy is helping her father on a case regarding sabotage of an art dealership business. During a break from sleuthing she contacts an old friend - only to become embroiled in anothter mystery! Upon responding to her friend's plea for help, Nancy discovers she's disappeared! A precious piece of indigenous art has been stolen and Nancy's father has been kidnapped. Nancy manages to track down her friend, decipher a coded message from her father and launch a rescue attempt to save him and the artwork.
This was quite a coherent read - the plot flowed nicely and I enjoyed Nancy's deciphering the coded message. Another light-relief read.

[Tech Savvy]

Very different tone from the usual nancy drew mystery- clearly a test for soon to start more grown up Nancy drew files books. Nancy is very upset Carson Drew ia happened - well yeah. That hasn't happened for about 4 books. No Ned or best or George

[N Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. It's an easy read, but the plot isn't predictable and there are kidnappings, corporate sabotage, stolen Eskimo sculptures, car chases - a great adventure mystery aimed at older kids/young adults.

[Ash · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reliving childhood memories

[Chris Comden · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[claud. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've missed reading vintage Nancy Drew books but sadly this was a flop for me. It was just so boring and it really wasn't the same without Bess and George there.

[Christine Mulligan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Margaret says 5 stars. This wasn’t very good. No action until the very end.

[Raven · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one didn't really feel like a proper Nancy Drew book because it was missing Bess and George. Otherwise the plot was interesting enough for me to read this in one sitting.

[Prami{reader and dreamer} · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't remember much but I liked Nancy and the mysteries.

[Victoria Chafin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could not get into this one.

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.