Very Deadly Yours

Nancy Drew Files #20

by Carolyn Keene

Slightly psycho sweetheart seeks teen detective for date with death - wear white.

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

160 pages

First published January 1, 1988

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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

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

Different than usual for this series...but exciting and fun nonetheless!

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. One of the better ones in the series. The mystery was very good and kind of intense at points. It's just that characters are complete dumbasses. Nancy made some really questionable decisions and her best friend, Bess, was just a total airhead in this. Other than that this one wasn't bad. I had a lot of fun reading it and had some moments that threw me for a loop.

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nancy Drew in a different period of time again and this one seemed for want of a better word a little darker than other Drew books over the years. There was more violence real and perceived, and a more "creepy" feel to the book. There is still Nancy Drew at there finest, be that good or annoying is your perspective on the character, but overall it was a fair tale from whoever was Carolyn Keene this time out.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had the potential to be so good. I mean, Bess answers a personal ad and the guy turns out to be a murderer? Sign me up!

Sadly, this was not what I was expecting. This was so ridiculously convoluted and stupid that I still don't entirely understand the ending.

[Roderick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some silly moves by Nancy towards the end, but an otherwise adequate mystery

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read. Always love Nancy Drew mysteries.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally for all the Ned 😂
My review: https://anchor.fm/nancy-drew-nickerso...

[Gabs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book #49 of 2025
When Bess answers a personal's ad from the local newspaper, she receives death threats instead.
Turns out the guy is looking for the girl who got away with the death of his partner and the money they stole. Now Nancy has to find out where it is and how to stop Bess' stalker before anyone else gets hurt.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading as many books from this series as I have, I am more than aware of the 3-5 plotlines which get recycled for each book, and I've come to expect the books to follow a certain format. I suppose I should give this book kudos for going against my expectations and doing some different things, but I have to admit, many of the "typical" books held my interest more than this one. It was fine, but other than a brief "Oh hey, this is new," I wasn't blown away by this book.

[V. Arrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This contained a scene of truly shocking violence for being a Nancy Drew book. However, the synopsis made it sound like Nancy was going to be investigating a serial predator using the personal ads to lure victims... because that's what it said... and that is 100% not what happens in this book. That said, I liked all the rain and it WAS exciting. And I always like when characters have to work at an '80s newspaper.

[Nattie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of the books in this series are touch and go, but this one was quite good and suspenseful.

Once again, Bess is dumber than a bag of dirt, and Nancy is not too far behind. I wish they had killed Ned. He's beyond pointless.

[Ak]

Just like all nancy drew books, it was very compelling and suspense filled!!

[Belle Adler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not a Bess fan. Sorry, but she is not a character I have ever liked. I don't want to be mean, but if they ever killed her off, I wouldn't feel too bad. She's clearly not very smart - AT ALL. I have no idea why Nancy hangs out with her. I liked this book because I like Ned as a character. There isn't much else going for it. :(