By Carolyn Keene - The Nutcracker Ballet Mystery (Nancy Drew No. 110) (Reissue) (1992-12-16) [Paperback]

Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #110

by Carolyn Keene

Excellent Book

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

Paperback

First published December 1, 1992

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though the author offers up a suspect with a pretty heavy hand, this mystery is an intriguing read with plenty of dangerous sabotage increasing the suspense. This is how young inexperienced sleuths learn to carefully consider the clues and not just focus on the first person who seems like a probable suspect.

I was surprised to see that many of the sabotage incidents were quite fearful with serious harm a potential result. Nancy and her friends were in some considerable danger at times and the older mysteries didn't give me the same feeling of real danger. Is it a sign of the times that we expect and accept more danger in a more contemporary story?

Despite its 1992 publication date, this mystery contains very few dated references. The culprit is surprising, and the motive stands the test of time, making this a still relevant read more than 30 years later.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw this title on Goodreads a few weeks ago, I knew it had to be on my holiday reading list. This is not an original, but I still found Nancy to be quite the sleuth. The wintertime setting is perfect for using footprints in the snow for clues. For me the combination of a seasonal classic like The Nutcracker and the mysterious saboteur(s) was just the right mix. Will the show go on? Or will Madame Dugrand be forced to close down her ballet studio. I loved it!🩰🔍

[Melmo2610 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good mystery surrounding an upcoming ballet performance of the Nutcracker. Nancy is on the case of several instances of sabotage. The mystery held my attention and the culprits, and their motive was done really well. Good read!

[K.J. Haakenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every Nancy Drew book I read seems to be better than the last xD This one has ballet drama, Nutcracker Christmas vibes, and sabotage. I guessed the culprit early on in the story but I enjoyed the surprising way it played out! I think I will enjoy the 90s books more than the ones published in the 30s.

(btw this is a 4 star for Nancy Drew books but not a 4 star ranking with other books)

[Priya · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many series and so many books of Nancy Drew now but this felt like one of the original stories.
A local dance school's ballet production of The nutcracker is being sabotaged and Nancy and her friends are of course drawn in to help.
The appeal is the way these take me back to the days when life was so much simpler!

[Leslie Goddard · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a big fan of the original stories, I’m always surprised when I find a more modern (post-1979) version I like. This one does a great job with a fun mystery, some good potential suspects, and a satisfying ending. The Nutcracker story gets nicely woven in to the plot, the cliffhanger chapter endings work well, and the writing is really good. The only thing I missed was a stronger sense of Nancy’s personality. Yes, OK, she’s fearless and curious, but I also got the sense that all three girls — Nancy, Bess, George — were pretty interchangeable. As a kid, I loved that Nancy was always so stylish and beautiful as much as I loved that Bess was a girly-girl who loved pretty things and George was a real tomboy.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid but maybe not my favorite Christmas/winter Nancy Drew.

A lot of tracking footprints in the snow.

Sabotage
Ballet school
Real mice
Mouse king head mask

Published in 1992.

[Hillary · Rating 4 out of 5]

There reread continues! The mystery here was pretty good, but the culprit seemed to come out of left field a little.

[Lizzie the Book Hoarder · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my memories of childhood is having my father read Nancy Drew books to me at night. Even thought I do not remember the exact story I do know I enjoyed it as well as the time I spent with my father.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was way more enjoyable than one of the last Nancy Drew books I read this year ("The Phantom of Venice"). It was fun to find another Nancy Drew story that revolved aroud Christmas and one where the focus was on the actual mystery again. It felt like a yellow Nancy Drew mystery, even though it was obviously written in the 90s.

There were a few things I found jarring, like the constant use of "directoress" or other feminine forms of words that don't make sense in every day use. And of course once you find out whodunnit, it's pretty obvious who it was the whole time - though I suspected who it was from the beginning, and tried to ignore it while I read it to keep the sense of "mystery".

All in all, it was a good time and I'm happy I read it. Because after "The Phantom of Venice", I never thought I'd enjoy a Nancy Drew book again.

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Autumnblues · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite Nancy Drew-books. Love the ballet theme.

[Sangeeta Shirodkar Patil · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK

The number of characters is very few. The plot is quite chiched. Nothing great in this book nutcracker ballet mystery.

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

this one is great! I almost suspected Shana of it, since she was so rude, but I’m glad I was wrong in the end, and that things got resolved with Darci.

[MaryAnn Sires]

Bring Nancy Drew with famous Nutcracker? I always liked the romance about the Nutcracker. Great for any woman who wants mystery more than romance. I wanted more Nutcracker romance!

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Likes basically all the Nancy Drew books, I enjoyed it very much. There isn't much to say, but to engourage you to read this book and the other Nancy Drew books, for all ages!

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fun to revisit a book from my childhood. I liked them so much. Reading them now, a little cringe-worthy. But, it can’t be denied, they were fun.

[Varpu Reiniaho · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh the misogyny.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

My recap/review (includes cursing/spoilers): https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/...

[Zhana Zdepski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book every year at Christmas time. I have so much nostalgia when it comes to this book. I definitely think it’s worth a read if you like Nancy Drew.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just had to squeeze in one more Christmas book from my childhood. :)

It's been a good 15 years since I read this one, so I didn't really remember anything about it. I danced in The Nutcracker five years in a row as a kid though, so I do remember I loved this book mainly because of that.

I figured out who the culprit was pretty quickly, but I think I might have just subconsciously remembered it, I'm not sure. Either way, this was really fun to read again.

[Alantie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Nancy Drew book this one is somewhat disappointing. The mystery is somewhat subpar and the events were dramatic and petty. Still, Nancy is Nancy, and she, George, and Bess saved this from being a complete loss.

[Chris Comden · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Nutcracker Ballet Mystery by Carolyn Keene
Series: Yes Nancy Drew #110
Format: Paperback
Stars: 2
Recommend: Yes
Would Reread: No



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...

[Miri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Someone is out to destroy a production of the nutcracker, but why? What is the motive, who is the target, is it the lead dancer, the ballet company leader or the entire production itself?

[Jose]

it is a kind of boring because, the story is always the same so you get bored

[claud. · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my childhood favourites! Back when Nancy Drew was still good. <3

[Eric Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

An O.K story. The mystery itself was pretty weak and i wished it could have been more stronger. But I still enjoyed it and it deserves 3 stars .

[Irina (Lohe Loeb) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tore lugu. Meeldis kooli ajal ja läks kiiresti ka nüüd :P