Danger Down Under

Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys: Super Mystery #22

by Carolyn Keene

Trying to determine who has stolen a sacred ancient artifact belonging to an Australian Aborigine tribe, Nancy, Frank, and Joe become entangled in a land dispute feud between the tribe and the owners of an opal mine. Original.

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

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was really good! Not much Frank/Nancy to speak of because it's a Mick Devlin/Nancy book, but that's okay because I love Mick. Decent mystery, pretty sure the language surrounding the indigenous character is outdated, a lot of dead animals.

I am so close to Secrets of the Nile I can taste it.

[Alicat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy really needs to learn to branch out and date other guys. I am getting really tired of her not taking chances with other guys. She is way to comfortable with Ned Nickerson in my opinion. It would be nice if she actually went on a real date with Frank Hardy for once, I really think they would be great together. And this Mike Delvin guy doesn't sound so bad either.

[Lauren Czarapata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably my favorite one. Every time I get some Francy it's all great and I'm digging it and then the last 20-50 pages are all about how wonderful Ned freaking Nickerson is and I'm like: "why do I even read this?" But this one only had one page about it and Nancy actually admits she wishes she was married to Frank so I'm taking it! This one gets my Francy seal of approval.

[Felicity Hyannis · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the better Super Mysteries. I liked the mystery, and it was cool how it featured Aborigines and you get to learn about their culture. It keeps you guessing.
Nancy was too romantic for me, she kept thinking about guys and it bothered me. Joe's character was a bit harsh and brash sometimes, but luckily these things did not take away much from my enjoyment of the book.
The ending was scary and I was really worried about how they would get out. But the escape is thrilling. Besides interludes of hothead-Joe and boy-crazy Nancy, the entire book kept me on edge, and the setting was amazing. I had been waiting for Nancy Drew to make it to Australia ever since The Firebird Rocket!

[Kelly Rivera]

So ridiculous. So bizarre. And a little on the nose with the current bushfires in Australia right now. I think this series expects you to have also read previous Nancy Drew books so you know who this Mick guy is. The plot was engaging enough but the characters were a little boring to me. Also Nancy is a cheater.

[Tracy Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my favorite books as a kid.

[Elizabeth Kermath · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book. always have lots of laughs every time they all team up

[(Katie) Paperbacks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys Super Mystery, it's probably one of my favorite series of the many different series that is out there in the Nancy Drewverse.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nancy sis you’re taken…my gosh…

[Elaine]

I'm not even going to star this one. A recent weed of our series paperbacks reminded me that I used to read Nancy Drew, and then the Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys Super Mysteries. It was hysterical to go back and read these and know that at the time I thought this was a great read. Note to parents--your crap-series reading kids WILL go on to read and like great literature!

[Jessica Welch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read most of these when I was in junior high & high school. I loved Nancy Drew. I wanted Bess as my best friend and thought that Ned would be a dreamy boyfriend.

It was exactly what I expected and I loved every minute reading it. Perfect for reading over vacation.

[Lauri · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a kid, I loved the Frank/Nancy shipping that happened in this series. In this one, you have Frank/Nancy/and the guy she cheated on Ned in Europe with, so good drama as Frank has to decide if he's mad on his or Ned's behalf. And yeah, there's a mystery.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the books that started it all... well for me anyway. Got it for Christmas one day and never looked back.

[Rogue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I should probably give it 4 or 5 stars, but I liked these more when I was younger.

(And frankly, I always preferred Joe over Nancy any day! lol ;)

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing super mystery!

[Coralie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! I've come to expect nothing less from this series!!