Nancy Drew: #4-6

by Carolyn Keene

- The Mystery at Lilac Inn
- The Secret of Shadow Ranch
- The Secret of Red Gate Farm

Full of action and intrigue, Nancy Drew began as a character in a series of children's books, but she's grown to be far more than that. Her name is now a common term in American popular culture: movies, plays, television shows and books use "Nancy Drew" as a reference for any woman who is determined, inquisitive, and unafraid of risks. She has inspired nine spin-off series that continue to bring hours of entertainment to people of all ages.This exciting Nancy Drew Mystery Stories "RM" compilation includes The Mystery at Lilac Inn, The Secret of Shadow Ranch, and The Secret of Red Gate Farm and continues to entertain us with the wonderful world of the intrepid "girl detective" for whom no mystery was too puzzling to solve.

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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

[Lynn Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just read a 1931 publish date for “The Secret at Red Gate Farm”. Goodreads doesn’t list it as a separate book, only as a modern compilation. Weird. It was a good story and kept my attention, even though it is an almost 100-year old YA novel.

Come on Goodreads! Now I am not allowed to say that I started and finished the book on the same day. What’s up! Finally! Wait, where is Goodreads located? They finally accepted Jan. 1, 2026, but now it says it was posted on 02 Jan. That made me think for a minute, but no, today is January 1, 2026.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mystery book for the young and old. Never read any Nancy Drew books at a young age but have discovered them at a much older person. Nancy is known as someone who can solve a mystery though it sometimes puts her in a dangerous situation. In this book, she tries to find who took Emily,s diamonds and who is trying to sabotage Emily and her fiancé’s restoration of an old inn. Interesting and quick reads.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read only the Secreet of Shadow Ranch and The Mystery at Lilac Inn. I give The Mystery at Lilac Inn a total thumbs down because even though I like Nancy Drew books this one had TO MANY MYSTERIES that I couldn't keep up with. Also there were to many characters to know whose who. Now I feel like my mind is all in rubber band knot! This book is to much to deveolp in my brain! The Secret of Shadow Ranch is a great thumbs up book! There are a whole bunch of little mishaps happening at Shadow Ranch which all lead to one big mystery. Nancy Drew has to find one of the little girls father who has been kidnapped and Nancy Crew has to find him. I thought this book kept me interested and founf myself to never to get lost in what was happening.

[Alexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book!