Cherry Ames, Island Nurse

Cherry Ames #21

by Helen Wells

Little does Nurse Cherry realize when distinguished Sir Ian Barclay is rushed by his nephew Lloyd to Hilton Hospital that her newest case will carry her north to misty, sea-beaten Balfour Island, off the rugged coast of wind-swept Newfoundland. "Sudden hemorrhage of a peptic ulcer," Dr. Joe Fortune had quickly diagnosed, and Cherry is assigned to care for the truculent but endearing old Scotsman. Cherry soon suspects that more than illness is worrying the peppery owner of the Balfour Iron Mines, and her suspicions only deepen upon their arrival at Barclay House on Balfour Island.

True, there is trouble at the mines. But the mysterious actions of Sir Ian's erstwhile friend, Jock Cameron, force Cherry to conclude that trouble of even greater consequence is in the making. What hold does the industrialist Broderick have over Sir Ian? Who is "Little Joe" Tweed, and why does his trawler Heron ride at anchor off Balfour Island?

The startling solution to this baffling mystery waits for Cherry in three different places: deep in the salt-stained recesses of Rogues' Cave, in the musty tower room of Barclay House, and in the hole on the hill. But first Cherry must face the effects of an island storm, as she and the island doctor struggle to save the crew of a shoal-wrecked boat.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult, Medical, Classics, Historical Fiction

184 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1960

About the author

Original name: Helen Weinstock. Social worker turned full-time young adult writer, born in Illinois but moved with family to New York City when she was seven. In 1934 Wells graduated from New York University [where she'd been the first female editor of the literary quarterly], with a major in philosophy and a minor in sociology and psychology.

During World War II, she served as a volunteer with the State Department's Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs, escorting Latin American visitors in the United States.

Author of Cherry Ames, Nurse books, a series for young teens.

She was also the author of the Vicki Barr books, about a young mystery-solving flight attendant. And, as Francine Lewis, she penned the short-lived Polly French series (1950s), aimed at a younger readership.

After writing the first eight books of the Cherry Ames series and the first three Vicki Barr books, Wells decided to abandon both series to write for television and radio, and Julie Tatham took over (however, both the ninth Cherry Ames book and the fourth Vicki Barr book were published under Wells's name). Tatham later returned the Vicki Barr books to Wells in 1953 and the Cherry Ames books in 1955.

Reviews

[Lea Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Refreshingly clean.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s probably been 40 years since I discovered and read my Grandma’s Cherry Ames books. I was so delighted to see a #BookRiot article about these old “career novels” and even more excited to follow a link to a digitized copy of a Cherry Ames book I hadn’t read. Babel.hathitrust.org

Like sitting down again with an old friend you haven’t seen in 40 years, but immediately love all over again. This enchanting nostalgia was a great way to start my new year of reading.

[Karen Szyszko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #14 finds our heroine back in private nursing; this time to a mine owner on Balfour Island off the Newfoundland coast. This story is long on action. Having been caught up in the action, I honestly didn't realize there was a mystery going on until, maybe, the final two chapters. I enjoyed Cherry doing a little more nursing - mixing and serving milky concoctions - in this story. Who knew a peptic ulcer required private nursing. I now know more about mining and caves than I did prior to starting the book. Lots of characters. A scorecard might be in order to keep track of who's who in this book. For example, Tammie suddenly shows up (who?) three-quarters of the way into the story not to be heard of again until the final couple of pages.

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 4 out of 5]

C'mon, it's Cherry Ames. One thing it shows is how far we've come in treating a bunch of diseases and conditions since these books were written-- and how different nurses' jobs are!
The mystery isn't too bad, and it kept me in more suspense than most mysteries do. But the slice-of-career-life from the mid-20th-century is the real draw. Also, who can resist Cherry's cheery attitude? Not me.

[David Macpherson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this on a whim and was charmed. I didn't know it was a series or that it always had a mystery included. The mystery was not much, but it was a fun Nancy drew type of feel with nursing included. It took place mostly in Canada and it had nice feel to it. The writing was good and straightforward. I was pretty much on board with this.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cherry's latest assignment takes her to a Canadian island, where she serves as private nurse to the mine owner, Ian Barclay. Of course there is a mystery, which this time concerns a pirate cave, a hidden journal, and (as always) danger!

[Michelle Tejada · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as it was in my childhood...

[GCBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, thrilling mystery. Helen Wells knows how to captivate her readers.

[Linda Verhage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mysterie van de zilvermijn

[Wintermote · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light mystery. I like the picture of nursing in days gone by.

[Abigail Lillian]

Another great story by Helen Wells! The amount of adventures she has is astounding!

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed these books as a kid and am enjoying them again as an adult. Like the adventures that Cherry has. Looking forward to rest of the series.

[Paige · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't care enough to finish. Wasn't bad just wasn't my favorite, either.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Nancy-Drew-esque series depicts the "adventures of a young and dedicated career nurse" called Cherry Ames. The later ones in the series are difficult to come by (#21 and higher), so I was happy to discover Springer Publishing has re-released all the ones authored by Helen Wells. They did through-number them, ignoring the ones in the middle by Julie Tatham, so be prepared for numeric confusion. However, it is great to be able to read these later ones. The illustration on Island Nurse is more intriguing than the actual plot, but it was still enjoyable -- like catching up with an old childhood friend.

[Macjest · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was always my favorite Cherry Ames book of the series. I think I liked the mystery where she is searching for clues and the storm. The storm scene was written well enough to drag me into the setting as a kid. If I remember correctly, it actually gave me chills at the time. Of course as an adult, I can scoff at it. I also enjoyed the hidden passages and hidden surprises.

Just finished rereading this. Some of the writing at the beginning of the book is very simple, but once things get going, I was sucked in again just like always.

[Leanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Cherry Ames books. I grew up reading them and am lucky enough to have all but three. They are very light reading and are contemporary books so you will walk away in just a few hours felling like you are back in the 1940's and 1950's. For me it is relaxing to read a book from my childhood and these are such cute stories.

[wanderer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, how I longed to be Cherry Ames. I’m still shocked I didn’t become a nurse, just because of her.

If I had girls, I'd buy these books for them. Cherry Ames was smart and hardworking and she didn't go all googly over every guy that passed.

[Judio · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very disappointed with this story. Of all the Cherry Ames' books I've read, this is one which really didn't mean the mark. It was far too Nancy Drew-ish; very little hospital and nursing and too much adventure.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cherry solves a mining mystery and goes to exotic Canada.

[Elin · Rating 3 out of 5]

100418 - 100709

[Emily Sexton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun mystery!

[Molly S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome story and unique setting!!