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"Wow, Joe, I can't believe there are actually people out there who would mess around with all these awesome ancient ruins." "Yeah, but Frank, it's because of them that ATAC sent us here to Rome, and nothing beats this Italian food!"
"Nancy, I can't believe it. When Aunt Estelle invited you to come on this trip to Italy with Bess and me, I figured it would give you a break from mysteries, and you've still managed to find one!"
"I know, George, but isn't it strange to find an American girl in the middle of Rome with no memory of how she got here?"
"Something tells me you'll get to the bottom of it all soon...."
One foreign city. One big crime.
Three of the best teen detectives of all time.
"Nancy, I can't believe it. When Aunt Estelle invited you to come on this trip to Italy with Bess and me, I figured it would give you a break from mysteries, and you've still managed to find one!"
"I know, George, but isn't it strange to find an American girl in the middle of Rome with no memory of how she got here?"
"Something tells me you'll get to the bottom of it all soon...."
One foreign city. One big crime.
Three of the best teen detectives of all time.
224 pages, Paperback
First published May 6, 2008
21 people are currently reading
488 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
985 books3,861 followersCarolyn 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 1, 2016
Fun and fast! Parts of the ending were a little outlandish, but overall, it was fun so who cares! Side note, there is so much Francy in this book.
May 27, 2023
I really liked it, but I hated the Frank/Nancy moments! I do not ship them. Sorry to those of you who are addicted to Frank and Nancy, but I don't think they should go together. At. All!!!!!! THEY ARE NOT MEANT FOR EACH OTHER!!!!!!! I was so suffering through those parts!!! And why was Nancy flirting with Frank?! Doesn't she have Ned?
The Nancy and Frank stuff are the only thing I hated about this book, otherwise I really liked it! Especially the brotherly moment near the end when Joe goes missing then Frank gets worried. Loved that scene!
The Nancy and Frank stuff are the only thing I hated about this book, otherwise I really liked it! Especially the brotherly moment near the end when Joe goes missing then Frank gets worried. Loved that scene!
May 10, 2014
3.5 actually.
The story was good, and I liked the humour and the characters. Especially Frank. He is adorable and shy and cool and collected. I just love him. Poor guy has to deal with huge men and dogs, lol. But he handles it all. Even has a little crush on Nancy Drew. Gosh, so cute. I just love Frank!
The story was good, and I liked the humour and the characters. Especially Frank. He is adorable and shy and cool and collected. I just love him. Poor guy has to deal with huge men and dogs, lol. But he handles it all. Even has a little crush on Nancy Drew. Gosh, so cute. I just love Frank!
October 12, 2025
Lmao nostalgia. The pro imperialist reasoning is strong with this one
May 10, 2017
I always love the brothers teamwork, Nancy, George and Bess' teamwork; all of them helping people, solving mysteries, and fighting crime. The action at the beginning and later in the book was cool. The mythology/false god stuff (which thankfully wasn't the entire book) caused some parts to be boring since I find mythology/false god stuff boring. See how that works?
It was interesting reading about Corsica and it encouraged me to look it up to learn more about the island.
Best parts of the book:
Frank sending up a silent prayer to the Creator, not a false god.
The brothers looking out for each other and their teamwork.
Nancy being so nice and patient with an extremely whiny pickpocket whom they helped.
For the rest of my review, please check out @ Hardy and Drew Mysteries.
It was interesting reading about Corsica and it encouraged me to look it up to learn more about the island.
Best parts of the book:
Frank sending up a silent prayer to the Creator, not a false god.
The brothers looking out for each other and their teamwork.
Nancy being so nice and patient with an extremely whiny pickpocket whom they helped.
For the rest of my review, please check out @ Hardy and Drew Mysteries.
February 8, 2009
1. Nancy is still way cooler than the Hardy Boys.
2. Why do Frank and Joe get all the fun technology? Because they work for some anti-crime organization (that employs teenagers) while Nancy is still cheerfully unemployed.
3. It was nice to see Nancy get annoyed at someone.
4. What is Nancy doing flirting with Frank. What about Ned?!?
2. Why do Frank and Joe get all the fun technology? Because they work for some anti-crime organization (that employs teenagers) while Nancy is still cheerfully unemployed.
3. It was nice to see Nancy get annoyed at someone.
4. What is Nancy doing flirting with Frank. What about Ned?!?
October 7, 2009
O MY GODS I LOVED THIS BOOK
I LOVE THE HARDY BOYS!!!
FRANK AND JOE ARE AWESOME!!!!
I LOVE THE HARDY BOYS!!!
FRANK AND JOE ARE AWESOME!!!!
July 9, 2025
I picked this up because my brother is reading Hardy Boys right now, and he wanted to read it with me (he’s about to read it), and was feeling slightly nostalgic for Nancy Drew. This book was actually so good, and it beat my expectations. I was expecting to find it kind of silly, but I really quite enjoyed it! I, of course, love Nancy, and I’m considering reading the Hardy Boys now, because I thought the characters were really funny. I loved the banter between them, and I also liked the mystery. Yes, there were some parts that were a tad bit cheesy, and yes, the whole ATAC thing and part of the mission was unrealistic, but it was easy to ignore. Also, Francy… 🤭🤭🤭 They were so cute! Lowkey, Nancy needs to break up with Ned, and Frank needs to move to River Heights so they can get married! Anyway… I really enjoyed this book, and I want to read more!
January 25, 2023
It was fine. Not the Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys I prefer. The writing had odd phrasing sometimes. How the characters handled someone with amnesia was a little ridiculous for my taste, and it felt like there were holes for that plot line. I'm sure it would appeal to a very young audience.
September 11, 2024
I love that mysteries just find Nancy, and I like how the two mysteries ended up being the same one just in different ways. This is such an interesting one, and I love the Italian setting. The archaeology dig also adds an intriguing aspect to the mystery, and the amnesiac girl adds another layer.
April 8, 2018
very nice
December 13, 2018
Harmless and fun, with the Hardy Boys (as usual) being the brightest spot, narration-wise.
Want to read
July 6, 2019good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2019
Cant read in this app
June 14, 2024
3.5 stars! it was fun but the ending felt rushed.
also i didn’t like the scenes between nancy and frank, she has ned..soo..??
also i didn’t like the scenes between nancy and frank, she has ned..soo..??
November 15, 2025
Alright, just not up to the Case files standards.
November 18, 2025
So cute!
February 22, 2010
"Wow, Joe, I can't believe there are actually people out there who would mess around with all these awesome ancient ruins."
"Yeah, but Frank, it's because of them that ATAC sent us here to Rome, and nothing beats this Italian food!"
"Nancy, I can't believe it. When Aunt Estelle invited you to come on this trip to Italy with Bess and me, I figured it would give you a break from mysteries, and you've still managed to find one!"
"I know, George, but isn't it strange to find an American girl in the middle of Rome with no memory of how she got here?"
"Something tells me you'll get to the bottom of it all soon...."
"Yeah, but Frank, it's because of them that ATAC sent us here to Rome, and nothing beats this Italian food!"
"Nancy, I can't believe it. When Aunt Estelle invited you to come on this trip to Italy with Bess and me, I figured it would give you a break from mysteries, and you've still managed to find one!"
"I know, George, but isn't it strange to find an American girl in the middle of Rome with no memory of how she got here?"
"Something tells me you'll get to the bottom of it all soon...."
One foreign city. One big crime.
Three of the best teen detectives of all time.
September 7, 2010
Nancy Drew and her friends are on vacation in Rome and on the same time the Hardy Boys are undercover.They have to undercover a mystery of a missing attifact and someone conficted of the stolen thing .Can they hardy boys and Nancy Drew figure it out with out it each other or they need to work togher?Read the book to find out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 10, 2014
Just by coincidence, Nancy Drew finds the Hardy Boys, after their sudden leave from the first meeting, in Rome. Another mystery arises that involves artifacts and action.
This book was satisfying to read as the sleuths' second meet-up.
This book was satisfying to read as the sleuths' second meet-up.
March 15, 2015
These newer super mysteries aren't as good as the originals, but they sure are splendid reads compared to a lot of other books! I like the way they portray the characters. They may be a little different, but sometimes they really nail the characters!
July 30, 2008
i used to love super mysteries...but either i remember them better than they were, or the ghostwriters are slipping.
February 18, 2009
If you like Mystery and Suspense you will like this. It's cliff hanging! Gadgets are always popping up. Locked up is fame and a tragic love story complete this action packed book.
July 24, 2010
Doesn't matter the simplicity of the novel, but loved every moment of it!
July 24, 2011
Love it!!
July 12, 2012
Fun to see the amazing young detectives together
June 29, 2013
I miss the old Nancy and Hardys. Their personalities aren't quite right in these.
March 11, 2010
The best Nancy Drew Hands down!
Read
June 18, 2011Loved it.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews