What do you think?
Rate this book
Nancy Drew Files #6
White Water Terror
Nancy and her friends are enjoying a white-water rafting trip until it is marred by sabotage, and when one member of the group is killed and another is missing, it's clear they are being stalked by a ruthless murderer.
158 pages, Paperback
First published December 28, 1986
19 people are currently reading
601 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
948 books3,857 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 26, 2023
A Quickie Review
White water rafting isn't exactly my thing, but this sixth outing in the Nancy Drew Files series was great fun nonetheless. Plenty of suspenseful moments, and a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat; what's not to like? I have definitely enjoyed this series; it's a bit of old-school fun!
Content Concerns:
• Sex: Kissing. 4/5
• Nudity: None. 5/5
• Language: None. 5/5
• Violence: Several action sequences, including one where someone is thrown a great distance, and another where a character falls to her death. 3/5
• Drugs: None. 5/5
• Frightening/Intense Sequences: Some "PG"-level peril. 3/5
Score: 4/5
White water rafting isn't exactly my thing, but this sixth outing in the Nancy Drew Files series was great fun nonetheless. Plenty of suspenseful moments, and a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat; what's not to like? I have definitely enjoyed this series; it's a bit of old-school fun!
Content Concerns:
• Sex: Kissing. 4/5
• Nudity: None. 5/5
• Language: None. 5/5
• Violence: Several action sequences, including one where someone is thrown a great distance, and another where a character falls to her death. 3/5
• Drugs: None. 5/5
• Frightening/Intense Sequences: Some "PG"-level peril. 3/5
Score: 4/5
April 16, 2020
This was probably the best Nancy Drew Case files I've read so far. The setting on Lost River in Montana was vividly drawn, the mystery was unclear as there wasn't a crime until much later on, and Nancy, Ned, Bess and George were all together. But the end just suffered some majorly melodramatic turns and weird dialogue between Ned and Nancy (who tells their girlfriend, "I love you" and then says, "Love is blind"??).
Yes, in case you were wondering, the outfit depicted by the artist on the cover is actually described in the book. This is what Nancy shows up to White Water Rafting, Inc. wearing to start her rafting adventure complete with sweater tied around neck.
Yes, in case you were wondering, the outfit depicted by the artist on the cover is actually described in the book. This is what Nancy shows up to White Water Rafting, Inc. wearing to start her rafting adventure complete with sweater tied around neck.
July 19, 2024
So many chapter cliffhangers holy moly. What a plot twist - high finance being the real driver for the crime.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2020
3 stars. Had some fun big action moments but wasn't my favorite overall. It was entirely too easy to guess the culprit and besides those action moments, it wasn't all that interesting.
June 22, 2021
This one is fun.
George "won " a contest from White River Raft so Nancy and the gang went on a rafting vacation. Strange things happening and someone set their mind on killing Nancy. The whole expedition is stranded in wildlife and crazy shit happened and people actually died!!!
George "won " a contest from White River Raft so Nancy and the gang went on a rafting vacation. Strange things happening and someone set their mind on killing Nancy. The whole expedition is stranded in wildlife and crazy shit happened and people actually died!!!
August 22, 2018
The book is written differently to norm with Nancy admitting to having problems with Ned. And wanting to concentrate more on this relationship than the mysteries she solves. However where there is Nancy, a mystery always follows. And this one isn't so bad, felt more like a TV movie than a book. George wins a white water rafting contest and wants the gang to come with her. Bess reluctantly joins but soon attaches herself to Max who everyone hates or is suspicious off. Ned turns into Nancy's knight in shining winter clothes. But George really has no real role in the book, which is a shame. If you love Nancy Drew, then you will read this book.
May 26, 2014
This one was actually pretty good! Trapped in the wilderness with a killer. The end was kinda annoying because it has to do with a case that there is no book about. A quick, fun read.
August 12, 2017
Ned's here so it's a plus. 😂
January 17, 2023
Here we have the sixth Nancy Drew Files mystery from the '80s. I've been getting a kick out of my rediscovery of this vintage YA series, and it turns out it's still a kick even when the mystery isn't my favorite.
In the case of this story, while there are some suspicious happenings along the way, there isn't really a purpose or goal in it for Nancy, no actual case for her to investigate until more than halfway (maybe two thirds of the way?) through. So, much of the read is more like a strange outdoor survival story than a mystery.
Although the point to it all eventually comes to light, of course, it has a weird, poorly imagined feel. The point could have been somewhat compelling if it had a connection to something that had happened in an earlier book in the series, something to give it a stronger basis and a real past link to Nancy.
But it doesn't.
Even so, it's likely my nostalgic side that still found this quick read worth the while. I'm sure I'll go on to Book Seven soon.
In the case of this story, while there are some suspicious happenings along the way, there isn't really a purpose or goal in it for Nancy, no actual case for her to investigate until more than halfway (maybe two thirds of the way?) through. So, much of the read is more like a strange outdoor survival story than a mystery.
Although the point to it all eventually comes to light, of course, it has a weird, poorly imagined feel. The point could have been somewhat compelling if it had a connection to something that had happened in an earlier book in the series, something to give it a stronger basis and a real past link to Nancy.
But it doesn't.
Even so, it's likely my nostalgic side that still found this quick read worth the while. I'm sure I'll go on to Book Seven soon.
June 7, 2025
Silly but enjoyable read for a younger audience. One pain point is that seemingly every chapter (only a few pages long) has to end on a new cliffhanger full of action, making the whole thing feel quite rushed and impractical.
September 8, 2019
As ND case files go, this one was pretty great. Some very dumb moves by the characters, relationship drama, and survival in the woods. Plus murder.
November 7, 2020
It was way too easy to figure out whodunnit in this one, but since their motives were unclear it still had a nice mystery to it.
I’m enjoying this series so much!
I’m enjoying this series so much!
October 28, 2021
Terror is the operative word here: it's jam-packed. Though it moves quickly, it lacks the appeal of earlier nancy drew stories. There's a nice wrapup
December 11, 2023
It was okay. I’m wasn’t a fan of the setting so it was hard to get into the story.
December 14, 2023
This series is just so dramatic and I love it
August 12, 2024
"Nancy thought her special friendship with Ned might just be the most important relationship of her life, if only she made more time for him." BARFO! How dare Bess and George be disrespected in this way!!!
April 4, 2019
I read Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys throughout my school and college days.
Nancy Drew is an amateur detective who solves crimes with occasional help from her best friends, Bess and George and, her boyfriend Ned. She also has occasional help from her father Carson Drew who runs a private law practice. From finding stolen goods to missing persons and solving mysterious happenings, Nancy is a force of nature.
Until I discovered that Carolyn Keene is a pen name for a whole bunch of ghostwriters, I used to feel confused about the slight differences in each character from books to book over the many series of Nancy Drew mysteries. I like the character of Nancy best in the original books written by Mildred Wirt Benson where Nancy is truly a character to root for – an independent and street smart girl with a penchant for trouble.
Nancy Drew is an amateur detective who solves crimes with occasional help from her best friends, Bess and George and, her boyfriend Ned. She also has occasional help from her father Carson Drew who runs a private law practice. From finding stolen goods to missing persons and solving mysterious happenings, Nancy is a force of nature.
Until I discovered that Carolyn Keene is a pen name for a whole bunch of ghostwriters, I used to feel confused about the slight differences in each character from books to book over the many series of Nancy Drew mysteries. I like the character of Nancy best in the original books written by Mildred Wirt Benson where Nancy is truly a character to root for – an independent and street smart girl with a penchant for trouble.
September 6, 2013
I, myself,am not the sport kind, but whenever reading one of the books with sports in it, unless the whole story capture my attention, I rarely could finish the book. Luckily, Nancy Drew always seems to capture my interests. Once again this time she taught me a lot about the sport called rafting. Dangerous, but exciting, at least for someone.It's amazing how Nancy always get caught up in the most dangerous situations. And amazingly too, how she always figure out the crime. I have learned a lot ever since reading the series. This time, only through half way to the story, I guessed who the criminal is.
April 10, 2013
My daughter handed this off to me. It brought back memories of all the Nancy Drew mysteries I read in middle school. It was fun. I think I'm going to pick up a few more Nancy Drews to keep my daughter reading for fun!
September 28, 2016
The sixth, and probably most twisted Nancy Drew files book yet. I loved the ending(not the death part, but who did it) and I love Nancy. She can be so smart at times but she can also do things without consideration first. Great book! 5 stars
September 3, 2021
White Water Terror by Carolyn Keene
Series: Yes Nancy Drew Files #6
Format: Softcover
Stars: 5
Recommend: Yes
Would Reread: Yes
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...
Series: Yes Nancy Drew Files #6
Format: Softcover
Stars: 5
Recommend: Yes
Would Reread: Yes
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...
June 25, 2009
Join Nancy on a white water rafting trip
January 30, 2011
A bit predictable, not really one of the best in the series.
February 2, 2013
very adventerous. The saboteur is unpredictable. awesome book
Read
March 3, 2013.
October 27, 2013
Wie bei den anderen Bänden, 1 Stern Nostalgie-Bonus ;)
May 4, 2013
Don't remember much but I liked Nancy and the mysteries.
November 27, 2013
I truly enjoyed this one. I usually love stories where people are stranded in the wilderness.
It was a bit contrived. The culprit could have come up with a better way to get what they wanted.
It was a bit contrived. The culprit could have come up with a better way to get what they wanted.
September 24, 2016
great book
October 8, 2022
Suspenseful and fun.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews