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Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #91

The Girl Who Couldn't Remember

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A trip to Wisconsin’s Lake Minosha is supposed to be a relaxing vacation for Nancy, George and Bess—without any mysteries. But moments after they arrive a young woman, scratched and bruised, falls across their cabin’s threshold…

99 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 1989

14 people are currently reading
1067 people want to read

About the author

Carolyn Keene

948 books3,857 followers
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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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.

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5 stars
139 (32%)
4 stars
131 (30%)
3 stars
128 (30%)
2 stars
20 (4%)
1 star
5 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Maxyne.D.
65 reviews4 followers
May 19, 2017
Une de mes enquêtes préférées d'Alice!
Alice, Bess et Marion vont s'installer au bord du lac Minosha, dans le Wisconsin, pour des vacances méritées dans un petit bungalow sympathique.
Mais dès le premier jour, une jeune fille blessée atterrit devant leur porte. Tabby a perdu la mémoire et elle est terrifiée à l'idée d'aller voir la police. Alice lui propose alors son aide.
Le maire, monsieur Castle, accuse Tabby d'avoir volé des documents confidentiels, et tout le monde semble être à sa recherche, - et à la recherche des fameux documents - aussi bien ses amis que ses ennemis, responsables de l'accident qui lui a ôté la mémoire. Mais dans une affaire, il est souvent difficile de savoir qui est vraiment gentil et qui ne l'est pas. A ce jeu, Alice va tomber dans le piège! Une enquête très vivante, qui ne dure au final pas plus de trois jours dans le livre! Je recommande vraiment!
Profile Image for Kavita.
846 reviews462 followers
May 7, 2017
Poor Bess! All she ever wants is a danger-free vacation with her friends. But with Nancy around, that's not going to happen! This time the three friends are off to Lake Minosha, and get embroiled in an environmental case. A good read - typical Nancy Drew.
48 reviews1 follower
March 9, 2013
pretty good... must have white dress!!!!
65 reviews
January 21, 2021
Like the rest and other Nancy Drew books, Bess, and George just want a relaxing getaway, but yet, an exciting mystery goes right in their way! Or should I say, a body comes into their way!

This is exciting, captivating book! Or, maybe you just want some light reading, it's perfect for that too! Good for all ages! Pefect for light reading, or just a short, mystery chapter book. the not too long chapters make another reason why it's so good for light reading!

But don't take my word for it, find out yourself! And read, Nancy Drew, The Girl Who Couldn't Remember. Enjoy!

Profile Image for Karis Anna-Kathryn.
131 reviews1 follower
May 27, 2021
Bess really needs to stop going on vacation with Nancy if she actually wants to get any rest and relaxation in. At this point, you've gotta know what you're getting yourself into, honey.
Profile Image for Michelle Villmer.
150 reviews1 follower
January 30, 2023
Fast paced action with small town politics at the heart of the story. This one kept me guessing to the end.
52 reviews6 followers
May 3, 2009
I decided it was about time in my life that I should know what all the hype was about the Nancy Drew series when I was younger. I never read any of them. After reading this one, I didn't really feel like I missed out on anything :) I probably would have enjoyed this kind of book at age 11 or 12 because it has twists and turns all throughout the story and even I began wanting to know how the mystery would play out. Every chapter’s ending is almost too dramatically left “hanging” so that the reader wants to keep reading. While the plot was compelling and page-turning, that was about all it was. I didn’t feel like there was any depth to the book, and no walk-away message. I couldn’t help feeling that it was absolutely so unrealistic. I would definitely recommend these books to young boys or girls who seem to be struggling in their motivation to read. If they like mysteries, this series could be the key to latch them onto reading. I’m glad I read the book to get an idea of what the series is like.
Profile Image for Myra.
194 reviews34 followers
June 21, 2018
I'm picking up on how to do descriptions in a clear easy way from Nancy Drew books. That's probably why I've been drawn to these books lately. I myself am working on writing my own books and I think I need to work on my description writing, so these books really help for one facet of descriptive writing.
These are extremely well written books and this one was no different.
I liked the concept - it was different - about paper mills and ecological balance. The fact that a central character developed amnesia added a different layer to this story.
I am more appreciative of the flow of these books than when I was a kid, that's for sure.

Profile Image for LuAnn.
1,159 reviews
February 2, 2015
Quite a satisfying ND mystery with solid sleuthing, a slew of suspects and stolen secrets! Nancy and her friend even had time for some noshing but not shopping! Unusual name, even for a later NDMS.
49 reviews
February 10, 2016
some patrs were unclear n confusing..
so didn't like it much..

Profile Image for Serena.
3,259 reviews71 followers
April 26, 2017
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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