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Nancy Drew Files #7
Deadly Doubles
Vintage paperback
154 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
13 people are currently reading
580 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
948 books3,854 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 26, 2023
A Quickie Review
Though still good, this was a step down for this series; it just wasn't as exciting or intense as its predecessors. Fans will likely read it anyway, but, don't expect it to be on par with the earlier books. Here's hoping the later books will go back to what made the start of the series as great as it was.
Content Concerns:
Sex: None. 5/5
Nudity: A mention of a girl in a bikini. 4/5
Language: A use of the euphemism "darn". 4/5
Violence: Some "PG"-level action, including one person being murdered and others being shot at. 3/5
Drugs: None.
Frightening/Intense Sequences: Some "PG"-level peril; emotional intensity after a murder. 3/5
Score: 3/5
Though still good, this was a step down for this series; it just wasn't as exciting or intense as its predecessors. Fans will likely read it anyway, but, don't expect it to be on par with the earlier books. Here's hoping the later books will go back to what made the start of the series as great as it was.
Content Concerns:
Sex: None. 5/5
Nudity: A mention of a girl in a bikini. 4/5
Language: A use of the euphemism "darn". 4/5
Violence: Some "PG"-level action, including one person being murdered and others being shot at. 3/5
Drugs: None.
Frightening/Intense Sequences: Some "PG"-level peril; emotional intensity after a murder. 3/5
Score: 3/5
May 18, 2017
A fun, light Nancy Drew mystery. There's no denying it's somewhat dated; can't imagine a novel nowadays with a primary plot point of a privileged, young, white girl covering herself in skin-darkening makeup to impersonate a South American tennis player. Yet, while easy to point out all its flaws, Deadly Doubles is an exceptionally solid, sturdy, well-written Nancy Drew murder mystery that comes together to create a rather fabulous, quick read. Nancy, as a character, is still a determined, tenacious young woman; an excellent role model, just as inspiring and feminist as she was when created in 1930.
June 5, 2024
Tennis! Mistaken identity! Kidnapping! Political intrigue! Murder! Double crossing! Mild racism thanks to some terrible 80s “brown face”!
The thing I appreciate and enjoy the most about Nancy Drew Files is that guaranteed excitement at every chapter. Like some crazy sh*t happens in this book and it just keeps coming!
The thing I appreciate and enjoy the most about Nancy Drew Files is that guaranteed excitement at every chapter. Like some crazy sh*t happens in this book and it just keeps coming!
January 19, 2025
This was awful. It didn’t even feel like a Nancy Drew novel.
August 5, 2023
This was so BORING. I've read a lot of the ND Files and this is the one I can not stand and will never re-read. It moves too slow and the events are not exciting.
February 3, 2023
I breezed through this seventh YA mystery in the Nancy Drew Files series from the '80s.
The main reason for my breezing was that I found the parts in between the action scenes to be only mildly interesting. As for the series' old-fashioned style, it seems this story doesn't have as many exclamation points as those before it—especially noticeable at even the cliffhangers that end the chapters with unceremonious statements rather than exclamations (!).
On another note, though I understand taking deceptive measures in life-and-death situations, I imagine that a YA detective story written for thrills and entertainment today would find measures for Nancy to take other than spreading a lot of bronzer all over her skin to make her look more like a certain Latina character.
It seemed for a minute like this mystery would wrap up with only a fairly mild climax to speak of. So I was pleased to see the stakes shoot up again at the eleventh hour. On to Book Eight, likely sooner than later.
The main reason for my breezing was that I found the parts in between the action scenes to be only mildly interesting. As for the series' old-fashioned style, it seems this story doesn't have as many exclamation points as those before it—especially noticeable at even the cliffhangers that end the chapters with unceremonious statements rather than exclamations (!).
On another note, though I understand taking deceptive measures in life-and-death situations, I imagine that a YA detective story written for thrills and entertainment today would find measures for Nancy to take other than spreading a lot of bronzer all over her skin to make her look more like a certain Latina character.
It seemed for a minute like this mystery would wrap up with only a fairly mild climax to speak of. So I was pleased to see the stakes shoot up again at the eleventh hour. On to Book Eight, likely sooner than later.
October 14, 2016
This book has the typical Nancy Drew Files elements, murder, kidnapping, and lots of guns. But it was also pretty sad, I mean, the way Teresa reacted to her boyfriend's death was pretty depressing. I give this book four stars because there was also a lot on politics in here. I'm not the biggest fan on politics and with the 2016 presidential election coming up, I want nothing to do with them. So a four star book, and I hope this review helped you
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2011
I read this book as part of the "YA of the 80's & 90's challenge".
A short book, pleasantly Nancy Drew-like. No real surprises or thrills, but it's just such a classic Nancy Drew tale. She gets herself into situations that anyone else would avoid, and solves the case in the end. A quick, not terribly compelling read.
A short book, pleasantly Nancy Drew-like. No real surprises or thrills, but it's just such a classic Nancy Drew tale. She gets herself into situations that anyone else would avoid, and solves the case in the end. A quick, not terribly compelling read.
April 25, 2021
The plot here has to be the most absurd, most unrealistic one yet, but I can't deny I was having fun reading it. It's got third world dictatorships, hitmen, a Parent Trap style swap between Nancy and her South American double who is a renown tennis champion. It's really more of a spy thriller than typical Nancy Drew fare.
November 11, 2011
This is more of a thriller than the normal Nancy Drew books. Nancy does a favour for a Senator and gets mixed up with international politics. Her likeness to a tennis star gets her kidnapped and involved in the mysteries around a secret peace conference. A fast paced read.
June 25, 2009
Another Nancy Drew files mystery here she gets abducted
April 4, 2010
READ THIS BOOK IT IS A COMEDY AND A MYSTERY AT THE SAME TIME. NANCY DREW IS ON IT AGAIN
May 31, 2011
Just another excellent book of Nancy Drew...
February 10, 2012
"FBI-ish" was my one-word description in grade 7.
May 4, 2013
Don't remember much but I liked Nancy and the mysteries.
May 30, 2015
The oh-so-coincidental lookalikes is ridiculous, but otherwise, I mostly liked this. Which is more than I have done for most of the rest that I have tried to reread to date.
May 22, 2022
TW: brownface
May 9, 2020
AUTHOR Keene, Carolyn
TITLE Deadly Doubles
DATE READ 05/08/20
RATING 4/B
FIRST SENTENCE When is that phone going to ring?
GENRE/ PUB DATE/PUBLISHER / # OF YA Mystery/1987/Pocketbooks / 149 pgs
SERIES/STAND-ALONE #7 ND Files
CHALLENGE Good Reads 2020 Reading Goal 86/120;
GROUP READ ND
TIME/PLACE 1980's / VA
CHARACTERS Nancy Drew/girl detective her friends Bess & George; Teresa Montenegro professional tennis player from San Carlos
COMMENTS A bit more of an adult outing for Nancy. International / political intrigue. San Carlos has an unstable government and Senator Kirkpatrick has hired ND as a courier to secure highly confidential information re the fate of San Carlos. Quick/fun read.
TITLE Deadly Doubles
DATE READ 05/08/20
RATING 4/B
FIRST SENTENCE When is that phone going to ring?
GENRE/ PUB DATE/PUBLISHER / # OF YA Mystery/1987/Pocketbooks / 149 pgs
SERIES/STAND-ALONE #7 ND Files
CHALLENGE Good Reads 2020 Reading Goal 86/120;
GROUP READ ND
TIME/PLACE 1980's / VA
CHARACTERS Nancy Drew/girl detective her friends Bess & George; Teresa Montenegro professional tennis player from San Carlos
COMMENTS A bit more of an adult outing for Nancy. International / political intrigue. San Carlos has an unstable government and Senator Kirkpatrick has hired ND as a courier to secure highly confidential information re the fate of San Carlos. Quick/fun read.
April 11, 2020
3 stars. This one starts off with the action and doesn't let up until the end which I really enjoyed. This was the most action packed and the most intense story so far. The pacing was quick and I think the story itself was very intriguing. Probably my favorite of the series.
{Challenges completed:
✔The Lost Challenges: Most Iconic Album Covers Challenge
✔The Lost Challenges: The Best Snack Food From Every State Challenge (Book 11 out of 100)}
{Challenges completed:
✔The Lost Challenges: Most Iconic Album Covers Challenge
✔The Lost Challenges: The Best Snack Food From Every State Challenge (Book 11 out of 100)}
August 8, 2018
Review may change if I ever bothering rereading the book. But I remember really loving this book when I was around 10 or 11. It was a cooler more grown up version of the Nancy Drew I was accustomed to.
January 28, 2021
This one was absolutely ridiculous and implausible, but entertaining nonetheless.
July 7, 2021
This was so unlike the usual Nancy Drew books, and not in a good way. Disappointing read.
Read
September 9, 2023This is not it. DNF.
June 25, 2024
I loved reading Nancy Drew as a young teen. Clean read.
December 24, 2019
Sandra review
This was a very good mystery to solve, thank God her father came to help her also good job Nancy drew
This was a very good mystery to solve, thank God her father came to help her also good job Nancy drew
July 1, 2024
It is a head-turner to go from Nancy solving missing ice cream recipes to getting kidnapped at gunpoint by international terrorists, I'll tell you what.
April 10, 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 3, 2021
Deadly Doubles by Carolyn Keene
Series: Yes Nancy Drew Files # 7
Format: Softcover
Stars: 3 1/2
Recommend: Yes
Would Reread: Maybe
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 # 7
Format: Softcover
Stars: 3 1/2
Recommend: Yes
Would Reread: Maybe
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...
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January 21, 2009JMAR5-Kee
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews