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A Candidate for Murder
A suspense novel set in the world of politics. With her father running for governor of Texas, Cary is determined to find out why she appears to be in danger.
"Nixon is back doing the kind of book she does best... an inviting read." -- Booklist
"Nixon is back doing the kind of book she does best... an inviting read." -- Booklist
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
5 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
About the author
Joan Lowery Nixon
188 books485 followersAuthor of more than one hundred books, Joan Lowery Nixon is the only writer to have won four Edgar Allan Poe Awards for Juvenile Mysteries (and been nominated several other times) from the Mystery Writers of America. Creating contemporary teenage characters who have both a personal problem and a mystery to solve, Nixon captured the attention of legions of teenage readers since the publication of her first YA novel more than twenty years ago. In addition to mystery/suspense novels, she wrote nonfiction and fiction for children and middle graders, as well as several short stories. Nixon was the first person to write novels for teens about the orphan trains of the nineteenth century. She followed those with historical novels about Ellis Island and, more recently for younger readers, Colonial Williamsburg. Joan Lowery Nixon died on June 28, 2003—a great loss for all of us.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
April 2, 2015
I recently came across this one, and had that "AHA!! I read this way back when." Though I can't exactly remember much about it (I think I read it in seventh grade or so), I will leave the rating as I remember my seventh grade self enjoying it.
November 1, 2021
I really enjoyed this book, and then, the ending just knocked it down a star.
Cary's father is running for governor of Texas. She supports him, and so does her lawyer mother. But she soon realizes that, if her father wins, everything will change. She'll have to move from Dallas to Austin, and she'll have to leave her friends and home and school behind. Still, Cary loves her father, and she wants him to have his dream if possible. But he's going up against the incumbent mayor (if he wins his party's nomination), and the mayor is a Texas Good Ol' Boy whom people know is corrupt but who belongs to the dominant party, and as Cary's father says, most people stick to their own party and don't question it.
One day, Cary overhears something at a party that she doesn't understand, but someone thinks she heard and understood too much and wants to make sure she can't reveal the truth to anyone. That's where the main action is--who's after Cary? What are they hiding? Will they be successful?
But we also have friends and dating and other worries and concerns. I like that Cary volunteers in her father's campaign office, and I like that her home life is well-detailed. I love that she's close to her parents and tells them what's going on with her. She doesn't try to handle it on her own without help from the adults in her life. But when her suspicions grow, she does make moves on her own to find out the truth, and ultimately, she resolves the conflict, not her parents, which I like.
There are some judgmental aspects of the book, but it was written in the 90s, so the ideas of a good, healthy, and innocent childhood were very different than they are now. What really threw me off is the way the book wraps up. I feel like the beginning is drawn out and suspenseful, and we get some answers along the way, but the climax feels very rushed and unrealistic. I also felt like Nixon didn't fully explain all the answers, so I felt cheated. I also didn't care for the very ending, the last couple of pages, but overall, the book was entertaining and fun to read. I enjoyed it, and I'm glad I picked it up from the free books pile outside a bookstore!
Cary's father is running for governor of Texas. She supports him, and so does her lawyer mother. But she soon realizes that, if her father wins, everything will change. She'll have to move from Dallas to Austin, and she'll have to leave her friends and home and school behind. Still, Cary loves her father, and she wants him to have his dream if possible. But he's going up against the incumbent mayor (if he wins his party's nomination), and the mayor is a Texas Good Ol' Boy whom people know is corrupt but who belongs to the dominant party, and as Cary's father says, most people stick to their own party and don't question it.
One day, Cary overhears something at a party that she doesn't understand, but someone thinks she heard and understood too much and wants to make sure she can't reveal the truth to anyone. That's where the main action is--who's after Cary? What are they hiding? Will they be successful?
But we also have friends and dating and other worries and concerns. I like that Cary volunteers in her father's campaign office, and I like that her home life is well-detailed. I love that she's close to her parents and tells them what's going on with her. She doesn't try to handle it on her own without help from the adults in her life. But when her suspicions grow, she does make moves on her own to find out the truth, and ultimately, she resolves the conflict, not her parents, which I like.
There are some judgmental aspects of the book, but it was written in the 90s, so the ideas of a good, healthy, and innocent childhood were very different than they are now. What really threw me off is the way the book wraps up. I feel like the beginning is drawn out and suspenseful, and we get some answers along the way, but the climax feels very rushed and unrealistic. I also felt like Nixon didn't fully explain all the answers, so I felt cheated. I also didn't care for the very ending, the last couple of pages, but overall, the book was entertaining and fun to read. I enjoyed it, and I'm glad I picked it up from the free books pile outside a bookstore!
March 23, 2023
The fact that I read this about a month ago and not only can't remember much about the story - but even about how it made me feel should say something.
While the story is a bit the same as JLN's usual fare, the trappings of this one is Cary's dad (hilariously - an oil tycoon heir with a heart of gold) is running from Texas governor. And thus Cary ends up exposed to the world of dirty politics.
It's got that classic JLN feel right off the bat -- after witnessing a secret conversation, Cary is chased by weird cars and answers strange phone calls - all in the first few chapters! The beginning isn't that bad - even if it feels rehashed from everything before it.
This book was somewhat of a beast to get through. On average, JLN's books are around 180 pages. This one is 210 and I can feel the extra thirty pages. There doesn't seem to be any added character development, nor any additional intrigue that her other books have. And... it continues the trend of having an abrupt ending -- where the whole mystery isn't quite explained, and you have to infer what is going on based on clues earlier in the book.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the love interest in this one. And, my god, he's terrible. Cary's dating Justin from the outset -- and Justin openly mocks Cary's dad, shows complete disinterest in not only helping Cary with campaigning but everything in Cary's life, and is kind of an ass the whole way through. And the whole ending (is this a spoiler - um, sure) has Cary thinking -- well, I'm sure we're gonna break up once my dad is governor but at least we're together now. As if - it's better to have a boyfriend than to be alone.
No wonder girls in the 80s/90s have complexes. The YA lit is somewhat insufferable.
Overall, the book is middling at best. It's not atrocious or infuriating as some, but it's not all that interesting either.
While the story is a bit the same as JLN's usual fare, the trappings of this one is Cary's dad (hilariously - an oil tycoon heir with a heart of gold) is running from Texas governor. And thus Cary ends up exposed to the world of dirty politics.
It's got that classic JLN feel right off the bat -- after witnessing a secret conversation, Cary is chased by weird cars and answers strange phone calls - all in the first few chapters! The beginning isn't that bad - even if it feels rehashed from everything before it.
This book was somewhat of a beast to get through. On average, JLN's books are around 180 pages. This one is 210 and I can feel the extra thirty pages. There doesn't seem to be any added character development, nor any additional intrigue that her other books have. And... it continues the trend of having an abrupt ending -- where the whole mystery isn't quite explained, and you have to infer what is going on based on clues earlier in the book.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the love interest in this one. And, my god, he's terrible. Cary's dating Justin from the outset -- and Justin openly mocks Cary's dad, shows complete disinterest in not only helping Cary with campaigning but everything in Cary's life, and is kind of an ass the whole way through. And the whole ending (is this a spoiler - um, sure) has Cary thinking -- well, I'm sure we're gonna break up once my dad is governor but at least we're together now. As if - it's better to have a boyfriend than to be alone.
No wonder girls in the 80s/90s have complexes. The YA lit is somewhat insufferable.
Overall, the book is middling at best. It's not atrocious or infuriating as some, but it's not all that interesting either.
January 10, 2013
Joan Lowery Nixon did an excellent job on describing the character's emotions and feelings. Cary, the main character, is the daughter of a man who is running for governor. Throughout the campaign, Cary is getting stalked by a man who is part of the opposing party. Cary runs into this man at the big dinner for both the parties before the big election. That's when the man makes a break to kill Cary. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy politics or murder/crime books. This book is for children ages thirteen and up.
April 1, 2015
This book: A Candidate for Murder by Joan Lowery Nixon, was a mystery/Suspense novel. In the book we start off by meeting Cary Amberson. Her father is now running for governor which she doesn't think will affect her very much. She has got a great boyfriend, awesome friends, a butler, and everything else you could want. Then on the night of a party she overhears something which she doesn't really understand, and thinks nothing of. Now that will probably change her life forever. Now she is being stalked, by people she doesn't know. There will be twists, and turns. Moments where you will be holding your breath. Who can Cary trust. In the same time remember her father is still running for governor. Does this have something to do with that, or not even close.
I felt like all of the characters were likable, but I thought they exaggerated the shadiness of the whole political world. I felt like her friends weren't the best of friends, and didn't truly support her through the whole this. The main character experiences the normal life of a teenager, while still having the luxury of having a rich family. I liked all of the characters, but I did not really relate to them. They all seemed a little distant. My favorite part of the book was (I don't want to give it away) I will say this I liked when you could predict what was going to happen, but you were still on the edge of your seat to see if you were right. I liked every part of the book although a little unrealistic, it was fun to read. Although the beginning was slow to really get going. If I could change anything I though the ending was a little rushed. I would recommend this book if you like mystery, and politics. Only if you don't mind it being a little exaggerated.
I felt like all of the characters were likable, but I thought they exaggerated the shadiness of the whole political world. I felt like her friends weren't the best of friends, and didn't truly support her through the whole this. The main character experiences the normal life of a teenager, while still having the luxury of having a rich family. I liked all of the characters, but I did not really relate to them. They all seemed a little distant. My favorite part of the book was (I don't want to give it away) I will say this I liked when you could predict what was going to happen, but you were still on the edge of your seat to see if you were right. I liked every part of the book although a little unrealistic, it was fun to read. Although the beginning was slow to really get going. If I could change anything I though the ending was a little rushed. I would recommend this book if you like mystery, and politics. Only if you don't mind it being a little exaggerated.
November 3, 2016
I read Joan Lowery Nixon's A Candidate for Murder (210 pages), a mystery novel following a teenage girl who has some odd problems. Her father is trying to become the governor, so many things in her life are changing. She has to move around, there are many different people coming and going in their house. She witnesses something in the night, two people talking. Although she doesn't quite understand what she was hearing, they didn't like it at all. She begins to have feelings of someone watching and following her, and odd phone calls in the night. She needs to figure out what's going on before something bad happens to her, or her family members.
However intriguing it may seem, I did not enjoy this book. The entire story seemed a little predictable and cliche, and the characters weren't very interesting to me. To be honest, I didn't really like any of them. I didn't care for the ending either. Sometimes the "leave it to the reader's imagination" endings work out very well, this was not one of those times. In my opinion, it just wasn't a very good book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2010
The author starts out really good by having a mysterious conversation with two men while Cary is watching. I like the whole set up of the book. Cary's dad is running for governor in Texas. And Cary is being threatened. The author gets straight to the point. The plot doesn't drag on forever. The book finishes very strong.
I really like Cary as a person. She's trying to do good. Even though she's a rich kid, she acts very nicely. It's almost as if she's a normal person who fits perfectly with the middle class. I feel sorry for her because she experiencing lots of conflict, and she tries to fiz it.
It was very exciting when she was being followed, and someone breaks into her dad's campaign office. The book contains very intruguing characters. The weirdness of the butler and and strange lady working at the campaign office who both have secrets they want nobody to know. Cary may be digging a little too far, maybe even making politicians look bad.
I really like Cary as a person. She's trying to do good. Even though she's a rich kid, she acts very nicely. It's almost as if she's a normal person who fits perfectly with the middle class. I feel sorry for her because she experiencing lots of conflict, and she tries to fiz it.
It was very exciting when she was being followed, and someone breaks into her dad's campaign office. The book contains very intruguing characters. The weirdness of the butler and and strange lady working at the campaign office who both have secrets they want nobody to know. Cary may be digging a little too far, maybe even making politicians look bad.
July 5, 2009
Kids like this book more than adults. I think maybe "safe" thrillers for middle schoolers don't work so well for more sophisticated readers, so this book doesn't thrill me. Cary Amberson’s father is running for Governor of Texas, and for the first time, Cary is exposed to the lies and insults of a dirty political campaign. Just at a time when she needs him most, her boyfriend suddenly seems unsupportive. And suddenly she is aware that she is somehow involved in something more sinister than just politics because she gets threatening phone calls, and feels that she is being stalked. As she tries to find out what is going on, she becomes more isolated and gets herself into more and more danger.
September 29, 2010
I thought that this book was very interesting. I couldnt take my eyes off it. The author explained all the charachters very clearly to understand them. The author used words to describe the charachters
personality. I think that the story could of had some more saying at the end. Overall I thought it was a good story . I think that Joan Lowery Nixon is a very good author.
One part in the movie was a really a significant part when someone had broke into the familys house and justin was being really conciderate trying to figure out how did they get in and why.It turned out that justin liked nixon and became more than friends they both new eachother for a longtime now they decided to be together. The end the girls mom had died and was refused to tell the cops.
personality. I think that the story could of had some more saying at the end. Overall I thought it was a good story . I think that Joan Lowery Nixon is a very good author.
One part in the movie was a really a significant part when someone had broke into the familys house and justin was being really conciderate trying to figure out how did they get in and why.It turned out that justin liked nixon and became more than friends they both new eachother for a longtime now they decided to be together. The end the girls mom had died and was refused to tell the cops.
February 19, 2008
In this book Cary Amberson's father is running for governor of Texas. Cary has to exept some changes in her life. She starts working at her dad's campaign office, but when she over hears a conversation will it get her into to much trouble? Cary knows to expect some prank phone calls, but these calls are much different! The Amberson's know something is going on and Cary is sure someone is following her. This book has so many twists and surprises, and that is why I loved this book! Mystery books are so fun to read because you never know what is going to happen at the end!
January 8, 2010
I gave this book 5 stars because it alomst was like real life only it wasn't, her dad ran for mayor.I loved the part when she didn't want her picture taken and later on the guy taking her pictures loses his roll of film.
January 27, 2012
Read this like way back 6th grade. By then I was already hooked on watching horror movies, Spy thrillers and murder mysteries.
Looking back at this moment, I could have rated this a 3.5 star or maybe a 4. But, seeing as it was a bit cliche and very predictable, I think I will settle for a 3.
Looking back at this moment, I could have rated this a 3.5 star or maybe a 4. But, seeing as it was a bit cliche and very predictable, I think I will settle for a 3.
July 16, 2022
I'm not sure why Joan Lowery Nixon books often have the worst male romantic love interests. Justin was one of the worst characters in this book. Cary was also really insufferable and selfish, and this plot was mediocre at best.
November 12, 2023
I'll round this one up to 3 stars just because I happen to like JLN and the way she tells a story.
The plot when you read it does sound interesting whether you are big into books with a more political slant or not. I'm not big on politics or any of the terms but to set it from the point of view of a teenage girl who knows nothing about that world either is comfortable...is that the right word?
Caroline "Cary" Amberson has her friends and boyfriend Justin, school is school when you are a teenager and come from a well to do family with a housekeeper and butler.
Her mother Laura is a lawyer and her father Charles is in the oil business (this is after all Texas) but now he is running for governor of the Lonestar state. This has put her parents in the spotlight but Cary isn't use to the cameras wanting photos of her once they realize who she is.
Escaping from a classmate taking such photos at a dance, Cary finds herself on the other side of two men having a discussion from her hiding spot.
It doesn't sound on the up and up and her classmate Mark finds her and calls out Cary's name.
Mark calls Cary up the next day asking what she did with his camera and the film of the pictures he took last night. He knows she wasn't too thrilled with him snapping her pictures and neither was Justin just because it made Cary upset.
Cary did nothing with the camera and says it must be a joke but that neither she nor Justin took his camera. Leaving her friend Allie's house, Cary believes that a car is following her. She stops at a well lit gas station and calls her father to come and get her and he arrives with Dexter, their new butler.
They get home and every thing seems to just be her imagination until Cary gets a call on her private phone line that night. It is a drunk woman who warns her that she is in danger and it seems just a prank call...but she knows Cary's name.
Next morning, there are political cartoons in the paper about Cary's father in not very flattering terms and even though it is just political smearing...Cary knows her dad is an honest man.
Kids even tell jokes they heard on the radio about Cary's dad and laugh, Justin included, but Cary doesn't find it funny. Her father wants her to come and work at his campaign headquarters and even though it will mean cramming in homework and losing time with Justin a little, Cary is a dutiful daughter.
Trying to get Justin to even do some campaigning with her to spend time together has hitches when it doesn't seem Justin's family share any of her father's views and then Cary is told by Justin that her dad's headquarters was vandalized.
Nothing is stolen or badly damaged but work is pushed back a day while repairs and clean-up are done. Once Cary does show up, a reluctant Justin with her on the down low from his parents, she is put to mundane work and her boyfriend to heavy lifting boxes...separately.
A girl around Cary's age named Francine asks her questions about her father and they seem weird and very uncomfortable. A reporter named Sally Jo shows up and interviews Cary about her dad and they seem less evasive than Francine's but Delia, Charles Amberson's secretary, isn't fond of the reporter harassing volunteers...no matter who they may be.
Cary isn't truly bothered by anything going on until she and Justin and their friends are leaving a Halloween party dressed up as punk rockers and get pulled over by the police. They search the car and find drugs in Justin's glove department and the teens are arrested.
It puts a strain on Cary's relationship with Justin and even Allie for a bit but Cary's parents know she doesn't do drugs and don't blame her even when she feels guilty that this might give her father bad press during election time.
Though it may appear just to be one incident of dirty, underhanded political sabotage of going through a candidate's teenage daughter...Cary begins to figure out the truth.
Someone is after her.
Cary asks Sally Jo for her help since she is a reporter to try and discover just who it is that is trying to hurt her and why. Those two men she overheard with their veiled conversation? One of the other candidates taking it too far or one of their supporters infiltrating Charles Amberson's campaign?
All of the investigating and political angles don't really interest me but Cary is a protagonist that you can't really ignore. She's a kind-hearted person and loving daughter with equally congenial parents but she is no shrinking violet...she will stand up for herself and her father.
The revelations weren't exciting but the climax did have you wondering if Cary would be okay or if anyone would get hurt like her dad or even Justin when he decided to stop being a jerky boyfriend once he found out Cary's life was in danger.
The ending seems like everything will be okay but left ambiguous yet the small hints we get don't seem to be a happily ever after setup. It is probably more realistic yet it doesn't take away from just how sad it seems.
So open-ended which is why I couldn't decide between two or three stars but A Candidate For Murder isn't a bad JLN book it just isn't my favorite out of the ones I have read so far...and I still have quite a few more to read.
The plot when you read it does sound interesting whether you are big into books with a more political slant or not. I'm not big on politics or any of the terms but to set it from the point of view of a teenage girl who knows nothing about that world either is comfortable...is that the right word?
Caroline "Cary" Amberson has her friends and boyfriend Justin, school is school when you are a teenager and come from a well to do family with a housekeeper and butler.
Her mother Laura is a lawyer and her father Charles is in the oil business (this is after all Texas) but now he is running for governor of the Lonestar state. This has put her parents in the spotlight but Cary isn't use to the cameras wanting photos of her once they realize who she is.
Escaping from a classmate taking such photos at a dance, Cary finds herself on the other side of two men having a discussion from her hiding spot.
It doesn't sound on the up and up and her classmate Mark finds her and calls out Cary's name.
Mark calls Cary up the next day asking what she did with his camera and the film of the pictures he took last night. He knows she wasn't too thrilled with him snapping her pictures and neither was Justin just because it made Cary upset.
Cary did nothing with the camera and says it must be a joke but that neither she nor Justin took his camera. Leaving her friend Allie's house, Cary believes that a car is following her. She stops at a well lit gas station and calls her father to come and get her and he arrives with Dexter, their new butler.
They get home and every thing seems to just be her imagination until Cary gets a call on her private phone line that night. It is a drunk woman who warns her that she is in danger and it seems just a prank call...but she knows Cary's name.
Next morning, there are political cartoons in the paper about Cary's father in not very flattering terms and even though it is just political smearing...Cary knows her dad is an honest man.
Kids even tell jokes they heard on the radio about Cary's dad and laugh, Justin included, but Cary doesn't find it funny. Her father wants her to come and work at his campaign headquarters and even though it will mean cramming in homework and losing time with Justin a little, Cary is a dutiful daughter.
Trying to get Justin to even do some campaigning with her to spend time together has hitches when it doesn't seem Justin's family share any of her father's views and then Cary is told by Justin that her dad's headquarters was vandalized.
Nothing is stolen or badly damaged but work is pushed back a day while repairs and clean-up are done. Once Cary does show up, a reluctant Justin with her on the down low from his parents, she is put to mundane work and her boyfriend to heavy lifting boxes...separately.
A girl around Cary's age named Francine asks her questions about her father and they seem weird and very uncomfortable. A reporter named Sally Jo shows up and interviews Cary about her dad and they seem less evasive than Francine's but Delia, Charles Amberson's secretary, isn't fond of the reporter harassing volunteers...no matter who they may be.
Cary isn't truly bothered by anything going on until she and Justin and their friends are leaving a Halloween party dressed up as punk rockers and get pulled over by the police. They search the car and find drugs in Justin's glove department and the teens are arrested.
It puts a strain on Cary's relationship with Justin and even Allie for a bit but Cary's parents know she doesn't do drugs and don't blame her even when she feels guilty that this might give her father bad press during election time.
Though it may appear just to be one incident of dirty, underhanded political sabotage of going through a candidate's teenage daughter...Cary begins to figure out the truth.
Someone is after her.
Cary asks Sally Jo for her help since she is a reporter to try and discover just who it is that is trying to hurt her and why. Those two men she overheard with their veiled conversation? One of the other candidates taking it too far or one of their supporters infiltrating Charles Amberson's campaign?
All of the investigating and political angles don't really interest me but Cary is a protagonist that you can't really ignore. She's a kind-hearted person and loving daughter with equally congenial parents but she is no shrinking violet...she will stand up for herself and her father.
The revelations weren't exciting but the climax did have you wondering if Cary would be okay or if anyone would get hurt like her dad or even Justin when he decided to stop being a jerky boyfriend once he found out Cary's life was in danger.
The ending seems like everything will be okay but left ambiguous yet the small hints we get don't seem to be a happily ever after setup. It is probably more realistic yet it doesn't take away from just how sad it seems.
So open-ended which is why I couldn't decide between two or three stars but A Candidate For Murder isn't a bad JLN book it just isn't my favorite out of the ones I have read so far...and I still have quite a few more to read.
Read
November 5, 2008I read this book last year for a project. . .It really gave me goosebumps. . .i couldn't even put the book down.
Read
January 22, 2009JMAR5-Nix
Read
March 30, 2009this is a very fasinating book and can someday help you solve a mystery.
it teaches you to not trust everyone because not everyone is good.
it teaches you to not trust everyone because not everyone is good.
Read
February 12, 2010well written!!
August 22, 2010
3.5 stars
March 5, 2011
This book is a thriller! Just a normal girl, not completely normal, is being chased. Her father is running for the governor of Texas. Well, you'll just have to find out the rest...
Read
June 24, 2012This book was good I really liked how the title said a lot about the book.
May 3, 2013
This book is about a daughter of a candidate that is running for mayor that accidentally overheard a murder and has to be under protection. I recommend this book to those that believe in justice.
August 10, 2014
Just wanted a quickie book to read.. lol.. and it was one.. discovered it was Young Adult.. good for teens and preteens..
June 29, 2021
As a middle-high school librarian, I am currently going through my shelves to find books that have become lost in the sea of newer, more colorful, arrivals. I’m going to spend the summer reading as many as I can in order to purge those which no longer belong as well as select the keepers and be able to booktalk them.
Sadly, this book has lost its battle with the relevance of time. I could possibly overlook the dated 1990s references to lan-line phones where operators can interrupt a call in an emergency (although even I can never remember that occurring) to identity research taking place via actual public records at the DMV and the courthouse.
What I can’t ignore is quality. YA novels today are much grittier and real. The characters are not bland girls who worry about boys, hair, etc. while at the same time try to not get killed by someone out to get them. YA authors have “grown up” and realize that their audience expects material that evokes more emotion than a Hallmark movie.
Sadly, this book has lost its battle with the relevance of time. I could possibly overlook the dated 1990s references to lan-line phones where operators can interrupt a call in an emergency (although even I can never remember that occurring) to identity research taking place via actual public records at the DMV and the courthouse.
What I can’t ignore is quality. YA novels today are much grittier and real. The characters are not bland girls who worry about boys, hair, etc. while at the same time try to not get killed by someone out to get them. YA authors have “grown up” and realize that their audience expects material that evokes more emotion than a Hallmark movie.
July 27, 2025
2/5stars.
I remember reading from this author back in high school (they were old then too). There was just something about this book that was too simplistic and of the time (1990s)—with stilted writing and lack of character depth. I didn’t feel any tension and there was little backstory.
I’m usually a sucker for anything involving running for office/politics. But here it just fell flat, I needed more of campaign life, working at the office, etc. The “mystery,” felt contrived and not scary/spooky, Cary (the main character) was being followed….I guess. It was just so…bland.
I remember reading from this author back in high school (they were old then too). There was just something about this book that was too simplistic and of the time (1990s)—with stilted writing and lack of character depth. I didn’t feel any tension and there was little backstory.
I’m usually a sucker for anything involving running for office/politics. But here it just fell flat, I needed more of campaign life, working at the office, etc. The “mystery,” felt contrived and not scary/spooky, Cary (the main character) was being followed….I guess. It was just so…bland.
June 16, 2020
Another purely nostalgic read. I used to love Joan Lowery Nixon suspense books when I was younger and this was the book that started it all. It was a quick and easy read with just the right amount of suspense for young readers. I can definitely see how these books may have lead to my love and enjoyment of adult suspense/thrillers.
November 15, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this book; it was very suspenseful. However, with all that suspense, the ending seemed rushed. It doesn’t leave you hanging with what’s going on; but it could’ve had another chapter with some more details on the outcome. That’s just my opinion, though.
November 13, 2022
Library copy
The Nixon mysteries hold up better than I thought they would. I have several students reading through these, even though the covers on the ones I have are very dated. I wish there were more modern middle grade/young adult books with the same sorts of plots.
The Nixon mysteries hold up better than I thought they would. I have several students reading through these, even though the covers on the ones I have are very dated. I wish there were more modern middle grade/young adult books with the same sorts of plots.
October 14, 2020
I read this so long ago. I'm pretty sure I really enjoyed it.
May 5, 2024
I remember loving this one when I was younger and am pleased that it still mostly holds up.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews