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Nancy Drew Diaries #8
The Magician's Secret
A major magic trick leads to missing murder evidence in this eighth book of the Nancy Drew Diaries, a fresh approach to a classic series.
When she attends a performance by master illusionist Drake Lonestar, Nancy is skeptical. Lonestar is known for his razzle-dazzle wizardry, but can the magician really make the River Heights library disappear?
As it turns out, he can, but that's not the only thing that goes missing. Key evidence to an upcoming murder trial disappears in the midst of the trick. And one of the trial attorneys just happens to be Nancy's father, Carson Drew, assisted by her boyfriend, Ned Nickerson.
Nancy, Bess, and George are quick to jump on the case, but not quite quick enough: Lonestar has vanished, too, and not even his closest friends know his whereabouts.
Magic is its own kind of mystery, but is this one Nancy can handle?
When she attends a performance by master illusionist Drake Lonestar, Nancy is skeptical. Lonestar is known for his razzle-dazzle wizardry, but can the magician really make the River Heights library disappear?
As it turns out, he can, but that's not the only thing that goes missing. Key evidence to an upcoming murder trial disappears in the midst of the trick. And one of the trial attorneys just happens to be Nancy's father, Carson Drew, assisted by her boyfriend, Ned Nickerson.
Nancy, Bess, and George are quick to jump on the case, but not quite quick enough: Lonestar has vanished, too, and not even his closest friends know his whereabouts.
Magic is its own kind of mystery, but is this one Nancy can handle?
176 pages, Hardcover
First published January 6, 2015
105 people are currently reading
571 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
1,075 books3,895 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 67 reviews
August 21, 2024
ehhh i love this series for plane audiobooks bc they don't require much brainpower lol + i have a nostalgic emotional connection to the original nancy drew books so i tend to enjoy these, but this one just wasn't it
June 26, 2021
2.5 i guess. i'm pretty much neutral
July 18, 2018
It was quite enjoyable with all the magic tricks and their secrets revealed, although halfway through I knew who the culprit was :)
April 16, 2024
These books were my 10 year-old selfs absulute favorite
January 12, 2025
Lol I don't remember anything from this book, just that kid me loved it. I was obsessed with Nancy Drew and read every single book about her that I could find. I think if I reread them now, I wouldn't be able to handle the old stuff, but hey, I've changed a lot. For little kids that need to get into reading, I think these are perfect. Maybe not for teenagers though.
June 25, 2022
I love all Nancy Drew books and it has never ever dissapoint me. Didn't expected that the magician was not the culprit, but his very own trusted bodyguard! No one will ever reveal how really the magic trick is done...., and a deep dark secret behind the magician's smile.
"MAGIC IS A MYSTERY THAT DOESNT NEED SOLVING".
"MAGIC IS A MYSTERY THAT DOESNT NEED SOLVING".
March 4, 2015
I skipped a few in the series bcz this one seemed so interesting. I even paid $7 for it so I could have as part of my collection. Bad idea.
It has been the worst one I have read so far. It wasn't terrible, but it was very, very off.
First off it didn't sound like Nancy's voice for some reason. Second of all it was George who did all the sluething. Even Bess got to correct Nancy on something. WHO CORRECTS NANCY DREW? Did the writer hate Nancy Drew?
The scenes were choppy and ended a bit too abruptly. Certain "facts" made no sense at all or were just completely unbelievable.
Skip this one.
It has been the worst one I have read so far. It wasn't terrible, but it was very, very off.
First off it didn't sound like Nancy's voice for some reason. Second of all it was George who did all the sluething. Even Bess got to correct Nancy on something. WHO CORRECTS NANCY DREW? Did the writer hate Nancy Drew?
The scenes were choppy and ended a bit too abruptly. Certain "facts" made no sense at all or were just completely unbelievable.
Skip this one.
December 5, 2023
Everyone: Nancy, you're so awesome at solving mysteries! We all know about you and love you. We want you to solve this mystery/lend credence to our magic trick/tell a real-deal judge what you've discovered.
Nancy: Oh, no. I'm really not that great. I just dabble.
The mystery itself was...okay. I guess. It was neither the best nor the words in the series to date, but Nancy was just so...unpleasant for me to be around for this book.
Nancy: Oh, no. I'm really not that great. I just dabble.
The mystery itself was...okay. I guess. It was neither the best nor the words in the series to date, but Nancy was just so...unpleasant for me to be around for this book.
February 12, 2016
I really wanted to like this book, but it wasn't as appealing as the other books in the series. The plot was really boring, if you have read many Nancy Drew books, you probably can guess who the thief was. I don't think you should read this book, unless you just want it in your collection.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2024
Out with the old, in with the new. Happy 2024 to all my goodreads friends. For years now I have been setting my goodreads reading challenge to one book. I believe that reading should be done at one’s leisure, and even if someone has a goal of let’s say reading 100 books for the year, it should be done without stressing over whether they are meeting that elusive challenge or not. Every year on January 1st I wake up early, read a book of 150 pages or less, and complete my “challenge.” Now that the challenge is behind me, I can use it to track my books and nothing else, allowing my reading to be stress free, and, with my busy life, I do appreciate not having another thing hanging over my head.
As with 2023 that really just ended nine hours ago, I chose Nancy Drew to transition to 2024. I don’t know if I’ll read as many of her cases this year, but I must admit, even if the mysteries are geared for kids, they are definitely fun to read. I have noticed recently in many genres that it is difficult to read books set in the past unless I am already familiar with the time period and know what to expect. The original Nancy Drew series is old fashioned both in expectations of people in society and the lack of technology that Nancy now uses to solve her modern cases. In this case an illusionist magician has come to River Heights. He would not be able to achieve the effects he performs at his shows without the use of technology. A case like this would not be possible in the original series, and that is why I have come to enjoy the Nancy Drew Diary series as my go to series featuring this sleuth.
In the diaries, Bess and George play a prominent role in solving cases. In the 1950s they were just there along with Ned who couldn’t even kiss Nancy or it wouldn’t be seen as appropriate. This diary series points to each of the four’s strengths: Nancy’s head for solving mysteries, Ned’s journalistic skill, George’s adeptness at cracking any gadget, and Bess’ charm and fashion sense. Nancy’s father Carson Drew is involved more in these modern cases, encouraging Nancy’s sleuthing as long as it’s legal and employing Ned as an intern. He is also more accepting of their relationship here as well. All the characters make up the dream team and teach kids that by working together people can achieve more. That is the definition of team at least from a kid’s perspective yet it is devoid of many youth activities as kids are taught to one up each other to get ahead. In this case where Nancy is asked to help solve a jewel heist, she would not be able to crack the case without each of her friend’s expertise. Whoever in the writing consortium modernized Nancy Drew to bring her up to 21st century speed did a great job in achieving this.
I don’t see many kids reading Nancy Drew today because kids turn to graphic novels more than ever. This case is visual to the point of not needing graphics. The illusionist magician makes the River Heights Court House disappear. Of course the whole thing is an illusion, but in the few seconds that this optical illusion occurs, the evidence box containing $3.5 million of jewels goes missing. It is up to Nancy to solve the case before the wrong person is accused and sent to jail. George and Bess do as much sleuthing here as Nancy, attacking the case from opposing angles, and they give Nancy just enough information to solve the case before it’s too late. Nancy calls her friends true blues because they would do just about anything for each other, and it is more evident in this case than in others. Perhaps the reason why kids don’t read this series as much as other graphic novels is because it moves too slow for a 21st mind. Yes, the friends are in high school, but they’ve been there forever. What comes next is the mystery that we all want to solve.
Perhaps 2024 is the year when we do find out what happens to Nancy, Bess, and George as they move to finish high school. Nancy and Ned have been together for nearly 100 years so it’s more than time for the next step. I think I have been saying this in a lot of reviews of Nancy Drew lately, which means it may be time for me to slow down and move on to other detective books, which I do anyway. In the meantime, my challenge is officially done, and I can move on to tackling reading and other projects that have been on my personal bucket list for awhile. That said, 2024 is looking to be a wonderful year, reading and otherwise.
4 stars
As with 2023 that really just ended nine hours ago, I chose Nancy Drew to transition to 2024. I don’t know if I’ll read as many of her cases this year, but I must admit, even if the mysteries are geared for kids, they are definitely fun to read. I have noticed recently in many genres that it is difficult to read books set in the past unless I am already familiar with the time period and know what to expect. The original Nancy Drew series is old fashioned both in expectations of people in society and the lack of technology that Nancy now uses to solve her modern cases. In this case an illusionist magician has come to River Heights. He would not be able to achieve the effects he performs at his shows without the use of technology. A case like this would not be possible in the original series, and that is why I have come to enjoy the Nancy Drew Diary series as my go to series featuring this sleuth.
In the diaries, Bess and George play a prominent role in solving cases. In the 1950s they were just there along with Ned who couldn’t even kiss Nancy or it wouldn’t be seen as appropriate. This diary series points to each of the four’s strengths: Nancy’s head for solving mysteries, Ned’s journalistic skill, George’s adeptness at cracking any gadget, and Bess’ charm and fashion sense. Nancy’s father Carson Drew is involved more in these modern cases, encouraging Nancy’s sleuthing as long as it’s legal and employing Ned as an intern. He is also more accepting of their relationship here as well. All the characters make up the dream team and teach kids that by working together people can achieve more. That is the definition of team at least from a kid’s perspective yet it is devoid of many youth activities as kids are taught to one up each other to get ahead. In this case where Nancy is asked to help solve a jewel heist, she would not be able to crack the case without each of her friend’s expertise. Whoever in the writing consortium modernized Nancy Drew to bring her up to 21st century speed did a great job in achieving this.
I don’t see many kids reading Nancy Drew today because kids turn to graphic novels more than ever. This case is visual to the point of not needing graphics. The illusionist magician makes the River Heights Court House disappear. Of course the whole thing is an illusion, but in the few seconds that this optical illusion occurs, the evidence box containing $3.5 million of jewels goes missing. It is up to Nancy to solve the case before the wrong person is accused and sent to jail. George and Bess do as much sleuthing here as Nancy, attacking the case from opposing angles, and they give Nancy just enough information to solve the case before it’s too late. Nancy calls her friends true blues because they would do just about anything for each other, and it is more evident in this case than in others. Perhaps the reason why kids don’t read this series as much as other graphic novels is because it moves too slow for a 21st mind. Yes, the friends are in high school, but they’ve been there forever. What comes next is the mystery that we all want to solve.
Perhaps 2024 is the year when we do find out what happens to Nancy, Bess, and George as they move to finish high school. Nancy and Ned have been together for nearly 100 years so it’s more than time for the next step. I think I have been saying this in a lot of reviews of Nancy Drew lately, which means it may be time for me to slow down and move on to other detective books, which I do anyway. In the meantime, my challenge is officially done, and I can move on to tackling reading and other projects that have been on my personal bucket list for awhile. That said, 2024 is looking to be a wonderful year, reading and otherwise.
4 stars
November 29, 2020
For this and other book reviews, visit www.bargain-sleuth.com
First off, Magician’s have secrets. That’s sort of their deal. So The Magician’s Secret is an accurate title. Drake Lonestar has more secrets than how to do his amazing tricks. In fact, there’s another guy, the bodyguard, Hugo, who is also a magician, and he’s got a few secrets himself. There’s also twin daughters of a fashion designer who are assistants to Lonestar, and they’ve got secrets, too.
Carson Drew represents a man wrongly accused of jewelry theft. Papers and documents along with the jewelry shop’s security tapes were put into crates and sealed and put into the courthouse’s basement. Drake Lonestar’s big illusion is to make the courthouse disappear. He does, the crowd goes wild, and helicopters come flying in to the air space where the courthouse once stood (Seriously, helicopters). When the helicopters go away, Lonestar makes the building reappear. But surprise, surprise, the one thing that’s missing is the evidence that Carson Drew needs.
What’s up with Nancy not wanting to figure out how certain magic tricks are performed? She just agrees to suspend her disbelief when the magician asks her to and she just goes with it. That’s very out of character. Besides, doesn’t everyone try to figure out the magic trick? That’s the whole point of doing magic tricks: to get people to wonder how they are done.
Bess and George, especially George, do as much, if not more of the sleuthing than Nancy. What on earth? Bess even corrects Nancy at one point. What? Nancy Drew is never wrong! Didn’t the ghostwriter get the memo?
Props to “Carolyn Keene” for explaining the different types of magic: illusions and escapism. And a nice little history lesson on Harry Houdini, who was actually born about 30 miles from where I live in Green Bay, Wisconsin. There’s a great display at The History Museum at the Castle in Appleton, Wisconsin, about 20 miles away. I used to take the kids there every other summer. That’s one of the things I loved about the Nancy Drew mysteries: a little travelogue or history thrown in. Educating kids surreptitiously in a mystery book, I like!
And speaking of getting the “Nancy Drew Bible” memo, in the Diaries series, Ned is supposedly working at his dad’s newspaper, but in this book, he’s working for Carson Drew in his law office as an intern. That makes it more convenient to help out for this mystery, but the continuity is off.
Despite the author’s best attempts at throwing useless clues in to confuse the reader, I had the culprit figured out rather early on because the plot is so similar to a number of TV show murder mystery stories that I’ve seen. I don’t know if a child would be able to figure it out, though, so maybe they’d love the book.
The Magician’s Secret wasn’t a bad book; I enjoyed peeking into the world of illusion and escapism, but it just could have been so much better.
First off, Magician’s have secrets. That’s sort of their deal. So The Magician’s Secret is an accurate title. Drake Lonestar has more secrets than how to do his amazing tricks. In fact, there’s another guy, the bodyguard, Hugo, who is also a magician, and he’s got a few secrets himself. There’s also twin daughters of a fashion designer who are assistants to Lonestar, and they’ve got secrets, too.
Carson Drew represents a man wrongly accused of jewelry theft. Papers and documents along with the jewelry shop’s security tapes were put into crates and sealed and put into the courthouse’s basement. Drake Lonestar’s big illusion is to make the courthouse disappear. He does, the crowd goes wild, and helicopters come flying in to the air space where the courthouse once stood (Seriously, helicopters). When the helicopters go away, Lonestar makes the building reappear. But surprise, surprise, the one thing that’s missing is the evidence that Carson Drew needs.
What’s up with Nancy not wanting to figure out how certain magic tricks are performed? She just agrees to suspend her disbelief when the magician asks her to and she just goes with it. That’s very out of character. Besides, doesn’t everyone try to figure out the magic trick? That’s the whole point of doing magic tricks: to get people to wonder how they are done.
Bess and George, especially George, do as much, if not more of the sleuthing than Nancy. What on earth? Bess even corrects Nancy at one point. What? Nancy Drew is never wrong! Didn’t the ghostwriter get the memo?
Props to “Carolyn Keene” for explaining the different types of magic: illusions and escapism. And a nice little history lesson on Harry Houdini, who was actually born about 30 miles from where I live in Green Bay, Wisconsin. There’s a great display at The History Museum at the Castle in Appleton, Wisconsin, about 20 miles away. I used to take the kids there every other summer. That’s one of the things I loved about the Nancy Drew mysteries: a little travelogue or history thrown in. Educating kids surreptitiously in a mystery book, I like!
And speaking of getting the “Nancy Drew Bible” memo, in the Diaries series, Ned is supposedly working at his dad’s newspaper, but in this book, he’s working for Carson Drew in his law office as an intern. That makes it more convenient to help out for this mystery, but the continuity is off.
Despite the author’s best attempts at throwing useless clues in to confuse the reader, I had the culprit figured out rather early on because the plot is so similar to a number of TV show murder mystery stories that I’ve seen. I don’t know if a child would be able to figure it out, though, so maybe they’d love the book.
The Magician’s Secret wasn’t a bad book; I enjoyed peeking into the world of illusion and escapism, but it just could have been so much better.
January 4, 2021
3 star
This diaries story was a nice one, (better than the last few books have been) so a high 3 star. Of course I enjoy magic (not a major fanatic but do find it neat) so maybe that's why I liked this story a bit better? Or maybe just the writing was a bit better? Either way this one my mind stayed on the story and because I LOVE mysteries I was able to figure out the 'who done it' within the first few chapters. However for a preteen-teen or an adult just starting to read mysteries this is a good one to read and figure out. (Hint once you figure it out- or finish the story which ever comes first. This is a 'model' simple mystery. Often simpler mysteries will be very similar to this one. Other times the more complex mysteries will throw you a curve ball and 'appear' to be this simple. So a good starter mystery book
This diaries story was a nice one, (better than the last few books have been) so a high 3 star. Of course I enjoy magic (not a major fanatic but do find it neat) so maybe that's why I liked this story a bit better? Or maybe just the writing was a bit better? Either way this one my mind stayed on the story and because I LOVE mysteries I was able to figure out the 'who done it' within the first few chapters. However for a preteen-teen or an adult just starting to read mysteries this is a good one to read and figure out. (Hint once you figure it out- or finish the story which ever comes first. This is a 'model' simple mystery. Often simpler mysteries will be very similar to this one. Other times the more complex mysteries will throw you a curve ball and 'appear' to be this simple. So a good starter mystery book
June 20, 2022
River Heights is hosting the magician/illusionist Drake Lonestar, who he will make the town courthouse disappear. Unfortunately, at the same time that this is occurring, valuable evidence is stolen from the courthouse. Nancy, Bess, and George work together using their considerable skills to solve the mystery. I loved that this book features all the sleuth's abilities, Nancy's deduction skills, George's tech skills, and Bess' knowledge of pop culture and gemstones. Will their skills play to their advantage? Will Nancy and her friends be able to solve the crime before the criminal disappears? One will have to read to find out.
Overall, an exciting mystery that will interest Nancy Drew fans of all ages.
🕵️♀️🕵️♀️🕵️♀️🕵️♀️
Overall, an exciting mystery that will interest Nancy Drew fans of all ages.
🕵️♀️🕵️♀️🕵️♀️🕵️♀️
August 24, 2020
The title of this book suggested an interesting story. Unfortunately, it is poorly executed, in my opinion. There's way too much unnecessary detail that slows the story down. Also, Bess and George conveniently have a lot of in-depth knowledge about obscure topics, which is quite unbelievable. On the other hand, Nancy misses many important details along the way. Overall, the book has a good premise and a few fun moments but not much else going for it.
March 23, 2017
I am really enjoying this book! I feel the mystery is very interesting to find out. It leaves you waiting with a list FULL of suspects right to the end! Not going to spoil, but the thief is one I would have barely ever thought about. Purchase this book now and enjoy reading it! Its definitely worth the money!
February 21, 2018
Fun, funny and darn cute as usual. It is always refreshing to read something that is clean. Are these deep literary works? -- a resounding no -- for what they are meant to be, they are good. I personally enjoy the Nancy Drew Diaries Series, and toss them into my reading schedule for a quick segue from more developed works. Sometimes I just need something quick, easy and comfortable.
September 23, 2018
Another one down. This one I can't recall that well. Not very interesting. Something involving diamonds and a magician. Suddenly Bess is an expert with diamonds, and George is an expert about magicians. I forget how it ended.
November 6, 2018
Hadn't read any of this current reboot from a first person perspective, but it surprised me. A solid mystery, plenty of George and Bess time, and modern things like internet and cell phone used wisely. Pretty well done.
May 11, 2019
I think this is, so far, the better of all Nancy Drew series I've read until now. I can guess the culprit, but the book threw me off a couple of times, made me doubt my choice of culprit. Really love this one.
June 7, 2022
A client of Nancy's father is accused of robbing a jewelry store. A mysterious box was found in his hotel room. When a famous magician made the court house disappear so did the mysterious box. Now they have two suspects.
August 15, 2022
Another interesting plot in this installment of the Nancy Drew Diaries series.
April 16, 2024
Every now and then I miss Nancy Drew and I'm tempted to return to River Heights. As an adult, this is obviously an easy read but still enjoyable if you're a fan of Nancy and can be finished within an hour.
April 19, 2019
Good. Fast paced mystery.
July 13, 2019
3.5 ⭐️
decent story, decent characterisation, just not the most engaging Nancy Drew story
decent story, decent characterisation, just not the most engaging Nancy Drew story
December 16, 2019
This one was a bit of a miss for me. There were too many little things, such as how Nancy didn't try to figure out the "magic" trick, or how some characters' moves didn't really make sense.
April 14, 2020
Exciting adventures of girl detective
October 29, 2020
this book is beautifully written, i love it!
January 25, 2021
My 8 yr old son said, "It's an amazing book and I really like the mystery and the magician."
February 24, 2021
This was a fun listen. Perfect for family trips.
I listened to this on chirpbooks.com.
I listened to this on chirpbooks.com.
April 25, 2021
It was mk. I reallllyyy wish it was longer though (ᗒᗣᗕ)՞ Because the mystery is really good but WAY to short.(;´༎ຶٹ༎ຶ`)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews