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Nancy Drew Files #79
No Laughing Matter
When the accountant of Riverview’s hot new comedy club is sent to jail for embezzlement, Nancy is convinced that he has been framed, so she goes undercover at the club to catch the real crook! Will Nancy find the culprit before an innocent man goes to prison?
116 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1993
About the author
Carolyn Keene
1,149 books4,008 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 18, 2018
A very good ND book! The plot moves along pretty perfectly and it's very engaging and interesting and so are the characters. Nancy's undercover job and investigating was fun and I enjoyed the comedy club setting. The culprits also weren't that obvious. Overall, this is a very good fast paced mystery that will definitely keep you turning the pages and guessing. 4 stars.
April 2, 2017
This was brisk and cute, like all Nancy Drew Files, but I couldn't get that enthused about the comedy club setting.
Although I loved the field trip to a jail. Why did I never get to tag along with a boyfriend who had to be at jail for school purposes?
Although I loved the field trip to a jail. Why did I never get to tag along with a boyfriend who had to be at jail for school purposes?
November 27, 2019
Nancy and Bess go undercover at a comedy club to try and clear the name of a friends brother who has been jailed for embezzlement. Nice red herrings
November 4, 2023
Fun as always.
April 30, 2026
3 stars. Meh. This one was just okay. The mystery was fine but super predictable. Wasn't bad though.
July 16, 2013
A gripping story, when Ned and Nancy go on an assignment to a prison and meet one of the inmates they have read about in the paper things don't seem to add up with the news reports.
Matt Goldin is accused of money laundering but he comes across as very honest and sincere to Nancy so starts an investigation into the true circumstances of the case.
The trail leads to a comedy club called Over the rainbow, Nancy and her friends go undercover and reveal an astonishing illegal casino and a gang of thieves embezzling money.
But with all the employees at the club who can Nancy and her friends trust and with so much confusing evidence how are they going to put it all together to free Matt Goldin?
Tense and exciting and well worth reading.
Matt Goldin is accused of money laundering but he comes across as very honest and sincere to Nancy so starts an investigation into the true circumstances of the case.
The trail leads to a comedy club called Over the rainbow, Nancy and her friends go undercover and reveal an astonishing illegal casino and a gang of thieves embezzling money.
But with all the employees at the club who can Nancy and her friends trust and with so much confusing evidence how are they going to put it all together to free Matt Goldin?
Tense and exciting and well worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews