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Nancy Drew Files #36
Over the Edge
A posh resort catering to outdoor activities is plagued by a series of accidents, leading the owner to invite Nancy Drew to investigate the increasingly dangerous goings-on.
150 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1989
About the author
Carolyn Keene
1,264 books4,106 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 10, 2023
I like these Nancy Drew Files books with unique settings. Being set at a high-risk sports center, this one had potential, but the plot and characters just didn't work. It may have been this ghost writer's first book. The ending was absolutely ridiculous, including Nancy's expert handglide off of a cliff after having one lesson. I mean, come on.
September 26, 2022
3 stars. The mystery was interesting but this overall was just fine. The plot falls apart at the end though so that was unfortunate. Not a favorite of mine.
May 31, 2026
⭐⭐⭐💫
OVER THE EDGE by Carolyn Keene
Nancy Drew, George, and Bess investigate a series of thre*ts at a luxury resort in the mountains.
OVER THE EDGE is a middle grade? mystery. This is a fast-paced read, and surprisingly, I didn't find this one predictable. By the end, I had a suspect, but I was wrong. So that's a plus.
One thing that this focused on that really irked me was George's comments about Bess and her eating habits. I get that this was published in the 80s, but still. That took away from the book and my rating.
OVER THE EDGE by Carolyn Keene
Nancy Drew, George, and Bess investigate a series of thre*ts at a luxury resort in the mountains.
OVER THE EDGE is a middle grade? mystery. This is a fast-paced read, and surprisingly, I didn't find this one predictable. By the end, I had a suspect, but I was wrong. So that's a plus.
One thing that this focused on that really irked me was George's comments about Bess and her eating habits. I get that this was published in the 80s, but still. That took away from the book and my rating.
August 19, 2026
My love of Nancy Drew runs deep (I've got two Nancy Drew tattoos), so it's fun to revisit with Nancy again.
Over the Edge
Over the Edge
Nancy, Bess and George head to an unrealistically large (it's got its own infirmary) extreme sports camp (hang gliding, rock climbing) owned by someone barely 30. Nancy saves the day, flying in on a hang glider and picking off the baddie like a swooping eagle. Ridiculous, and I'm here for every word. My favorite line of the book: "You can shut up now," a cop tells the criminal. I legit howled when I read that.
August 25, 2024
If I had a nickel for every time Nancy solved a murderous plot against the owner of an extreme sports complex, I would have two nickels, which is not that many but it's a very weird plotline to do twice.
October 8, 2021
Somewhat sloppy resolution, at the very end
January 16, 2024
Fun as always.
December 23, 2014
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.
March 2, 2015
The beginning started out okay, but got better as the story progressed. There was also a twist at the end that i didn't see coming and even surprised me! But there were some things that weren't explained like one of the suspects cheating on his soon to be bride. Originally i would have given this book three stars, but the twist and the action packed ending deserves fours stars! So overall, this was a very good book and i enjoyed it!
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April 1, 2008I'm pretty sure I read 64 plus Nancy Drew books in the 70's and honestly still remember learning things like critical thinking what friendship means, loyalty, and the power of feminine intuition, intelligence, and the benefits of a housekeeper...
September 20, 2016
Good fun! I had missed this series; I'm glad to finally have revisited it!
May 4, 2013
Don't remember much but I know I liked it.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews