Trails of Treachery

Nancy Drew: Girl Detective #25

by Carolyn Keene

My friend George is competing in a grueling three-day mountain-bike race in Costa Rica, and her cousin Bess and I will be there as her support team. But when I find out someone's taking dangerous steps to make sure top U.S. cyclist Derek Woodhall doesn't win, I realize George may not be the only rider I need to help.

Could last year's winner be the culprit? He was freaking out when Derek took an early lead. Or maybe Derek's publicist? She seems a little too psyched about the press her client's misfortune is generating.

I've got a lot on my plate, and not much time to sort it all out. But I know how to keep my eye on the prize. Whoever the culprit is, they picked the wrong race to sabotage!

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Young Adult, Detective, Adventure, Thriller, Juvenile

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Carolyn 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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.

Reviews

[Holli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this one. My ND book buddy recommended this one and she was rignt! I felt like I was there among the spectators on their trip which I loved! It was a beautiful location. The suspects were pretty air tight until the end.

I love to bike and so does my husband so I enjoyed that aspect of the story. Overall he book was a fun ride.

[Seema M. Fazil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I really loved it but the not good thing about it was that I kept getting interrupted. Arg!

[Romeo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first Nancy Drew book i've read and i have to say i rather enjoyed it. it was a very quick read which is perfect for someone like me- and i really enjoyed all the descriptions of what was going on. despite this being a short childrens story i totally didnt figure out the suspect until right at the end, which is just ridiculous, but it really had me.
=)

[Ann♥♪♪♪♪ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent adventure and awesome location for an intriguing Nancy Drew book! Well-written so that you felt like you are there and some edge-of-your-seat scenes. I definitely was into the story and felt like I was there with them. Great mystery and action with Nancy, George, and Bess! One of the best in the Girl Detective series. This one goes on my list of favorites that I want to re-read. Check out the rest of my review @ Hardy and Drew Mysteries Blog

[ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read

This is perfect for Nancy Drew fans and takes readers deep into the rainforests of Costa Rica as Nancy and Friends try to prevent disaster on the trails! Young and old will enjoy this quick read.

[Shiva Kushwah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story could be more gripping than it actually was. Good for beginners.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a revamped modern-day version of the Nancy Drew series and it was actually pretty entertaining. I had no idea this series even existed until I saw this book at the library, but now I'll definitely be looking for more of these books.

This had the sweet and innocent quality of the older books but with a MUCH more relatable Nancy. She's no longer perfect (or at least not in this book) and the mystery was actually a mystery.

I definitely enjoyed the modern feel to this book. It was very odd (in a good way) to hear Nancy Drew say the words "cell phone" though! :)

[Vidula Pagar · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved this book. though there r some situations i'd like 2 change. a detective is usually someone who is quick in pace, very attentive and quite suspicious about everyone and considering and taking into account all the dangers etc.... but i've observed dat usually the convict comes out to be someone whom nancy doesn't suspect.usually i prefer situations like - she listn'd for a second and then quickly stuffed the confidential papers in her shirt , rather than - she lifted the papers and put them in her purse.but i loved this book .it was quite good.

[Paakhee Shah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a really good book and I really like how nancy is on a "double" mission.

[Ikram · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really enjoyed this book

[Erikat · Rating 5 out of 5]

COOL BOOK