The Sign in the Smoke

Nancy Drew Diaries #12

by Carolyn Keene

Nancy and her friends are faced with another chilling mystery in this twelfth book of the Nancy Drew Diaries, a fresh approach to the classic mystery series.

When Bess asks Nancy and George to be counselors at her old camp, they’re a little wary. After all, running around after a bunch of little kids doesn’t exactly sound like fun! But Bess promises that the girls will get to enjoy nature, relax by the lake, and play some sports. Plus, it will give Nancy a much-needed break from solving mysteries.

But trouble always finds Nancy Drew! After hearing the disturbing tale about a camper who had drowned in the lake years ago, Nancy dismisses it as a ghost story. But then something pulls her under water during a swim lesson—something eerily human, with long, silvery hair. And the next night her entire cabin's sleeping bags disappear—only to show up at the lake, soaked.

Now Nancy isn’t so sure if she believes in ghosts! All she knows is she has to do everything within her power to make sure her campers—and her friends—are safe. Which means she’d better get to the bottom of what’s happening at Camp Cedarbark.

Genres: Mystery, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Fiction, Audiobook, Childrens, Detective

272 pages, Hardcover

First published May 10, 2016

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

[Ro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really good. I don’t know why but it is my favourite book in this series, but it probably wasn’t the best choice to read before going to camp lol. This book follows Nancy drew and her friends Bess and George as they go to camp cedarbark as councillors and end up wrapped up in a mystery of who is trying to sabotage the camp.

[Chelsey Wolford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have rediscovered my childhood! I loved reading Nancy Drew mysteries when I was a kid, and while these books are nowhere near as suspenseful as the others, they are just as loveable. I just discovered not too long ago and decided that I needed to start reading these, and I am so glad I did. Nancy is her same spunk, spry self and really brings back the feeling of comfort and warmth to her readers. The mystery was a bit more juvenile than those that I am used to, but charming and enjoyable nonetheless. I know that middle school girls and maybe even a bit younger will really enjoy these stories. This one takes place at a summer camp, so it gives readers that perfect segue into summer. School is almost out, but that doesn’t mean kids need to stop reading! These books would be wonderful for a timid or hesitant reader.

Not only is this book filled with a great mystery that is sure to keep young minds entertained, but it is also full of practical advice about friendship and growing up. There is a young girl named Harper that is written to be “different” or more “quiet” than the other girls. While trying to solve a spooky mystery, Nancy also bridges the gap between these girls and helps Harper make friends and not feel so left out. Nancy is someone that the girls in the book can really relate to and I think this and her actions make her a great role model for young readers. I am very excited for more of these cute, fun-filled reads.

***A free copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Aladdin in exchange for an honest review***

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall, is wasn't too bad... Nancy went to camp with her 2 female friends Bess & George to be camp counselors. Weird happens started almost immediately. Nancy was determined not to get involved in another mystery, but she ended up solving who was behind all the happenings that happened at camp & got some people to realize that the camp really wasn't haunted. It was just someone trying to get revenge for someone else who use to be a camper as well.

[Priya · Rating 4 out of 5]

The books in this series place Nancy and her friends in the modern world and it's fun to see them in that context. Usually these are lighter bordering on cozy mysteries. This one is a little darker, involving a summer camp that is being sabotaged.
Nancy and her friends have signed up to be counselors and amidst the fun and activities, there is an undercurrent of danger as an unknown entity causes chaos, causing mishaps. Wanting to have a quiet summer doesn't mean Nancy can escape and she is drawn into this mystery.
I think the characters have been adapted into contemporary times really well and this was an enjoyable read.

[Amber Mecham · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a fun little summer read; I just randomly grabbed it from the library that was on display and I’m not a big mystery reader but it was fun to change things up and it even brought back memories for me when I went to camp as a young girl!

[Jahnavi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot such a great mystery for kids. Nancy Drew is a great character loved her from beginning to the very end. I just want to tell this book and all Nancy Drew books are great . They are so thrilling. Everywhere Nancy Drew goes there will be a mystery. Wow ! An Amazing book must buy for young readers who love mysteries.


Happy Reading

For more book reviews please visit my booktube channel Jp Kid Studio.

Link to JP Kid Studio

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[Butterfly McCurdy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was OK but they were going to have a sconce for a "spirit ". I fail to see how this is kid friendly. 😕I am very disappointed in the way these books are going.😕

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** spoiler alert *** I adored this book. I love mysteries, and Nancy Drew's are always amazing! Especially this one! I love where it takes place. Bess convinces Nancy and George to go to Camp Larksong, (now called Camp Cedarbark), and Nancy and George agree to go. They enjoy the camp with their campers and the other counselors, although they do butt heads with a particular one. But then they hear about a camper that drowned in the lake and one counselor starts a ghost story about it.
But then, Nancy gets pulled underwater by a figure when she's swimming, and then the camp's sleeping bags go missing. Nancy has to figure out what's going on- before anything worse happens.
I love this book but I think it was a little more violent than most of the books.
I enjoyed the book and I totally reccomend it!

[Holli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am sure I will reread it. I am glad I bought it.
I felt as to I was right there as things were happening and I enjoyed every min. I was torn b\t finishing it and making it last longer. Lol I loved that we had a character who loves to read and brought books to camp. It is clear the writer loves to read.

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book and also very scary book

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was quite dark, maybe not for a younger audience

[Tracy Smith]

will read at a later time

[Jennifer Widmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

My ten year old daughter loved this book and asked me to read it so that we could "discuss" it. I was pleasantly surprised. I expected much less from a book in her age range.
I was an avid Nancy Drew fan in my teen years and have quite a collection for my daughter to read. At this point she finds them a little too suspenseful so the Nancy Drew Diaries series is a perfect middle ground.
The plot was surprisingly good for a youth book and as a mom, I appreciate the kindness and good people skills being portrayed.
I feel that this book is worthy of the Carolyn Keene pseudonym.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was written well but there were far to many characters to try and keep track of. The writing was actually more intense than I thought it would be and was actually at some points way to spine chilling. Those were the reasons that I gave this book 3/5 stars.

[Aiko Ramsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost, ALMOST, couldn't guess who the culprit was. Even though I've had my suspicions targeted at the right person since the beginning. A good mystery, this one.

[Paige]

The book was lovely and such a good ending! Can't wait to read more. Really recommend reading this book if you like figuring out the mystery. (Before Nancy does)!

[Bargain Sleuth Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

For this and other book reviews, visit www.bargain-sleuth.com

I was beginning to give up on the Nancy Drew Diaries. The books I’d read previously all centered around sabotage as the plot device, and I felt that was getting a little old. I wanted the publishers to shake things up a bit. The Sign in the Smoke was a step in the right direction.

“When Bess asks Nancy and George to be counselors at her old camp, they’re a little wary. After all, running around after a bunch of little kids doesn’t exactly sound like fun! But Bess promises that the girls will get to enjoy nature, relax by the lake, and play some sports. Plus, it will give Nancy a much-needed break from solving mysteries.

But trouble always finds Nancy Drew! After hearing the disturbing tale about a camper who had drowned in the lake years ago, Nancy dismisses it as a ghost story. But then something pulls her under water during a swim lesson—something eerily human, with long, silvery hair. And the next night her entire cabin’s sleeping bags disappear—only to show up at the lake, soaked.


Now Nancy isn’t so sure if she believes in ghosts! All she knows is she has to do everything within her power to make sure her campers—and her friends—are safe. Which means she’d better get to the bottom of what’s happening at Camp Cedarbark.”

There’s something about the Nancy Drew Diaries that I don’t like. Maybe it is because they are written in the first person, maybe it’s because the publishers want Nancy to be more relatable, but I don’t like that she always seems to be filled with self-doubt. She’s not sure how good of camp counselor she can be, since she never went to camp as a kid. (Seriously, Nancy proclaiming herself to be a bookworm and not interested in the outdoors is very un-Nancy-like). No longer is Nancy an expert swimmer, but someone who has trouble treading water for two minutes.

Also, what’s up with Nancy not wanting to solve a mystery? Sure, I can see someone needing a break, but when mysterious stuff starts to happen at camp, I’m sure her detective radar automatically turned on. But at first, she refuses to acknowledge it, willfully ignores the clues, even though people could get hurt by the strange happenings. Once Nancy succumbs to the pressure to investigate, she totally gets it wrong and picks the wrong suspect. She’s blind-sided by the real culprit, although I don’t blame her because I went through this book twice, and the guilty party was barely mentioned. Then, Nancy kind of freaks out when confronted by the bad guy and has to be saved by a 10-year old girl.

However, there were things to like about this book. Themes like inclusion, and being good friends. There’s a girl in Nancy’s camp group, Harper, who doesn’t seem to gel with the other girls and keeps to herself with her books during free time. Nancy finds a way to get Harper to open up and gets the other girls to take notice and include her in their little group.

I’m still on the fence about the Nancy Drew Diaries as a whole. They have some of the features that has made Nancy an inspiration to girls since she debuted 90 years ago. But some of the changes to her character feel out-of-place and just make her seem like a regular girl, but not someone you’d look up to. She’s just a teen who solves mysteries in her spare time.

[Brina · Rating 4 out of 5]

As kids all over the United States prepare to go to summer camp, so does Nancy Drew. Bess has convinced her and George to be counselors at Camp Cedarbark and both girls are surprisingly game. Nancy has said that she wants a summer off from solving mysteries, and working with kids would be a great change of pace for her. The only issue is that mysteries usually find her, and, surprise, one does right from the beginning. Although she is determined not to be on duty, Nancy Drew spends her ten days at camp searching for whoever is trying to haunt the grounds and close up shop.

According to legend, a camper once got pulled under water and drowned and now she is haunting the lake and trying to sabotage Camp Cedarbark. That is the ghost story that gets passed down among campers. The camp director is a former counselor who tells a different story- that a camper lost a ring and had been determined to find it in the lake and went after it at a campout when it was too dark to see anything. Deborah - the counselor turned director- tried to save this camper, and, thankfully she eventually recovered from her injuries. This is not the story that former campers tell, only so they have a ghost story to tell around the camp fire to pass down to new generations of campers.

Nancy Drew has endured for nearly one hundred years because she shows female empowerment and thinking skills to girls. In this modern series, she, Bess, and George use their strengths to solve mysteries together. There is no jealousy involved; the friends support each other. Nancy and George had been skeptical about being camp counselors but they went to support Bess. Surprisingly, both of them enjoyed it enough to want to return the next year. Nancy worked with ten year olds. It is not an easy age, and somehow the girls meshed and became a unit. That is what summer camp is about, and I hope kids the country over have just as an enjoyable summer. Kids are not supposed to be solving sabotaging mysteries at camp. Of course, if everything went off without a hitch, then she wouldn’t be Nancy Drew. Sounds like a great camp experience to me.

4 stars

[Valerie McEnroe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adult rating: 2 stars
Kid rating: 4 stars

To rate this series fairly I have to suspend my natural inclination to critique the quality of the writing, plot and characters. None of those things are stellar in this book. At times like this, it's helpful to remember I loved Nancy Drew growing up. Sometimes I just wanted an easy series I could depend on. Lots of kids love mysteries. Lots of kids love summer camp. Bingo.

Everything about this book is classic Nancy Drew with all the cheesy cliches. The good news is that it's set in modern times with mentions of mobile phones, email and Netflix. You can be sure this series will move at your library even as the old Nancy Drew books gather dust.

In book 12, Bess convinces her cousin George and Nancy to be camp counselors, in the hopes Nancy will be far away from any potential mysteries. Fat chance. Turns out the camp is shrouded in mystery. After being closed for a number of years following a tragedy involving the lake, it's finally reopening. Right off the bat, weird things begin happening. Girls are pulled under the water. Sleeping bags end up in the lake. A fiery message spells out 'Go home.' Either it's a ghost or someone doesn't want the camp to reopen. Nancy Drew will get to the bottom of it and the culprit will, as always, come out of left field.

Another reason young girls like Nancy Drew...the characters are in high school, and yet, they're all just as squeaky clean as they were in the 50s.

[Library_Dweller89 · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book Nancy has decided to “swear off mysteries” for an entire summer. She joins Bess and George in becoming camp counselors at a summer camp that Bess used to attend. During the course of the summer, of course, a mystery pops up. Will Nancy be able to keep her promise to herself? Or will she be sucked into the mystery?
A few things:
1: Nancy, why do you even try at this point? Own up to the fact that mysteries are your thing and know that they will follow you everywhere you go. There is no escape!
2: Since when is Nancy afraid of water? That detail is actually drawn out quite a bit and the way the author dealt with it felt very un-Nancy-like. Maybe it was talked about in some of the earlier books in the series and I just missed it?
3: The resolution to the mystery was actually really dark and felt dangerous. It was a throwback to the Nancy Drew Files where the three friends were always getting into real danger. There was even bloodshed! I feel like a lot of the recent iterations of Nancy Drew are very toned down and meant for younger readers, but this felt like original Nancy.
Overall, I quite enjoyed this story. I would recommend the audio version, I think the narrator is great and the music really adds to the atmosphere.

[Rachael Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I’m rating this based on being just a book for kids, I could give it 4 stars. Story was good, had some good twists, I think a camp setting is always fun. However, if I’m rating this as a Nancy Drew fan, I’m being generous with the two stars. I’ve gotta wonder if the ghostwriters for the Nancy Drew Diaries ever took the time to read classic Nancy because she is markedly absent from these books. Gone is our skin-diving champion of Lilac Inn and instead it’s someone who spends quite a few pages freaking out about how awful a swimmer she is and how much she doesn’t want to do her swim test. Gone is our girl who lived for her next mystery and instead, we have someone who is willfully ignoring clues because she just wants the summer off. She is consistently a fish out of water, relying on everyone else to step up and take the lead, be it in the investigation or while she’s acting as a camp counselor (her CIT definitely should have been in charge). Honestly, she doesn’t even solve the mystery here. She stumbles upon the culprit and then spends multiple pages freaking out rather than being our level-headed sleuth who knows how to get out of a jam. Then, she’s saved by a 10-year-old. Deeply, deeply disappointing addition to the Nancy Drew universe.

[michael adkins · Rating 1 out of 5]

My 9 year old sister asked me to read this book she got for Chistmas to see if it was good. And can I just say..... It was HORRIBLE.

The book starts with Bess suggesting they be camp counselors for a week at camp Cedarbark, and of course they agree. The horrible doesn't really doesn't really start until the 3rd chapter when Bella calls them all to hang out near the lake. And pulls out a OUIJA BOARD!?!????!?!?

But the part that really disturbed me is when she asked if anyone had used one MAYA RAISES HER HAND!?!!?! AND NO ONE ASKS WHY!?!

I usually like weird stuff like that (hints my love for gravity falls) But this was just random! There were too many characters to keep track of! and how old is Nancy??? She can't be in college cuz she's a teen so she must be like 17!?!!? And "mini Nancy" is 15!?! How is that mini if she's only 2 years older!??!???

You never could have never guessed who did it cuz Sam was never around!! And what ten year old's first instinct is to stab someone!?

It was terrible and I regret wasting my time. SAVE YOURSELF

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another one of those mysteries where Nancy focuses too much on the wrong person because she had bad interactions with/suspicions about that person. But tbh that Bella girl was annoying and I could understand why Nancy wanted the bad person to be her. I was also sure that Harper girl was involved but she was just awkward and introverted. I might not have been paying too much attention to the story but I feel like the true bad guy being Sam, was kind of rushed. I feel like she only came appeared toward the end of the story and as soon as I read that Sam wore a cap, I knew it was her. She was definitely disturbing… but In the other books In this series, I can usually tell who the culprit is early on because their actions or appearance gives good clues as to their identity. But this one was a bit weird but there were also a lot of characters so maybe I wasn’t keeping track of everyone lol. Also this book got really dark towards the end when Sam is trying to kill Nancy so I wonder if this is age appropriate for younger adults. . Overall, a good read.

[Caron Pescatore · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sign in the Smoke was a fun read for me. I really enjoyed it, probably because the setting was a girls' summer camp. I never had that experience as a child, but I have always thought it would be fantastic to go. Anyway, Nancy decides she wants to take a summer off from sleuthing. So, when Bess suggests that she, Nancy, and George apply for jobs as counselors at the summer camp she attended as a child, Nancy agrees.

Of course, while there, a mystery finds Nancy. As I said, I enjoyed this story, and the mystery was quite intriguing. However, Nancy's sleuthing was sub-par in this one. She never actually solves the mystery, which was rather disappointing. The story is supposed to be about a teenage detective who solves mysteries. That aside, I loved this book. It's one of my favorites int his series so far. I'd rate it 4 1/2 stars if they allowed 1/2 star ratings. Enjoy!

[Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Jenn Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Schu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bess asks Nancy and George to join her as camp counselors at her childhood camp. After a bit of prodding, Nancy and George agreed; they didn't think a week of babysitting would be fun. As with most places Nancy visits, there is a mystery. A young girl almost drowned at the camp several years before, and just recently, there have been a few mysterious occurrences that are related to the event. Nancy puts on her detective hat, begins to search for clues, and makes an enemy of another counselor. Bess and George were not as involved in this mystery, which seems to be the case with many of Nancy Drew's Diaries, which results in Nancy being in dangerous situations. I cannot say that I enjoyed The Sign in the Smoke. The story had promise, but I prefer it when Nancy works with her friends to solve a mystery and doesn't accuse people without concrete evidence.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Go home" is the sign in the smoke that Carolyn Keene's characters in The Sign in the Smoke(Nancy Drew Diaries, #12) see in the set fire at an all girls' summer camp where Nancy is looking for a little rest and relaxation with her gal pals and away from sleuthing. However, while they serve as camp counselors, the mystery involving a fatal accident several years before rears its ugly head and Nancy is plunged in having to solve it before time runs out. This particular book included some references to feelings of loneliness and isolation and that people have more in common than they think and from that can
develop lasting friendships. And this is the first time that I felt Nancy's sense of actual danger. It never ceases to amaze me how these updated revisions include electronic medium, including watching Netflix, rather than the dialogue.

[Kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of the better Nancy Drew Diaries I've read. I like when they go out into the woods for some reason, the setting suits a mystery much better than a cruise boat or a train. This mystery was pretty good in that the culprit was quite a surprise, however their reasoning was disappointingly lame. I also didn't mind Bess and George so much in this one - probably because they weren't in it too much. I also don't get Ned (Nancy's boyfriend). He does nothing. I figure he's just that because he was in the classic novels but he's always away at college studying something which is why he's never in the stories. Just get rid of him. Nancy does fine without a boyfriend.

I wish I could be bothered to keep track of the authors who write under Carolyn Keene now and stick to the ones I enjoy.

[chloe ʕ •ᴥ•ʔ · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is my favourite favourite nancy drew book ever!!

this was the first book I actually picked up back when I was eight and absolutely fell in love with reading. now at 16, I still adore this book.

CAROLYN KEENE, IF YOU SEE THIS, YOU WERE LIKE ONE OF MY OG AUTHORS OKAY! I'M JUST SAYING, I'D ALWAY GO TO THE LIBRARY JUST TO REREAD YOUR BOOKS AND REBORROW THEM TO THE POINT I JUST ENDED UP BUYING THE WHOLE SERIES AND I'VE BEEN KEEPING UP WITH THE RELEASES IN THIS SERIES.

like the number of times I read this book is more than my ten fingers and ten toes and the book has so much wear and tear that I'm afraid it could pass off as something vintage or old. if my house was on fire, THIS is the book I'll be saving.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 2 out of 5]

The problem I had with this book is that it doesn't really "fit" with the original series. I can't really tell how old Nancy and her friends are supposed to be, but apparently she has already solved multiple mysteries, and now wants to take the summer off. Even the three girls' characters seem to have changed — Nancy worries that her swimming is not up to par; while Bess (not George) is the one who went to summer camp some years earlier. I also really question whether a summer camp could be run by (it appears) only two adults, and a number of teenage counselors. Will not try any others in the series. Totally unimpressed.

[Lexi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I certainly hope this series takes place before the main series because Nancy makes some serious mistakes in this one. I like the fact that she isn't perfect in the diaries, but anyone could tell that obvious perp wasn't real perp. Also, the villain is one sick puppy trying to drown kids and otherwise endanger them. The author apparently ran out of personalities for the campers because she literally called three of them "Mini-George," "Mini-Bess," and "Mini-Nancy." It was funny, but not very original.