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Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys: Super Mystery #20
Hollywood Horror
Nancy Drew and the Hardy boys find unexpected mystery and terror in Hollywood as they cope with deadly sabotage, crazed fans, and an obsessed stalker targeting television star Marla Devereaux.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
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357 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
1,123 books3,907 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 16, 2021
One of the rare genuine good mysteries, I think, that I can judge accordingly while ignoring my Frank/Nancy scale.
July 15, 2016
Found this in a box of books in my shed - I loved these when I was younger! Nancy Drew was awesome, and I had a crush on Frank Hardy, so the super mysteries were my favourite. They are a little dated now but could easily be updated with some revision. Good wholesome all American fun. I still want to be a teen detective!
September 11, 2015
There were some major missed opportunities in this book, especially regarding the final reveal and the villain's plan. Also, I was extremely annoyed/distracted by the incorrect statement that a poisoned drink which smelled of almonds contained arsenic (when any true mystery buff would know that almonds=cyanide). Do your research!
October 24, 2025
Nancy Drew does Universal Studios aka Hollywood Gold Studios here.
This had a fun setting with the whole movie studio and theme park. 1994 was early days for Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights which would’ve made an even more fun mystery! Instead we have a vampire themed ride (with gnashing teeth) that’s opening to coincide with a horror movie release from the studio. There’s sabotage galore and tons of suspects as it could be anyone working at the park.
-so many creatures.
-so many costumes. Cowboy. Astronaut. Grim Reaper. At one point Joe wears a banana costume.
-There’s a chase down of someone in an alien costume through the park.
-poisoned pop. Twinkle is the brand name here lol
-someone catches on fire
-cliffside hang and human chain
This had a fun setting with the whole movie studio and theme park. 1994 was early days for Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights which would’ve made an even more fun mystery! Instead we have a vampire themed ride (with gnashing teeth) that’s opening to coincide with a horror movie release from the studio. There’s sabotage galore and tons of suspects as it could be anyone working at the park.
-so many creatures.
-so many costumes. Cowboy. Astronaut. Grim Reaper. At one point Joe wears a banana costume.
-There’s a chase down of someone in an alien costume through the park.
-poisoned pop. Twinkle is the brand name here lol
-someone catches on fire
-cliffside hang and human chain
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2023
There was 1 fatphobic comment about Bess in the beginning and I was concerned it would continue like in the Miner's Creek N.D. book but it thankfully didn't.
This book otherwise was fairly boring and it felt like Nancy Drew wasn't written right. The Hardy Boys actually investigate, find clues, and use their clues to find the culprit. Nancy Drew finds out that one of the suspects, Chelsea, who had motive, put arsenic in Marla's drink and goes, "hmmm, wierd... How could Izzy have done this?"
This book otherwise was fairly boring and it felt like Nancy Drew wasn't written right. The Hardy Boys actually investigate, find clues, and use their clues to find the culprit. Nancy Drew finds out that one of the suspects, Chelsea, who had motive, put arsenic in Marla's drink and goes, "hmmm, wierd... How could Izzy have done this?"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2021
It did exactly what it set to achieve so I'm not disappointed
February 25, 2025
Sure, these are schlocky fun, but isn't the fun the important part?
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews