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Nancy Drew Diaries #14
Riverboat Roulette
Nancy and her friends only have a few hours to track down the donations for a charity gala that have mysteriously gone missing in this fourteenth book of the Nancy Drew Diaries, a fresh approach to the classic mystery series.
Bess’s mom is on the board of Pet Crusaders, a local rescue organization, and hosts the charity’s annual fundraising gala. Nancy, Bess, and George have attended the event ever since they were kids, and they’re excited for this year’s party, the theme of which is “A Night on a Riverboat.”
The gala will feature blackjack, roulette, and a high-stakes poker tournament, and all proceeds will go to help stray animals. But when the charity money goes missing mid-event, Nancy has to track down the thief—before the ship docks.
With three hours and over two hundred guests, Nancy faces one of her greatest mystery-solving challenges yet!
Bess’s mom is on the board of Pet Crusaders, a local rescue organization, and hosts the charity’s annual fundraising gala. Nancy, Bess, and George have attended the event ever since they were kids, and they’re excited for this year’s party, the theme of which is “A Night on a Riverboat.”
The gala will feature blackjack, roulette, and a high-stakes poker tournament, and all proceeds will go to help stray animals. But when the charity money goes missing mid-event, Nancy has to track down the thief—before the ship docks.
With three hours and over two hundred guests, Nancy faces one of her greatest mystery-solving challenges yet!
176 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2017
66 people are currently reading
513 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
1,060 books3,889 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 - 30 of 66 reviews
March 1, 2024
Welcome to Women’s History Month, 2024. Throughout the month of March, I make a concerted effort to only read books written by women. If the protagonist is a woman, even better. Although I am not reading as much middle grade material this year, I will gravitate to Nancy Drew from time to time. While not my favorite detective of all time, Nancy Drew has been a positive role model for girls and young women for nearly one hundred since she first landed on print in 1930. On that note, i kick off my women’s history month reading with a 21st century iteration of Nancy Drew, America’s most famous detective.
Nancy and her friends Bess and George board a riverboat in support of Pet Crusaders, the nonprofit where Bess’ mom works. At this point the girls are eighteen year old young women, legal to participate in a poker game for charity. The diary series introduces readers to a Nancy Drew who utilizes technology and points to the strengths of three close friends when they work together. Female friendship is often frowned upon when girls try to one up each other, but Nancy, Bess, and George have been besties since preschool. Challenging one another is not going to happen. Nancy is the detective but she utilizes Bess’ compassion and George’s technological skills in almost all of her cases. The three of them work as a team to solve whatever mystery is at hand, which is more refreshing than the 1950s books that had Nancy hard at work and Bess and George enjoying leisurely vacations. In the diaries series, it is all for one and one for all and I am all for it.
Pet Crusaders has raised $100,000 to build a new no kill shelter in River Heights. As a cat mom this tugs at my heart. Ask my husband, we would fill our house with 100 cats and dogs if we had the means. It is also why I try not to read books where animals are involved because I get too emotional. Back to the riverboat, supporters have paid for a luxurious night on the river as well as the right to enter into poker games. George has been excited for weeks. Then, the $100,000 goes missing. Nancy has the three hours that the boat is on the river to solve the case. Bess and George lend their unique skill sets as well. Nancy has never cracked a case this quickly before, but if anyone can do it, she can. Animals’ lives depend on it. Because this book is written with middle grade readers in mind, it moves quickly, sometimes far fetched, but Nancy does indeed crack the case at the end. Otherwise, she would not be Nancy Drew.
My first book for women’s history month 2024 is in the books. This is also my 1000th review on goodreads. That I wrote it featuring a detective who has been a timeless role model for girls for nearly a century I feel honored. I might not read Nancy Drew as much this year as I have recently because I have achieved what I believe to be a positive work-home balance, but when I do return to Nancy and her detecting team, I am usually satisfied with what I read. A woman can be a detective and have a full time boyfriend. A girl can be obsessed with clothes and boys and have a compassionate streak. And a girl can be a technology wizard who feels that a school’s chess club is equally important to its athletic teams. Nancy Drew has promoted all of these values. May she continue to promote female friendship and provide a positive role model for girls for another hundred years.
4ish stars
Nancy and her friends Bess and George board a riverboat in support of Pet Crusaders, the nonprofit where Bess’ mom works. At this point the girls are eighteen year old young women, legal to participate in a poker game for charity. The diary series introduces readers to a Nancy Drew who utilizes technology and points to the strengths of three close friends when they work together. Female friendship is often frowned upon when girls try to one up each other, but Nancy, Bess, and George have been besties since preschool. Challenging one another is not going to happen. Nancy is the detective but she utilizes Bess’ compassion and George’s technological skills in almost all of her cases. The three of them work as a team to solve whatever mystery is at hand, which is more refreshing than the 1950s books that had Nancy hard at work and Bess and George enjoying leisurely vacations. In the diaries series, it is all for one and one for all and I am all for it.
Pet Crusaders has raised $100,000 to build a new no kill shelter in River Heights. As a cat mom this tugs at my heart. Ask my husband, we would fill our house with 100 cats and dogs if we had the means. It is also why I try not to read books where animals are involved because I get too emotional. Back to the riverboat, supporters have paid for a luxurious night on the river as well as the right to enter into poker games. George has been excited for weeks. Then, the $100,000 goes missing. Nancy has the three hours that the boat is on the river to solve the case. Bess and George lend their unique skill sets as well. Nancy has never cracked a case this quickly before, but if anyone can do it, she can. Animals’ lives depend on it. Because this book is written with middle grade readers in mind, it moves quickly, sometimes far fetched, but Nancy does indeed crack the case at the end. Otherwise, she would not be Nancy Drew.
My first book for women’s history month 2024 is in the books. This is also my 1000th review on goodreads. That I wrote it featuring a detective who has been a timeless role model for girls for nearly a century I feel honored. I might not read Nancy Drew as much this year as I have recently because I have achieved what I believe to be a positive work-home balance, but when I do return to Nancy and her detecting team, I am usually satisfied with what I read. A woman can be a detective and have a full time boyfriend. A girl can be obsessed with clothes and boys and have a compassionate streak. And a girl can be a technology wizard who feels that a school’s chess club is equally important to its athletic teams. Nancy Drew has promoted all of these values. May she continue to promote female friendship and provide a positive role model for girls for another hundred years.
4ish stars
September 11, 2021
Nancy Drew along with her best friends, Bess and George is heading to a casino night charity gala in support of pet crusaders who help the homeless cats and dogs. They are all looking forward to a fun night but George especially can't wait as she has saved up some money to play poker with her favorite professional poker player.
The gala is on a riverboat and as soon as the boat leaves for the river, they find out that someone has stolen the money that was collected for charity and Nancy, Bess and George find themselves amidst yet another mystery. But unlike other mysteries, they don't have a lot of time to solve it.
It is no secret that I love Nancy Drew. I also love her friendship with Bess and George and their unconditional support towards Nancy is always one of the highlights for me. Even though I figured out the culprit pretty early on, I still really enjoyed this. Yet another fast paced, quick, nerve-racking, heart-pumping read.
4 stars
The gala is on a riverboat and as soon as the boat leaves for the river, they find out that someone has stolen the money that was collected for charity and Nancy, Bess and George find themselves amidst yet another mystery. But unlike other mysteries, they don't have a lot of time to solve it.
It is no secret that I love Nancy Drew. I also love her friendship with Bess and George and their unconditional support towards Nancy is always one of the highlights for me. Even though I figured out the culprit pretty early on, I still really enjoyed this. Yet another fast paced, quick, nerve-racking, heart-pumping read.
4 stars
May 1, 2024
I didn't grow up with the Nancy Drew Diaries but I do love them! This is the second Nancy Drew Diaries that I've read and so far this is my favorite. I enjoyed the friendship between Nancy, George, and Bess. I thought they were reflective of their actions prior to acting during the mystery, something I don't always see in a ND book. In this story, Nancy works against time to solve the mystery of the missing money that is meant for a pet charity. There are a few red herrings thrown in to the mystery as well as some suspense, which I enjoyed. Overall, an enjoyable story. One note, I would love to see actual diary entries since it is called the Nancy Drew Diaries. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
January 21, 2023
I am a fan of this series, but this 'mystery' was painfully obvious. I knew it was Catherine the second we met her. These books do a great job of setting great atmospheres, but since Nancy only has only 2 hours to solve it, the clues were too palpable which reduced the intrigue for me. I will continue reading the series though because they have great characters and setting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2019
Rating: 5+/5 || Recenzia pe Secretele Simonei
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Fiind un fan al misterelor, recent am avut plăcerea să citesc două cărți din seria Nancy Drew Diaries, o serie de cărți mai micuțe, scrise tot sub pseudonimul de Carolyn Keene. Am descoperit acum ani buni cărțile cu Nancy Drew și mi-au plăcut extrem de mult! Ochiul meu de detectiv a cercetat bine și a dat peste multe jocuri, un film și câteva episoade cu tânăra detectivă Nancy, de care m-am atașat instantaneu!
Am primit un minunat pachețel de la Books Express și am zâmbit cu gura până la urechi când am descoperit noi ambalaje fascinante by the one and only Ana Ș. She is really awesome! Știind că îmi place culoarea mov (mai ales lila), a legat cărticelele mele cu o panglică în această culoare relaxantă.
Eu aveam de primit o singură cărticică ( The Ghost of Grey Fox Inn ), însă m-am trezit cu două, Riverboat Roulette fiind o surpriză minunată pentru detectiva din mine care dorea să rezolve niște cazuri misterioase.
Alături de cărțile ambalate minunat, am primit un sticker Winnie Pooh și o carte poștală marca Coffentropy pe care este scris un mesaj drăguț: Îmi place instagram feed-ul tău . Să nu uităm de simpaticele hashtag-uri! Iar pe spatele cărții poștale, aveam și mesajul cosy de la fetele de la Books Express. :)
Mark Twain
Nancy Drew este o tânără detectivă care pe oriunde ajunge descoperă te miri ce mistere de rezolvat. În Riverboat Roulette, a 14-a carte din seria Nancy Drew Diaries, Nancy și cele mai bune prietene ale sale ajung pe o ambarcațiune unde se va juca poker cu un scop caritabil: strângerea de fonduri pentru a construi adăposturi pentru animale.
Mama lui Bess este cea care le invită pe fete pentru a participa la strângerea de fonduri. Nancy și Bess sunt extrem de entuziasmate pentru a se găti și a asista la jocurile de poker de pe ambarcațiunea Delta Queen, pe când prietena lor George este și mai plină de vervă întrucât va juca poker contra unui campion de poker: Brett Garner.
În momentul în care fetele ajung pe ambarcațiune, sunt imediat fascinate de interiorul somptuos și de toți invitații care participă la această gală specială. Fascinația lor continuă și în momentul în care aud că numele lui Mark Twain este strigat când se aflau pe navă. Acest lucru se pare că reprezintă un semnal pentru momentele când apa este prea adâncă pentru ca nava să își continue drumul.
Misterul contra timp
Cu toate că gala de pe Delta Queen este realizată cu un scop nobil, totul ia o turnură care va alarma câteva persoane de pe navă: banii pentru adăposturile de animale dispar, iar Nancy și prietenele ei vor porni pe urmele făptașului.
Cu toate că în această carte de tip mister relaxat nu am avut parte de fantome, situațiile ciudate, coincidențele și gândirea pusă în practică se împletesc de minune cu personaje care te fac să le îndrăgești imediat.
Întrucât Nancy are de obicei norocul sau curiozitatea de a se implica cât mai mult la acțiune, în Riverboat Roulette va avea ocazia să joace Holdem Poker și să își pună puținele cunoștințe în aplicare în timp ce face pe detectiva. Mi-a plăcut la nebunie această lectură și am stat de câteva ori cu sufletul la gură pentru că situațiile periculoase sunt prezente, chiar dacă lejeritatea lecturii te-ar face să crezi că vei sta relaxat încontinuu. Abia aștept să mai am ocazia să citesc alte aventuri de-ale lui Nancy și vă recomand cu mare drag seria Nancy Drew Diaries, fiind una perfectă pentru începătorii în ale englezei, dar și pentru cei care doresc niște clipe de relaxare, dar pline de suspans în același timp!
P.S.: Oare faimosul Brett Garner pe care George îl venerează este demn de aprecierea ei?
Citate:
Îmi place instagram feed-ul tău
Fiind un fan al misterelor, recent am avut plăcerea să citesc două cărți din seria Nancy Drew Diaries, o serie de cărți mai micuțe, scrise tot sub pseudonimul de Carolyn Keene. Am descoperit acum ani buni cărțile cu Nancy Drew și mi-au plăcut extrem de mult! Ochiul meu de detectiv a cercetat bine și a dat peste multe jocuri, un film și câteva episoade cu tânăra detectivă Nancy, de care m-am atașat instantaneu!
Am primit un minunat pachețel de la Books Express și am zâmbit cu gura până la urechi când am descoperit noi ambalaje fascinante by the one and only Ana Ș. She is really awesome! Știind că îmi place culoarea mov (mai ales lila), a legat cărticelele mele cu o panglică în această culoare relaxantă.
Eu aveam de primit o singură cărticică ( The Ghost of Grey Fox Inn ), însă m-am trezit cu două, Riverboat Roulette fiind o surpriză minunată pentru detectiva din mine care dorea să rezolve niște cazuri misterioase.
Alături de cărțile ambalate minunat, am primit un sticker Winnie Pooh și o carte poștală marca Coffentropy pe care este scris un mesaj drăguț: Îmi place instagram feed-ul tău . Să nu uităm de simpaticele hashtag-uri! Iar pe spatele cărții poștale, aveam și mesajul cosy de la fetele de la Books Express. :)
Mark Twain
Nancy Drew este o tânără detectivă care pe oriunde ajunge descoperă te miri ce mistere de rezolvat. În Riverboat Roulette, a 14-a carte din seria Nancy Drew Diaries, Nancy și cele mai bune prietene ale sale ajung pe o ambarcațiune unde se va juca poker cu un scop caritabil: strângerea de fonduri pentru a construi adăposturi pentru animale.
Mama lui Bess este cea care le invită pe fete pentru a participa la strângerea de fonduri. Nancy și Bess sunt extrem de entuziasmate pentru a se găti și a asista la jocurile de poker de pe ambarcațiunea Delta Queen, pe când prietena lor George este și mai plină de vervă întrucât va juca poker contra unui campion de poker: Brett Garner.
În momentul în care fetele ajung pe ambarcațiune, sunt imediat fascinate de interiorul somptuos și de toți invitații care participă la această gală specială. Fascinația lor continuă și în momentul în care aud că numele lui Mark Twain este strigat când se aflau pe navă. Acest lucru se pare că reprezintă un semnal pentru momentele când apa este prea adâncă pentru ca nava să își continue drumul.
Misterul contra timp
Cu toate că gala de pe Delta Queen este realizată cu un scop nobil, totul ia o turnură care va alarma câteva persoane de pe navă: banii pentru adăposturile de animale dispar, iar Nancy și prietenele ei vor porni pe urmele făptașului.
Cu toate că în această carte de tip mister relaxat nu am avut parte de fantome, situațiile ciudate, coincidențele și gândirea pusă în practică se împletesc de minune cu personaje care te fac să le îndrăgești imediat.
Întrucât Nancy are de obicei norocul sau curiozitatea de a se implica cât mai mult la acțiune, în Riverboat Roulette va avea ocazia să joace Holdem Poker și să își pună puținele cunoștințe în aplicare în timp ce face pe detectiva. Mi-a plăcut la nebunie această lectură și am stat de câteva ori cu sufletul la gură pentru că situațiile periculoase sunt prezente, chiar dacă lejeritatea lecturii te-ar face să crezi că vei sta relaxat încontinuu. Abia aștept să mai am ocazia să citesc alte aventuri de-ale lui Nancy și vă recomand cu mare drag seria Nancy Drew Diaries, fiind una perfectă pentru începătorii în ale englezei, dar și pentru cei care doresc niște clipe de relaxare, dar pline de suspans în același timp!
P.S.: Oare faimosul Brett Garner pe care George îl venerează este demn de aprecierea ei?
Citate:
"We thanked her for her help and entered the big room on the main deck of the boat. It was about the size of a high school gym, but much fancier! The dark mahogany walls had windows and doors to the outer deck, and the setting sun filled the room with a golden glow. A red-and-gold rug covered most of the floor, but you could still make out the edges of the hardwood floor, which matched the walls. There were eight poker tables in the center of the room, with a dance floor and stage on one end. Men and women in crisp white shirts and black vests stood at each table, ready to deal as soon as we pushed off from the shore. Chandeliers made of old and crystal hung from the ceilinig at opposite corners of the room, I felt transported back in time to the late nineteenth century, when traveling was as much about the journey as the destination." (p.17-18)
"«Do you want to take another run at Joanne?» George asked.
«I think it's time to play a different card,» I answered as I headed toward the door.
«Incorporating poker metaphors already,» George commented. «You learn fast, grasshopper.»" (p.94)
March 15, 2017
I enjoyed this one very much and will want to re-read it! There's mystery, a riverboat, a need-to-hurry-before-it-docks-time-limit aspect to solving the mystery, and danger! Pretty cover art. The characters are written well - so important to me!
Please check out my whole review @my blog Hardy and Drew Mysteries! :)
Please check out my whole review @my blog Hardy and Drew Mysteries! :)
June 1, 2019
Good read. Fast pacing. Nancy races against time to find out who stole the money which was supposed to be for pets.
April 12, 2018
I write this review for both NDD #13 and #14, because honestly, there's not much to say about these little books without spoiling any plot.
First of all, this is a bit stupid, but I didn't know that the two books aren't the original Nancy Drew series. Speaking of original books, I just found out that the "original" series has been being revisioned almost every year since 1940s. I was envisioning old, classic vibe of early 20th century, so I was surprised when George, one of Nancy's best friend said she can't live without smartphone. Or when they used slang. LOL I can't believe I didn't research it before.. I just went and buy it after someone said it was an American classic and almost as good as Famous Five.
I kid you not it was not even half as interesting.
So then I try not to be biased by my expectations, and I still find these things bugging me:
-The characters is so. Damn. Inconsistent.
They described George as an obsessive person while Bess (another best friend of Nancy's) was the normal one. But Bess. Is. Obsessed. With. Dresses. And hair. And make up.
It feels like my favorite young author (12 years old while publishing her first novel) has more skill describing and building characters than this supposedly group of adult authors.
And Nancy was that smart, nice girl that has no character whatsoever except for being smart. And nice.
-The plot.
Okay I understand that ND is children to middle grade mystery book. But the plot is very, very predictable. It feels like watching Dora the Explorer.
-The villains were almost identical in both books.
Okay enough of my rant! Feel free to comment! And chat me up! I totally missed you guys 😘😘
First of all, this is a bit stupid, but I didn't know that the two books aren't the original Nancy Drew series. Speaking of original books, I just found out that the "original" series has been being revisioned almost every year since 1940s. I was envisioning old, classic vibe of early 20th century, so I was surprised when George, one of Nancy's best friend said she can't live without smartphone. Or when they used slang. LOL I can't believe I didn't research it before.. I just went and buy it after someone said it was an American classic and almost as good as Famous Five.
I kid you not it was not even half as interesting.
So then I try not to be biased by my expectations, and I still find these things bugging me:
-The characters is so. Damn. Inconsistent.
They described George as an obsessive person while Bess (another best friend of Nancy's) was the normal one. But Bess. Is. Obsessed. With. Dresses. And hair. And make up.
It feels like my favorite young author (12 years old while publishing her first novel) has more skill describing and building characters than this supposedly group of adult authors.
And Nancy was that smart, nice girl that has no character whatsoever except for being smart. And nice.
-The plot.
Okay I understand that ND is children to middle grade mystery book. But the plot is very, very predictable. It feels like watching Dora the Explorer.
-The villains were almost identical in both books.
Okay enough of my rant! Feel free to comment! And chat me up! I totally missed you guys 😘😘
January 28, 2021
Amazing! Read it in one night. Not as long as the regular ones, but just as good.
December 17, 2017
This was my first Nancy Drew book (and there’s probably a lot of people cringing that I chose one of the Diaries books). But I can honestly say I loved it. It was so much fun and had quite a bit of mystery to it, I found myself somewhat guessing till the very end. Here were even a few surprises for me. I adored Bess and George, they were amazing. George in particular was HILARIOUS, she had so much personality. I want more books just to get more of this trio. They are stellar! It didn’t hurt that this was based on a riverboat! 😍
April 29, 2023
I knew was her!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2023
A pretty standard ND mystery, although I was a little bit ~shocked and scandalized~ that Nancy was for-real gambling. Given that they're so vague these days about Nancy's age (although she is canonically 18) I was very surprised that they went with a legit riverboat casino scenario. Kinda fun!
March 6, 2021
For this and other book reviews, visit www.bargain-sleuth.com
I’ll admit it: I’m not the biggest fan of the Nancy Drew Diaries for several reasons. One is that the books are a never-ending series of Nancy solving cases of sabotage. I vowed if something didn’t change with the next book, Riverboat Roulette, I might give up on the modern series and solely focus on the original series. Luckily, the publishers finally found a story that did not involve sabotage, but theft.
Okay, this book has all the things that would make a tween girl want to read it. It involves raising money for a no-kill pet charity, there’s gambling (ooh, so adult of the girls, although I wish the writers would have picked something other than a gambling, which has ruined countless lives from addiction), and a trip on a riverboat, which I’m sure many kids have dreamt of being on since being introduced to Mark Twain. There’s even a little info on Mark Twain mentioned on how he got his pen name.
Nancy’s biggest challenges are that 1) George isn’t available at all times because she’s actually competing in the poker competition, 2) the riverboat is filled with the elite members of River Heights, so just walking up to each of them and searching them for the missing money is a huge NO, and 3) Nancy only has about 3 hours to solve the mystery before the riverboat docks.
One of the plusses of the book is the absence of Ned. I know, I know, many people like Ned in the series, and as a boyfriend, he’s always treated her well. In the modern mysteries, he’s more of a partner, too. But how many times has Ned been in a story for no particular purpose other than to save Nancy at the end because she can’t do it herself? That is one positive of the Diaries series in that Nancy usually doesn’t need saving as much, but that also means she’s rarely put in such a precarious position as being locked in a room/closet/cellar. The thrill of the original books just isn’t in the Diaries.
Riverboat Roulette has the usual: a short list of suspects, Nancy, Bess and George searching for clues and interrogating people, being led down the wrong path a time or two. In fact, Nancy’s guess at the bad guy is wrong, which happens frequently in this series. He’s a bad guy all right, but not because of the missing money. I figured out who the crook was as soon as the character was introduced; I thought it was so obvious. But maybe to a girl reading mysteries might not pick up on the subtle clues.
All-in-all, this book was better than it’s predecessors in terms of mystery, but I still don’t like the characterization of Nancy as a somewhat plain, average teen who solves mysteries. If anything, Bess and George shine in this series more than our favorite teen sleuth. But I’ll continue reading them until I’m caught up.
I’ll admit it: I’m not the biggest fan of the Nancy Drew Diaries for several reasons. One is that the books are a never-ending series of Nancy solving cases of sabotage. I vowed if something didn’t change with the next book, Riverboat Roulette, I might give up on the modern series and solely focus on the original series. Luckily, the publishers finally found a story that did not involve sabotage, but theft.
Okay, this book has all the things that would make a tween girl want to read it. It involves raising money for a no-kill pet charity, there’s gambling (ooh, so adult of the girls, although I wish the writers would have picked something other than a gambling, which has ruined countless lives from addiction), and a trip on a riverboat, which I’m sure many kids have dreamt of being on since being introduced to Mark Twain. There’s even a little info on Mark Twain mentioned on how he got his pen name.
Nancy’s biggest challenges are that 1) George isn’t available at all times because she’s actually competing in the poker competition, 2) the riverboat is filled with the elite members of River Heights, so just walking up to each of them and searching them for the missing money is a huge NO, and 3) Nancy only has about 3 hours to solve the mystery before the riverboat docks.
One of the plusses of the book is the absence of Ned. I know, I know, many people like Ned in the series, and as a boyfriend, he’s always treated her well. In the modern mysteries, he’s more of a partner, too. But how many times has Ned been in a story for no particular purpose other than to save Nancy at the end because she can’t do it herself? That is one positive of the Diaries series in that Nancy usually doesn’t need saving as much, but that also means she’s rarely put in such a precarious position as being locked in a room/closet/cellar. The thrill of the original books just isn’t in the Diaries.
Riverboat Roulette has the usual: a short list of suspects, Nancy, Bess and George searching for clues and interrogating people, being led down the wrong path a time or two. In fact, Nancy’s guess at the bad guy is wrong, which happens frequently in this series. He’s a bad guy all right, but not because of the missing money. I figured out who the crook was as soon as the character was introduced; I thought it was so obvious. But maybe to a girl reading mysteries might not pick up on the subtle clues.
All-in-all, this book was better than it’s predecessors in terms of mystery, but I still don’t like the characterization of Nancy as a somewhat plain, average teen who solves mysteries. If anything, Bess and George shine in this series more than our favorite teen sleuth. But I’ll continue reading them until I’m caught up.
June 11, 2025
Book - Nancy Drew Diaries Riverboat Roulette
Author - Carolyn Keene
Pages - Paperback, 156
Genre(s) - Middle Grade mystery
Setting - 3/5
Characters - 3/5
Writing - 3.5/5
Cover - 4/5
Vibes - 4/5
Overall - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I don’t have much to say about this. I needed a short easy read, and these middle grade mysteries are perfect for that, as I read this book in literally like an hour and a half or something like that! It was really predictable, cause I guessed the culprit the second they made an appearance, but it was still fun to read how the mystery was solved!
Age Rating - 8+
Author - Carolyn Keene
Pages - Paperback, 156
Genre(s) - Middle Grade mystery
Setting - 3/5
Characters - 3/5
Writing - 3.5/5
Cover - 4/5
Vibes - 4/5
Overall - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I don’t have much to say about this. I needed a short easy read, and these middle grade mysteries are perfect for that, as I read this book in literally like an hour and a half or something like that! It was really predictable, cause I guessed the culprit the second they made an appearance, but it was still fun to read how the mystery was solved!
Age Rating - 8+
February 24, 2023
Eeh, Nancy Drew Diaries: Riverboat Roulette wasn't as great as the description made it sound. For example, the mystery didn't feel much like a race against the clock. And there wasn't a lot of thrills when you actually get excited. I didn't feel that into the book the way I usually did. I'm proud I solved it early on though 😸
January 21, 2026
This one was pretty good. I was able to guess the culprit, the motive, and the way the crime was committed pretty easily, so I think it was written pretty well. The clues were available for someone who was reading closely.
July 23, 2018
I am enjoying this series. It brings back pleasant childhood memories.
May 2, 2019
2.5 rounded up.
July 21, 2022
Perfect! I loved this book so much everything was so interesting the mentioned poker that was fun. It was funny some how and so much suspects made me so interested. This book is a must read❤️
February 7, 2017
Great Nancy Drew mystery!
March 5, 2021
Nancy, with her friends with George & Bess are prodded for time when they only have 3 HOURS to solve a case where they're at a riverboat charity case & the money that was raised was stolen.
January 8, 2017
An excellent ND book! I loved it! It was suspenseful, intriguing, fast paced, and had a great setting! Once again, Nancy really uses her head and I liked how determined she was to solve the mystery. I also liked how supportive Bess and George were of Nancy and helped her in any way they could while also giving her some pep talk when she was feeling down on the case. The characters were also interesting to read about and I liked the references to the other books in the series that the author made. That was neat! However, the culprits were so obvious and so was the motive, I knew from the very start who it was and why when the character was introduced. That bugged me a little. Also what does the title of this book have to do with the story?? Roulette is only mentioned once throughout the entire book and has nothing to do with the mystery whatsoever. But overall, this is an excellent read, the mystery finally wasn't sabotage and Nancy was great in this book, so I thoroughly enjoyed it. 5 stars!
January 14, 2024
Nancy Drew is one of my ultimate comfort series and they're quick little audiobooks. I always have trouble when there is so many suspects in a single case, but that doesn't stop me from having a fun time. Riverboat Roulette was a spectacular case and it reminded me of the first book that took place on an Alaskan cruise ship, Curse of the Artic Star. Perhaps it's the mystery taking place on a singular location that really focuses on the story and streamlines the narrative. Riverboat Roulette was a high-stake adventure with over $100,000 stolen from funds raised for an animal charity. There were plenty of viable suspects and I didn't guess the right culprit in time, which I usually find that as a good sign for a well written mystery. This was a great book and I love reading this series. I knew the little Mark Twain tidbit, but I'm sure it's a cute little trivia for those who were unaware. The riverboat is ready to disembark!
December 11, 2021
AUTHOR . Kee ne, Carolyn
TITLE Riverboat Roulette
DATE READ 12/10/21
RATING 4/B
FIRST SENTENCE
GENRE/PUB DATE/FORMAT/LENGTH YA Mystery/2017/Hoopla Audio/ 2 hr 46 min
SERIES/STAND ALONE #14 ND Diaries
CHALLENGE Good Reads 2021 111/120
GROUP READ ND
TIME/PLACE 2017/IL
CHARACTERS Nancy Drew, friends, Bess & George
COMMENTS A cute story set on a riverboat cruise – a fundraiser for an animal rescue organization. When the money donated for the animal rescue group is stolen from the safe. Nancy and friends are on the job.
TITLE Riverboat Roulette
DATE READ 12/10/21
RATING 4/B
FIRST SENTENCE
GENRE/PUB DATE/FORMAT/LENGTH YA Mystery/2017/Hoopla Audio/ 2 hr 46 min
SERIES/STAND ALONE #14 ND Diaries
CHALLENGE Good Reads 2021 111/120
GROUP READ ND
TIME/PLACE 2017/IL
CHARACTERS Nancy Drew, friends, Bess & George
COMMENTS A cute story set on a riverboat cruise – a fundraiser for an animal rescue organization. When the money donated for the animal rescue group is stolen from the safe. Nancy and friends are on the job.
May 19, 2019
I think this is the last Nancy Drew on offer at my library so yay! Another run of the mill mystery for junior readers. I liked the poker aspects but hate the stroke of insane luck that Nancy happens to get a royal flush even though she doesn't play poker that much. Also why would the police let Nancy touch the evidence at the end? Just because she sort of solved the mystery they ruin a criminal case?
Also in the space of two pages Critter Kings becomes Kitty Kings.
Also in the space of two pages Critter Kings becomes Kitty Kings.
July 10, 2020
I thought this was a great addition to the series, but the subject matter of poker seemed to be pretty adult for the target demo? They’d have no chance in figuring out the mystery. I’ve been quite surprised by these mysteries bc I live on predicting their endings, but I wasn’t able fully to predict the culprit and where the missing cash was located. It was quite a clever, well-plotted book. I was thoroughly entertained.
May 18, 2017
This one was a pretty interesting read however the clues were a little too obvious and so I figured out the plot pretty quickly even before the famous Nancy drew did. There were a few things that I didnt figure out which enabled me to enjoy the book a little more. Not one of her best but I did like the idea of a no kill shelter.
September 29, 2021
I love listening to these easy Nancy Drew books on audio, and this one was no exception - and it’s definitely up there on my tops in this series! While I figured out who did it fairly quickly on - there’s a pattern - I certainly hadn’t figured out all of it by half! There were a lot of nice moving parts in this book, and it was a very clever mystery. Really great to listen to while cleaning.
February 17, 2022
This was a pretty solid book but I knew who the suspects were and why very early on in the book. I figured out the second mystery too but I didn't think too much about this one. Overall, interesting high stakes case but pretty predictable when we are given certain clues that you know are the motives for the crime.
August 9, 2022
You can never go wrong with Nancy Drew. While I grew up with the Original Series, this additional series is more adapted to the newer generation. Reading this with my 11 yo, who had to read it for Summer Reading for School. Her objective was to read a book in a series and she has read a few of this series already. Great for elementary kids.
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