Making Waves

Nancy Drew Files #81

by Carolyn Keene

After inviting Nancy, Ned, and Bess to a sailing regatta near his family's estate, Andy Devereux--co-owner of a boat-designing company--is arrested for murder, and Nancy investigates to clear his name. Original.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Childrens, Crime, Juvenile, Classics, Friendship

160 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's late, so, let me just say: I had a blast with this one.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun as always!

[K.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy, Ned and Bess go to Maryland for a sailing regatta. When Neds friend Andys cousin is murdered, Nancy must find the real culprit and clear Andy's name. Good twist

[dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

very predictable and full of holes, but a fun and goofy time

[Sheebs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good little thriller. I called the ending about 50 pages away from it. Also they did NOT call their sailboat "Fooled Them All". 🤣 I laughed out loud.

[V. Arrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I predicted the solution from the extended synopsis and then had a fantastic time yelling at the characters while they tried to also figure it out. Always a great, tropey twist.

[Amanda Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sailing regattas, fancy estates, missing bodies, and of course secret foreign bank accounts. Fun setting and the mystery was decent but a little obvious

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Nancy Drew. This one keep me guessing until the ending. There was plenty of excitement, and it made me want to go sailing... This was one cool mystery. I recommend it to anyone who likes Nancy Drew and mysteries. :)

[Melissa]

Really good. I want to reread the whole series sometime :)