Against the Rules

Nancy Drew Files #119

by Carolyn Keene

Invited to the Stafford Military Academy's gala centennial celebration, Nancy, Bess, and George anticipate a weekend of dining and dancing, until Sergeant Stephanie Grindle is murdered and clues point to academy corruption. Original.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Childrens

160 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 1, 1997

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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

[Eric Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good ND book! The mystery was interesting and keeps you guessing and the culprit wasn't obvious, I couldn't fully figure out who it was. Nancy's investigating was fun and her romance with another guy was actually interesting. Finally she feels really guilty about cheating on Ned in this one and the guy she's cheating with isn't a douchebag or annoying. Although I would have liked it if the mystery was more focused on and Bess and George being concerned about Nancy's cheating. Overall, a very enjoyable book that will keep you turning the pages. 4 stars.

[Prami{reader and dreamer} · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't remember much but I know I liked it.

[K.L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nancy falls for a captain at a military academy whilst investigating the death of an obnoxious Sergeant

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars