Kiss and Tell

Nancy Drew Files #104

by Carolyn Keene

Nancy Drew's latest mystery begins when a popular romance writer moves to River Heights and has her life threatened in response to her desire to publish her scandalous autobiography. Original.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Childrens, Fiction

160 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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

[V. Arrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, I was very distracted this entire book because I was picturing Esme as Chandler Bing's mom.

HOWEVER: Sam Fanelli! Woo! Nancy! Files!Ned is not nearly enough of a malewife for you; ditch him and get with Officer Fanelli, girl!

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

All the hallmarks of this series are present here; this was yet another great installment. I'm forever grateful to a garage sale in my area that led to me discovering these books.

[Aaliyah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book so great had my two fav genres combined.

[V. Arrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so distracted for this entire book because I just kept picturing Esme as Chandler Bing's mom.

Also, woo! Sam Fanelli! Nancy! NDFiles Ned is such a drip; drop him and get with Officer Sam!

[Rae · Rating 2 out of 5]

STOP KISSING PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT YOUR BOYFRIEND, NANCY, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU THINK "BUT HE'S TOO OLD FOR ME BECAUSE IM A TEENAGER" as for the mystery, eh. It did a pet peeve of mine.

[Akanksha]

Had read it long ago.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good mystery.

[K.L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good premise, but very similar to a NDMS book, an author is publishing a tell all book and someone wants to prevent it. Nancy agaiiiin flirts with a non Ned boy