Crosscurrents

Nancy Drew Files #68

by Carolyn Keene

When the environmentally conscious curator of the National Aquarium in Baltimore turns up dead, Nancy investigates to determine whether the killer was an illegal polluter or a jealous associate. Original.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Classics, Crime, Thriller

160 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1992

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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]

Another fun and exciting whodunit featuring the famed teenage sleuth. Nancy and her friends really get into some sticky situations here; I won't reveal them as not to spoil the book!

[Eric Wood · Rating 2 out of 5]

An ok ND book, but pretty boring. I was mostly bored by the first 87 pages, even when a murder occurs. At page 88, chapter 9, the story wasn't that boring, but still was kinda dull. I just didn't really care about the mystery and even the characters, both were dull and not exciting. I felt that Nancy's investigating also isn't very exciting and she solves the mystery by luck. She also doesn't check the log book at the aquarium when Annie is murdered and when Nancy herself is attacked until the end and it reveals the person who did them! Of course, though, this would be a pretty short book if she did earlier in the book. I thought it was a bit hard to believe that one of the suspects in the book only changes their hair color and goes back to their workplace and nobody recognizes them from their face! I also thought it was weird that they don't go to the police for help when someone is trying to kill them and instead hides away, making them seem more guilty. And I also thought it was hard to believe when one of the culprits hides a stolen seal pup and nobody hears it and that it doesn't make a sound when Nancy and George rescue it! Overall, this is a slow, dull book. 2 stars.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I heard there is a Nancy drew book set at the National aquarium… I bought a copy. Now I will pass to my niece. Can confirm the aquarium used to have seals… def seemed like the author was there in the 90s.

[K.L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nancy and the girls go to Baltimore to investigate threats against the aquarium. Some nice sharky action

[SayRah Gretchen]

So much fun to read a book that takes place at the Aquarium in the 90's!

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another really good one.

[V. Arrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Other than the ERRONEOUS claim that the Baltimore aquarium housed a great white shark, this book rocked! Baby seal pup in a mail bag, goin' on a ride! Nancy trapped in a net! So many fish!!!

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. The case was interesting but the conclusion was a let down. It was so rushed. And where in the world was Bess? Nancy and George with no Bess just doesn’t feel right to me.

[Posie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was totally cool. I LOVED how it was set in the National Aquarium (aka a place I love), and it was really well written.