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Nancy Drew Files #46
Win, Place or Die
In Louisville for the Kentucky Derby, Nancy Drew is assigned to keep an eye on Pied Piper, the thoroughbred of which her father is part owner, but things become complicated when a jockey is seriously injured during the Derby trials
152 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
3 people are currently reading
320 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
1,129 books3,915 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 9, 2020
2.5 stars. This one started off terribly, but improved as Nancy got closer to solving the Kentucky Derby mystery. It was utterly absurd, of course, but that's part of the series' charm.
Best part:
"In peach cotton pants, a matching oversize shirt, and a silver belt cinching the shirt in, Bess was the picture of chic." Love it.
Best part:
"In peach cotton pants, a matching oversize shirt, and a silver belt cinching the shirt in, Bess was the picture of chic." Love it.
December 23, 2012
I read all the Nancy Drew files books growing up (after finishing the originals!) I loved this one because it was set in Louisville, where I'm from. I can't say the ghost writer did her research - one memorable scene involves Nancy complaining of the cold and saying "where's that balmy Kentucky weather?"
March 8, 2020
A solid 3.5 stars. Half a star added for when the book describes Bess’s outfit of matching peach cotton pants and shirt cinched with a belt as “the picture of chic”.
November 8, 2020
Full review on Books and Conversations
Nancy Drew books have always been a personal favourite. After reading Paris for One, I wanted another quick read and revisited this teen detective's adventures.
Reading Nancy Drew after so many years, made me realize one thing about her best friend Bess. Bess is portrayed to be someone who is always worried about hair, make-up and clothing. She also throws her heart at the first man who enters the chapter. Unlike Nancy, who is smarter. It is a little stereotypical, I felt, given the mention of red-head / blonde comparison. Still, though the book was written 1990, there some progressive ideas: like the author mentions that horse racing is a male-dominant scene.
If you read Nancy Drew when you were in your teens, I think you should re-visit the books again and share your opinion with me! I would love to hear it.
Nancy Drew books have always been a personal favourite. After reading Paris for One, I wanted another quick read and revisited this teen detective's adventures.
Reading Nancy Drew after so many years, made me realize one thing about her best friend Bess. Bess is portrayed to be someone who is always worried about hair, make-up and clothing. She also throws her heart at the first man who enters the chapter. Unlike Nancy, who is smarter. It is a little stereotypical, I felt, given the mention of red-head / blonde comparison. Still, though the book was written 1990, there some progressive ideas: like the author mentions that horse racing is a male-dominant scene.
If you read Nancy Drew when you were in your teens, I think you should re-visit the books again and share your opinion with me! I would love to hear it.
November 27, 2019
Nancys dad becomes a partner in a racehorse so she and Bess head off to the Derby in support. Amidst rumours of race fixing and horse doping, the girls must find out who is trying to sabotage the race
December 20, 2020
Sandra review
This was a good mystery to solve but the in the end they caught the people that did the crime
This was a good mystery to solve but the in the end they caught the people that did the crime
July 31, 2023
3 stars. This was fun. Absolutely bonkers and out there but fun nonetheless. I liked the way race horsing was incorporated and the ending was great and action packed.
September 9, 2024
Too much horse racing detail, not enough drama.
January 29, 2025
dull horse racing & no George (or Ned)
August 31, 2010
I read this in one day!
May 4, 2013
Don't remember much but I liked Nancy and the mysteries.
April 2, 2023
Solvable. 94/100
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews