What do you think?
Rate this book
Nancy Drew: Girl Detective #7
The Stolen Relic
My friends and I knew before we got to Arches National Park that it's full of red cliffs arches, and rock formations -- plenty of places for hiking, biking, and getting lost. It's a good thing there are park rangers and guides to help tourist like us find our way. Or at east that's what we thought, until of the guilds left for a second to investigate some noise, and never came back.
It seems unlikely that a respected tour guide who knows the area like the back of her hand could just get lose. Something's fishy. And you can bet I'm going to get to the bottom of this before I find my way home.
160 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2004
13 people are currently reading
473 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
1,047 books3,883 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 13, 2023
Yet another fun and exciting installment.
October 9, 2024
I read it when I was in 6th grade! I loved it then but I think it's a 3.5 star read now! (Haven't read the first book🫣 jumped right into the 7th book)
March 26, 2014
When Nancy Drew and the rest of the gang travel to Arches National Park in Moab, Utah, for some fun, problems start to occur. One of their guides leaves to investigate a noise never to come back. What happens when they find out that someone is trying to steal a Native American relic, but who? More trouble starts to occur when Nancy’s boyfriend, Ned, is kidnapped along with their tour guide?
Nancy Drew is a sleuth who is only happy when there is a crime to solve. George Fayne and Bess are Nancy’s best friends. They are always by her side while she is solving a crime. Ned is Nancy’s boyfriend and he is very sweet.
The book is set in present day in Moab, Utah at Arches National Park. It just would not be the same if the book was not set in present day.
I would recommend this book to teens who love mystery.
December 19, 2019
Also read:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... 3 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4.... 3.5 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... 3 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4.... 3.5 stars
June 2, 2015
Nancy, George, Bess and Ned set off for a holiday in Arches National Park, Utah; but it doesn't take long for a mystery to turn up. Park ranger Sasha Starflower goes missing in mysterious circumstances. Can Nancy and her friends find Sasha before she comes to harm? And what fishy business is going on concerning Navajo and Hopi artifacts?
A good mystery with the usual range of suspects and clues. I didn't pick the culprit. Some parts weren't quite as well-written as some of the other books in the series, but still an enjoyable read.
A good mystery with the usual range of suspects and clues. I didn't pick the culprit. Some parts weren't quite as well-written as some of the other books in the series, but still an enjoyable read.
May 28, 2008
in keeping w/ my theme of reading books set where i'm vacationing - just enjoyed a weekend in moab and thought this volume from the current nancy drew series would be fun.
October 18, 2012
i just finished reading thi book and it was amazing!!!! i luved reading it!!!
December 9, 2012
awesome book loved it until the end
May 20, 2013
A mystery in the desert! How spectacular! Well it really is a very nice book with a very nice description.
January 7, 2014
A gripping read.
January 7, 2015
I am doing a book challenge for 2015. This was my book I could finish in a day.
February 11, 2015
A great read.
January 3, 2017
Det märks att det inte är någon bok i originalserien men den var trevlig ändå.
November 6, 2023
Read/Reread for my own curiosity, comparing the three major Nancy Drew series. (The original yellow hardcovers, this one and Diaries.)
The case was interesting, as it's not very often that Nancy gets to solve a missing person case. I also did like the stuff that you actually learn about the Anasazi, Hopi and Navajo.
However...a lot of character's actions in this book made no sense. Just as an example, Nancy does little to keep her sleuthing a secret. She asks questions, doesn't try to be circumspect, and flat out tells three people (I think it was three, might have only been two can't remember the scene sequence right now) that she is a detective. Then when another character figures it out that she is a detective, she is determined that she needs to lie to him. What worse? He is most assuredly not a suspect.
There's a lot of other odd reactions and Nancy jumping to odd conclusions with little to no suggestion that she's right. She does halfway solve the mystery, which is better than her habit in the newer books of literally just stumbling over it.
Comparing this book to the other two series... I think my favorite might be Diaries - even if Nancy does pretty much stumble over every culprit - because I like the attention to the characters. In this book, Ned, Bess and George are all much like they were in the original series. (Bland, girly and sporty, respectively.) In the newer books, Bess and George especially are allowed to be more, to challenge the status quo of their personalities. And I like that. (And Ned is always bland as bland could be for me, but at least in Diaries he has a family that livens him up a little.)
The case was interesting, as it's not very often that Nancy gets to solve a missing person case. I also did like the stuff that you actually learn about the Anasazi, Hopi and Navajo.
However...a lot of character's actions in this book made no sense. Just as an example, Nancy does little to keep her sleuthing a secret. She asks questions, doesn't try to be circumspect, and flat out tells three people (I think it was three, might have only been two can't remember the scene sequence right now) that she is a detective. Then when another character figures it out that she is a detective, she is determined that she needs to lie to him. What worse? He is most assuredly not a suspect.
There's a lot of other odd reactions and Nancy jumping to odd conclusions with little to no suggestion that she's right. She does halfway solve the mystery, which is better than her habit in the newer books of literally just stumbling over it.
Comparing this book to the other two series... I think my favorite might be Diaries - even if Nancy does pretty much stumble over every culprit - because I like the attention to the characters. In this book, Ned, Bess and George are all much like they were in the original series. (Bland, girly and sporty, respectively.) In the newer books, Bess and George especially are allowed to be more, to challenge the status quo of their personalities. And I like that. (And Ned is always bland as bland could be for me, but at least in Diaries he has a family that livens him up a little.)
April 4, 2023
In this book, Nancy, her friends Bess and George along with her boyfriend Ned go to Moab, Utah
and during their stay realize that Sasha Starflower their very kind and friendly tour guide goes missing! Her parents think it was foul play but Nancy's not too sure yet...however, clues and weird events like a knife in a river raft makes Nancy more sure that this was a kidnapping and someone knew about her and was trying to put her off. Nancy is on the case! Ned also gets kidnapped mysteriously and Bess faces quicksand! What is this all about? Who is the person or people behind all this? And why? Perhaps something got to do with an old legend and a relic...
I enjoyed this book, and I felt the ancient legend and desert vibe made it even more interesting!
But it gets slightly boring and lacks more excitement. I really thought that it would have been more fun if Missy and Margaret could have been involved more, and Nick too.
and during their stay realize that Sasha Starflower their very kind and friendly tour guide goes missing! Her parents think it was foul play but Nancy's not too sure yet...however, clues and weird events like a knife in a river raft makes Nancy more sure that this was a kidnapping and someone knew about her and was trying to put her off. Nancy is on the case! Ned also gets kidnapped mysteriously and Bess faces quicksand! What is this all about? Who is the person or people behind all this? And why? Perhaps something got to do with an old legend and a relic...
I enjoyed this book, and I felt the ancient legend and desert vibe made it even more interesting!
But it gets slightly boring and lacks more excitement. I really thought that it would have been more fun if Missy and Margaret could have been involved more, and Nick too.
January 14, 2020
I thought I wouldn't be able to continue reading this amazing series because this book was hard to find, but I found it with someone's help. I wanted to give this book five stars, but I'm only giving it four stars because I can't remember Nigel (the culprit) at all—I had to go back to previous pages so I that I can remember him. I was certain that Nick was the culprit, but that would've made the story predictable. I like how this book focuses on the Native Americans and their folklore; it made me look them up since I'm not from the United States. I finished this book quickly and I'm looking forward to the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2017
This book has a very good setting and they mystery wraps up nicely. However, Nancy and her friends seem rather forced and not as natural as in the original series. It still is a good addition to the series. If you like children's mysteries that include a lot of information about places and history consider the Happy Hollister series.
October 18, 2019
I love that this takes place in Moab, because I’ve been there several times and I absolutely adore it.
Nancy’s “hunches” are pretty preposterous in this one, though, and the ending really doesn’t make much sense. Plus, the title kind of gives the whole mystery away.
Still, it was fun “seeing” Moab through Nancy’s eyes.
Nancy’s “hunches” are pretty preposterous in this one, though, and the ending really doesn’t make much sense. Plus, the title kind of gives the whole mystery away.
Still, it was fun “seeing” Moab through Nancy’s eyes.
May 23, 2023
This was the first Nancy Drew book I had ever read and in hindsight it is a bit different than the others I have read since but that might have to do with the fact that it is from the "New Adventures" series. It was still fun to read but this story in particular didn't necessarily grab me, and borderlined on some unfortunate stereotypes without going the entire way into them.
Read
October 15, 2023I miss walking across the road to Saeed Book Company, which gave me a free calendar on New Year's for being such a lucrative customer, and leafing through the Nancy Drew selections. The only new book I hadn't already read was often the second or third volume of a trio, with no prequels available. So I'd try to piece together the storyline on my own. Often with a chocolate fudge from Bakewell :)
July 9, 2024
Got my hands on my favourite teen mystery book and absolute fav detective queen Nancy after so long. This book in particular, lacked the charm of other ones, seemed very rushed. The setup wasn't described much , so it was hard to visualize since it is set in canyonlands. Storyline also seemed flat, could have been better.
March 1, 2022
I enjoyed this book thoroughly! I've always enjoyed Nancy Drew, and I liked how the book took place in Southern Utah. It also has many interesting facts on the Native Americans who live/d there. I would definitely check it out!
January 19, 2024
I loved reading this book, the way the author revealed the mysteries was awesome.
I mean "HE" was barely a character to get even noticed and at the end BAM!!, you get fricking surprised, I didn't even remembered him at the point he was mentioned again.
Really the storytelling was awesome.
I mean "HE" was barely a character to get even noticed and at the end BAM!!, you get fricking surprised, I didn't even remembered him at the point he was mentioned again.
Really the storytelling was awesome.
September 17, 2018
There was a lot of mystery and that made me want to keep reading because when something happens, I wanted to know who did it and why.
November 26, 2019
It takes a while to get to the good parts. When the good parts do happen you won’t want to put down your book.
March 4, 2016
First time I experience Nancy Drew as an audiobook. It worked really well! The story of this book is very similar to any Scooby Doo movie. I'll probably continue to read Nancy Drew, but I realise I don't appreciate them as much as I did when I was young.
September 4, 2024
This whole book felt like déjà vu, but I'm honestly not sure whether it was just watch a mishmash of other NDs as to trigger that feeling or whether I've actually read it before.
Read
February 19, 2019this was my favorite book until i read manners and mischief!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews