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Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #143
Mystery on Maui
Nancy, Bess, and George are on Maui to check out a major international surfing competition. But there’s trouble in paradise—big money is at stake in the contest, and someone’s playing a dirty game.
160 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1998
20 people are currently reading
1068 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
1,071 books3,926 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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 - 30 of 37 reviews
October 16, 2017
I've reviewed so many of these books, I've run out of things to say about them.
November 20, 2022
Another fun Nancy Drew mystery. This time she and besties George and Bess are on vacation on Maui. They are there to cheer on friend Josh in the big surfing competition. But someone doesn't want Josh to compete and when he starts receiving threats, Nancy once again investigates. An innocent, pleasant mystery.
December 14, 2024
why is nancy always in a life or death situation anyway i was on a flight to maui
March 8, 2018
Okay book; nothing like the game that was based on this book, though. Literally, nothing. Except location.
The book did end with a terribly dad-jokey pun though so I laughed.
The book did end with a terribly dad-jokey pun though so I laughed.
November 11, 2022
Really liked this one! Great location for a mystery and the mystery itself was fun. Enjoyed!
September 29, 2016
Super quick beach read. Nancy is still 18 and dating Ned, 143 books later.
September 10, 2021
Nancy and her friends are in Hawaii. There to visit a friend and have a little fun. But of course a mystery once again finds Nancy.
October 3, 2013
A very easy, quick read. You're out on the beach in Maui with Nancy, picking up clues, trying to figure out who is threatening her surfer friend Josh. Just good, clean, fun-filled reading.
March 5, 2026
Is this book actually worth four stars? Probably not. But this was fun and I feel like I'm going to be grading every basically competent Nancy Drew mystery on a curve for a while after suffering through The Bluebeard Room.
For those reading the books adapted into computer games, this one has nothing in common with The Creature of Kapu Cave, even though it is routinely cited as the inspiration. This book and Creature don't even take place on the same island! I feel like the other influences of Curse of Blackmoor Manor, another game that took almost nothing from its source work, are more well-known. It makes me wonder what Creature was really influenced by, if anything, because that game is one of the more bonkers ones, and the conclusion is famously kind of rushed.
In the book, Nancy, Bess, and George are visiting a friend on Maui, and a friend of their friend signs up for a surfing competition with a big cash prize. As mysterious accidents begin sidelining the competitors, Nancy suspects sabotage.
This one was fun! A quick, easy read. It made me feel like I was on vacation.
George almost drowns. Nancy full body tackles another suspect. A cute boy FINALLY reciprocates Bess's affections. A book that treats Bess with the respect she deserves immediately earns a place on my "good" list. It ends with Nancy making a dad joke and everyone groaning. There is a lot to like about this one.
Unfortunately, the mystery itself wasn't the best, I feel. The set-up, aside from the surfing hook, is a little basic, but what are you gonna do. This is the hundred and forty-third book in the original series, after all. I did feel the culprit was pretty obvious, despite the misdirections and red herrings. There was a point where I could tell a clue was being set up to pay off later and my brain made a DING noise clocking it.
So the climax did feel predictable to me, but I was not predicting it would veer so far into soap opera territory. BIG Love Never Dies energy. So it's not good, but it is very funny. The line, "What's ruined? What are you talking about? And what are you doing with that kerosene?" did make me giggle pretty hard. I'd also probably have some dumb questions if I wandered into the middle of a hostage crisis.
Other than the climax and Bess getting the guy, probably not much about this book is gonna stick with me. It's impossible to compare to the game because they're so different. But I do think I enjoyed the book more? Nancy doesn't have to sort bug shit in the book, so I guess that settles it.
For those reading the books adapted into computer games, this one has nothing in common with The Creature of Kapu Cave, even though it is routinely cited as the inspiration. This book and Creature don't even take place on the same island! I feel like the other influences of Curse of Blackmoor Manor, another game that took almost nothing from its source work, are more well-known. It makes me wonder what Creature was really influenced by, if anything, because that game is one of the more bonkers ones, and the conclusion is famously kind of rushed.
In the book, Nancy, Bess, and George are visiting a friend on Maui, and a friend of their friend signs up for a surfing competition with a big cash prize. As mysterious accidents begin sidelining the competitors, Nancy suspects sabotage.
This one was fun! A quick, easy read. It made me feel like I was on vacation.
George almost drowns. Nancy full body tackles another suspect. A cute boy FINALLY reciprocates Bess's affections. A book that treats Bess with the respect she deserves immediately earns a place on my "good" list. It ends with Nancy making a dad joke and everyone groaning. There is a lot to like about this one.
Unfortunately, the mystery itself wasn't the best, I feel. The set-up, aside from the surfing hook, is a little basic, but what are you gonna do. This is the hundred and forty-third book in the original series, after all. I did feel the culprit was pretty obvious, despite the misdirections and red herrings. There was a point where I could tell a clue was being set up to pay off later and my brain made a DING noise clocking it.
So the climax did feel predictable to me, but I was not predicting it would veer so far into soap opera territory. BIG Love Never Dies energy. So it's not good, but it is very funny. The line, "What's ruined? What are you talking about? And what are you doing with that kerosene?" did make me giggle pretty hard. I'd also probably have some dumb questions if I wandered into the middle of a hostage crisis.
Other than the climax and Bess getting the guy, probably not much about this book is gonna stick with me. It's impossible to compare to the game because they're so different. But I do think I enjoyed the book more? Nancy doesn't have to sort bug shit in the book, so I guess that settles it.
July 21, 2021
I honestly am not sure whether I should have read this book. It bore almost no resemblance to The Creature of Kapu Cave - basically Hawaii and surfing were the only similarities.
It was still an okay mystery, and it went by pretty quickly, so I have no regrets. But I finished this book while on vacation, so it's been several days since I finished and now I am having trouble recollecting exactly what my thoughts were. I know that I thought the culprit was kind of stupid. Really all she had to do was make sure Josh's surfboard was stolen to succeed. She fails at this once, and rather than try again, she resorts immediately to attempted murder. And she didn't even have a problem with the guy! I was also surprised that we didn't get more information at the end about her financial situation. We are informed that she is desperate, behind on bills, pawning jewels, etc. but we never learn the true extent of her hardship. There were so many potential culprits they almost could have just picked her name out of a hat.
Other than that, no complaints. The pacing, characters, and setting were all fine. Nothing too ridiculous happened. I'm taking a break on Nancy Drew after this, so it was a satisfying way to round things off for now.
It was still an okay mystery, and it went by pretty quickly, so I have no regrets. But I finished this book while on vacation, so it's been several days since I finished and now I am having trouble recollecting exactly what my thoughts were. I know that I thought the culprit was kind of stupid. Really all she had to do was make sure Josh's surfboard was stolen to succeed. She fails at this once, and rather than try again, she resorts immediately to attempted murder. And she didn't even have a problem with the guy! I was also surprised that we didn't get more information at the end about her financial situation. We are informed that she is desperate, behind on bills, pawning jewels, etc. but we never learn the true extent of her hardship. There were so many potential culprits they almost could have just picked her name out of a hat.
Other than that, no complaints. The pacing, characters, and setting were all fine. Nothing too ridiculous happened. I'm taking a break on Nancy Drew after this, so it was a satisfying way to round things off for now.
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April 20, 2019Real talk, is this the one when I was like 10 and I now realise I had a lil baby gay crush on Nancy? I remember the first one, I somehow had always thought Nancy was some kind of child, but then she was in a swimsuit and also was driving at some point and I was like "ohhh" and strawberry blonde sounded so pretty, lol. I feel like it wasn't the same cover but I need to reread and see if I recognise it. Although they're all the same, sooo...
February 27, 2025
I’m trying to read some books set on Maui in anticipation of my summer trip. (They are rather hard to find.) I’ve actually never read a Nancy Drew book… I know, right? I know they are written for kids, but I figured I would give it a whirl.
Imagine how disappointed I was when diet talk came up on PAGE 2. Gah!!! I hate this indoctrination garbage.
Otherwise, the story had a lovely setting and an intriguing caper. I can see how young readers would enjoy it.
Imagine how disappointed I was when diet talk came up on PAGE 2. Gah!!! I hate this indoctrination garbage.
Otherwise, the story had a lovely setting and an intriguing caper. I can see how young readers would enjoy it.
April 21, 2022
Plot is incredibly unexciting till the very end for a Nancy Drew novel. You can tell they struggled to create interesting plot points based on how many times they fully describe what Nancy is eating. Poor George getting knocked out in the first chapter so she had to take a backseat for the rest of the book.
July 5, 2018
Pretty good on the mystery, characters and setting. Another lunatic culprit like most recent book in the series. Of course, Bess falls in love, George gets hurt and Nancy can surf--she can do anything!
June 15, 2020
This was quite nice I have to say! I loved the setting, and there were lots of suspects.
The only sad thing is that towards the end one person was doing quite a lot of suspicious actions so it was clear they were the culprit, but it was still a fun read.
The only sad thing is that towards the end one person was doing quite a lot of suspicious actions so it was clear they were the culprit, but it was still a fun read.
August 10, 2023
INTERESTUNG TAKE ON SURFBOARDS
Full range of human nature variety as applied to surfing and a pleasant new interest in Bess's love life to boot - a surfer. But e-palling may not be enough once Bess in back in River Heights.
Full range of human nature variety as applied to surfing and a pleasant new interest in Bess's love life to boot - a surfer. But e-palling may not be enough once Bess in back in River Heights.
April 9, 2024
This book is really good about surfing and contests and solving in really good mystery I think this book is really good for anyone that can read it I recommended I'm Nancy Drew is one of the best detectives that I have ever read in my entire life.
May 13, 2017
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
June 23, 2017
I read this book expecting it to be similar to the HerInteractive game "Creature on Kapu Cave", but it seems the two aren't related. Regardless, it was a great story.
December 2, 2018
Sandra review
Another great book to read thank to Nancy,Bess, and George to solve the crime know to find another book to read
Another great book to read thank to Nancy,Bess, and George to solve the crime know to find another book to read
February 27, 2019
"... Persino un paradiso come Maui ha le sue brutture…"
Avventura alle Hawaii per la mitica Nancy Drew che nonostante gli anni non ha perso la sua incredibile vitalità!
Avventura alle Hawaii per la mitica Nancy Drew che nonostante gli anni non ha perso la sua incredibile vitalità!
May 6, 2023
had a fun time but the conclusion was disappointing
January 8, 2024
Kui ma oleks seda paarkümmend aastat tagasi lugenud, oleks see vist üks mu lemmikuid sarju...
February 27, 2026
Nancy Drew books are such fun, engaging reads at any ages. This pleasantly written page turner satisfies all aspects of being in a thriller chase.
February 25, 2016
My love of reading started when i was young, and it gives me immense pleasure to provide books to Spread the Word Nevada, an organization that passes them on to children in the community. They are a terrific organization supporting an important cause. If your local I encourage you to check them out. For those living further a field, look in your own community, their may already be a similar program in place. And if not, you can always help start one.
http://spreadthewordnevada.org/
Myself, I go out on the weekends and
shop thrift store and bulk book lots to rescue books and donate them. Sometimes I'll find a book I remember reading when I was young and will read it again before passing it on.
I don't rate these books using my normal scale, instead I give most of them three stars. This isn't a Criticism of the book, simply my way of rating them as good for children.
December 1, 2013
Nancy Drew has traveled to the island of Maui in hopes of a seriously relaxing vacation. But as always she finds a mystery that is in desperate need of solving. So with her two best friends and a few new ones Nancy Drew sets out to find who is sabotaging the surfing contest and why and saves a few lives along the way. So the question is now, who is behind it? The answer is closer than she thinks.
This is one of my favorite Nancy Drew books. I have read it so many times that the binding is coming apart. Aside from that I love this story because it is set on Maui, one of my favorite places and of course Nancy solves yet another mystery. If you are going to read any of the newer Nancy Drew novels, this is a must.
This is one of my favorite Nancy Drew books. I have read it so many times that the binding is coming apart. Aside from that I love this story because it is set on Maui, one of my favorite places and of course Nancy solves yet another mystery. If you are going to read any of the newer Nancy Drew novels, this is a must.
November 5, 2011
Totally unexpected!! Which surely makes it a good read! ;)
April 22, 2013
ok ok ok!!! thats al i remember :-)
May 19, 2013
This particular book is one of my favorite because after every chapter there is a new character and they have a significance of their own
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews