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Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys: Super Mystery #25
Secrets of the Nile
Posing as the newlywed sons of a wealthy Egyptian banker, Frank and Joe hope to undermine a terrorist group, while Nancy and her friend Bess, posing as the brother's wives, are involved in a kidnapping investigation. Original.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1995
12 people are currently reading
622 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
992 books3,863 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 28, 2022
I WIN.
I mean, I don't because they don't get together officially despite both of them admitting to actual feelings and a kiss and a near kiss and holding hands while injured and PRETENDING TO BE MARRIED, but I made it to this point in my reread after SEVEN YEARS. And it was a great reread. The plot of this is ridiculous but doesn't suffer as much as some of the international ones do because the bad guys are americans. Plus all the other stuff I mentioned happens and is great.
I said on discord earlier that I am not saying that this book is where all of my romance reader buttons come from but I am not NOT saying it either. Partnership, near death experiences, fake marrieds, all of those are things that I still very much enjoy as a reader today.
And now it is time to finish the series, I don't think I will have read almost any of the books that I have left and I am deeply curious what, if any, Frank/Nancy content they are going to provide after the soaring heights of this book.
Thank you to whichever ghost writer gave us this book. You are a hero.
I mean, I don't because they don't get together officially despite both of them admitting to actual feelings and a kiss and a near kiss and holding hands while injured and PRETENDING TO BE MARRIED, but I made it to this point in my reread after SEVEN YEARS. And it was a great reread. The plot of this is ridiculous but doesn't suffer as much as some of the international ones do because the bad guys are americans. Plus all the other stuff I mentioned happens and is great.
I said on discord earlier that I am not saying that this book is where all of my romance reader buttons come from but I am not NOT saying it either. Partnership, near death experiences, fake marrieds, all of those are things that I still very much enjoy as a reader today.
And now it is time to finish the series, I don't think I will have read almost any of the books that I have left and I am deeply curious what, if any, Frank/Nancy content they are going to provide after the soaring heights of this book.
Thank you to whichever ghost writer gave us this book. You are a hero.
February 20, 2011
I was a Nancy Drew junkie growing up and absolutely loved the crossover series with the Hardy Boys. I actually still own all of them, and when I'm feeling nostalgic will go back and do a quick re-read from time to time. This book, along with A Crime for Christmas are my absolute favorites. As pathetic as this sounds, even at 32, I almost wished they still published new books in this series!
May 1, 2019
FRANK AND NANCY ARE IN LOVE
March 16, 2015
Obviously, this is essential diet for any ND and HB fan to begin with, but especially for those of us who are convinced that Nancy and Frank should be together. They mentioned a few times, like they always do, that Nancy is "in love" with Ned and Frank is "in love" with Callie. Nuh-uh, I'm not buyin' it. We all know the truth here. Besides, even the writers said that Ned and Nancy were never actually meant to be!! PROOF!!! =D My girlish fantasies aside, this was an excellent case. I loved the plot and the new characters were excellent too. Can't say I don't wish there was a little more romance, but hey, maybe that's just me?
April 26, 2019
One of the better Drew books out there. Plus I always love books that take place in Egypt! Fun and a quick easy read. Really recommend this one.
October 19, 2021
Frank and Nancy pretend marriage? HECK YES
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December 13, 2024Some high quality reading happening over here. 🤣
November 1, 2016
The best Nancy Drew /Hardy Boys book ever...fake marriages and kisses! For anyone shipping Nancy/Frank
February 23, 2023
Where Frank/Nancy all began for me
November 6, 2022
I had a hard time searching for this book. My interlibrary loans were only showing 4 copies and its going for 40-50$ online, WOW. I thought, well I have to read this book to understand WHY it seems to be a 'rare' Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys novel.
Well, turns out, its for the shippers. Frank and Nancy have been tasked with posing as a married couple that are apparently being targeted by a terrorist group, and wow, there is a shocking amount of pining in this novel despite being a ND book. (Nancy usually barely even thinks about Ned, but she sure does like Frank here).
This book was relatively high action, and while of course had some dated phrases and culturally insensitive moments as is with most older ND books, I was happy the conflict actually didn't involve "middle eastern terrorists" like the synopsis of the book implies. It still wasn't that interesting of a book, but better than many. Bess's comic relief, although occasionally cringey, made the book a bit more fun to read.
Well, turns out, its for the shippers. Frank and Nancy have been tasked with posing as a married couple that are apparently being targeted by a terrorist group, and wow, there is a shocking amount of pining in this novel despite being a ND book. (Nancy usually barely even thinks about Ned, but she sure does like Frank here).
This book was relatively high action, and while of course had some dated phrases and culturally insensitive moments as is with most older ND books, I was happy the conflict actually didn't involve "middle eastern terrorists" like the synopsis of the book implies. It still wasn't that interesting of a book, but better than many. Bess's comic relief, although occasionally cringey, made the book a bit more fun to read.
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September 29, 2023LOL EARLIER THIS MORNING I RANDOMLY REMEMBERED THE NANCY DREW/HARDY BOYS CROSSOVER BOOK SERIES FROM THE 90S THAT HAD, AT LEAST IN MY MEMORY, MANY BOOKS THAT WENT LIKE THIS: "NANCY WAS SUPER HORNY FOR FRANK, AND FRANK WAS SUPER HORNY FOR NANCY. UNFORTUNATELY NANCY WAS WITH NED AND FRANK WAS WITH WHATSHERNAME. :( :( :( :(" I DIDN'T GET WHY THE FUCK THEY DIDN'T BREAK UP WITH THEIR SO'S. NANCY KISSED FRANK MOAR THAN ONCE AND FELT ONLY SORT OF BAD ABOUT CHEATING! LOL IT WAS LOLZY.
LOLOL THERE WAS A BOOK WHERE NANCY AND FRANK GO TO EGYPT AND HAVE TO PRETEND TO BE MARRIED FOR MYSTERY-SOLVING REASONS. AND THEN AT THE END NANCY CONFESSES TO HIM SHE DOESN'T WANT TO GO BACK TO HER USUAL LIFE AND THEY KISS AND THEY'RE VERY INTO IT. AND SHE IMMEDIATELY GOES, "OH NO, WE CAN'T DO THIS :| I'M WITH NED :|" NANCY, BB, YOU KEEP CHEATING ON HIM.
LOLOL THERE WAS A BOOK WHERE NANCY AND FRANK GO TO EGYPT AND HAVE TO PRETEND TO BE MARRIED FOR MYSTERY-SOLVING REASONS. AND THEN AT THE END NANCY CONFESSES TO HIM SHE DOESN'T WANT TO GO BACK TO HER USUAL LIFE AND THEY KISS AND THEY'RE VERY INTO IT. AND SHE IMMEDIATELY GOES, "OH NO, WE CAN'T DO THIS :| I'M WITH NED :|" NANCY, BB, YOU KEEP CHEATING ON HIM.
May 1, 2019
This is really a awesome book😆😆
I only wish that at the end when Frank and Nancy have one of the most wonderful kisses in their lives, they should have stayed together.
FRANK AND NANCY GET TOGETHER ALREADY 😣😣
Make Ned date Callie or Deirdre.
He deserves so much better and I never liked him with Nancy.
I only wish that at the end when Frank and Nancy have one of the most wonderful kisses in their lives, they should have stayed together.
FRANK AND NANCY GET TOGETHER ALREADY 😣😣
Make Ned date Callie or Deirdre.
He deserves so much better and I never liked him with Nancy.
April 10, 2020
I am a husk.
francy fake married. Thats all I have to say.
francy fake married. Thats all I have to say.
March 10, 2025
5 stars for fake adultery and real cheating! These crazy kids really put you through the wringer but boy do I have fun in there.
February 7, 2017
Originally read in 2009.
I re-read Secrets of the Nile in 2016 while I was in a reading slump. Re-reading one of my favorite childhood books helped me get out of my reading slump. I flipped through the pages so fast and couldn't help but feel like I was home. Plus, this reignited my love for Nancy and Frank! ;)
I re-read Secrets of the Nile in 2016 while I was in a reading slump. Re-reading one of my favorite childhood books helped me get out of my reading slump. I flipped through the pages so fast and couldn't help but feel like I was home. Plus, this reignited my love for Nancy and Frank! ;)
June 24, 2008
I read and loved this soooo long ago. My sister pulled all my Nancy Drew & Hardy Boys Supermystery books out of their boxes and has been reading them--so I decided to reread my old favorite. Amazing. This might start a trend--time to hit up the public library!
April 26, 2019
Secrets Of the Nile is my all time favorite book filled with humor from Joe, love between Nancy and Frank, and mysteries in between. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves Nancy Drew and Hardy boys. This book is super addicting and I read it in one sitting.
January 2, 2008
Hahahahahahah....
Okay, so this book is TOTALLY a Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys Supermystery, but that's okay. Because Nancy and Frank kiss at the end. And that's all that matters!
Okay, so this book is TOTALLY a Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys Supermystery, but that's okay. Because Nancy and Frank kiss at the end. And that's all that matters!
November 11, 2013
the cheapest, used copy of a paperback version of this book is more than $10… that's how you know it was good. Fingers crossed my copy is somewhere win my mom's house…
June 19, 2014
Oh hi there, childhood. I remember you.
January 30, 2016
I like these better than the separate ones.
August 2, 2024
The plot of this one was surprisingly compelling. And the drama...I live for this drama.
May 17, 2008
This is my favorite Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys mystery!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews