The Triple Hoax

Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #57

by Carolyn Keene

Aunt Eloise invites Nancy, Bess, and George to New York to help a friend who has been swindled out of a sizable sum of money. There, the girls see a performance of a magicians' group who stun their audiences with clever sleight-of-hand tricks. Because the magicians temporarily remove people's wallets and handbags, Nancy feels the actors aren't above suspicion. Her hunch is borne out and a whirlwind chase ensues.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Young Adult, Childrens, Middle Grade, Classics, Juvenile

192 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1979

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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

It's late, so, I can't do my regular detailed review. All I'll say is that I enjoyed this one, as usual.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a wild ride.

I don’t remember reading a Nancy Drew novel where they remind the reader that she is an amateur detective and can’t get paid. It seemed to come up every chapter.

Meanwhile I can’t get over the logistics and the cost required to fund this mystery. They fly to New York City and then Mexico City. In which feels like 3 days later, their mystery takes them to Los Angeles. Except apparently the airlines are on strike and the girls are totally okay with road tripping for 5 days to get to LA?? They don’t call anyone for funds - did they sleep in the car? What did they eat? How did they pay for gas? Oh and when they arrive every single hotel is booked.

Page 88 also includes one of the creepiest drawings I’ve seen in one of these novels.

All the silliness aside, and the logistics of everything that I can’t seem to let go, it was still fun and the girls got to get out of the house and solve a crime. For free. Because they are amateurs.

[Linnea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rahahuijauksia, taikureita, kidnapattu lapsi, varastettuja myrkkypulloja ja reissaamista edestakaisin. Melko paljon ahdettu jälleen yhteen seikkailuun tavaraa.

Kolminkertainen konnuus myös käyttää paljon aikaa selittääkseen, kuinka Paula ystävineen ovat harrastelijaetsiviä ja saavat siksi toimia etsivinä milloin missäkin. Jostakin syystä tämä harrastelijastatus myös takaa heille poliisin vilpittömän avun missä tahansa kaupungissa (tai maassa).

[Jessica Petrovich · Rating 3 out of 5]

WE ARE SO BACK ✨✨✨

Not trying to set a goal or anything this time haha, just taking a few here and there!

Nancy and the gang got to go on a full, parent-funded chase around North America after some con artists who also dabbled in international kidnapping. George gets to break out some Judo moves. A solid continuation from the original 56 before being bought out by a new publisher 👍🏻

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nancy, Bess, and George go to New York City to investigate a swindle that has been perpetrated against one of Aunt Eloise Drew's friends. A man posing as a travel agent sold her tickets and hotel reservations to the tune of $3,000, but the tickets were phony and so were the reservations. They learn that Mrs. Richards had attended a magic show put on by a group called the Hoaxters and that part of the show involves asking audience members to come on stage to observe the tricks more closely. While up there, possessions such as wallets, purses, and the like are removed and not returned until the end of the show. Nancy is sure the Hoaxters are up to no good. It isn't long before she's proved right and finds herself on a cross-country trip to bring the con men (and women) to justice. The mystery involves fraud, a stolen ancient vial of poison, and a kidnapped child. But Nancy is quick to pick up the clues that lead to the villains' ultimate hide-out.

I know I enjoyed this one when I was young, but middle-age me wonders how on earth Nancy, Bess, and George (in their late teens) can just flit off to NYC and then Mexico City and then Los Angeles at the drop of the hat. There was an effort to make it realistic by having Mr. Fayne put up a bit of protest about cost when the girls want to take off to Mexico, but it didn't take long for George to jolly him into upping her allowance so she can go (what kind of allowance lets a person fly to NYC, let alone any of the other places?). The mystery itself was good. The plans of the con men actually made sense and reflected actual con jobs that have occurred in real life. So, I enjoyed the mystery and visiting with Nancy and friends again--Ned, Burt, and Dave show up for the grand finale in L.A. But I can't say that this one stands out as a favorite. ★★★ for a middle-of-the-road ND mystery.

First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.

[Ami · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very intriguing. Nancy is nearly killed three times. It makes your heart jump every time. This book is a thriller. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes action and mystery.

[Katja Labonté · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars & 4/10 hearts. I enjoyed this mystery. I feel like it was rather different from the others in set up. The characters were quite unique. And I enjoyed the whole sleight-of-hand aspect to the mystery. It had a very 70s feel though, not at all like Thirteenth Pearl. You can tell it’s a new start. ;)

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I consider this to be the first real chapter book I ever read, and it jump started my journey into reading with a passion. I owe a lot to it!

[John Yelverton · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some reason, it was not as good as the other Nancy Drew books that I have read, but in the same breath, it was like running into an old friend that you haven't seen for a long time.

[Izzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

great! but I miss the writing of the older hardback books :(

[Joseph · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Triple Hoax, which concerns Nancy trailing a group of dishonest magicians, is the first of the modern Nancy Drew mysteries (but in following the numbering of the original series, it's labeled 57). Although I much prefer the original books, just for a change I decided to read this book and the succeeding volume. Previously I had read a couple of modern ND mysteries that were acceptable, but this one turned out to be just awful. The plot itself is thin, with hardly a mystery until the last several chapters, and despite an exciting climax, there is little suspense or action throughout the story. The skimpy writing pales by comparison with the original books. In addition, the story is often silly and unrealistic. Some examples:

~ Bess and George are now classified as amateur detectives just as much as Nancy, when they are supposed to be merely her assistants.
~ The three girls are trusted immediately by any non-evil character.
~ When Nancy hopes that their boyfriends can join them, she bluntly asks her hostess (who has already given them free room and board on sudden notice), “Would you mind having three more guests?” And the lady responds, “Of course not! The more the merrier.”

All in all, this mess of a book earns no more than 1 out of 5 stars. Buy one of the original 56 Nancy Drew volumes instead; they are well-worth reading again and again.

[LuAnn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nancy naming the mystery herself is a throw-back to some of the original texts of the stories. The premise is clever and it has the feel of earlier “travelogues” like 99 Steps and Whistling Bagpipes. The number of dramatic incidents is overdone which puts this in what I consider the “crazy period” of the NDMS which includes the infamous Flying Saucer Mystery. But it’s not a bad start for the Simon & Schuster paper back period of the series and I like that Ned, Burt and Dave joined the girls in LA for the end of the mystery, although I guess you had to be there for their joking on page 152.

Ruth Sanderson is a fitting successor to Rudy Nappi as a cover artist and her internal illustrations are good (too bad the publishers dropped them when they redesigned the cover), but to me they are no match for the neat line illustrations of the '50s and '60s.

[Joy Gerbode · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although written by the same author, there is a completely different voice in this book than what I've come to expect. Of course, this book was written much later than the majority of the series, and I was delighted to pick up this and a few others of the last of the hardback original series. Almost have them all, and will enjoy reading them once. Not sure I'll want to keep these latest ones, though. Mystery is not as well developed, conversations seem stilted, and the whole book just felt "off".

[Allison · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why in the world are these books so popular?? I like a good mystery and I don't dislike books written for a much younger audience, but this book was just bad. It was poorly written and it was rambly and it was not believable. Maybe someone younger could appreciate it? Except, I keep thinking about what CS Lewis said "no book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally - and often far more - worth reading at the age of 50 and beyond." So, this book should be skipped by all.

[Jessi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow. Some Nancy Drew mysteries carry through to present day just fine. This one... did not.
Nancy is called into the mystery when a friend of her aunt's is defrauded of some money. This fraud is connected to a group of magicians who call themselves the hoaxsters. Just couldn't handle the story. Nancy was being a ninny.

[Heidi]

I don't feel like this was as good as Nancy Drew usually is. But we know that the original 56 are the best, and everything else is hit and miss. I mean, it's only one away from original, but I dunno. I just didn't care for this one much. The way they talked about Mexico and the people, etc. Seemed simplistic.

[REDD · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author got confused.

Compare page 165 (chapter 19) and page 177 (chapter 20)

Sam Gambro and Horace Brown are the same person according to the police officer and yet at the confession part, Sam Gambro and Howie (Horace) are two different persons .

[LobsterQuadrille · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars

The Triple Hoax has all the hallmarks of a late Harriet Stratemeyer Adams story: it's contrived, confusing, and relies too much on coincidences and filler. I suspect Harriet was just getting sick of writing the series and was fully phoning it in by this point. The title isn't even really accurate. Nancy says that Dolores' kidnapping was one of the hoaxes. Apparently Nancy thinks "hoax" is synonymous with "crime".
The premise of a troupe of larcenous magicians is fun, but nothing worthwhile is done with it. I don't think the other two Hoaxters even got names. And the fact that nobody has questioned their pickpocketing until now is absurd even by Nancy Drew standards. Instead of developing a potentially great setup, this book wastes time on a poison vial theft, a ridiculous fabric scam, Japanese sleep practices, and an off-page plane hijacking.
Another oddity is how this story keeps emphasizing that Nancy is technically only an amateur detective because she doesn't charge for her work. The villain even tries to use this against her by telling the Mexican immigration authorities that she is practicing without a license. For some reason, this is a serious enough issue to get her detained at the airport for roughly five minutes.

The only character moment worth mentioning here is Carson making a dad joke about the fabric scam. That was the one bit of silly fun in a story that otherwise feels like it was hastily written to meet a deadline. The Triple Hoax may provide a bit of incredulous amusement, but otherwise it's just a mess.

[Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not worth reading this series past the original 56 books published by Grosset & Dunlap. The older books weren't perfect (problematic elements - racism, body shaming etc) but it was better written - natural character interaction, the mysteries were somewhat interesting and made sense (even if characters did make some ridiculously dumb decisions).

This book and the 'Flying Saucer' one are extremely poorly written. No suspense, things happen that don't make any sense (like in this book, why the eff did Ned and Nancy let themselves get locked up by rushing into a room when they knew the bad person knew they were there and were right behind them?) and awkward phrasing/sentence structure in how conversations are written: "...Ned suggested...Nancy spoke softly... Bess quivered... Nancy said...Burt asked...George inquired... Nancy replied....Dave grunted..."

IIRC, in the original books, the writers made sure to describe the environment the characters were in, their facial expressions and movements and you can picture scene better. Whereas, these two books just feel like a lot of exposition dumping.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book marks a change in the illustrator and, it seemed to me, writing style of the Nancy Drew books. I am a little sad to lose the more minimalist/sketchy illustrations of the previous books, but I'm sure I'll get used to these new ones soon. As for the writing changes, I believe this is the first time Dave, Burt, and Ned are referred to explicitly as boyfriends, a lot being said about the difference between amateur and professional detectives, and, at least in the case of Bess seducing a customs officer, a more explicit use of their "feminine wiles". The rest of the mystery is pretty standard Nancy Drew with some insensitive remarks about other cultures, Nancy having conveniently useful skills (speaking Spanish), and of course the boys' plan being hijacked. I was a little concerned that Nancy was going to the movies and attending parties while a child had been kidnapped, especially when the child's family was clearly very anguished. Don't get me wrong, I loved reading this, but because I love it I also acknowledge it's shortcomings.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first of the 'Digest' books, this book felt slightly more realistic than some of the yellowbacks. The culprits plan makes some sense and I could see real life criminals trying the same tactics. Nancy also uses more real detective techniques like dusting for fingerprints and searching the phonebook for clues.

There are still some bits that are a little awkward to read (Nancy and the girls stopping at a Native American village in Mexico and complaining about the peppers in their food), but overall it's not the worst, and managed to be exciting without having the culprits blow something up every 10 minutes.

[Tari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found one of the many Nancy Drew books I've collected that I hadn't read yet, so I thought why not? It was a fun little break into what originally got me reading cozy mysteries and interesting now to see how Nancy and the gang solved mysteries back in a non tech world. I found myself stumped at times too, how did that happen when sometimes I guess the killer in a cozy, lol. It was just a good time read with Nancy and her besties and their boyfriends, some bad guys got caught and a little girl got back home to her parents.

[Truly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kali ini Nancy Dew diminta oleh Bibi Eloise membantu untuk memecahkan misteri yang terjadi. Untuk itu, ia harus pergi ke New York. Sebenarnya jika kita perhatikan secara seksama, pada bagian awal kisah sudah terlihat siapa saja yang patut dicurigai sebagai penjahat. Bagi mereka yang sudah sering membaca kisah Nancy Drew, pasti bisa memahami bagaimana upayanya untuk membuktikan bahwa dugaannya benar.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ease of read: 3/5
General plot: 3/5
Spice: N/A
World building: 2.5/5
How much I gave a fuck about these characters: 3/5

I LOVE Nancy Drew, but this one fell flat. It might be the age of this book that doesn't resonate with me, as some of the dialogue tends towards sexism and fat phobia. The actual mystery was just okay - like someone else said, they just casually jet setting from NY to Mexico City to Los Angeles doesn't feel relatable.

3 stars for nostalgia.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Väldigt bra Kitty-äventyr!! Allt som händer kopplas ihop på ett så fint och bra sätt och jag kan inte annat än älska den här böckerna som är riktigt barndomsminnen för min del. Den får 4 stjärnor och inte 5 just för att den är ibland lite avhuggen och det går väldigt snabbt men det är och andra sidan en flickbok, skriven för väldigt många år sen och det är sådana de är! Men ja älskar dem!

[Darinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy Drew and her friends, Bess and George, get to travel some more for this mystery - New York, Mexico City, and Los Angeles. The mystery starts with a friend of Nancy's aunt, who has been swindled. This leads to a related case that involves a kidnapping.

Typical Nancy Drew book. Nancy and her friends solve a mystery.

[Madison · Rating 3 out of 5]

what can i say, it’s not part of the original 56. however, i thought it did a good job of maintaining several of the cadences that are seen throughout the series thus far.

as with any of the post-60s stories, the talk surrounding external cultures and people is always a little questionable and should be taken with a grain of salt.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy and her friends get to do a lot of traveling in this adventure: first to New York, then to Mexico City, and finally to Los Angeles. I haven't read all the Nancy Drew books, but I was not aware that Nancy spoke Spanish (apparently fluently) or that George knew judo.

[Mikayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

While written in a style close to the original 56, this book just does not have the same charm or sweetness of the original books. They tried to add to my to all the characters lives, and the book was crammed full of events without doing much.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something was weird with the writing of this story. Maybe they changed authors. It just didn't seem like a typical Nancy Drew book.