Dangerous Plays

Nancy Drew: Girl Detective #16

by Carolyn Keene

Dad, Bess, and I are all set for London when Ned's Shakespeare professor asks us to do a simple to take a look at his townhouse while we're there, since he can't seem to locate the housekeeper and fears something's wrong. Sounds easy enough, so I take the key.

Eager to cross the favor off our list, we stop by 53 Banbury Square shortly after we land. And let's just say things in the townhouse aren't quite tip-top. And the key? Well, it unlocks a Pandora's box of serious trouble.

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Young Adult, Fiction, Crime, Middle Grade, Detective

160 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2006

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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

As I said in my previous review, I’ve run out of things to say about these books.

[Laura Jayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took yet another trip down memory lane and, yes, I loved every second of it.
I distinctly remember buying this book at a school book fair. I often dreamed of solving mysteries like Nancy Drew or the Scooby gang. I never actually did, though (unless you count vicariously).
Now, I haven't been able to locate the other books from this series, but I can safely tell you that this one was both cosy and riveting. All the charm of a Nancy Drew mystery, all the charm of London, rolled into one book.
The premise was simple and mysterious - something I love in this particular genre - spiralling into twists and turns that kept me guessing, and an epic moonlit chase at Stonehenge. This is exactly what I've been needing to read and has actually inspired me to find more Nancy Drew books. You can't say no to a classic.

[Nola Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nancy, her Dad and her best friend Bess travel to London for a holiday. Before she goes, one of her boyfriend's professors asked if she can check in on his London home as there have been strange goings on. But within a day, there's a robbery, kidnapping and a mystery involving a rare copy of King Lear. Will Nancy save the day?

There are some good moments in this book, but I didn't enjoy it as much as some of the others in the series. Some of the happenings were a bit contrived. Probably one for people who are already fans of the series.

[LuAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was just thinking that I hadn’t read a book recently where someone close to Nancy was kidnapped, and Voilá! that drives the plot of this book. A travelogue that works some classic London sights—and even Stonehenge— naturally into the story and even mentions the Sherlock Holmes Museum.
Amazing how the Metropolitan Police are so eager for Nancy to assist. And do they really still post police outside of buildings related to crimes as in Holmes’ day? I liked some of the twists in this even though it follows the digest and Girl Detective series trend of a handful of suspects.

[Tanya Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Nancy Drew books are what got me interested in reading when I was a kid. I’ve been in a reading funk for a bit, so I decided to reread a book from my favorite series as a child to help stimulate my interest again. The book itself isn’t very well written, but it’s what got me hooked on reading as a child. Very quick read.

[Shruti ❥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading Nancy Drew books now, i realized how unrealistic and not so well written it was. But it was and still is my most favorite childhood read, that introduced me to reading and now gets me out of my reading slump.

[C. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I dislike the way everything was dumped all in one chapter. The culprits were obvious and Dr. Burnham's motive for the false robbery of a rare book he owns for insurance is ridiculous. He's a professor, surely he could've just saved money for the other rare book he wanted?

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this one!

[Jordyneiguess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Takes place in England.

[Kriti · Rating 1 out of 5]

A very common plot. Boring.

[$hanel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nancy Drew, the best girl detective, is all set for a vacation to London,England with her Dad and her best friend Bess. That is until her boyfriend Ned calls and asks her to meet his shakespeare professor, Dr.Burnham. Only until Nancy Drew thinks she is away from her cases Dr.Burnham asks Nancy to watch over his house while she`s in London. When Nancy visits the house she discovers that all of Dr.Burnham`s possessions are missing! Now Nancy must find the crook! This is one of my favorite Nancy Drew novels and I highly encourage all Nancy Drew fans to read this novel!

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was interesting, sneaky and full of "I cannot believe I didn't realise it sooner!"

Overall I found it highly amusing though a tad bit over done in some bits -for instance there were quite a few red herrings which seemed unnecessary and didn't add much to the story at all.

Reading about Nancy, Nancy's dad and Bess's adventures in London make me incredibly even more impatient to have one of my own.

[V. Arrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think my problem with the first-person of the NDGD books is that there's no voice, no *Nancy* in it. I'm not someone who generally snubs first-person, but I do think it needs to be chosen for a reason, and that reason needs to be characterization. NDGD is trying to sell me that Nancy Drew, who has the mind of a steel trap and the neurodivergence to match, wouldn't have a juicy idiolect?? And I just don't buy that??

[Yasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an interesting read and also it was cool
because they were in another country
and it was also cool because it is the only Nancy Drew book
were something actually happens to Carson
which added a cool twist to the story.

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good Nancy Drew book filled with mystery and lots of action.

[Kaela23 · Rating 2 out of 5]

like most nancy drew books they are pretty good but, a little to short, and unrealistic. But overall a good book.

[Prashansa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice!!

[Morgan Lemke · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the most interesting book! it threw me way off track and i have almost read every single one of the books from this series! i think this one is the only one where her dad is kidnapped!!!

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Nancy Drew. I've never been disappointed!!