A Question of Guilt

Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys: Super Mystery #26

by Carolyn Keene

America's top teen detectives team up to find the bottom line in a murderous financial dispute. Nancy Drew and her father, Carson, have come to Philadelphia to attend a meeting of the Vidocq Society, a group dedicated to the investigation of unsolved crimes. One of Carson's clients, Buff Bellamy, was recently tried for the slaying of Laurel Kenway, the ward of his uncle, real estate king Stafford Bellamy. Carson managed to get his client off on a technicality, but everyone-- except the Drews-- believes Buff got away with murder. Nancy's out to prove his innocence... beyond a question of a doubt.

Meanwhile...

Frank and Joe Hardy, and their father, Fenton, have come to the same meeting. Why? To prove beyond a doubt that Buff is guilty. Fenton investigated the crime, and the brothers found the evidence that convinced the district attorney to bring Buff to trial. It's a high-profile case in which Nancy, Frank, and Joe all have something to lose. But they all want the same thing. To find the real killer...

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Mystery Thriller, Childrens, Thriller, Adventure

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think I had read this one before and Joe is a BRAT, but the mystery itself was very readable and I did enjoy all of the digs of Joe calling Nancy Frank's girlfriend, even if there wasn't anything to speak of from Frank or Nancy themselves.

[Lauri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frank and Joe helped find the evidence to bring Buff Bellamy to trial on murder. His lawyer, Carson Drew, got him off on the idea that the amatuer detectives didn't follow the rules. Oh and Nancy and Buff have a "special" connection. Frank is so thrilled, which makes this book fun.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly fun, though it would have been a little more fun had the book not so obviously been on Nancy's side from the beginning.