The Best of Nancy Drew Classic Collection, Volume 1

by Carolyn Keene

Nancy Drew, the classic mystery-solving heroine, returns in these special-issue omnibus editions. Each collection features three bestselling, classic Nancy Drew mysteries.

The Best of Nancy Drew Classic Collection Volume 1

#1 The Secret of the Old Clock : Nancy Drew's keen mind is tested when she searches for a missing will in this mystery that started them all.

#3 The Bungalow Mystery : When one of Nancy's closest friends suspects her guardians of trying to steal her inheritance, Nancy's search for clues leads her to an old, abandoned bungalow.

#43 The Mystery of the 99 Steps : Despite warnings from a stranger, Nancy sets out for France to search for a flight of 99 steps that may help solve the mystery of a weird dream and a possible case of blackmail.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Young Adult, Classics, Childrens

544 pages, Hardcover

First published May 11, 2004

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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

[Astrid Lim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nancy Drew, what a classic. In the middle of fantasies and pararoms, a good old classic mystery books is really refreshing. I almost forgot how clever, witty, and brave Nancy was.And how cool her mysteries were! Of course, they're not as mysterious as Trio Detektif - or adventurous as Blyton's books, but I still love the classic touch. I do hope I can find the second volume of this collection. And probably, start to collect all of the books, too!

[T.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Believe it or not, this is my first time reading Nancy Drew! I loved the first two mysteries about the old clock and the bungalow, but I was surprised that the third story was included in a "Best Of Nancy" collection, as that one was pretty convoluted and boring. Still, it's easy to see why spunky, kind, resourceful Nancy Drew has remained so beloved over the years. I hope I can find the second book in the collection. If not, I may have to select from the standalone mysteries for more thrills with Nancy Drew!

[Playground of Randomness · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was a kid I absolutely hated Nancy Drew.

My aunt tried to get me to read her books but I preferred the drama of Sweet Valley High.

When I purchased this book it was really just for nostalgia. Imagine my shock when 2 pages in, I was hooked and obsessed with Nancy Drew.

This book was clearly written for a different time but it was still so fun to follow along in these mysteries. Going to have to get my own Nancy Drew collection ASAP!

[Lorrie Ann Schaefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a young girl I used to read these books. One Saturday a month was library day and my parents took my brother's and I there and I would check out one of this series every week. Thankfully my Mother passed on her love of reading to me and my daughters. My oldest daughter followed me in my love of Nancy Drew.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am giving this rating based on the time period of this revision. I have found out that this is the version that was revised in the late ‘50s but that the original was written in the ‘30s. A review I read suggests that Nancy was more relatable in the one written in 1930. I ordered the other from ebay and am looking forward to comparing them.

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

The secret of the old clock - 4/5
The bungalow mystery - 3/5
The mystery of the 99 steps - 2/5

[Courtney Holcomb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This entire series is absolutely fantastic! I can't get enough of it!

[LK Hunsaker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't read Nancy Drew when I was younger. I can't remember whether I tried them at the time, although I think maybe I did after I read all of the Hardy Boys books I could find. Now I can see why I didn't. The writing of the HB mysteries is so much stronger (I just went back and checked). I found Keene's writing too elementary, too repetitive, and not horribly realistic. I only read the first story in this volume and I skimmed much of it, so maybe some of the others are better.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved these three stories and totaly recommed them to some people who like me love mystreies w/ great dangers and adventure espically the 3rd one called mystery of the 99 step or the 2nd the bungalow mystery (bungalow is a little summer house mainly next to lakes) so if you like thi tye of book totaly check it out
i really didn't say much because i kind of forgot them

[Ashwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I'm too old for Nancy Drew now, which I used to lap up while I was in high school. Having nothing else to do during my vacation I read this book anyway.

The Secret Of The Old Clock is the first Nancy Drew mystery. Both this and The Bungalow Mystery are pretty amateurish. The Mystery Of The 99 Steps is somewhat more interesting.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read only The Secret of the Old Clock. Read in combination with Its a Clue Podcast.
A classic from childhood.

08/31/2024
Finished the last book in this. The Mystery of the 99 Steps. Which I would actually give a 4⭐️. It was a little history lesson on France besides a Nancy Drew mystery.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a good book my mom read this when she was agir so it is cool how I am reading it now.

[Nandita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is awesome! i finished half of it in an hour! Carolyn Keen describes the climax so well, you get sucked in and you can't put it down! Try it guys its pretty good!

[Rhiannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's got the Secret of the Old Clock, the Bungalow Mystery, and the Mystery of the 99 Steps.

[Diane]

Quick read for fun! Interesting to re-read books y read when you were a kid ~ totally different perspective.