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Nancy Drew: Girl Detective Graphic Novels #2
Writ in Stone
It's double trouble for Nancy and her friends, when an ancient artifact and a little boy are both suddenly missing. The artifact is a piece of an old stone marker that may prove that the Chinese were in America eighty years before Columbus. The little boy is Owen Zucker, a sweetie who Nancy sometimes baby-sits. Nancy's determined to recover both the artifact and little Owen, but someone's out to stop her—permanently! Ages 8 to 12.
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
5 people are currently reading
301 people want to read
About the author
Stefan Petrucha
342 books273 followersStefan Petrucha (born January 27, 1959) is an American writer for adults and young adults. He has written graphic novels in the The X-Files and Nancy Drew series, as well as science fiction and horror.
Born in the Bronx, he has spent time in the big city and the suburbs, and now lives in western Massachusetts with his wife, fellow writer Sarah Kinney, and their daughters. At times he has been a tech writer, an educational writer, a public relations writer and an editor for trade journals, but his preference is for fiction in all its forms.
Born in the Bronx, he has spent time in the big city and the suburbs, and now lives in western Massachusetts with his wife, fellow writer Sarah Kinney, and their daughters. At times he has been a tech writer, an educational writer, a public relations writer and an editor for trade journals, but his preference is for fiction in all its forms.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
September 22, 2025
Borrowed from my library I was shook from the whole story.
January 5, 2016
An archaeologist discovers a stone that could show the Chinese discovered America before Christopher Columbus. But before he can present his findings, the stone is stolen. Is it a coincidence that it's gone missing at the same time as a 4-year-old boy and a janitor? With Nancy and her friends on the case, you know all will become clear by the end, but the route to the conclusion is always interesting.
I've read 11 of the 'Nancy Drew Girl Detective' series, but this is my first of Nancy's graphic novels. The story is much shorter of course, so there aren't as many details as usual, but the plot works okay. As some of the action took place at night, some of the pictures were dark in colour and there were a few times when I found it hard to work out what was happening. I also found myself having to re-read a few sections. I also felt the pictures conveyed a much different feel than the books. Nancy was looking more sexy and her fun friend Bess and nice boyfriend Ned were often shown with severe expressions, making them look grumpy or angry.
I didn't enjoy it as much as the books, but it's a light holiday read and might also be good for older children or teenagers who shy away from reading regular books.
I've read 11 of the 'Nancy Drew Girl Detective' series, but this is my first of Nancy's graphic novels. The story is much shorter of course, so there aren't as many details as usual, but the plot works okay. As some of the action took place at night, some of the pictures were dark in colour and there were a few times when I found it hard to work out what was happening. I also found myself having to re-read a few sections. I also felt the pictures conveyed a much different feel than the books. Nancy was looking more sexy and her fun friend Bess and nice boyfriend Ned were often shown with severe expressions, making them look grumpy or angry.
I didn't enjoy it as much as the books, but it's a light holiday read and might also be good for older children or teenagers who shy away from reading regular books.
August 22, 2021
I love Nancy Drew and I enjoyed this story. The graphics were sometimes confusing though, and the text didn’t always clear up my confusion about what was going on.
December 19, 2023
not the stone being fake like i had to laugh at that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2021
3.5/5
March 6, 2010
Nancy Drew is babysitting Owen when a thunderstorm hits River Heights. As a result, a truck jackknifes and a SUV crashes into the truck. Just so happens, this accident happened near Nancy’s charge’s home. Charlie Adams, a tow truck driver and good friend of Nancy’s, calls in a favor of Nancy: he wants to bring the SUV driver by because he has precious cargo that he refuses to part with.
When Charlie arrives with Professor David Severe, an archeologist, he informs Nancy he has proof the Chinese were in America prior to Christopher Columbus. He shows her the artifact (or a “rock” as Owen calls it) and shares its history. Nancy asks Professor Severe to tell his findings at the museum fund raiser. He agrees.
The night of the fund raiser, the professor begins talking about his research and just when he’s about to show the artifact, he realizes it’s missing! And that’s not the only thing that is missing. Owen is missing too. Immediately Nancy is on the case hunting down clues. The first clue leads her to the museum security guard. Did he steal this “rock”? And if so, why? Nancy is determined to find the answers to these questions.
Like book one of this series, the mystery is light and Nancy does a fantastic job with solving the case. I have to say though, I love how the criminals just confess EVERYTHING to her prior to the police showing up. What is it about Nancy that just makes them want to talk??
Yes these graphic novels are not the Nancy Drew I grew up with. I do have to admit, though, I am enjoying them and for now will continue with the series.
When Charlie arrives with Professor David Severe, an archeologist, he informs Nancy he has proof the Chinese were in America prior to Christopher Columbus. He shows her the artifact (or a “rock” as Owen calls it) and shares its history. Nancy asks Professor Severe to tell his findings at the museum fund raiser. He agrees.
The night of the fund raiser, the professor begins talking about his research and just when he’s about to show the artifact, he realizes it’s missing! And that’s not the only thing that is missing. Owen is missing too. Immediately Nancy is on the case hunting down clues. The first clue leads her to the museum security guard. Did he steal this “rock”? And if so, why? Nancy is determined to find the answers to these questions.
Like book one of this series, the mystery is light and Nancy does a fantastic job with solving the case. I have to say though, I love how the criminals just confess EVERYTHING to her prior to the police showing up. What is it about Nancy that just makes them want to talk??
Yes these graphic novels are not the Nancy Drew I grew up with. I do have to admit, though, I am enjoying them and for now will continue with the series.
October 9, 2019
Title: Writ in Stone
Author: Stefan Petrucha
Series: Nancy Drew Graphic Novels, 2
Format: hardcover
Length: N/A
Rating: 3 stars
Synopsis: It's double trouble for Nancy and her friends, when an ancient artifact and a little boy are both suddenly missing. The artifact is a piece of an old stone marker that may prove that the Chinese were in America eighty years before Columbus. The little boy is Owen Zucker, a sweetie who Nancy sometimes baby-sits. Nancy's determined to recover both the artifact and little Owen, but someone's out to stop her - permanently!
Mini-review: Cute. Kind of an obvious ending. So glad they made Nancy a redhead.
Author: Stefan Petrucha
Series: Nancy Drew Graphic Novels, 2
Format: hardcover
Length: N/A
Rating: 3 stars
Synopsis: It's double trouble for Nancy and her friends, when an ancient artifact and a little boy are both suddenly missing. The artifact is a piece of an old stone marker that may prove that the Chinese were in America eighty years before Columbus. The little boy is Owen Zucker, a sweetie who Nancy sometimes baby-sits. Nancy's determined to recover both the artifact and little Owen, but someone's out to stop her - permanently!
Mini-review: Cute. Kind of an obvious ending. So glad they made Nancy a redhead.
June 14, 2009
My first graphic novel. And Nancy Drew stories are just so fun.
December 12, 2018
I loved this graphic novel!
The graphics in this book were much better than the first one. All of the pictures were clear. There were objects in the images that looked like clip art. They didn’t match the other drawings, because they looked like photos of real things.
I was so excited to see Ned and Hannah. They are so important to Nancy and play an important part in the novels, but they are often left out of adaptations.
The next book is inspired by the 1930s, so I’m excited to read it!
The graphics in this book were much better than the first one. All of the pictures were clear. There were objects in the images that looked like clip art. They didn’t match the other drawings, because they looked like photos of real things.
I was so excited to see Ned and Hannah. They are so important to Nancy and play an important part in the novels, but they are often left out of adaptations.
The next book is inspired by the 1930s, so I’m excited to read it!
May 8, 2018
There's not much for me to comment on here, but one part really stood out. When they find Owen, he says that when the man came to him the first time, he was a stranger, so he kicked him. When he came the second time, he was no longer a stranger, so he was willing to approach him. To a child of this age, that could very well happen, so I hope that parents are explaining the whole idea a lot clearer than that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2019
A really fun graphic novel re-write of Nancy Drew. I like the art style which seems to go well with retro mystery stories. I think the graphic novel versions will bring Nancy Drew to a whole new generation of readers.
October 5, 2019
This one moved fast, had an interesting premise, plenty of action, a decent mystery, and was generally fun. Also, I learned about the rollover rate of SUVs and the existence of Emperor Zhu's attempt to cross the Pacific in the 1400s. Overall, pretty good.
August 22, 2020
Super confusing....the writing was super irrelevant or jokes or confusing statements
And you can't do that with a graphic novel. There should be so little text that just gives crucial information
Jeez, even the pictures were confusing too.
And you can't do that with a graphic novel. There should be so little text that just gives crucial information
Jeez, even the pictures were confusing too.
March 17, 2022
3.5
Picked up in the later bit but the story was pretty slow at first.
One thing I think you have to give these novels credit for is the personality they gave Nancy. While the writings not great they manage to give her character beyond just "she's a girl detective".
Picked up in the later bit but the story was pretty slow at first.
One thing I think you have to give these novels credit for is the personality they gave Nancy. While the writings not great they manage to give her character beyond just "she's a girl detective".
May 10, 2019
Honestly . . . I mean, it’s okay, I guess? After this reread I probably won’t read it again, though . . . .
July 2, 2021
Meh. I really didn’t like the graphics. Story was ok. Don’t think a lot of 3-5th would like this.
August 26, 2022
I loved reading this little detective book
November 20, 2022
Couldn't really get into this one
December 7, 2022
nothing spectacular at all but hey, i’m trying to up my book count before the year’s over
June 9, 2013
I don't generally like to start reading in the middle of a series, but given this was a stand alone mystery I was ok with starting with book 2 rather than be a stickler and NEEDING to read book 1 first.
This was my first encounter with Nancy Drew and sure it was not a Nancy Keene novel it was a graphic novel, but I found this entertaining enough. I even enjoyed the story!! I really liked the character Nancy and her knack at solving crimes. Though she seems to be pretty scatter brained in her everyday life she is observant of details and is tireless when it comes to solving her mysteries.
Though the original series of novels were written prior to many of the scientific and technological advances we have now this story contains many modern items that help Nancy in her quest. I like the updated content and look forward to possibly comparing the novels and the graphic novels.
This is a relatively short book and was worth the read. Since I liked it so much I am glad I picked up a handful of these books at the library yesterday. I think I found a new guilty pleasure!! Stay tuned for more Nancy Drew.....in graphic novel and novel format!!
This was my first encounter with Nancy Drew and sure it was not a Nancy Keene novel it was a graphic novel, but I found this entertaining enough. I even enjoyed the story!! I really liked the character Nancy and her knack at solving crimes. Though she seems to be pretty scatter brained in her everyday life she is observant of details and is tireless when it comes to solving her mysteries.
Though the original series of novels were written prior to many of the scientific and technological advances we have now this story contains many modern items that help Nancy in her quest. I like the updated content and look forward to possibly comparing the novels and the graphic novels.
This is a relatively short book and was worth the read. Since I liked it so much I am glad I picked up a handful of these books at the library yesterday. I think I found a new guilty pleasure!! Stay tuned for more Nancy Drew.....in graphic novel and novel format!!
March 25, 2017
Terribly written, terribly illustrated. Where to even begin. The dialogue was so, so obviously written by a man trying to sound like a teenage girl. So many cliches. It all felt insulting to the female gender. The illustrations were confusing and annoying to the point of not wanting to even look at them anymore. I felt like he couldn't figure out what type of art to use. Should it look like manga? Should it have real photos with cartoon characters added? Should it be in focus or not in focus? Most of the illustrations were hard to view and were not in focus. Also, Nancy and her friends were drawn to look tall, thin, and with sex appeal. WTF. It's for children for goodness sake.
January 18, 2016
This is the second in a series of Nancy Drew graphic novels. One of the examples of how this series is updated is Nancy's reference to a cell phone, something which she could have made major use of in the regular Mystery series if they had just existed at the time.
An archaeologist claims he has found a stone that proves that the Chinese were in North America well before Columbus and he plans to give a speech on the stone, but it disappears. There's a creepy old guy that works three jobs and a young male brat who thinks it's okay to stay away from home overnight without telling his mother where he is.
The story shows just how far some will go to protect their own arrogance. A fairly good second story for the series.
An archaeologist claims he has found a stone that proves that the Chinese were in North America well before Columbus and he plans to give a speech on the stone, but it disappears. There's a creepy old guy that works three jobs and a young male brat who thinks it's okay to stay away from home overnight without telling his mother where he is.
The story shows just how far some will go to protect their own arrogance. A fairly good second story for the series.
March 3, 2008
I was pretty surprised when I found out that Nancy Drew, the classic girl detective novel, had been revamped into a modern day teen graphic novel. I have to admit though; it was a pretty fun read. Nancy still has her wit, smarts, and curiosity, plus now a hybrid car, a cell phone, and a keen sense of 21st century style. Reading the story was just like watching an episode of Veronica Mars, another smart and fashionable high school detective. I would use these graphic novels as a way to get reluctant readers interested in the popular mystery series.
June 14, 2010
I decided to read a few more graphic novels. These Nancy Drew graphic novels are kind of fun because they mesh together the classic Nancy Drew series with the upcoming graphic novel genre. I like watching how the authors and illustrators work together to create the authenticity of the books.
This story is about a stone that is stolen. At the same time a boy goes missing. Nancy is certain that the two disappearances are connected. I have not finished it quite yet so I am in no danger of giving away any spoilers.
Genre: Adventure, mystery
This story is about a stone that is stolen. At the same time a boy goes missing. Nancy is certain that the two disappearances are connected. I have not finished it quite yet so I am in no danger of giving away any spoilers.
Genre: Adventure, mystery
November 29, 2011
This book was a great surprise to learn about and see that Nancy Drew was carrying on as a graphic novel now. While I wasn't too keen on the art style, I still sucked it up and enjoyed it. The story was good, but Nancy was a bonehead! She was so absent minded and forgetful, this was nothing like the real Nancy Drew in the main series. I was disappointed about that, but it was still a fun read.
One other thing I am wondering about is where the heck is Helen Corning? Nancy seems to only be hanging out with Bess and George now. Don't get me wrong, I like Bess and George, but I liked Helen too.
One other thing I am wondering about is where the heck is Helen Corning? Nancy seems to only be hanging out with Bess and George now. Don't get me wrong, I like Bess and George, but I liked Helen too.
April 22, 2007
A graphic novel based on Nancy Drew! Alright!!! I was skeptical, but since I grew up reading Nancy Drew, and I love comics...I had to try it out. What a fun series! The girl sleut is thoroughly modern and a great tweenie read, although I think my 1st grader will like it too. I had to read it first, but now I'm passing it along. What fun!
January 8, 2010
This book, i got for Christmas from my Stepdad.
It actually changed my perspective on comic books...
I actually like comic books now.. =)
NANCY DREW ROX! ;->
It actually changed my perspective on comic books...
I actually like comic books now.. =)
NANCY DREW ROX! ;->
January 29, 2010
Another short little read, but I enjoyed it.
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July 21, 201188 pages
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews