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Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys: Super Mystery #14
Tropic of Fear
While on vacation in Hawaii, Nancy Drew meets up with Frank and Joe Hardy, who are working undercover in the islands, and together they investigate a murder with sinister implications for the Honolulu's legendary Grand Hawaiian Hotel. Original.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1992
2 people are currently reading
352 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
1,004 books3,867 followersCarolyn 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 24, 2019
I feel like I checked this out of the library a lot as a kid and I don't understand why because it is a TERRIBLE Frank/Nancy book. For heaven's sake, Frank and George are the ones who get kidnapped together!!!!
This also has some Hawaiian stuff that I don't claim to know the veracity of but also maybe struck me as not great? I do appreciate the fact that these books go different places and try to involve local cultures, but they also run the risk of coming off as varying degrees of racist or leaning heavily on problematic stereotypes.
The next one should have less of that, but it's about tennis and that should be hilarious for 2019 Jess.
This also has some Hawaiian stuff that I don't claim to know the veracity of but also maybe struck me as not great? I do appreciate the fact that these books go different places and try to involve local cultures, but they also run the risk of coming off as varying degrees of racist or leaning heavily on problematic stereotypes.
The next one should have less of that, but it's about tennis and that should be hilarious for 2019 Jess.
February 8, 2021
I don't really like the Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys (Case)Files, and I do not normally enjoy the Super Mysteries, but I greatly enjoyed this one.
There is also some cool information on actual Hawai'ian culture that is worked into the plot, it is not all just surfing and tourism, and I appreciate that element. There is a strong message of preserving Hawai'i's beauty, culture, and spirit, that we can't let it be consumed by chains and tourists, which I loved. I appreciate when a book like this can add something meaningful that will be taken away from it, at least in your subconscious.
Nancy works well with Frank and Joe, and there is no weird romance between her and Frank, which was a huge relief to me.
The plot is interesting, and the setting is beautiful. There are a few different subplots, but I think that they were able to function well together. There is a murder, but the body is soon whisked away and not mentioned much, which is good for people like me who don't go for that stuff.
The plot is very layered and complex, although I had no trouble following it. The book doesn't sound as good as it actually is. It is more of a big international high-stakes important mystery, which I enjoy. If you like the original Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series, like me, this book will be more accessible than the (Case)Files or other Super Mysteries.
A big fan of both Nancy and the Hardys, I found this book a thrilling adventure in beautiful Hawai'i.
There is also some cool information on actual Hawai'ian culture that is worked into the plot, it is not all just surfing and tourism, and I appreciate that element. There is a strong message of preserving Hawai'i's beauty, culture, and spirit, that we can't let it be consumed by chains and tourists, which I loved. I appreciate when a book like this can add something meaningful that will be taken away from it, at least in your subconscious.
Nancy works well with Frank and Joe, and there is no weird romance between her and Frank, which was a huge relief to me.
The plot is interesting, and the setting is beautiful. There are a few different subplots, but I think that they were able to function well together. There is a murder, but the body is soon whisked away and not mentioned much, which is good for people like me who don't go for that stuff.
The plot is very layered and complex, although I had no trouble following it. The book doesn't sound as good as it actually is. It is more of a big international high-stakes important mystery, which I enjoy. If you like the original Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series, like me, this book will be more accessible than the (Case)Files or other Super Mysteries.
A big fan of both Nancy and the Hardys, I found this book a thrilling adventure in beautiful Hawai'i.
June 9, 2025
Take a drink everytime another rental car is ruined or when someone has to make a call on a payphone. How did these 18 year olds even get so many rental cars loaned to them??
It’s allll happening in this one:
-volcano in the sky
-lots of scenic views. The atmosphere in this one was actually well written. I felt like I was in Hawaii. -car teetering over the edge of a cliff
-murder in the parking garage
-guns and tranquilizers
-medicinal flowers
-stereotypical Hawaiian shaman healer connected with the earth and sky
-someone thrown in a waterfall with their hands tied
-kidnapping x2
-island hopping
-stolen Hawaiian relics
-deposed dictator
-death by lava
Published in 1992.
It’s allll happening in this one:
-volcano in the sky
-lots of scenic views. The atmosphere in this one was actually well written. I felt like I was in Hawaii. -car teetering over the edge of a cliff
-murder in the parking garage
-guns and tranquilizers
-medicinal flowers
-stereotypical Hawaiian shaman healer connected with the earth and sky
-someone thrown in a waterfall with their hands tied
-kidnapping x2
-island hopping
-stolen Hawaiian relics
-deposed dictator
-death by lava
Published in 1992.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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September 2, 2019DID ANYONE READ ANY OF THOSE NANCY DREW/HARDY BOYS TEAM UP ONES? I REMEMBER ONE IN LIKE QUEBEC CITY OR MONTREAL AND ONE IN HAWAII.
LOL I SHIPPED NANCY/FRANK. THE ONE ON THE CRUISE SHIP AND THE ONE WHERE THEY WENT ON A SKI TRIP WERE THE BEST.
I READ A COUPLE BUT I FOUND THEM BORING.
LOL I SHIPPED NANCY/FRANK. THE ONE ON THE CRUISE SHIP AND THE ONE WHERE THEY WENT ON A SKI TRIP WERE THE BEST.
I READ A COUPLE BUT I FOUND THEM BORING.
August 3, 2022
Omg I loved this book so much. I loved the way it was both Nancy, Bess, George, and the Hardy brothers. I would definitely read this book again and would recommend this book if you like mystery.
April 22, 2008
I checked this out of the library because it was Nancy Drew/ HArdy boys supermystery. I really enjoyed it- especially with the chemistry that Frank and Nancy share (even though they each have a significant other in their own towns). It is obvious that Nancy, Frank and Joe work very well together. This also had George Fayne and Bess Marvin. I really enjoyed this book because Nancy was able to find the bad guys just in time (as usual).
September 18, 2012
Read this back in grade school during the 90s. I remember loving this series so much! Such a shame it's so hard to find these nowadays. I have a mind to collect the titles that look interesting based on the synopsis.
August 13, 2014
Most of the Nancy Drew & Hardy Boys Super Mysteries are fun nostalgia trips for me, this one wasn't. The plot was pretty weak and the dialog was weaker. Add in a strong helping of racist stereotypes and you've got a book that I won't be recommending anytime soon.
December 25, 2021
5/5
Nancy Drew is at the Grand Hawaiian Hotel in Hawaii, enjoying a vacation. She finds a man on the ground near her jeep, covered in blood and dead from a bullet wound. Nancy suspects motives of greed, corruption, and scandalous behavior are involved.
Nancy Drew is at the Grand Hawaiian Hotel in Hawaii, enjoying a vacation. She finds a man on the ground near her jeep, covered in blood and dead from a bullet wound. Nancy suspects motives of greed, corruption, and scandalous behavior are involved.
November 11, 2013
This is probably closer to three stars, but I'm giving it for because I used to love it when I was a kid.
June 7, 2018
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews