The Stranger in the Shadows

Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #103

by Carolyn Keene

When Paula DeJagger, an exchange student staying with one of Nancy's friends, begins acting strangely, Nancy investigates and discovers that Paula and other exchange students are being blackmailed to commit crimes

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

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1991

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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

[Chloe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like this book was alright. Although the book had a pretty good story line/plot to it, I just didn't connect with the characters. I feel like this book was kind of just straightforward, and I figured out the whole mystery around halfway through the book which just made the rest of the book pretty mediocre, and boring. I feel like the author did a great job on the story, however I feel that she can add a bit more to the actual mystery part, like adding more description, maybe making the plot a little less obvious. This book was alright, however I personally wouldn't read it again.

[Jiyoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very fun mystery, but the culprit was a tad predictable (I mean, nobody except the program director would've been able to coordinate the letters in the flyer exactly so that every 3/4/5th word spelled out a threatening message). This clue is given pretty late in the book, though, so all in all it was an exciting read.

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.

[Angela Reimann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was sooooo good!!!!

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I also guessed this one, but it was just so good

[Amanda Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Threatening phone calls, blackmail, petty theft, arson, and a handsome Irish guy.
3.5 stars

[Fitsum Habtemariam]

nancey drew the best detective

[LuAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mysterious exchange student angle and her problem was new and it's nice to have a mystery set in winter once in a while. Another good one.

[V. Arrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

The synopsis made this seem like it would feel more urgent than it did, although it didn't NOT fulfill its premise. The writing was just very flat.

[Prami{reader and dreamer} · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars