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Nancy Drew Files #59
High Risk
It looks like Evaline Waters, a River Heights resident, is knee-deep in trouble. A huge corporation is suing her for her land; they want to tear down her house and put up a warehouse. And documentation of the zoning law that would protect Evaline's right to keep her land is missing. Figures! I've got to find that document, but it's hard to focus on the land when I'm cruising at ten thousand feet. See, Ned and I are taking flying lessons, him with Colonel Lang, a friend of his family, and me with Frank Beltrano, an instructor at our local airport. It's a good thing I'm good at juggling more than two balls at once. Too bad I'm not the only one.
160 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1991
14 people are currently reading
588 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
1,040 books3,921 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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 - 30 of 40 reviews
August 12, 2023
A Quickie Review
Not sure what I can say about this franchise that I haven't already said; it's a fun, cutesy, kid-friendly mystery...but, you already knew that, right?
Score: 4/5
Not sure what I can say about this franchise that I haven't already said; it's a fun, cutesy, kid-friendly mystery...but, you already knew that, right?
Score: 4/5
February 26, 2021
This was awesome!!!!
Though I seriously can't believe people would steal documents, and
Like seriously, I wanna fly one too
This is offically the second or third best book in the series :D
Though I seriously can't believe people would steal documents, and
Like seriously, I wanna fly one too
This is offically the second or third best book in the series :D
October 6, 2016
Despite what Goodreads says, this is not the same book I read last year; it may have the same title and be attributed to the same author, but the story is different. I enjoyed it, though.
July 12, 2022
3.5 stars
January 11, 2022
Heyyy mi fellow goodread readersss.
I really hope you had an AMAAAAAAAAZING new year!!!!
I know I kind of just forgot about GR for some time but no I gotta buckle up cuz im back on track.
Yeah peeps so lets get started with my first review of the year lets gooooooo 2022!!!!!!!!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA (i literally do this in every review)- AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
THIS BOOK WAS GREATTTT.
Like its mi first time reading Nancy Drew and it kinda impressed me, a very picky reader.
Anyway, I was maybe a lil' bit surprised at the end but I think that I might have read some better mystery books.
This was actually a book assigned to me but i finished it in 4 days ( lol i know i need 2 improove!)
I would actually totally recommend this book to u if you want a medium-spiced, normal, mystery book to read.
I cannot wait to read the other Nancy Drew books!!!
Pls do recommend me Nancy Drew type books cuz i think Im in mystery, crime era lol. I guess everyone has their own era.
Anyways, comment your new year resolutions and your weird ones😂 everyone's got 1 atleast!
Good luck for this new year and I hope your year REALLYYYY goes AMAZINGLY!!!!!
HAPPY 2022 PEEPS!!!!!!
: )
I really hope you had an AMAAAAAAAAZING new year!!!!
I know I kind of just forgot about GR for some time but no I gotta buckle up cuz im back on track.
Yeah peeps so lets get started with my first review of the year lets gooooooo 2022!!!!!!!!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA (i literally do this in every review)- AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
THIS BOOK WAS GREATTTT.
Like its mi first time reading Nancy Drew and it kinda impressed me, a very picky reader.
Anyway, I was maybe a lil' bit surprised at the end but I think that I might have read some better mystery books.
This was actually a book assigned to me but i finished it in 4 days ( lol i know i need 2 improove!)
I would actually totally recommend this book to u if you want a medium-spiced, normal, mystery book to read.
I cannot wait to read the other Nancy Drew books!!!
Pls do recommend me Nancy Drew type books cuz i think Im in mystery, crime era lol. I guess everyone has their own era.
Anyways, comment your new year resolutions and your weird ones😂 everyone's got 1 atleast!
Good luck for this new year and I hope your year REALLYYYY goes AMAZINGLY!!!!!
HAPPY 2022 PEEPS!!!!!!
: )
September 30, 2025
I'm currently in a reading slump and picked this up, as I knew it would be a light read.
It seems I was wrong. Light it was not. Thoroughly engaging, it was! I finished it in a matter of hours. What else is one to expect from Nancy Drew?
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a short but engaging read that will keep them on their toes, anxious to turn each page!
It seems I was wrong. Light it was not. Thoroughly engaging, it was! I finished it in a matter of hours. What else is one to expect from Nancy Drew?
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a short but engaging read that will keep them on their toes, anxious to turn each page!
August 10, 2013
I'll definitely be reading more of these.
$ star as I found the information about planes a little tedious. Otherwise I enjoyed the book.
$ star as I found the information about planes a little tedious. Otherwise I enjoyed the book.
March 19, 2022
In this Nancy Drew mystery, Nancy is trying to help a neighbor in River Heights who may lose her home and property to a large corporation. Nancy follows the clues with her friends, Bess & George, to find a way to save Evaline Waters' home. In this spin off of the classic Drew series, we learn more about Neds' family background and one of his father's friends, Colonel Lang is pivotal to helping Nancy solve the mystery. I loved that Nancy learned to fly a small Cessna in this book and she really does well with it (but Nancy does do everything top notch). This is definitely an entertaining mystery, not a lot of red herrings, that I'd recommend to fellow Nancy Drew fans.
July 21, 2025
⭐⭐⭐
HIGH RISK by Carolyn Keene
When one of River Heights residents is taken to court over a land deed, Nancy jumps in to help. When she discovers a historic document could be the answer, she goes on the look for it---only to find it missing. As she works to unearth what happened, Nancy uncovers more than she bargained for.
HIGH RISK was boring---honestly. Mainly just the case---missing document---it just didn't hook me the way I wanted. I still managed to fly through it, but the predictability of this one left little room for shock at the discovery. My younger self would have loved this though, which is why I rated it a neutral 3 stars.
HIGH RISK by Carolyn Keene
When one of River Heights residents is taken to court over a land deed, Nancy jumps in to help. When she discovers a historic document could be the answer, she goes on the look for it---only to find it missing. As she works to unearth what happened, Nancy uncovers more than she bargained for.
HIGH RISK was boring---honestly. Mainly just the case---missing document---it just didn't hook me the way I wanted. I still managed to fly through it, but the predictability of this one left little room for shock at the discovery. My younger self would have loved this though, which is why I rated it a neutral 3 stars.
October 13, 2021
Наконец добралась до знакомства с известной серией книг о девочке-сыщице Нэнси Дрю. И, надо сказать, что с этим знакомством я опоздала лет так на двадцать, а то и больше. Ничего плохого не хочу сказать про эту книгу, просто я уже вышла из возрастной категории, на которую этот детектив рассчитан. К сожалению это не одна из тех книг, что приятно читать и взрослым и детям. Вряд ли сюжет покажется увлекательным и непредсказуемым кому-то старше 10-12 лет.
October 6, 2019
This is another cute addition to the modern day Nancy Drew series. (Although considering how in awe they are of things like George being able to “find information on the Internet”, calling it modern is a bit of a stretch now. Still, compared to the original series it’s downright futuristic.)
In any case, these really are just fun to read!
In any case, these really are just fun to read!
September 15, 2017
It was a really good book.
October 28, 2017
Took me a while to finish but it was a light, fun read. I don't know if it was just my copy but some words and names were misspelled.
May 25, 2019
I love Nancy Drew novels. The newer ones are just as good as the older ones, but set in a more modern atmosphere. I loved this book!
August 22, 2021
Just finished with my daughter and we both enjoyed this one much more than others in this series! Some real mystery and drama!
March 17, 2022
I loved Nancy Drew growing up and I still love reading these books. In the detective stories she's made out to be almost a superhero and it can get a bit tedious at times but all in all it's good.
Read
September 14, 2022I was unable to finish this book before leaving Florida on 2/27/22
September 22, 2022
Better than average with some good flying detail.
May 4, 2023
Idc what this book implies, nothing will ever be worse than my experience with American Airlines
(Fly ‘Southwest’ kids)
(Fly ‘Southwest’ kids)
January 28, 2025
Things happen when Nancy's around.
March 15, 2018
Nancy defeats high flying smugglers in this thriller.
this is the first I'd read of nancy's more recent escapades. I love the updated version, cell phones and computers but i miss the romance of the 80's.
An old friend of Ned's family comes to visit after neds father begins getting weird calls about a delivery. A Neighborhood staple maybe losing her house because of a housing development and there's angry people at the airport.
i loved all the twists in this one but i felt that this was perhaps for a younger crowd. Nancy was smart but she didn't seem as witty as her earlier works. i love when a mystery has layers and this one definitely didn't disappoint.
I highly recommend.
this is the first I'd read of nancy's more recent escapades. I love the updated version, cell phones and computers but i miss the romance of the 80's.
An old friend of Ned's family comes to visit after neds father begins getting weird calls about a delivery. A Neighborhood staple maybe losing her house because of a housing development and there's angry people at the airport.
i loved all the twists in this one but i felt that this was perhaps for a younger crowd. Nancy was smart but she didn't seem as witty as her earlier works. i love when a mystery has layers and this one definitely didn't disappoint.
I highly recommend.
September 1, 2024
4.5 stars. Ned is an absolute useless dumbass therefore he gets accused of murder. Queen Nancy and her big brain and bad bitch ways have to solve the case so that he doesn't get life in prison. In other words I loved this one a whole hell of a lot. LOL. Such a fun read. Carson Drew had to get involved and you know shit has gotten too real for Nancy when she has to get him on a case with her. I had such a great time reading this and it's definitely one of my favorites in the series.
October 4, 2016
The story goes on thrilling us. Nancy tries to help her neighbour's house from being taken away from her, and while searching for an ancient law associated with her case, but in the meanwhile, Nancy finds another case! all of these with high flying lessons!
The book interweaves two cases and the story comes out well planned.
The book interweaves two cases and the story comes out well planned.
November 27, 2019
The Worst Couple in the World (tm) are in trouble. Jerky Ned is a jerk and gets accused of murder after being a jerk. He doesn't want to listen to Nancy who is after all ONLY a famous detective. He really annoyed me in this book. Sit down and shut up and let your girlfriend rescue you again!
May 15, 2025
Ned and his reputation are at "high risk" in this one. He is working as a claims detective when his overzealoousness and luckless nature makes things go downhill
Can Nancy solve a case this close to heart?
There is also the factor of the two detectives and their opinions clashing at times.
Can Nancy solve a case this close to heart?
There is also the factor of the two detectives and their opinions clashing at times.
August 22, 2008
This is the best Nancy Drew book at of all the mystery books I've read. This also has many thrillers in this book you will NEVER get bored.
October 9, 2008
not much yet but i know that Nancy will find a knew mystery!
November 13, 2010
I think about this book as a good way to see people clearly and to know more about a detective work is done.
September 29, 2010
Awesome!!!! But sort of scary. Not really.
February 14, 2011
I liked this book a lot more. It had more of the Nancy Drew elements that I really enjoy. She was not seeking a mystery but found one. She figures things out just in time. I really enjoyed this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews