In Search of the Black Rose

Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #137

by Carolyn Keene

During a trip to England's Oxford University with her father, Nancy Drew is drawn into a investigation into the life and death of Dame Gwyneth Davies, a famous mystery writer, and uncovers a dark veil of family secrets and tragedy. Original.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Childrens, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Detective, Thriller

160 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1997

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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

[Briar's Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always heard of Nancy Drew as a kid yet none of our local libraries had the books in stock. So, fittingly, as an adult I've been trying to pick up these books whenever I can. And boy, they are a delight!

These middle grade books are fun with a mystery that is just within reach. If you pay enough attention, you can put together the pieces yourself (and any middle grade detective will love that!). This book sees Nancy, her Father, and two of her friends off to Oxford University in the U.K. During a dinner in a college, an arrow is shot near Nancy... and thus a mystery begins. One that all ties back to a black rose... Are the professors, students, or the public to blame? Nancy will surely be able to solve this one with a little help from her friends.

This book is an easy and fast read that holds up to this day. I thoroughly recommend this for middle grade readers who love a mystery or adult readers who want a little bit of nostalgia.

Four out of five stars.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember getting this book for my birthday when I was in fourth grade. I loved it so much that I still think back on it as one of my favorite childhood books.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting mystery and a perfect setting in England. Liked this one a lot.

[Micky Parise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pick this up as a quick read. Brought back tons of memories reading Nancy Drew and Hardy boys. Recommend.

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Navya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing mystery, loved it.

[Heather Willey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this before I went to Oxford, I adored Nancy Drew books as a kid and wanted to read about one of my favorite characters where I'd be living.

[Sandra Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sandra review

Another case and another solved, good job to Nancy drew and her friend and to her. Father also for helping

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t believe the culprit will only be charged with “harassment, breaking and entering, and reckless endangerment”…. Nancy Drew is too kind. We need to add attempted murder to the list.

[Frog]

Note after speed reading a bunch of these:

The most interesting books in this series appear to be around the mid 100s point. (Passages, puzzles, riddle, castles, etc). Incidentally, these are the ones most like the video games (if not the ones they were based on).
The middle ones are quite dumb and focus more on boys and flirting rather than being very puzzle-and passage-y — Video games are more constructive than reading at that point. Meanwhile, the earlier ones are hit or miss, and much more noticeably old fashioned.

Books like "In Search of the Black Rose" are mainly what I picture and want when I think of Nancy Drew.

[Leona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy Drew. her father, and two friends, George and Bess, and in England at Oxford University.
The mystery begins when an arrow is shot and lands near Nancy on the table when they are at a formal dinner.
Someone is trying to stop her and her friends from solving a riddle of the black rose.
I have not read a Nancy Drew book for years and find I still like them. This book was published in 1997.
Only 151 pages so very quick to read.
This is a paperback I own.

[Kalena · Rating 4 out of 5]

J/YA fiction. Long-time fan of Nancy Drew, so reading this brought back fond memories. Getting educational tidbits in my reading is pleasurable for me, even if it is written for a younger audience. Quick but fun read.

[Linnea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neiti Etsivä ystävineen etsii mustia ruusuja Oxfordista.

Yllättäviä viestejä, uhkauskirjeitä, fysiikan lakeja rikkovia kiviä ja aivan liian monimutkaisia suunnitelmia. Viihdyttävä kuitenkin, Heljä Heikkinen lukee tämän oivallisesti.

[Leyla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up in our little free library. I remembered the books from my childhood and wanted to revisit them for a fun, easy read. This was a good one, set in Oxford. Wasn’t sure what to expect as an adult but it kept me engaged!

[Durgga DK · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was awesome !!

[Johanna Juntunen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical Nancy Drew book. Loved these when I was young. Not remembering reading this while young though...

[Asia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read in 9th grade

[Miri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nancy is at Oxford, when suddenly at dinner an arrow with a message of danger attached is shot at the table in front of her.

This was the first Nancy Drew book I ever read. It captured by attention, the plot is in solid Nancy style.

[Kamaria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well,
I've never really read and am really unfamiliar with the Nancy Drew short-story-book collection.
This is the 137th case? I guess? Well, all I can say is she's smart enough to go through and solve a hundred and thirty-seven cases...

[Sohvi · Rating 3 out of 5]

En koskaan nuorena lukenut Neiti etsiviä, varmaan siksi kun kaikki niistä tykkäsivät ja yleensä en jaksa mennä massan mukana.

Pakko kyllä sanoa, että oli aika viihdyttävä kirja. Hauskat hahmot ja jännät tapahtumat. Pitänee joskus lukea tai kuunnella näitä enemmän. Lukija sopi tähän loistavasti.

[V. Arrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun American Who Doesn't Understand England Writes England In The 90s book! Not as loony as the Sweet Valley Werewolf Trilogy -- nothing is -- but still pleasantly fake and mysterious and silly. And one of the more "classic" feeling mysteries of this ND era.

[Bethany N Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good mystery; kept me entertained the whole time!

[Anchit · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well I was looking for a light read so I had picked up this book. I couldnt turn the page after around 30 as it felt pretty kiddish. Well, thats my fault - I'm currently 27. :)

[Pinja Ilván · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jännittävä

[Laura Jager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dit is mijn favoriete boek in de Nancy Drew serie. Ik vind Oxford geweldig en ben daarom ook heel blij dat zich het daar afspeeld. Ik vind dif een heel leuk, interessant boek met een geweldig mysterie.