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Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #130
The Sign of the Falcon
After her father, Carson Drew, travels to New York to hear a friend's shocking deathbed confession, he disappears, and Nancy must uncover a murder mystery that is twenty years old. Original.
160 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1996
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785 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
993 books3,864 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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
September 8, 2021
Love me some Nancy Drew! Nancy, Bess and George are staying with Aunt Eloise in New York, trying to locate her missing father.
The beginning of the story is a bit slow-paced as they interview the five people whose names were on a list that Nancy found in Carson's hotel room. A lot of traveling back and forth with little action.
By the middle of the book, things pick up as Nancy zeros in on the suspect(s.)
The end was awesome! After reading many of the Nancy Drew Files series, this ending was more in line with those, which was a complete bonus! One suspect becomes an unexpected ally. The very surprising ending was definitely good but I'm not really sure that the reader could have solved the mystery before the big reveal. There were some good clues that I picked up on, but still the ending was unpredictable.
I gave it four stars due to the slow beginning and the almost unsolvable ending, but I really enjoyed the book and would highly recommend it if you enjoy Nancy Drew!
The beginning of the story is a bit slow-paced as they interview the five people whose names were on a list that Nancy found in Carson's hotel room. A lot of traveling back and forth with little action.
By the middle of the book, things pick up as Nancy zeros in on the suspect(s.)
The end was awesome! After reading many of the Nancy Drew Files series, this ending was more in line with those, which was a complete bonus! One suspect becomes an unexpected ally. The very surprising ending was definitely good but I'm not really sure that the reader could have solved the mystery before the big reveal. There were some good clues that I picked up on, but still the ending was unpredictable.
I gave it four stars due to the slow beginning and the almost unsolvable ending, but I really enjoyed the book and would highly recommend it if you enjoy Nancy Drew!
November 2, 2018
Found this on my shelf and thought I’d give it a quick read since it’s an OG. Obviously would have been good for 10 yr old me, but 24 yr old me needs more to sink my teeth into. I’ll be recommending this to people with young readers for sure!
July 25, 2023
Excellent mystery in this one-the mystery of Nancy trying to solve how 5 seemingly unconnected people figure into her fathers’s unexplained disappearance in New York City was one I loved. Great installment of the series!
May 5, 2017
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
June 21, 2017
Interesting to have a 20 year old mystery at the base, but while all ND mysteries are contrived, this was overdone and suspects are stereotyped.
February 5, 2020
A short and sweet mystery. I enjoyed it!
October 13, 2021
The grammar was a bit off but otherwise a good story.
September 24, 2010
When I received independent reading assignment sheet, I could not decide proper book for me because I usually do not read much and I did not know my reading level exactly. Therefore, I asked for Ms. Kalis which book was appropriate to me and she recommended this book. Actually, I like mystery novel so I could read through the end without getting tired. NANCY DREW the Sign of the Falcon, written by Carolyn Keene, begins Nancy’s father disappears without any contact from him in New York. Although she and her friends get involved in many troubles after another, they try to find him with a memo which is written a falcon and six strange people’s name. In the climax scene, it made me feel uneasy. Moreover, I could not expect that person was a criminal! This book was relatively easy to read even for me so I recommend it to someone who loves to read mystery story. And also, I heard this author wrote many mystery novels so I would like to read another one if possible.
May 4, 2013
Don't remember much but I liked Nancy and the mysteries.
February 1, 2025
The pacing could really have been ratcheted up and it would have sorely helped the tension the story needed. This was a bit flat and uninspired.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews