On the Trail of Trouble

Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #148

by Carolyn Keene

During a trip to Black Hills Buffalo Ranch near Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Nancy Drew and her friends, Bess and George, set out to discover who has stolen a baby buffalo from the ranch. Original.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Childrens, Juvenile, Thriller, Adventure, Mystery Thriller

160 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1999

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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

[LuAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first this one didn't grab me, but eventually the setting and the incidents of the mystery became interesting enough that I ended up liking it. I always enjoy when Nancy and chums travel to the a new place and learn about the history and geography so liked that the Badlands and paleontology are part of the mystery. It's too bad that the girls are always too busy with mysteries to really enjoy these places; Bess and George are real troopers to miss out on the light and music show at Mt. Rushmore that moved Bess to tears last summer!

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Melmo2610 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another interesting adventure for Nancy and her friends. The up close look at Mount Rushmore was a cool element to the story and the mystery was good.

[Anissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A more modern Nancy Drew story. Interesting storyline of bison rustlers and Mt Rushmore.

[Shri · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting story of Nancy drew and his friends who encountered countless adventures in the past. She has a three friends whose names are George, Kincaid and Bess. The story is about a baby bison and the mother who got kidnapped from the ranch. The story happens around Mount Rushmore and Bad Land. The story has enjoyable characters and wonderful narration. In my opinion, bravery in the story led to more thrill and mystery.

The events in the story are unclear, leaving the audience guessing. Among all the character my favorite character was George because he was the most helpful from all of them. It think nancy was the most postive and comforting person in the story.

In my opinion this book was amazing because of detail, creativity and it had many unexpected twists.


I recommend this book to people who love adventures and Suspense.




.

[Saradha Devi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy, Bess, and George can hardly believe their eyes when they arrive at the Black Hills Buffalo Ranch. Aside from the awesome natural scenery, Mount Rushmore National Memorial—with four larger-than-life US presidents—towers nearby. But the girls have no time for sightseeing: They’ve come to help Bess’s friend Kincaid Turner find out who stole a baby buffalo named Justice from her father’s ranch.

At first, stealing a buffalo seems like a strange thing to do, but as Nancy and her friends investigate, they find a whole herd of suspects. Antoinette Francoeur, an eccentric animal rights activist, makes a habit of freeing caged creatures. Badger Brady, a rival buffalo rancher, has been making threats—with an ax. And some archaeologists in the area aren’t happy about the girls’ snooping. Now it’s Nancy’s turn to round up the clues and stop a buffalo thief in his tracks.

[Sohila Kaur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping and enthralling!
Good settings and enjoyable characters.