Nancy Drew Files: #42,45,47

The Nancy Drew Files Collector's Edition

by Carolyn Keene

Near fine in glossy red boards - small peeled spot to back cover, some toning to the pages. . Hardcover first edition - First thus- a hardcover omnibus edition. Hardcover edition which combines three titles in the Nancy Drew files - Wrong Chemistry; Out of Bounds; and Flirting with Danger - which were originally published in paperback. Each is numbered individually - 150, 152, 152 pp.

Genres: Fiction

453 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1998

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

All three books in this collector's edition were fun light reading. It brings back memories of my childhood when I couldn't wait until my birthday or x-mas to get more Nancy Drew books. I was addicted and to this day mysteries are still my favorite books to read.

[Waterfall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nostalgia trip. :~) Nancy Drew stories are still entertaining, although I could spot the plot a mile away and reading three in a row revealed the formulaic writing. I loved these books as a kid though, and I think it's good for kids to have a series with such a strong female main character.

[Aubrey Shirabuki-sama · Rating 4 out of 5]

brook gave this book to me i don't know if she read it but the last two stories were great and the first one was O.K.

[Posie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE Nancy Drew. This is one of my favorite compilations.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE BEST......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!