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Nancy Drew Files #54
Cold As Ice
Nancy spends a winter weekend on campus -- and finds that crime is on the curriculum Ned invites Nancy, Bess, and George to Emerson College's Winter Carnival for four days of nonstop skiing, skating, and sleigh riding. But a jewel heist on campus puts a big chill on the weekend, and the police believe they have their man cold. His name is Rob Harper, and he's one of Ned's best friends! Convinced of Rob's innocence, Nancy undertakes an investigation of her own. But the action on ice proves more slippery than she expected. Someone at Emerson is out to teach Nancy a lesson and show her just how dangerous winter sports can be. When it comes to jewelry, some like it hot -- and the carnival of crime is heating up fast!
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
8 people are currently reading
383 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
964 books3,859 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 5, 2021
FIVE THUMBS UP!!! AMAZING BOOKS! I am surprised I didn't find them sooner!
Recommended for anyone and everyone!
Recommended for anyone and everyone!
August 10, 2014
This was a surprise. Normally I'm not a fan of the books that take place at Emerson college but this was good. It actually took me until the end of the book to figure out the culprit. Normally I can guess very early into the book. There's no dramatic show down at the end either which was a nice change of pace.
June 4, 2018
Unfortunately, I didn't realise this was part of the Nancy Drew Files series until I finished it. I've never been the biggest fan of this spin-off series, and most of the stories set at Ned's Emerson College are a little too convenient... which was probably why I wasn't the biggest fan of Cold as Ice.
The story was incredible generic. I could have told you who the culprit was the moment they walked into the story. None of the 'twists' were shocking or even remotely interesting. And while I adore Nancy as a character, I hate how unbelievable her crime-solving skills are. In real life, random individuals would not be allowed to investigate crimes over the police. No uni headmaster is going to let one of their student's girlfriend investigate a crime when the police are already on it. Nancy has no qualifications, and really no right to be poking into the crimes she does in this series. Plus she hardly seems to know what she was doing. She picks up evidence without gloves at one point. Like what? You're meant to be a detective for goodness sake, how do you not know that you wear gloves at crime scenes!?
Overall, this was definitely not my favourite Nancy Drew story. The original series is much better in my opinion, and I'd recommend them over this spin-off series every time. I'm still glad I read this, because I love Nancy Drew and I'm always willing to read a new mystery if she's going to be investigating it, but I was disappointed my this one.
The story was incredible generic. I could have told you who the culprit was the moment they walked into the story. None of the 'twists' were shocking or even remotely interesting. And while I adore Nancy as a character, I hate how unbelievable her crime-solving skills are. In real life, random individuals would not be allowed to investigate crimes over the police. No uni headmaster is going to let one of their student's girlfriend investigate a crime when the police are already on it. Nancy has no qualifications, and really no right to be poking into the crimes she does in this series. Plus she hardly seems to know what she was doing. She picks up evidence without gloves at one point. Like what? You're meant to be a detective for goodness sake, how do you not know that you wear gloves at crime scenes!?
Overall, this was definitely not my favourite Nancy Drew story. The original series is much better in my opinion, and I'd recommend them over this spin-off series every time. I'm still glad I read this, because I love Nancy Drew and I'm always willing to read a new mystery if she's going to be investigating it, but I was disappointed my this one.
December 9, 2021
I read this for my December "Winter/Holiday Themed Books" Challenge.
Nancy, and her friends, George & Bess, visit Emerson College (where Nancy's long-term boyfriend, Ned, attends) for the Winter Carnival. They're soon dropped into a series of bad events, from a fire to a museum theft. Nancy narrowly escapes harm on the frozen lake and on the slopes, but eventually pieces together the clues to uncover the culprit.
Nancy Drew books are always dependable, and the mysteries are pretty decent. Great reading for any age!
Nancy, and her friends, George & Bess, visit Emerson College (where Nancy's long-term boyfriend, Ned, attends) for the Winter Carnival. They're soon dropped into a series of bad events, from a fire to a museum theft. Nancy narrowly escapes harm on the frozen lake and on the slopes, but eventually pieces together the clues to uncover the culprit.
Nancy Drew books are always dependable, and the mysteries are pretty decent. Great reading for any age!
August 31, 2017
I enjoyed this one. Although the culprit was so obvious and it frustrated me that Nancy didn't even suspect the person! They clearly had motive/opportunity from the beginning, but still Nancy doesn't even consider the person as a suspect until the end. Also, Nancy doesn't really investigate the suspects in the book, like asking questions or snooping through their things, but focuses on the evidence and her thinking. The ending wasn't your typical Nancy is in danger and has a showdown with the culprit sort of ending, which was nice. Overall, an entertaining interesting read. 3 stars.
November 27, 2019
Love icy mysteries! The gang are at Emerson for a Winter Carnival when one of Neds friends is accused of being a jewel thief. For once Ned isnt a complete nob when Nan investigates! Weird climax though!
March 31, 2024
3 stars. This was fine. Not my favorite. I was a bit bored with it. The mystery didn’t capture my attention but I did like that the culprit reveal felt like an actual surprise. That was fun but everything about this was underwhelming for me.
September 12, 2024
This was a fairly easygoing Nancy Drew mystery. Nancy, Bess, and George are visiting Ned at Emerson College when they get involved in solving a jewel heist. These mysteries are always a mix of nostalgia and fun. Can't wait to read more!
April 24, 2021
Sandra review
This was a good book thank to Nancy and her friends to solved the crime and got the right people in jail
This was a good book thank to Nancy and her friends to solved the crime and got the right people in jail
May 14, 2021
Cute as always.
March 8, 2024
It was okay. My first Nancy Drew book and possibly my only one unless someone can make a case for a better one?
January 9, 2025
This was way better than I thought it would be! I assumed it would be another boring jealousy Ned-fest, but it was actually very exciting!
Read
March 23, 2025DNF 22% lost interest
Another jewel thief
Another jewel thief
March 2, 2015
This is the first book of this series that I have read. I am a huge Nancy Drew fan and I had never heard of these books before or this series. I was really excited when I learned that the Nancy Drew computer games from Her Interactive are based off of some of these books.
I thought this was a pretty good little light read. The characters are relatable and they all have a clear voice. I loved that "whodunit". mystery style to this. Although, I will say that I kind of had my suspicion of who the guilty person was a little less than half way through the book. I can't wait to check out more books in this series. There are 124 books in all and I'm hoping I can find all of them.
If you're a fan of the original Nancy Drew books I would give these a go. They are more modern and are set in the 80's and 90's. More of a teen and college Nancy Drew series. I'd say for ages 13 and up maybe.
I thought this was a pretty good little light read. The characters are relatable and they all have a clear voice. I loved that "whodunit". mystery style to this. Although, I will say that I kind of had my suspicion of who the guilty person was a little less than half way through the book. I can't wait to check out more books in this series. There are 124 books in all and I'm hoping I can find all of them.
If you're a fan of the original Nancy Drew books I would give these a go. They are more modern and are set in the 80's and 90's. More of a teen and college Nancy Drew series. I'd say for ages 13 and up maybe.
July 2, 2012
a nice thrilling book....great sequences of events
May 30, 2019
This is a fairly standard Nancy Drew book but with less danger.
December 15, 2015
I've actually never read any of the Nancy Drew books until I came upon this one. It's a nice simple read and fun for people who are just getting started in reading mysteries.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews