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Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #68
The Elusive Heiress
Librarian's note: An earlier/alternate edition with similar cover and same ISBN is listed here.
Nancy's search for the long-missing daughter of an aging millionaire takes her to Cheyenne, Wyoming, during its annual Frontier Days celebration.
Nancy's search for the long-missing daughter of an aging millionaire takes her to Cheyenne, Wyoming, during its annual Frontier Days celebration.
206 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1971
7 people are currently reading
1326 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
948 books3,854 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 15, 2020
If I was a kid, I'd give it a 5, but as an adult it'd be a 3. So split the difference at 4. Same for it being set at Frontier Days, it'd give it a 5. Did a pretty cute job with all that. However, the depiction of Cheyenne itself is more like a 3. Living there, I thought the description tried but did not succeed. Finally, the mystery itself was 4 ish, cute Nancy Drew -- fine kid plot and childhood memory, but not anything I couldn't have predicted from almost page 1.
August 25, 2021
Fun to read a book from a favorite childhood series especially since it was set in Cheyenne.
August 25, 2023
4 stars. I enjoyed this book. It's very exciting and has some lovely names (such as Clarinda Windthorpe's herself!). There were a few words I personally wouldn't use; Ned & Nancy have their arms around each other a lot and it's mentioned that she kisses him. The old Nancy books are the best. Still, the rodeo/cowboy parts were very nice, and the mystery intriguing.
October 24, 2020
Nancy heads to Cheyenne to find an "Elusive Heiress", however on the flight she and Ned become responsible for a young girl travelling on her own. When their flight lands and the girl's mother is nowhere to be found - Nancy then has two mysteries on her hands! The setting is against the local rodeo, which offers some interesting background and there are a few nasty encounters with the bad guys as Nancy is caught in a runaway stagecoach and charged at by a rodeo bull! She also has to rescue Carson, who's fallen foul of the villains in his own way.
I'd called the ultimate villain almost from the beginning but this was a fun romp throughout!
I'd called the ultimate villain almost from the beginning but this was a fun romp throughout!
September 1, 2021
Reading about Frontier Days through Nancy's eyes was fun.
June 16, 2017
Most of this adventure took place during Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming, which occurs in the latter half of July. Nancy, Ned, and the little girl, Jennifer, took part in parades, rodeos, chuckwagon races, and even a street square dance, when they weren't chasing crooks or would-be kidnappers.
Nancy's father, Carson Drew, should probably consider taking out a "kidnap insurance" policy on himself, or hire a couple of bodyguards. He gets in trouble more often than his 18-year-old daughter!
Nancy's father, Carson Drew, should probably consider taking out a "kidnap insurance" policy on himself, or hire a couple of bodyguards. He gets in trouble more often than his 18-year-old daughter!
March 14, 2015
I'm an older adult who grew up reading Nancy Drew & the Hardy Boys and just totally enjoyed them. Well now that I've reread it, I can only state how innocent and easily entertained we were back then. Not saying i didn't enjoy it, just saying how simple and light in subject it is.
I wonder if today's teens would enjoy it?
I wonder if today's teens would enjoy it?
August 28, 2023
Little Free Library find. This Nancy Drew is from 1982 and is the first one I've read from that era. Bess and George and their boyfriends aren't in it.
Carson Drew is looking for the Clarinda, daughter of an old client who is in poor health. The daughter left home 40 years earlier rather than give up her soldier boyfriend. The last place she was seen was in Cheyenne Wyoming. Mr. Drew receives a mysterious phone call telling him he can find information about Clarinda at a lodge in Calgary. He heads there, sending Nancy and Ned to Wyoming. At the airport, they meet a young girl who is also going to Chayenne. Nancy and Ned agree to keep an eye on her until her mother picks her up at the airport. When they arrive, the mother is nowhere to be found and now they're looking for 2 missing people.
Nancy shows a picture of Clarinda to a local man who says that is someone named Lorna. Further sleuthing reveals that Clarinda moved away and changed her name to be with her soldier. And she has a daughter, who also has a daughter.
The old man's nephew, who has been in charge of his affairs, was trying to make sure no other relatives were found so he could have the estate to himself. He arranged for Carson Drew to go to Calgary and drugged him in an abandoned lodge.
This one is more modern Western and less Scooby Doo. Nancy is a little more timid than in the earlier books, but still manages to get herself into all kinds of scrapes. Modern readers will be amazed at the ease with which she is able to fly across the US and Canada at the drop of a hat - no passport or ID needed back then, and apparently plenty of affordable seats available. The story takes place during Frontier Days, so we get to learn all about the rodeo. I found it odd that the locals were rude in both Cheyenne and Calgary, they seem fairly friendly to me IRL. The plot was relatively obvious, but the book was still entertaining.
Carson Drew is looking for the Clarinda, daughter of an old client who is in poor health. The daughter left home 40 years earlier rather than give up her soldier boyfriend. The last place she was seen was in Cheyenne Wyoming. Mr. Drew receives a mysterious phone call telling him he can find information about Clarinda at a lodge in Calgary. He heads there, sending Nancy and Ned to Wyoming. At the airport, they meet a young girl who is also going to Chayenne. Nancy and Ned agree to keep an eye on her until her mother picks her up at the airport. When they arrive, the mother is nowhere to be found and now they're looking for 2 missing people.
Nancy shows a picture of Clarinda to a local man who says that is someone named Lorna. Further sleuthing reveals that Clarinda moved away and changed her name to be with her soldier. And she has a daughter, who also has a daughter.
The old man's nephew, who has been in charge of his affairs, was trying to make sure no other relatives were found so he could have the estate to himself. He arranged for Carson Drew to go to Calgary and drugged him in an abandoned lodge.
This one is more modern Western and less Scooby Doo. Nancy is a little more timid than in the earlier books, but still manages to get herself into all kinds of scrapes. Modern readers will be amazed at the ease with which she is able to fly across the US and Canada at the drop of a hat - no passport or ID needed back then, and apparently plenty of affordable seats available. The story takes place during Frontier Days, so we get to learn all about the rodeo. I found it odd that the locals were rude in both Cheyenne and Calgary, they seem fairly friendly to me IRL. The plot was relatively obvious, but the book was still entertaining.
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July 3, 2022As I'm familiar with the troupes employed by these books the outcome was fairly obvious: Nancy will often be working on two mysteries that end up being linked. It’s one of the few books NOT to include Bess and George but Ned is along for ride. This is also the second book in a row (The Sinister Omen) where Carson Drew is kidnapped/held against his will! Not a silly as some and pretty actioned packed I enjoyed this one a lot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2019
Okayish.
Reliving childhood memories
Reliving childhood memories
September 2, 2019
This is a good addition to the series ... reminded me more of the original books.
October 31, 2019
Need to read this one again, but lets be honest Nancy Drew is classic.
May 5, 2021
Another fabulous and squeaky clean mystery with the classic Nancy drew style of writing. ❤😍 Excellent!
October 22, 2021
Loved the fun setting of this one - Cheyenne, Wyoming during Frontier Days!
May 31, 2021
Synopsis: Nancy is asked by her father Carson Drew to take on a case for millionaire Arlo Winthrop, who had disinherited his daughter Clarinda Winthrop when she was 18 over 40 years ago when she refused to marry a suitable match. But has made attempts to find her over the last 10 years without success - her last known location was in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Review: Nancy’s hands were a bit tied in this one as she felt responsible for Jennifer, a little girl she picks up early in the story and has to constantly foil attempts by the bad guys to kidnap Jennifer. Also Carson appears early on and then completely disappears and kind of bookends the story. I have only read a few of the books so far but I think I prefer the stories where Nancy is off and chasing the clues and where she gets to travel from place to place more. This was the the responsible and dependable Nancy on display here - but nice to know she has so many sides to her character!
Review: Nancy’s hands were a bit tied in this one as she felt responsible for Jennifer, a little girl she picks up early in the story and has to constantly foil attempts by the bad guys to kidnap Jennifer. Also Carson appears early on and then completely disappears and kind of bookends the story. I have only read a few of the books so far but I think I prefer the stories where Nancy is off and chasing the clues and where she gets to travel from place to place more. This was the the responsible and dependable Nancy on display here - but nice to know she has so many sides to her character!
April 10, 2019
I read Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys throughout my school and college days.
Nancy Drew is an amateur detective who solves crimes with occasional help from her best friends, Bess and George and, her boyfriend Ned. She also has occasional help from her father Carson Drew who runs a private law practice. From finding stolen goods to missing persons and solving mysterious happenings, Nancy is a force of nature.
Until I discovered that Carolyn Keene is a pen name for a whole bunch of ghostwriters, I used to feel confused about the slight differences in each character from books to book over the many series of Nancy Drew mysteries. I like the character of Nancy best in the original books written by Mildred Wirt Benson where Nancy is truly a character to root for – an independent and street smart girl with a penchant for trouble.
Nancy Drew is an amateur detective who solves crimes with occasional help from her best friends, Bess and George and, her boyfriend Ned. She also has occasional help from her father Carson Drew who runs a private law practice. From finding stolen goods to missing persons and solving mysterious happenings, Nancy is a force of nature.
Until I discovered that Carolyn Keene is a pen name for a whole bunch of ghostwriters, I used to feel confused about the slight differences in each character from books to book over the many series of Nancy Drew mysteries. I like the character of Nancy best in the original books written by Mildred Wirt Benson where Nancy is truly a character to root for – an independent and street smart girl with a penchant for trouble.
June 11, 2014
Nancy is on her way to Cheyenne, Wyoming searching for the estranged daughter of a millionaire before the sick old man dies. His daughter was last seen in Wyoming many years ago. On the trip to Wyoming Nancy meets Jennifer, a little girl who is supposed to be meeting her mother when they land, but the girl's mother never shows up. Now Nancy has two mysteries and two missing women to locate. What has happened to Jennifer's mother and who are the two men who seem so interested in the girl? Will Nancy Drew be able to reunite mother and daughter and locate the missing heiress before time runs out?
August 9, 2014
It was my first Nancy Drew book. And then the journey just began. At that time I would have given it 4 stars but I was ignorant about the great books which awaited my reading later. Its a good book for children.
December 19, 2007
read 02.25.84
September 19, 2013
Only problem than I had with this book was that I knew how it would end then moment they realized that Jennifer's mother was missing.
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October 12, 2013jujh
September 13, 2014
I read a lot of Nancy Drew books while growing up, but this was my hands-down, all time favorite... because it was set in my hometown of Cheyenne, Wyoming! I probably read it 15 times...
January 11, 2015
the books are great.
June 19, 2009
Nancy searches for the daughter of a millionaire
April 25, 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.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews