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Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys: Super Mystery #4
Dangerous Games
This is a typical used book. When a visitor picks it up and looks it over it will look as if you've read it even if you have not gotten to it yet.
218 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 28, 1989
14 people are currently reading
653 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
992 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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 - 20 of 21 reviews
April 3, 2018
Weirdly good Frank/Nancy book considering Ned is right there. Also, the Norwegian prince thing holds up less well on reread for me considering I know more about actual Norwegian royalty. There was one right there! Why wasn't he the target???
December 31, 2012
I am a total shipper of frank x nancy and i really loved the cute moments between them.....o how i wish frank and nancy would become a couple!!!!!
June 12, 2018
Nancy Drew is in Santa Teresa California, a fictional city located north of LA to find a saboteur and ensure a sports competition goes off without a hitch. Her close friends, Frank and Joe Hardy have also been assigned, coincidentally, in this case.
The writers of this series have amazed me in the way they knit these mysteries together, taking the time to unveil a culprit the reader may have been least to suspect. Dangerous Games was no exception, quick, engaging, and a lil' bit cliché. Fans of the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew will find themselves trying to solve the case along with their favorite sleuths - and in this case, one unraveled into two surprising mysteries.
There's some familiar romantic intrigue here, between Frank and Nancy. Bess falls head over heels for one of the athletes at the competition, and George starts dating another.
A few kisses occur, but none passionate enough to warrant an eye roll. Nancy thinks about how cute Frank is, then feels guilty after since she's still seeing Ned Nickerson.
Violence also is a factor, yet not a seemingly large one. A man is rushed to the hospital, a near drowning occurs, someone almost runs a main character off the road. Things are that typical in this series.
Overall, it's not my favorite of the Super Mysteries that I've read, since it was written from mostly Nancy's perspective. Nancy Drew fans recognize that it's hard for her to focus on anything but her work. Dangerous Games was predictable near the end, hardly gave us the chance to connect emotionally but I didn't have the highest of expectations regardless. Three and a half stars for an interesting turn of events and well thought out mystery.
The writers of this series have amazed me in the way they knit these mysteries together, taking the time to unveil a culprit the reader may have been least to suspect. Dangerous Games was no exception, quick, engaging, and a lil' bit cliché. Fans of the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew will find themselves trying to solve the case along with their favorite sleuths - and in this case, one unraveled into two surprising mysteries.
There's some familiar romantic intrigue here, between Frank and Nancy. Bess falls head over heels for one of the athletes at the competition, and George starts dating another.
A few kisses occur, but none passionate enough to warrant an eye roll. Nancy thinks about how cute Frank is, then feels guilty after since she's still seeing Ned Nickerson.
Violence also is a factor, yet not a seemingly large one. A man is rushed to the hospital, a near drowning occurs, someone almost runs a main character off the road. Things are that typical in this series.
Overall, it's not my favorite of the Super Mysteries that I've read, since it was written from mostly Nancy's perspective. Nancy Drew fans recognize that it's hard for her to focus on anything but her work. Dangerous Games was predictable near the end, hardly gave us the chance to connect emotionally but I didn't have the highest of expectations regardless. Three and a half stars for an interesting turn of events and well thought out mystery.
May 13, 2012
#5 on my Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys Super Mystery re-read of 2012
THE CHECKLIST:
A compelling and interesting mystery. √ (actually, I might have followed most of the mystery storyline for once)
Joe flirting with all the females. √√
Surprising twists. √
Nancy trying to ignore her attraction toward Frank due to the fact they are both seeing other people but still lusting after him anyways √√√
George/Bess/Joe getting attached and then her heart (almost) broken by a new guy/girl actually, surprisingly this time, their significant others for the story did NOT turn out to be involved in the case
Joe or Frank or Nancy or George or Bess getting almost killed/murdered/maimed/kidnapped/locked away etc before being rescued at the last possible minute by one (or two or three) of the others √√√√√ (Out of the 23 chapters, 16 ended with a cliffhanger of someone either in peril or almost dying or finding a dead body. You know, the usual thing you expect to find in a NDHB supermystery)
A happy ending that wouldn't have come around if the teenage detectives hadn't figured it out. √
Okay, so this book had the plotline of the five teenage sleuths going to southern California for an Olympic esque Championship games for young teenagers/adults. One of the championshoins is getting death threats, Nancy (+ Bess and George) and the Hardy boys go to investigate. I had to laugh during certain sections of this book because while the ghost writer made up names for the university and beaches and towns they were in, she was clearly trying to imitate towns like Santa Barbara or Malibu which you know, is exactly what SoCal is like. LOL. Anyways, this book is worth the read. It's intriguing and I like all the secondary characters and the case was actually interesting for a chance. Although, once again, Nancy and Frank share a moment (actually, moment(s)) and Ned gets all jealous and doesn't return Nancy's calls/see her for like 2 days until they make up towards the end and now I see what the common theme of this series is. Not the mysteries, or private islands or the way these five kids always seem to run into each other on cases. No, it's the Nancy-Ned-Frank triangle that really makes Ned (and Nancy for the matter) look like the bad guy. I can see that is the running theme throughout these books. And people wonder why that was my strongest impression when I read these books as a kid.
THE CHECKLIST:
A compelling and interesting mystery. √ (actually, I might have followed most of the mystery storyline for once)
Joe flirting with all the females. √√
Surprising twists. √
Nancy trying to ignore her attraction toward Frank due to the fact they are both seeing other people but still lusting after him anyways √√√
George/Bess/Joe getting attached and then her heart (almost) broken by a new guy/girl actually, surprisingly this time, their significant others for the story did NOT turn out to be involved in the case
Joe or Frank or Nancy or George or Bess getting almost killed/murdered/maimed/kidnapped/locked away etc before being rescued at the last possible minute by one (or two or three) of the others √√√√√ (Out of the 23 chapters, 16 ended with a cliffhanger of someone either in peril or almost dying or finding a dead body. You know, the usual thing you expect to find in a NDHB supermystery)
A happy ending that wouldn't have come around if the teenage detectives hadn't figured it out. √
Okay, so this book had the plotline of the five teenage sleuths going to southern California for an Olympic esque Championship games for young teenagers/adults. One of the championshoins is getting death threats, Nancy (+ Bess and George) and the Hardy boys go to investigate. I had to laugh during certain sections of this book because while the ghost writer made up names for the university and beaches and towns they were in, she was clearly trying to imitate towns like Santa Barbara or Malibu which you know, is exactly what SoCal is like. LOL. Anyways, this book is worth the read. It's intriguing and I like all the secondary characters and the case was actually interesting for a chance. Although, once again, Nancy and Frank share a moment (actually, moment(s)) and Ned gets all jealous and doesn't return Nancy's calls/see her for like 2 days until they make up towards the end and now I see what the common theme of this series is. Not the mysteries, or private islands or the way these five kids always seem to run into each other on cases. No, it's the Nancy-Ned-Frank triangle that really makes Ned (and Nancy for the matter) look like the bad guy. I can see that is the running theme throughout these books. And people wonder why that was my strongest impression when I read these books as a kid.
October 13, 2015
Ned annoyed me more than usual in this one and the culprit was a good choice. It took me a while to get through it though (maybe 3 days?) cuz I wasn't super invested in it maybe? Still, I love me some Frank/Nancy drama!
March 25, 2016
So much Frank and Nancy romance in this one... They need to be a couple already
October 17, 2021
I am way too invested in Nancy Drew and Frank Hardy 🙈 it’s FINE I’m FINE
December 21, 2021
I couldn't resist. Another nostalgic read.
Nancy Drew and her friends are on the case with The Hardy Boys. There is some trouble brewing at the International Championship Games in California. Some athletes are being threatened by a mysterious person named the Ridder. It's up to Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys to figure it out.
🌞🌞🌞 (3/5 Stars)
#nancydrew #thehardyboys #tabbyslibrary
Nancy Drew and her friends are on the case with The Hardy Boys. There is some trouble brewing at the International Championship Games in California. Some athletes are being threatened by a mysterious person named the Ridder. It's up to Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys to figure it out.
🌞🌞🌞 (3/5 Stars)
#nancydrew #thehardyboys #tabbyslibrary
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January 12, 2020Oh nostalgia. I love Nancy Drew, and really wanted to relive my childhood a little. This book had a mystery that was ridiculous, involving stray javelins of death, Norwegian folklore (who knows if it was real folklore), steroids, and romance. Ridiculous, weird, and just plain fun.
March 31, 2020
I really enjoyed this mystery!!! way better than the other two.
I love how every one that Bess is in it turns into: Bess falls in love with a guy and does nothing to help the investigation.
Good francy too...
I love how every one that Bess is in it turns into: Bess falls in love with a guy and does nothing to help the investigation.
Good francy too...
May 26, 2019
It's nice to have the whole gang together, both sides: Frank, Joe, Nancy, Bess, George. Ned. An exciting read, multiple mysteries that all roll into one.
November 1, 2023
So hokey. Still giving it a 4
December 10, 2023
Ned is so toxic. Ned being toxic counts as Francy content. Also good Francy content.
January 10, 2025
This had some good Francy and NedxNancy wholesome content. There were also pretty good twists and turns that I didn’t see coming.
January 27, 2025
Good standard fare, with hints of attraction between Nancy & Frank
November 5, 2025
Not enough Frank and Nancy imho and the mystery was kind of meh. But a fun nostalgia read nonetheless.
November 10, 2010
The story revolves around International Championship Games which are going to held in California. Two Norwegian athletes (brother and sister) who are top contenders to win in their respective disciplines are continuously threatened by a mysterious person. Nancy and the Hardys work together to unmask that man. However, during the course of investigation a misunderstanding arises between Ned and Nancy (because of Frank Hardy). In other words, there's a bit of triangle between Ned, Nancy, and Frank. The mystery was really super. The other characters were great, especially the athlete ones. The plot was interesting and full of suspense.
January 25, 2010
Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mystery
October 10, 2015
goooood
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2016
It's an awesome book. When Nancy gets absolutely stuck, Hardys come along; and when Hardys reach locked state Nancy appears... both in very non-fictional ways.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 21 reviews