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Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #38
The Mystery of the Fire Dragon
Eloise Drew asks her niece to investigate the disappearance of her neighbor, a young university student. In New York, Nancy, Bess and George are drawn into the intrigue and danger of a smuggling ring. Nancy plans a clever ruse: George is disguised as the missing Chinese girl! The girl detective is also suspicious of an unpleasant bookstore owner and his loud, overbearing female customer. A series of clues lead the girls to Hong Kong. Ned, who is studying in Hong Kong, joins them. The amateur detectives follow more clues to the international smuggling ring. This book is the original text. A revised text does not exist.
182 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1961
136 people are currently reading
2510 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
1,084 books3,899 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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 - 30 of 165 reviews
September 14, 2018
Most reviewers on here and on Amazon really loved this book; I didn’t. It didn’t read like an old Nancy Drew mystery, at least not one where they are finding secrets in an old attic, or believe that there are ghosts in an old mansion, or see shadows in the night. It also wasn’t written by Mildred Wirt Benson, who wrote many of the Nancy Drew books that I loved. And why can’t I find out who really wrote this one? Also, what is Ned Nickerson doing living in Hong Kong. My, this series has changed, this book being written in 1961.
In this story, Nancy Drew receives a call from her Aunt Eloise, who lives in an apartment in New York. Her neighbor’s granddaughter, Chi Che is missing. So Nancy and her friends fly to New York to help solve the mystery.
Her friend, George Fayne, dresses up like Chi Che because she looks Chinese. Yeah, right. I could never figure out why they thought that this stunt would help them find Chi Che, nor could I figure out why a fire cracker going off in front of Chi Che’s grandfather’s apartment door was going to scare him, and what even the purpose was.
Anyway, Nancy and her friends get to fly to Hong Kong to solve this mystery, and so the story becomes a little more exciting, as from dull to okay. They meet Ned, who helps them solve the mystery, or so it seems, but at least it gets solved, and I am now able to read other more exciting books.
Note: Written in 1961.
In this story, Nancy Drew receives a call from her Aunt Eloise, who lives in an apartment in New York. Her neighbor’s granddaughter, Chi Che is missing. So Nancy and her friends fly to New York to help solve the mystery.
Her friend, George Fayne, dresses up like Chi Che because she looks Chinese. Yeah, right. I could never figure out why they thought that this stunt would help them find Chi Che, nor could I figure out why a fire cracker going off in front of Chi Che’s grandfather’s apartment door was going to scare him, and what even the purpose was.
Anyway, Nancy and her friends get to fly to Hong Kong to solve this mystery, and so the story becomes a little more exciting, as from dull to okay. They meet Ned, who helps them solve the mystery, or so it seems, but at least it gets solved, and I am now able to read other more exciting books.
Note: Written in 1961.
February 23, 2024
The Good: Nancy Drew is one of the most beloved and well-known literary characters, so, you'd expect this book to be great...and it is! A seemingly unsolvable whodunit leads the famed teenage sleuth to two different corners of the globe. Will she be able to track down the culprits? (If you've read these books before, the answer is obvious.) Like a good television series, this is one where every episode keeps my interest.
The Bad: Nothing, really; it just wasn't spectacular.
Content Concerns:
Sex: None. 5/5
Nudity: None. 5/5
Language: None. 5/5
Violence: Mild violence throughout. 4/5
Drugs: None. 5/5
Frightening/Intense Scenes: Scenes of peril; themes of kidnapping. 4/5
Score: 4/5
The Bad: Nothing, really; it just wasn't spectacular.
Content Concerns:
Sex: None. 5/5
Nudity: None. 5/5
Language: None. 5/5
Violence: Mild violence throughout. 4/5
Drugs: None. 5/5
Frightening/Intense Scenes: Scenes of peril; themes of kidnapping. 4/5
Score: 4/5
February 24, 2021
Nancy's #38 takes readers from River Heights to New York and to Hong Kong - even all her buddies go (Ned is learning Cantonese and is conveniently present for all the important protection bits). Fun for George, too, she gets to wander in Chinese disguise because she has that haircut, and has an Asian figure. Yeah, there was some stereotyping going on, that popped me out of the tale waving flags.
Chinese culture was lightly explored and characters were sympathetically portrayed. Nancy and Ned go to Aberdeen. . ."It's the oldest village of the fishermen of Hong Kong Island," he explained. "Families live on the junks and even in the small sampans." Tidbits like this send me a-googling and I found the very restaurant Ned took Nancy to . . .Sea Palace. (Yes, I know, this is fiction. But still. . .) Turns out there have been a number of them, all famous and popular. Right now, it is under the name Jumbo Kingdom and is closed due to COVID-19.
Anyway - #38 was a good read - I liked the range and different activities that were folded into Nancy's mystery solving.
On to #39!
Chinese culture was lightly explored and characters were sympathetically portrayed. Nancy and Ned go to Aberdeen. . ."It's the oldest village of the fishermen of Hong Kong Island," he explained. "Families live on the junks and even in the small sampans." Tidbits like this send me a-googling and I found the very restaurant Ned took Nancy to . . .Sea Palace. (Yes, I know, this is fiction. But still. . .) Turns out there have been a number of them, all famous and popular. Right now, it is under the name Jumbo Kingdom and is closed due to COVID-19.
Anyway - #38 was a good read - I liked the range and different activities that were folded into Nancy's mystery solving.
On to #39!
March 15, 2024
Title: The Mystery of the Fire Dragon
Author: Carolyn Keene
Series: Nancy Drew, 38
Release Date: January 1961
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap
Rating: 2 stars
Mini-Review: Okay so before anyone goes into this know that because of the times this is a very racist book. The whole thing is based around Chinese culture and includes a missing person, and Nancy and her friend George partake in yellow-face to try and throw people off by dressing George up as the missing Chinese girl, Chi Che Soong. I kept a tally marker for the racist things that happened and this book scored a 15. Would've finished it faster but I had to put it down for awhile because I needed a break. If it hadn't been for the racist stuff it would've been good, but unfortunately the racist part of the book is the majority of it.
Fan Cast:
Nancy Drew - Annalise Basso
Bess Marvin - Olivia Holt
George Fayne - Paris Berelc
Carson Drew - Peter Hermann
Ned Nickerson - Milo Manheim
Eloise Drew - Alicia Silverstone
Chi Che Soong - Elizabeth Yu
Author: Carolyn Keene
Series: Nancy Drew, 38
Release Date: January 1961
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap
Rating: 2 stars
Mini-Review: Okay so before anyone goes into this know that because of the times this is a very racist book. The whole thing is based around Chinese culture and includes a missing person, and Nancy and her friend George partake in yellow-face to try and throw people off by dressing George up as the missing Chinese girl, Chi Che Soong. I kept a tally marker for the racist things that happened and this book scored a 15. Would've finished it faster but I had to put it down for awhile because I needed a break. If it hadn't been for the racist stuff it would've been good, but unfortunately the racist part of the book is the majority of it.
Fan Cast:
Nancy Drew - Annalise Basso
Bess Marvin - Olivia Holt
George Fayne - Paris Berelc
Carson Drew - Peter Hermann
Ned Nickerson - Milo Manheim
Eloise Drew - Alicia Silverstone
Chi Che Soong - Elizabeth Yu
January 10, 2019
The main character, aside from Nancy, does not appear in this book except by recollections told by her family and friends. She is perhaps kidnapped! Her name is Chi Che and she lives with her grandfather in New York City.
Nancy and her gal pals Bess and George visit Nancy's Aunt Eloise, who lives in the city, and who happens to be the next-door neighbor in an apartment building with Chi Che and her author grandfather.
And so it seems that George, who is limber with short, dark hair, somehow resembles Chi Che . . . Somehow the topic is almost handled sensitively: George putting on a silk dress and "Chinese" makeup. And anyway, Chi Che's kidnapper is a red-haired man, so he attempts to re-kidnap George-as-Chi-Che when he spots her on the street.
This man also kidnaps Nancy, who is lured on to a plane by a Chinese woman named Chi Che, but she (surprise!) is a different Chi Che who disappears from the plot as soon as she arrives.
Nancy does an impressive stunt during this kidnapping. While her hands are tied behind her back, she gets into her purse, finds her lipstick, and writes SOS backwards upon the airplane window. Her friend Ned sees the window and enlists a nearby pilot to chase and rescue the criminal plane! Hurrah!
To wind down, the pair go out to dinner: an exotic feast!
~Bacon and cucumber soup
~Stewed shrimp
~Sweet-and-sour pork
~Beef fried in oyster sauce
~Bamboo shoots
~Rice
~Almond tea
It must be a really special date! They forego their favorite snack of hamburgers and milk. That's good, kids! Try new things, you know, when you're not busy getting kidnapped or tracking down illicit manufacturers of mah-jongg sets!
And also, of course Nancy finds Chi Che, and the escape begins!
Nancy and her gal pals Bess and George visit Nancy's Aunt Eloise, who lives in the city, and who happens to be the next-door neighbor in an apartment building with Chi Che and her author grandfather.
And so it seems that George, who is limber with short, dark hair, somehow resembles Chi Che . . . Somehow the topic is almost handled sensitively: George putting on a silk dress and "Chinese" makeup. And anyway, Chi Che's kidnapper is a red-haired man, so he attempts to re-kidnap George-as-Chi-Che when he spots her on the street.
This man also kidnaps Nancy, who is lured on to a plane by a Chinese woman named Chi Che, but she (surprise!) is a different Chi Che who disappears from the plot as soon as she arrives.
Nancy does an impressive stunt during this kidnapping. While her hands are tied behind her back, she gets into her purse, finds her lipstick, and writes SOS backwards upon the airplane window. Her friend Ned sees the window and enlists a nearby pilot to chase and rescue the criminal plane! Hurrah!
To wind down, the pair go out to dinner: an exotic feast!
~Bacon and cucumber soup
~Stewed shrimp
~Sweet-and-sour pork
~Beef fried in oyster sauce
~Bamboo shoots
~Rice
~Almond tea
It must be a really special date! They forego their favorite snack of hamburgers and milk. That's good, kids! Try new things, you know, when you're not busy getting kidnapped or tracking down illicit manufacturers of mah-jongg sets!
And also, of course Nancy finds Chi Che, and the escape begins!
November 13, 2017
This is the first Nancy Drew book I've read as an adult, and I enjoyed it very much. The writing is fast-paced and interesting, and the mystery was entertaining. I was impressed with Keene's ability to make the mystery somewhat believable (certainly on a YA level), but it was amusing to read that the police went all-out to help Nancy solve the crime, even calling her with updates and allowing her to join them on searches and tails of suspects. There were an amazing amount of details that were simply glossed over and solved without any real effort, such as having unlimited money to fly to Hong Kong and the ability to get passports while they waited, simply on the basis of the policeman's vouching for them. There was certainly a difference in style since this book was written in the 1960's, which means the women all wore dresses and had to stop to make phone calls. I did like the message, though, of "right over wrong" and people helping each other and showing respect for each other. Very nice, light, old-fashioned read.
November 20, 2017
To be honest, I just read a whole bunch of Nancy Drew books, and I don't actually remember which one it was in, but so many of them had similar content that I'll just put it here: Why can't they be nicer to Bess? There were so many times when they actually told her to stop eating so much or she'd never have a man fall in love with her. Or that she was too fat, at which statement every one laughed, Bess blushed, and put down her cookie, and everyone acted like that was an ok way for friends to act. Again, it might not have been in this one, but this one probably had some commentary about Bess lack of restraint when it comes to food.
February 8, 2021
5+ stars & 6/10 hearts. Ooooooooo! Okay, this is one of my favourite Nancy Drews so far! I really, really liked the plot! Che Che was so nice, and so was her grandfather and uncle. I enjoyed the fact that the mystery was centred in New York and Hong Kong,--and the disguise!! It was quite an exciting story and full of awesome characters.
November 11, 2019
"Nancy Drew is called to New York City by her Aunt Eloise to solve a missing-person case. The granddaughter of her elderly Chinese neighbor, Mr. Soong, has been kidnapped. The search is on, first by disguising Nancy's friend George Fayne as the missing Chi Che, and then pursuing a lead at Chi Che's place of employment, a book store, where Nancy encounters its suspicious owner, Mr Stromberg. A series of clues leads the girls to Hong Kong, where Nancy's boyfriend, Ned Nickerson, joins the action" [x]
I've only read this once before and the only thing I remember about it is not liking it.
I've been terrible at writing reviews for the last few books I've read and this one is starting quite late into the book.
- I decided to do a quick research on Kowloon, which is where Nancy and the gang stays, and it was quite interesting. The hotel Nancy stays at, The Peninsula, is still up and operating and has an interesting history in itself. The Kai Tak airport is no longer in existence but it was the reason for the 3 story buildings Nancy comments on; the skyline was kept low for the planes.
- Nancy is so stupid for having gotten on the plane with the girl claiming to be Chi Che. It was clearly a trap as there was no reason Chi Che couldn't have gotten off the plane to talk to Nancy.
- While walking down the street of Kam Tin Nancy remarks that there's nothing to suggest Chi Che is being held prisoner there...what did Nancy expect? A giant sign saying "Chi Che Soong is definitely not being held prisoner inside this building, nuhuh, no way, never even heard of her so don't investigate in here, ok?".
You can read the rest of this review at VintageGirlsBooks.blogspot.com
You can see all the illustrations from this book at www.pinterest.com/Nancydrewart
May 27, 2025
Growing up, this was one of my favourite Nancy books. I also got REALLY into Chinese culture after this and have read up quite a bit about Chinese history and culture by now. So no underestimating even a passing exposure to different things in children's books. The exposure, even if unconvincingly done, is really useful!
In The Mystery of the Fire Dragon, Nancy and her friends set out to visit Nancy's Aunt Eloise in New York, where she wants them to look into the disappearance of her neighbour, a Chinese university student called Chi Che. But she is unaware that the girls will walk into a very elaborate smuggling ring while trying to find Chi Che and simultaneously protect her grandfather, Grandpa Soong.
There were quite a few wtf moments, the main of them being that good 'ole white George "looks exactly like" Chi Che and could pass off as her by just getting a hair cut and putting on Chi Che's clothes. I simply don't understand this part. Didn't as a child, don't now. But okay ...! The girls then eventually find a connection and fly off to Hong Kong, where Ned is studying Cantonese. Welll ... Plenty of suspension of disbelief required for this one.
But that said, I really enjoyed this book. The girls had a gala time. Bess and George were very involved in this mystery and didn't just hover in the background, the settings were awesome (New York and Hong Kong), and there was plenty of action. I enjoyed the descriptions of Kowloon Walled City, which was destroyed in 1994, and cannot be visited anymore.
We're already in 1961 when this book was published, so none of those horrible revisions were made to this one. A pretty good one!
In The Mystery of the Fire Dragon, Nancy and her friends set out to visit Nancy's Aunt Eloise in New York, where she wants them to look into the disappearance of her neighbour, a Chinese university student called Chi Che. But she is unaware that the girls will walk into a very elaborate smuggling ring while trying to find Chi Che and simultaneously protect her grandfather, Grandpa Soong.
There were quite a few wtf moments, the main of them being that good 'ole white George "looks exactly like" Chi Che and could pass off as her by just getting a hair cut and putting on Chi Che's clothes. I simply don't understand this part. Didn't as a child, don't now. But okay ...! The girls then eventually find a connection and fly off to Hong Kong, where Ned is studying Cantonese. Welll ... Plenty of suspension of disbelief required for this one.
But that said, I really enjoyed this book. The girls had a gala time. Bess and George were very involved in this mystery and didn't just hover in the background, the settings were awesome (New York and Hong Kong), and there was plenty of action. I enjoyed the descriptions of Kowloon Walled City, which was destroyed in 1994, and cannot be visited anymore.
We're already in 1961 when this book was published, so none of those horrible revisions were made to this one. A pretty good one!
October 11, 2014
Ned Nickerson is studying Chinese culture? Since when? Since The Leaning Chimney book?
Aunt Eloise(!) in NYC has a Chinese-themed mystery (nothing AT ALL to do with a Fire Dragon, though there are fireworks and a few references to dragons as Chinese legend) which conveniently leads Nancy and B&G to Hong Kong, where they were planning on going anyway. Not sure exactly who is paying for this but it sounds like Aunt Eloise picked up the tab. George masquerades as a Chinese girl, but apparently no one notices that she's 5'8".
Bess gets kidnapped in NYC, and Nancy gets kidnapped (conned onto a small plane) and Ned and the Navy get them to turn around and land the plane. Good thing this happened pre-9/11. Nancy gets kidnapped AGAIN right at the end, after some obnoxious woman falls for the Georga-as-Chinese-girl ruse AGAIN and guys take Nancy right to the Chinese girl, where they escape. This book is ostensibly about a smuggling ring but is mainly just about tracking down a kidnapped girl.
Nancy was knocked unconscious after someone hurled a flower pot down on her head in Chinatown.
Aunt Eloise(!) in NYC has a Chinese-themed mystery (nothing AT ALL to do with a Fire Dragon, though there are fireworks and a few references to dragons as Chinese legend) which conveniently leads Nancy and B&G to Hong Kong, where they were planning on going anyway. Not sure exactly who is paying for this but it sounds like Aunt Eloise picked up the tab. George masquerades as a Chinese girl, but apparently no one notices that she's 5'8".
Bess gets kidnapped in NYC, and Nancy gets kidnapped (conned onto a small plane) and Ned and the Navy get them to turn around and land the plane. Good thing this happened pre-9/11. Nancy gets kidnapped AGAIN right at the end, after some obnoxious woman falls for the Georga-as-Chinese-girl ruse AGAIN and guys take Nancy right to the Chinese girl, where they escape. This book is ostensibly about a smuggling ring but is mainly just about tracking down a kidnapped girl.
Nancy was knocked unconscious after someone hurled a flower pot down on her head in Chinatown.
September 25, 2011
Yet another great addition to the Nancy Drew mystery book series.
January 6, 2018
This mystery was very good, Nancy's aunt is suspicious when her neighbor disappears without a trace and calls Nancy to investigate the matter. Nancy two best friends Bess and George come along to help and they eventually travel to Hong Kong following clues where they meet up with another friend to try to crack the case.
August 5, 2019
The Mystery of the Fire Dragon (1961) is the 38th entry in the Nancy Drew mystery series. This time Nancy is called upon by her Aunt Eloise to investigate the disappearance of a young Chinese woman. The young woman is the granddaughter of Miss Drew's neighbor in her New York City apartment building. It soon becomes apparent that Chi Che has been kidnapped because she stumbled across something in her job at a bookstore that made her dangerous to a certain group of people. Nancy, Bess, and George set out to discover just what Chi Che found out and what these people are up to. The trail leads to Hong Kong--where fortuitously Carson Drew has business to attend to and Ned Nickerson just happens to be studying abroad. There are, in fact, several kidnappings, a couple of impersonations, and (as is to be expected) an exciting escape by Nancy.
There are several of the Nancy Drew stories that I read over and over (The Clue of the Broken Locket and The Clue of the Dancing Puppet are two that come to mind). But Fire Dragon was never one of them. I haven't any idea why. It involves a bookshop that contains clues to the mystery. It has Nancy making a daring escape at the end. And--going back and reading it as an adult, Some of the material and viewpoints are a bit dated, but I think the adventure itself holds up rather well. It was a lot of fun revisiting this episode in the Nancy Drew adventures--particularly since I didn't remember every last detail the way I would for several of the stories. ★★★★
I was left with one question at the end of the day: Why did the bad guys steal Grandfather Soong's manuscript? If an explanation for that was given, I totally missed it.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
There are several of the Nancy Drew stories that I read over and over (The Clue of the Broken Locket and The Clue of the Dancing Puppet are two that come to mind). But Fire Dragon was never one of them. I haven't any idea why. It involves a bookshop that contains clues to the mystery. It has Nancy making a daring escape at the end. And--going back and reading it as an adult, Some of the material and viewpoints are a bit dated, but I think the adventure itself holds up rather well. It was a lot of fun revisiting this episode in the Nancy Drew adventures--particularly since I didn't remember every last detail the way I would for several of the stories. ★★★★
I was left with one question at the end of the day: Why did the bad guys steal Grandfather Soong's manuscript? If an explanation for that was given, I totally missed it.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
August 2, 2016
Fun read! It's been a while since I've read one of this series, and I enjoyed the experience. Easy, fluffy, happy story that makes me wish I lived in a world where I could feel safe & secure about running around on my own while solving mysteries and exploring foreign countries -- knowing that even if you do get into trouble, you'll always discover a clever way of escape or will be rescued by vigilant friends! But the best part of reading this 182 page story is I finished it in less than a week, and it gets me caught up on my reading challenge!! Yeah, Nancy!! ;-)
Read
November 14, 2016Placeholder for reread of Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
February 7, 2019
Moving for the first time in over a decade and some of our books are not making the move. My wife decided that she did not need to hold onto a random pair of old Nancy Drew books. I never picked one of these up, so decided to give them a try before they ended up in a little free library.
And this is probably not the best book to start with. The characters feel relatively timeless, but the book is very dated. The biggest issue is the mid-century approach to life outside of the Western countries, so the characters make a lot of references to the Orient. That part is of its era...but the part that just doesn't play well in 2019 is that Nancy has one of her (white) friends dress up as the missing Chinese girl. They are doing it for a good cause...but it's...hmmm...not quite right. Especially when it has to happen several times in the book.
One other issue is that one of Nancy's friends is constantly being fat-shamed...while the illustrations present her appearance as basically the same as Nancy and George. And when Nancy, George, or other characters don't have the energy to bash on Bess, the author starts in on her. Here are a few samples:
--"...and the trail leads to New York City," guessed blond, slightly plump Bess.
--"Do you suppose Ned will bring along a couple of dates for George and me?" // George grinned. "He probably will. But maybe you'd better go on a diet, Bess. Your huge appetite may frighten the boys away."
--[going to a dinner with chopsticks] "I'll never be able to manage that and get enough to eat!" Bess said. Her companions laughed.
--Bess's worries did not seem to affect her appetite and she was able to eat every crumb of the food brought to her. George and Nancy declined dessert, but Bess and Ned ate custard-pudding dotted with almonds.
A few good lines / scenes:
--"It may be a clue," the girl detective remarked.
--Nancy, meanwhile, had slipped into the back room when the clerk was not looking. She knew that legally she must not open the drawers in the desk or the closet in the room. // "But maybe I can detect something without doing that," Nancy told herself.
--I've seen it in old comic books and movies, but can't remember a book that uses the trick of trying to knock out a character by dropping a plant on their head. But detectives must get a concussion or it isn't a real mystery.
--Okay, so Nancy Drew is a badass. 1) and 2)
--The classic ending to the older kid's series that reminds me of the line that pops up at the end of a James Bond movie "James Bond will return." Here we get: "The mystery of the fire dragon had been solved--there was nothing more for her to do! But Nancy was sure that soon another case would come along. It proved to be The Clue of the Dancing Puppet."
Though my next visit with Nancy Drew will be jumping backwards from book #38 to book #10...then they go to a local little free library.
And this is probably not the best book to start with. The characters feel relatively timeless, but the book is very dated. The biggest issue is the mid-century approach to life outside of the Western countries, so the characters make a lot of references to the Orient. That part is of its era...but the part that just doesn't play well in 2019 is that Nancy has one of her (white) friends dress up as the missing Chinese girl. They are doing it for a good cause...but it's...hmmm...not quite right. Especially when it has to happen several times in the book.
One other issue is that one of Nancy's friends is constantly being fat-shamed...while the illustrations present her appearance as basically the same as Nancy and George. And when Nancy, George, or other characters don't have the energy to bash on Bess, the author starts in on her. Here are a few samples:
--"...and the trail leads to New York City," guessed blond, slightly plump Bess.
--"Do you suppose Ned will bring along a couple of dates for George and me?" // George grinned. "He probably will. But maybe you'd better go on a diet, Bess. Your huge appetite may frighten the boys away."
--[going to a dinner with chopsticks] "I'll never be able to manage that and get enough to eat!" Bess said. Her companions laughed.
--Bess's worries did not seem to affect her appetite and she was able to eat every crumb of the food brought to her. George and Nancy declined dessert, but Bess and Ned ate custard-pudding dotted with almonds.
A few good lines / scenes:
--"It may be a clue," the girl detective remarked.
--Nancy, meanwhile, had slipped into the back room when the clerk was not looking. She knew that legally she must not open the drawers in the desk or the closet in the room. // "But maybe I can detect something without doing that," Nancy told herself.
--I've seen it in old comic books and movies, but can't remember a book that uses the trick of trying to knock out a character by dropping a plant on their head. But detectives must get a concussion or it isn't a real mystery.
--Okay, so Nancy Drew is a badass. 1) and 2)
--The classic ending to the older kid's series that reminds me of the line that pops up at the end of a James Bond movie "James Bond will return." Here we get: "The mystery of the fire dragon had been solved--there was nothing more for her to do! But Nancy was sure that soon another case would come along. It proved to be The Clue of the Dancing Puppet."
Though my next visit with Nancy Drew will be jumping backwards from book #38 to book #10...then they go to a local little free library.
June 5, 2018
Just a typical Nancy Drew mystery. In a good way. :)
I love Nancy Drew, and I have ever since I read my first ones SUPER out of order back in middle school. I think I just wanted to read them in the order they were on the shelf, which for some reason wasn’t in series order, but I remember starting with 40-something lol.
The Mystery of the Fire Dragon follows Nancy, Bess, and George as they help Nancy’s aunt and her Chinese neighbors to find the girl Chi Che. Chi Che is the niece of Aunt Eloise’s neighbor. They find themselves faking identities, sneaking through bookstores, and traveling abroad.
It’s kind of hard to review some of the Nancy Drew books because this was written more than 50 years ago and is considered children’s fiction. Some of the things said in reference to ethnicity would not be okay today. The whole time, the Chinese families and students were called Orientals. So that wouldn’t be okay, but at the time it was written it was a more acceptable term.
Like I said above, this was just a typical Nancy Drew mystery. I don’t think that it’s really possible to figure out ‘whodunnit’ because you’re never given enough information to make inferences, but it was still a fun read. It was super fast and I read it in one day.
I will forever recommend this series to young readers!
https://pointextaken.com/2018/06/05/r...
Aubrey Joy
I love Nancy Drew, and I have ever since I read my first ones SUPER out of order back in middle school. I think I just wanted to read them in the order they were on the shelf, which for some reason wasn’t in series order, but I remember starting with 40-something lol.
The Mystery of the Fire Dragon follows Nancy, Bess, and George as they help Nancy’s aunt and her Chinese neighbors to find the girl Chi Che. Chi Che is the niece of Aunt Eloise’s neighbor. They find themselves faking identities, sneaking through bookstores, and traveling abroad.
It’s kind of hard to review some of the Nancy Drew books because this was written more than 50 years ago and is considered children’s fiction. Some of the things said in reference to ethnicity would not be okay today. The whole time, the Chinese families and students were called Orientals. So that wouldn’t be okay, but at the time it was written it was a more acceptable term.
Like I said above, this was just a typical Nancy Drew mystery. I don’t think that it’s really possible to figure out ‘whodunnit’ because you’re never given enough information to make inferences, but it was still a fun read. It was super fast and I read it in one day.
I will forever recommend this series to young readers!
https://pointextaken.com/2018/06/05/r...
Aubrey Joy
February 11, 2023
There is something about Nancy Drew... I picked this one up and remembered how much I enjoyed them growing up. Visiting all my old friends, Nancy, Bess, George, Ned was fun, especially since this adventure took us to New York City and Hong Kong. The mystery was good and the adventure was addicting!
December 29, 2024
a pleasure alwayyssss. and also vintage nancy drew is a mood.
April 25, 2020
I loved that Nancy stepped out of her comfort zone and solved a mystery in a new place!
This one really had me questioning how realistic these books are, though. She goes to New York, and the NYPD listen and take her concerns seriously!
This one really had me questioning how realistic these books are, though. She goes to New York, and the NYPD listen and take her concerns seriously!
April 15, 2023
Such a delight to revisit this series - a childhood favorite. ❤️ Came across it (& other treasures) as my cousin was cleaning out the home that had been in my family for 3 generations.
I was pleasantly surprised to still find Nancy to be a fun read!! As a parent I question how her parents allowed her to put herself in such danger 🙃 but as a reader, ya know she’ll be okay!
I was pleasantly surprised to still find Nancy to be a fun read!! As a parent I question how her parents allowed her to put herself in such danger 🙃 but as a reader, ya know she’ll be okay!
April 23, 2020
see review on other edtion
November 13, 2017
I'm reading this as some kind of faux-nostalgic venture, which I do with Nancy Drew every once in a while. A few chapters in, I always remember that I don't really like her. My biggest association with her character--aside from that stupid late-2000s film--is this dig from Inside the Shadow City:
This 1961 story, never updated despite republication, holds up fairly well as a child-oriented adventure. It captures a very early-'60s feel, which suggests to me that it will become easier to overlook some outdated cultural moments in a few more decades. For example, the constant teasing about Bess's appetite, despite her equally Barbie-like appearance in the illustrations. A few elements stand out as fantastical: the police, surprisingly eager for Nancy's help, the choices during the three kidnappings, and the ease of acquiring air travel. No, this mystery doesn't hold up very logically for an older audience, but it twists and turns and always presents some unexpected new danger.
Nancy's daring shines here, but her detective work seems rather run-of-the-mill, and she acts fairly conservative for an 18-year-old in the '60s. Yet all the women play active roles in this story, sleuthing, seeking, and pretending to be someone else. The Chinese cultural focus relies somewhat on stereotypes but doesn't strike me as actively insensitive beyond a few slightly colonial perspectives. It reads like a children's book responsible for educating its readers about another culture: a bit too informative, a bit tokenizing, generally respectful despite white hero(ine)s saving the day. Unfortunately, the term "Oriental" appears constantly throughout this text in perhaps the most blatant cultural insensitivity. And that fact that George, dolled up, apparently looks like the missing Chinese girl.
Incidentally, the best thing Nancy Drew ever did was name a girl George.
"So you're a detective now?" I teased Kiki once we were inside the creaking elevator. "Like Nancy Drew?"
"Nancy Drew was just an amateur," Kiki sniffed, as if insulted by the comparison. "I'm the real thing." (235)
This 1961 story, never updated despite republication, holds up fairly well as a child-oriented adventure. It captures a very early-'60s feel, which suggests to me that it will become easier to overlook some outdated cultural moments in a few more decades. For example, the constant teasing about Bess's appetite, despite her equally Barbie-like appearance in the illustrations. A few elements stand out as fantastical: the police, surprisingly eager for Nancy's help, the choices during the three kidnappings, and the ease of acquiring air travel. No, this mystery doesn't hold up very logically for an older audience, but it twists and turns and always presents some unexpected new danger.
Nancy's daring shines here, but her detective work seems rather run-of-the-mill, and she acts fairly conservative for an 18-year-old in the '60s. Yet all the women play active roles in this story, sleuthing, seeking, and pretending to be someone else. The Chinese cultural focus relies somewhat on stereotypes but doesn't strike me as actively insensitive beyond a few slightly colonial perspectives. It reads like a children's book responsible for educating its readers about another culture: a bit too informative, a bit tokenizing, generally respectful despite white hero(ine)s saving the day. Unfortunately, the term "Oriental" appears constantly throughout this text in perhaps the most blatant cultural insensitivity. And that fact that George, dolled up, apparently looks like the missing Chinese girl.
Incidentally, the best thing Nancy Drew ever did was name a girl George.
January 11, 2018
it was really good but i thought it was the last book. I guess not..
May 22, 2013
For my goodreads I read The Mystery of the Fire Dragon. This book was a thrilling mystery about a Chinese girl named Chi Che Soong, who was kidnapped. As the story continues,Nancy Drew, George Fayne, and Bess Marvin were staying with her Aunt Eloise in her apartment. Chi Che and her grandfather lived next door to them.
One night, a man came into the Soong’s apartment,and as he shoved Grandpa Soong to the ground, the man stole his manuscript and left. Grandpa Soong at this point, had to be checked into the hospital.
When Nancy realizes this case is way more massive than it seems, she decides to fly to Hong Kong to solve this mystery. She understood that there was a large gang involved, that were trying to scare her. She was searching for every clue she could get,attempting to even have George dress up as Chi Che!
Nancy soon becomes aware that this gang is smuggling gold into the United States and because Chi Che overheard a portion of there plan, she was captured.The three detectives were all venturing to capture this gang. Nancy too, had been kidnapped and taken to a junk ( a boat ) where, for the first time, met Chi Che! She was thrilled that she found Chi Che, and was determined to get both of them out of there. They finally got out by swimming, and had escaped to the hotel in less than an hour.
In my opinion this book was extremely well written, and had several points that were very suspenseful. Carolyn Keene did a fabulous job creating a novel that was action-packed and fun to read.
One night, a man came into the Soong’s apartment,and as he shoved Grandpa Soong to the ground, the man stole his manuscript and left. Grandpa Soong at this point, had to be checked into the hospital.
When Nancy realizes this case is way more massive than it seems, she decides to fly to Hong Kong to solve this mystery. She understood that there was a large gang involved, that were trying to scare her. She was searching for every clue she could get,attempting to even have George dress up as Chi Che!
Nancy soon becomes aware that this gang is smuggling gold into the United States and because Chi Che overheard a portion of there plan, she was captured.The three detectives were all venturing to capture this gang. Nancy too, had been kidnapped and taken to a junk ( a boat ) where, for the first time, met Chi Che! She was thrilled that she found Chi Che, and was determined to get both of them out of there. They finally got out by swimming, and had escaped to the hotel in less than an hour.
In my opinion this book was extremely well written, and had several points that were very suspenseful. Carolyn Keene did a fabulous job creating a novel that was action-packed and fun to read.
March 23, 2013
Think 1950s when you read this book, although it was written in 1960. So much of the material is dated. Nancy is busy tracking down a kidnapped girl and her journeys take her to Hong Kong. When this book was written, Hong Kong was still part of the British Empire. Ned, who is studying there, gives the girls a quick lesson in the history of politics there. Some of the language is dated - meaning it isn't politically correct today.
What amazes me is the language with which these books are written. The vocabulary is way above what your typical teenager today would understand. One word that I noticed the author du jour using was alacrity - who uses that word today? But yet in 1960, it was a word that teenage girls would know without looking up. I find many words in the series that kids today wouldn't have a clue as to the definition. I'll admit, I have even had to look up a couple because I couldn't believe that the author really meant to use a particular word, but when looking up the definition, is was clearly appropriate.
Another thing that makes these books charming is the sense of decorum that Nancy and her friends employ. They are strong young women but don't resort to unlady like measures. They are always polite; they are concerned about their appearance. They respect their elders and always ask permission from their parents before going any where.
The books are a fun read, and a peak into the past.
What amazes me is the language with which these books are written. The vocabulary is way above what your typical teenager today would understand. One word that I noticed the author du jour using was alacrity - who uses that word today? But yet in 1960, it was a word that teenage girls would know without looking up. I find many words in the series that kids today wouldn't have a clue as to the definition. I'll admit, I have even had to look up a couple because I couldn't believe that the author really meant to use a particular word, but when looking up the definition, is was clearly appropriate.
Another thing that makes these books charming is the sense of decorum that Nancy and her friends employ. They are strong young women but don't resort to unlady like measures. They are always polite; they are concerned about their appearance. They respect their elders and always ask permission from their parents before going any where.
The books are a fun read, and a peak into the past.
January 19, 2016
This is a rather complex story that covers the ground from River Heights all the way to Hong Kong when it was still a British colony.
Ned is in Hong Kong studying. Aunt Eloise calls from New York and says she needs Nancy's help in order to help a Chinese couple named Soong. Mr. Soong's granddaughter, Chi Che, has been kidnapped.
Meanwhile Nancy's father says he's going to need to go to Hong Kong to work on a case involving a will.
Nancy, Bess and George go to New York and almost immediately run into trouble. Someone throws a firecracker (it seems like an M-80 or something of that nature) near Nancy. Mr. Soong has written a manuscript and that gets stolen. There's a guy who has a bookstore and he seems to be one of the baddies.
George dresses up as Chi Che and some thugs end up grabbing her. Some thug puts a big firecracker in a stove where Nancy is staying. Bess ends up being kidnapped then freed.
The girls end plan to go to Hong Kong but some thugs threaten to blow up the plane they will be flying in. In Hong Kong there's more of the thugs, and Nancy is kidnapped. The British Air Force ends up becoming involved.
The entire plot revolves around an illegal smuggling ring and, as usual, everything is tied up nicely at the end of the story. There's a lot of action and, as usual, some cultural information is tossed into the story. Another good book in the series.
Ned is in Hong Kong studying. Aunt Eloise calls from New York and says she needs Nancy's help in order to help a Chinese couple named Soong. Mr. Soong's granddaughter, Chi Che, has been kidnapped.
Meanwhile Nancy's father says he's going to need to go to Hong Kong to work on a case involving a will.
Nancy, Bess and George go to New York and almost immediately run into trouble. Someone throws a firecracker (it seems like an M-80 or something of that nature) near Nancy. Mr. Soong has written a manuscript and that gets stolen. There's a guy who has a bookstore and he seems to be one of the baddies.
George dresses up as Chi Che and some thugs end up grabbing her. Some thug puts a big firecracker in a stove where Nancy is staying. Bess ends up being kidnapped then freed.
The girls end plan to go to Hong Kong but some thugs threaten to blow up the plane they will be flying in. In Hong Kong there's more of the thugs, and Nancy is kidnapped. The British Air Force ends up becoming involved.
The entire plot revolves around an illegal smuggling ring and, as usual, everything is tied up nicely at the end of the story. There's a lot of action and, as usual, some cultural information is tossed into the story. Another good book in the series.
March 6, 2016
A problematic read for me.
On one hand, reading The Mystery of the Fire Dragon brought me immediately back to fifth grade, when on Saturdays my parents would go to Costco, and I would be allowed to pick out a set of three new-to-me Nancy Drew novels. The yellow spines still make me smile to this day. I also have no recollection of reading The Mystery of the Fire Dragon, so it was a new mystery!
George, Bess, Mr. Drew, Nancy, even Ned Nickerson and Mrs. Hannah Gruen all were involved.
What really astonished me though, was how much the books are not timeless. This particular story was originally published in 1961, and then reprinted in 1989. The language is very appropriate for the 1960s. However, the racial terminology (Oriental instead of Asian) made me cringe internally.
As a librarian, what do I do? I still want to introduce my kids to the Nancy Drew mysteries. However, do I need to include a disclaimer now? "Hey, they might use words that aren't used the same way now" for example?
On one hand, reading The Mystery of the Fire Dragon brought me immediately back to fifth grade, when on Saturdays my parents would go to Costco, and I would be allowed to pick out a set of three new-to-me Nancy Drew novels. The yellow spines still make me smile to this day. I also have no recollection of reading The Mystery of the Fire Dragon, so it was a new mystery!
George, Bess, Mr. Drew, Nancy, even Ned Nickerson and Mrs. Hannah Gruen all were involved.
What really astonished me though, was how much the books are not timeless. This particular story was originally published in 1961, and then reprinted in 1989. The language is very appropriate for the 1960s. However, the racial terminology (Oriental instead of Asian) made me cringe internally.
As a librarian, what do I do? I still want to introduce my kids to the Nancy Drew mysteries. However, do I need to include a disclaimer now? "Hey, they might use words that aren't used the same way now" for example?
November 26, 2017
A nostalgic read for the PopSugar 2017 challenge, this book is in a series I devoured when I was in elementary school. So old-fashioned now...I guess I'm getting old as this was written more than 50 years ago! So much of it was unbelievable to me now...how everyone from her Aunt to the police encouraged Nancy Drew to take it upon herself to solve serious crimes--and who exactly is paying for all the dinners out, airfares to Hong Kong and hotels, taxis and helicopter rentals? Well, it never bothered me when I was young. On a positive note, it is a book where the female protagonist is fearless, smart and active (even while wearing a dress and sensible pumps), and for that reason might be considered a positive role model for girls during the decade in which it was written.
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