Framed

Nancy Drew: Girl Detective #15

by Carolyn Keene

A prince is in River Heights. A prince! Granted, he's from a relatively minor royal family, but still. This is big news. The headlines get even bigger once the prince is found toting a painting for his family's good friend, Mrs. Mahoney--because within hours of his arrival, the federal authorities arrest him. They suspect he stole the painting from his family. Dad and I aren't buying it. We have a hunch there's more to this--ahem--picture. But can we save the prince before he's wrongfully crowned "criminal"?

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Childrens, Audiobook, Fiction, Middle Grade, Crime

3 pages, Audio CD

First published December 1, 2005

About the author

Carolyn Keene is a writer pen name that was used by many different people- both men and women- over the years. The company that was the creator of the Nancy Drew series, the Stratemeyer Syndicate, hired a variety of writers. For Nancy Drew, the writers used the pseudonym Carolyn Keene to assure anonymity of the creator.

Edna and Harriet Stratemeyer inherited the company from their father Edward Stratemeyer. Edna contributed 10 plot outlines before passing the reins to her sister Harriet. It was Mildred Benson (aka: Mildred A. Wirt), who breathed such a feisty spirit into Nancy's character. Mildred wrote 23 of the original 30 Nancy Drew Mystery Stories®, including the first three. It was her characterization that helped make Nancy an instant hit. The Stratemeyer Syndicate's devotion to the series over the years under the reins of Harriet Stratemeyer Adams helped to keep the series alive and on store shelves for each succeeding generation of girls and boys. In 1959, Harriet, along with several writers, began a 25-year project to revise the earlier Carolyn Keene novels. The Nancy Drew books were condensed, racial stereotypes were removed, and the language was updated. In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.

Other writers of Nancy Drew volumes include Harriet herself, she wrote most of the series after Mildred quit writing for the Syndicate and in 1959 began a revision of the first 34 texts. The role of the writer of "Carolyn Keene" passed temporarily to Walter Karig who wrote three novels during the Great Depression. Also contributing to Nancy Drew's prolific existence were Leslie McFarlane, James Duncan Lawrence, Nancy Axelrod, Priscilla Doll, Charles Strong, Alma Sasse, Wilhelmina Rankin, George Waller Jr., and Margaret Scherf.

Reviews

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've run out of things to say about these books. If you've enjoyed the famed teenage sleuth's other whodunits, you'll enjoy this as well. That's about all I can say.

[Deanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a new take on Nancy Drew written in the first person. The problem I have with this series is that the facts about Nancy, Ned, George, and Bess are not accurate with the original series of Nancy Drew and Nancy Drew files. The ages, descriptions, etc. are so different that I cannot stand this book series.

[Shay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I needed a short audiobook to just fill some time doing chores and taking walks and it *still* took like four months for me to finish this because I just wasn't invested. I know it's for kids/tweens but the mystery still felt a little too obvious and honestly I didn't like the voice acting so... it was just ok.

[Sid-knee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Light hearted mystery that made my eyes roll at how unrealistic it was, but who knows maybe the FBI would let a teenager take over a case?!

[MK ( MaKayla) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fan of the modern Nancy Drew novels . The characters don't always feel the same , (ex . George is obsessed with computers ) and the change to first person narrative threw me . Nancy spends most of the novel doing basically nothing . Not the Nancy Drew I know .

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was deeply stupid. i love nancy drew.

[Nabanita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked it up as a reminder to my teenage times. It was refreshing to go back. Addition has been computers craze & cell phone to keep up with the times.

[Debalina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detailed review coming soon for the few who will read... :P

I have planned on reading the Nancy drew mysteries all over again in the coming few years. This particular book, I hadn't read before. "Framed"- published originally in January 2006, this presents a modern day Nansy and her friends. I really missed the old world charm that one gets in the earlier books and the style of our dear Mildred Writ who wrote as Carolyn Keene. So, I had to really 'try' read the first half as I was disappointed with the style since I have read only the older Nancy Drew books and those new ones which in some sense are similar to the older ones in style. But all in all, when I finished the book I am a happier girl from he one one who started the book. Sleep at dawn will perhaps taste better after reading the old favourite teenage sleuth.

Happy reading! :)

[Nola Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

When dashing young Prince Carlo is arrested at River Heights airport for allegedly stealing a priceless painting from an Italian royal family, it's up to Nancy and her friends to prove his innocence or guilt. Their adventures take them to Italy where they must uncover a family secret.

I didn't like this one quite as much as others in the series for two reasons. First, it's not so much a whodunnit as there are no other suspects. The story just revolves around finding the evidence that could clear or convict the prince. Second, it's not as suspenseful as some of the other titles, and there were some wasted opportunities in that regard. However, it's a nice easy holiday read and Nancy and her friends are fun to hang around.

[claud. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not so much of a mystery as it was just a search for an old letter. Meh.

[Lindsay Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for something moderately interesting to listen to as I went to sleep. I liked the old Nancy Drews as a kid, so when I saw this on Audible Plus I gave it a try. The old Nancy Drews were already clearly part of the past even when I was a kid, and that was part of their charm. This book is from a newer series, "Nancy Drew: Girl Detective" in the 2000s. Nancy still solves mysteries with her friends Bess and George, but their personalities have evolved and they have modern cell phones, computer, etc. This particular book didn't include any mention of school or other friends, so I'm not sure what changes have been made on that front.
This book isn't really a mystery to be solved. An Italian prince shows in in Riverside Heights with a valuable painting to give to a local woman. He's accused of stealing it, but he says his ancestor promised it to the local's ancestor as a reward for assistance in WWII. Nancy and friends are enlisted to find out if Prince Carlo is telling the truth. The search includes a trip to Milan on the prince's plane and much talk about handsome princes and fashion, with a bit of sarcasm from George, and mostly imagined danger.
They figure it out in the end and it did put me to sleep over several nights, but I prefer the originals. Somehow the ridiculous plots were easier to accept when they took place in the past and I could imagine Nancy and her "chums" as high schoolers that might have been babysitters to my mom and aunts. 2 stars on its own, 3 stars as a sleep aid.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

AUTHOR Keene, Carolyn
TITLE Framed: Nancy Drew Girl Detective
DATE READ 12/13/19
RATING 4/B
FIRST SENTENCE
GENRE/ PUB DATE/PUBLISHER / # OF YA Mystery/2005/audible/ 3 hr 5 min
SERIES/STAND-ALONE #15 Nancy Drew Girl Detective
CHALLENGE Good Reads 2019 Reading Goal 176/111;
GROUP READ
TIME/PLACE 2005/ Italy
CHARACTERS Nancy Drew, Bess, George,
COMMENTS This is the first Nancy Drew Girl Detective book for me. Since I have such a happy nostalgic memory for the originals …those will always be my fave …but still finding these others fun. A minor Italian Prince shows up in Riverside Heights to deliver a valuable painting to Mrs. Mahoney. The prince is considered suspect but Nancy feels he is legit and Mrs. Mahoney wants her on the case. She does some searching in to the Mahoney's background and then travels to Italy to wrap up the mystery.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this on a whim because it was free on Audible and I was feeling nostalgic. Not what I remember the original stories being like. This new Girl Detective series seemed a lot cheesier. And for real this story wasn't even a mystery!

The entire plot is just Nancy trying to find a letter to corroborate a story that the suspect gives in the first chapter. Once she finds the letter - a pretty boring journey, in my opinion - it doesn't even lead to any twist in the story. It just proves exactly what you expected it to from the first page of the story.

Also I wasn't a big fan of the narration. The voice actress was robotic and her attempts at multiple different Italian accents were kinda cringy. Unfortunately, I think the cover design of this book is the best thing about it!

[Gail DiVico · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audible version and found it to keep me very interested just as the older books did. This story centers around an Italian prince who gets arrested in the United States for a painting that has supposedly been stolen. Nancy and her friends are quickly on the track of what really happened and even take a trip to Italy to search, while her father handles the legal aspects. I must say I do really like the older Drew books, but this one is very good, too.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another nostalgic read. I don't think I ever read this particular Nancy Drew series (there are so many) but it was very familiar, nonetheless. This is an older elementary/middle school series, but I still enjoyed it. The mystery was good. But what I really enjoyed was Hannah got a h/c storyline. Hannah is in the background of a lot of the Nancy Drews series but doesn't get a lot of book time otherwise, so it was a nice surprise.

[LuAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining minor travelogue—Nancy, Bess, George and Carson head to Milan and the mountains of northern Italy halfway through to help a minor prince clear his name of art theft. Having to deal with paparazzi outside her home as well as royal family intrigue is a new issue for Nancy. Nancy’s unwillingness to admit she is stressed and needs help would not happen if written now instead of 2006!

[C. · Rating 1 out of 5]

So far, I think this is probably my least favorite out of this series of Nancy Drew books. It was boring and it took me a while to finish since I wasn't really that invested in the story. I was only able to finish it because I forced myself to so I can move on to the next book. Hopefully, it won't be like this one.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. It felt like a classic Nancy Drew story like it should. I read it right after The Clue in the Diary so I can tell you it really fits.

The ugly book cover makes it look like a rando fan self-published it, but I guess that's not the case.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5

[Emily Kidd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very little plot development and no cliff hangers. This was the lamest Nancy Drew I’ve read in a long time haha.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was weirder and more implausible than usual, but it was still fun to read.

However, did I miss something, or did we never find out what was causing Hannah’s memory issues?

[Barb Innes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just what I needed... going back to teen years for a fun mystery! I totally enjoyed this updated series!
Nancy Drew- I love your independent nature! A must for quarantine times!

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to love reading Nancy Drew and it was fun revisiting the young sleuth.

[Leilamid Midelfort · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kids enjoyed this one more than me.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Content: Clean

Look, I don't want to put such a low rating on something Nancy Drew... but I'm gonna. This "Girl Detective" line just doesn't seem to hold a candle to the original series.

[Cindy]

Framed

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s always a joy to return to good childhood memories. A calm and cozy mystery with Nancy being a bit older.

[Elsie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nancy Drew books are always an easy read for me but this one was boring and reminded me why I liked this series less as a child….will not stop me from picking up a Nancy drew book anytime I see one

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not into Nancy Drew as a kid. I read this to give me background for Girl Sleuth.

[Missy · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 Stars (Good)