- an 18-year-old girl finds herself in the middle of a mystery needing to be solved for the sakes of others
- text is dumbed-down twaddle all the way through
- convo: mentions various deaths, author (via the narrator and Nancy herself) obsessed with looks*
- language: x1 dang
Type: chapter book
Ages: 12+
Author: Carolyn Keene
My, how we read differently as discerning adults! I read many of these as a child, but with my recent re-read of the first book, I was appalled I ever found the series interesting.
*There is a ridiculously high proportion of text solely pointing out Nancy’s outfits, her attractiveness (emphasis on being slim, blonde and blue-eyed), how lovely she is looking from scene to scene…and all in contrast to other characters being “ugly.”
Nancy lives a pretty carefree life, driving around in her convertible and doing whatever she wants. One day, though, she finds more purpose as she meets people hard-pressed financially who had an inheritance stolen from them. Using her lawyer father’s connections, she is able to track down clues, but will she be able to solve the mystery?
There are a few suspenseful scenes–from being locked into a closet by a bad guy to taking things into her own hands instead of calling the police.
If this book had synonyms, they would be “cheesy” and “weak.” I’m sorry to nostalgic fans, but, yikes, was it bad. You should see my notes (insert laugh-cry emoji here)! Like junk food, a tiny bit isn’t going to hurt you very much, but a lot of it will. If you read this book, please follow it up with better literature. 🙂