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Nancy Drew Files #55
Don't Look Twice
Nancy's in Chicago to cheer the Emerson College basketball team, led by co-captain Ned Nickerson, against their archivals. But she can't believe her eyes. Has Ned saved his sickest moves for the post-game celebration? Is he really making a pass at Denise Mason, a cheerleader who bears a striking resemblance to Nancy?
The mystery takes an even more serious twist when a kidnapper, intending to abduct Denise, grabs Nancy instead! Denise's father is the curator of a museum, and a team of art smugglers are making a play for a priceless painting. In a case of forgery and mistaken identity, Nancy discovers that deception and danger are the only rules of the game.
153 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
3 people are currently reading
375 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
1,073 books3,937 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 10, 2014
Ned comes off a little bit like an uncaring jerk but the mystery isn't that bad. The very end is good. However before it, Nancy rescues Denise and instead of getting away from the villain as fast as possible they sit down and talk. . .come on Nancy!
October 5, 2016
As usual, this series delivers.
November 27, 2019
Again Ned scores points for being the worst boyfriend in the world. After embracing a cheerleader in front of Nancy, he then proceeds to disbelieve her when she gets kidnapped, thinking that it's just a *prank*!! Come on Ned, this is frickin NANCY - of course she was kidnapped!!! Sadly (spoiler) they kiss and make up and she doesn't kick him to the curb😢
May 1, 2024
3 stars. Ned is still the fucking worst. What’s new? I want better for Nancy but she doesn’t love herself so whatever. Other than the annoying relationship drama this was actually a pretty good read. I liked the mystery and even though I didn’t understand why Nancy wanted to save Brenda but I commend her for doing so I guess. Not my favorite but it was still entertaining as hell.
February 24, 2021
Easy to read and intriguing
November 4, 2023
I still want to know why Nancy didn't confront Ned about kissing Brenda.
July 16, 2024
Loved the art theft. Hated insecure, jealous Nancy. It simply is not realistic that a bitch as badd as Nancy effing Drew would ever be insecure and jealous.
April 4, 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.
February 26, 2011
Good, kind of short. Easy to read but intriguing and exciting.
When Nancy visits her boyfriend, Ned, at the basketball tournament in Chicago when a cheerleader gets the victory kiss and hug. Nancy gets kidnapped. Then, released because she is not the right girl. There are several leads leading to nothing, while there are 3 major suspects. As she investigates more, her family and friends are in danger and she notices theres a little chemistry between Denise, the cheerleader, and Ned. But when Denise is kidnapped, it all leads to paintings and a Rembrandt. And Nancy worries that when she rescues Denise, she'll just be bringing Ned and Denise back together.
When Nancy visits her boyfriend, Ned, at the basketball tournament in Chicago when a cheerleader gets the victory kiss and hug. Nancy gets kidnapped. Then, released because she is not the right girl. There are several leads leading to nothing, while there are 3 major suspects. As she investigates more, her family and friends are in danger and she notices theres a little chemistry between Denise, the cheerleader, and Ned. But when Denise is kidnapped, it all leads to paintings and a Rembrandt. And Nancy worries that when she rescues Denise, she'll just be bringing Ned and Denise back together.
January 29, 2016
It's sad how fast I'm finishing these books I read two books today I started the first one Wednesday and finished this morning(I was only on chapter four when I started) this is great the ending is romantic and funny and how they planned the whole book! I recommend this to any book mystery lovers
My sister actually called me a book nerd because every time she came in the room I was reading Nancy Drew Files!
My sister actually called me a book nerd because every time she came in the room I was reading Nancy Drew Files!
December 27, 2024
Not sure what I was hoping for, but it is similar to the original series, yet not as clever. This one was easy to figure out overall. The characters are pretty dry and predictable, and Ned is even kind of irritating. The setting in Chicago is fun and felt a little new and different. Bess is sadly not in this one at all.
November 13, 2009
great book i would suggest it to anyone
May 5, 2014
good book
Read
October 10, 2016Its amazing story!!!
May 15, 2025
The Nancy Drew where Ned's attention seems to have turned elsewhere. Nancy's disturbance intermingles this mystery. A refreshing mystery.
May 24, 2012
It's only fair if the cheating is done by Nancy, not Ned!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews