Rendezvous in Rome

Nancy Drew Files #73

by Carolyn Keene

An innocent shopping spree in Rome leads to danger for Nancy, Bess, and George when Bess innocently purchases a piece of actual Etruscan jewelry from a jewel thief. Original.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Childrens, Juvenile, Mystery Thriller, Italy

Paperback

First published July 1, 1992

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow at first and kind of a run of the mill stolen jewelry mystery. But things started to pick up at the catacomb scene and really picked up at the Colosseum.

-Massimo…not the one from 365 Days
-chalk drawings
-lots of Vespa riding…even a Vespa chase
-a few set ups/stings
-gargoyle
-lots of famous Rome landmarks
-George leaves early for Greece
-Mick the Aussie is back.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun as always!

[Naf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best childhood memory of a read ever. To this day, I want to go to Rome because of this book.

[V. Arrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm ngl I spent 90% of this book writing mental fanfiction about what George was up to on her lesbian mountaineering trip in Greece with her new Italian gal pal, Daniella.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. Not George ran off with some random girl. Let that lesbian flag fly high George!

Anyway, this was fun. It was set in Rome which was exciting and while the whodunnit was predictable I still enjoyed the ride. I just wish we knew what George and Daniella got up to. That's the real mystery.

[K.L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The girls go to Rome where they get involved with stolen Etruscan jewellery. George abandons Bess and Nancy to go to Greece and Nancy is still lusting after the Aussie

[Sandra Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sandra review

Another great book to read, to bad George was not there to help solved the mystery of the stolen necklace

[Prami{reader and dreamer} · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

[Aisling the_eclectic_book_witch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rendezvous in Rome was a fun read. Liked that it keeps you guessing as to who could be behind the jewelry thefts. Good ending as well.