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Nancy Drew Files #88
False Pretenses
After finding the murdered body of one of her father's associates, Nancy Drew discovers that the man was a ruthless blackmailer with many enemies, and she sets out to find the killer. Original.
149 pages
First published January 1, 1993
4 people are currently reading
284 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
1,074 books3,953 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 7, 2020
I actually prefer this series to the original Nancy Drew books; there's more action and suspense, and the plots are more fun. This entry is yet another winner.
April 6, 2009
I really like the interaction (what there is, anyway) between Nancy and her father in this one. While he's usually not particularly involved in her cases past wanting her to be careful, he's feeling doubly protective as both father and client. I love any of the books that really focus on them, so this one I'm definitely fond of.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2019
A really great writer
This book is also a really great favorite of mine by author Carolyn Keene. This book that is written for teens can be read by all ages and I think that everyone would try enjoy the book and the series.
This book is also a really great favorite of mine by author Carolyn Keene. This book that is written for teens can be read by all ages and I think that everyone would try enjoy the book and the series.
November 27, 2019
Carson is accused of murdering one of his employees and his main accuser is his law clerk, Bess' boyfriend, who has some secrets of his own. Brenda Carlton alone made this palatable, Nancys stupid *romance* nearly totally ruined a fairly decent plot!
October 14, 2018
Sandra review
Good book, thank God nancy solved the case against her father to saved the day , he could went to jail for murder
Good book, thank God nancy solved the case against her father to saved the day , he could went to jail for murder
December 15, 2025
Fun as always.
March 22, 2017
This book was so good
November 18, 2015
When Nancy stops off at her father's law offices on the way over to visit her friend Beth, she sees lights on and goes to say hello thinking its Beth's boyfriend Kyle but she finds more than she bargained for!
Jack Broughton one of her father's latest employees is slumped over a desk, dead.
But the question is now WHO is the killer?
It seems upon investigation Jack was not at all well liked and from lists found after his death of supposed "clients" was also in the game of blackmail so the list of suspects is quite a long one.
INCLUDING most shockingly of all, her father Carson Drew!
He came back early from being away on business and visited the offices within the time frame of the murder.
Desperate to find the killer for numerous reasons including the two most important to Nancy personally, the suspicion laid upon her father and also on Kyle, Bess's boyfriend who also worked at the law firm.
With time running out before the finger or suspicion points at the wrong person Nancy truly has her work cut out for her with this case!
Exciting and very plausible with a great, engaging storyline.
A wonderful read.
Jack Broughton one of her father's latest employees is slumped over a desk, dead.
But the question is now WHO is the killer?
It seems upon investigation Jack was not at all well liked and from lists found after his death of supposed "clients" was also in the game of blackmail so the list of suspects is quite a long one.
INCLUDING most shockingly of all, her father Carson Drew!
He came back early from being away on business and visited the offices within the time frame of the murder.
Desperate to find the killer for numerous reasons including the two most important to Nancy personally, the suspicion laid upon her father and also on Kyle, Bess's boyfriend who also worked at the law firm.
With time running out before the finger or suspicion points at the wrong person Nancy truly has her work cut out for her with this case!
Exciting and very plausible with a great, engaging storyline.
A wonderful read.
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 8, 2012
A man that works with Nancy's dad gets murdered in the office building at night. Nancy's best friend's boyfriend accused Nancy's dad as being the murderer. Very interesting and I wonder what's going to happen next…….
December 23, 2013
well, to be honest, I need to read 6 more books by dec. 31. so I pulled an easy to read out of the library. I love that vcr's are still the media choice, there are no cell phones, and everything is so happy in the end:)
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October 2, 2007Keene, Carolyn PB
November 1, 2015
Suppose the bad guy used a false name?
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews