Stage Fright

Nancy Drew Files #90

by Carolyn Keene

In this all-new adventure, Nancy becomes entangled in a web of drama, danger and deadly ambition. Actress Evelyn Caldwell wants to transform a Connecticut barn into a big-time theater. When someone threatens to burn her out, Nancy investigates--but she may be the one to get burned.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Childrens, Crime, Juvenile, Classics, Thriller

160 pages, Library Binding

First published December 1, 1993

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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]

As a kid, I always preferred television shows to movies; in fact, I still do. That's why most of my DVDs are season sets, and even a good part of the films in my collection are part of series and/or franchises: Lord of the Rings, VeggieTales, the Christopher Nolan Batman flicks, etc. I'd rather have multiple stories--even short, half-hour ones--than one big, long one.

That's why I enjoy the Nancy Drew Files books as much as I do: They're reminiscent of the television programs with which I grew up, not only in story, but also in style. It doesn't hurt that they also have old-school charm, which is a big plus for someone who grew up on retro media, i.e., Mork & Mindy, obsolete computer and video game systems, and old-school Disney flicks.

Literary snobs may scoff at reading such literature, but, hey, it's fun, it's engaging, and, better yet, it's clean-cut. What more could you want?

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

So obvious it was Marla, but it took Nancy forever to get it.

[Eric Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good ND book! Nancy was pretty great in this book, she uses her head and focuses on the case and tries to investigate all leads and clues(as a good detective should). It was a relief seeing Nancy be so productive and smart in this book when the last two books I read, Nancy wasn't productive and was pretty dense in solving the mystery. The Nancy in this book should always be like this in solving a mystery, but alas, that can't happen with all the ghostwriters that gets changed for each book. However, Ned and George are pretty useless most of the book, they barely help Nancy with the mystery because of how distracted they are by the actor and actress in the book. They're really just there to accompany Nancy and have her talk out the mystery with them. Overall, though, this is a very good book, although the culprit was obvious, Nancy's detecting and the mystery kept the book suspenseful and fun. 4 stars

[Anu · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWESOME AWESOME AND AWESOME.

Okay, so a lot of people (mostly adults who spent their childhood reading Nancy Drew and Hardy boys) might not ike this new version of everyone (especially Joe) but i personally loved it.
He is funny, serious when it comes to things where you should be serious. But yeah, i have to agree, he needs to stop being 'patented Mo-Joe' sometimes.

Anyway, this books was completely amazing. Talks about obsessed fans, actual shows and a lot more.
Everyone except The hardy boys and Nancy, Bess and George had bits of creep in them.
And the fans! They were something alright.
They threatened me while i was reading this book. It's very realistic. It doesn't take a lot of time for an obsessed fan to become a creepy murderer (and also desperate)

I think the Hardy boys and Nancy Drew should have more super mysteries together_ I'll read both old and new anytime anywhere!

Recommended for teens who wants to read funny and thrilling mystery.

[Elizabeth J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

As always I return to this series when I am in need of nostalgic comfort.
The characters as always are written in a way that feels familiar to the books we all know and love (The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew). This series will always be one of my favorite versions of those classic characters.

Now that that’s out of the way…
This book was the series weakest link. I said it.
While many parts of this book I found hilarious (mostly Joe and his antics) the mystery didn’t quite land, and the group dynamics seemed off in a way. Joe and Frank hardly interacted with Nancy and her crew which is really what makes the super mystery’s special!
The mystery was a little basic, where the other books have been complex and held layers..this lacked.
I would still recommend you give this book a read, it was still a very enjoyable experience, and I adore spending time with the Frank, Joe, and Nancy. Just know going into it, it’s not going to be the epic adventure we’ve come to expect.

As far as ratings go, this is certainly appropriate for tweens and teens, there’s no smut no heavy cursing (no cursing at all if I’m remembering correctly?) and the mystery while having some thrilling chases is not gory and not extremely violent.
I believe the characters are good role models and the book sends an overall positive message.

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beyond good I love the author how they did the book with The Hardy boys and Nancy Drew this book is really really good it should be read by a little kids and kids about 12 years old I recommend this book and the author and great job chef kiss

[V. Arrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fictional Old Hollywood backstabbing, scheming, and drama? Yes, please. Although the romance scene at the paddock with Nancy and Ned was very bizarre.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun as always.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

And so the series ended how it started — enjoyable, fun, and a good way to spend a half hour to forty-five minutes.

In all honesty, this should prolly get a 3.5, but I couldn't bring myself to bump it up to a four-star review — it just fell a tiny bit short of that. I don't know if it's actually a 3.5 or if it's just such an improvement on the last one that it seems better, but it's a fun, catty romp through Broadway. The culprit you suspect is the culprit, and there's little surprise in how they're taken down (this series does love its look-alikes, doesn't it?), but nothing about that takes away from the fun.

An enjoyable series to read, but one I have no intention of owning. Now, the '90s super mysteries on the other hand...(Nancy/Bess/George + Hardy Boys at their proper age [19 for Frank, 18 for the rest])! Not everyone sounds like a caricature! Francy more than just vaguely alluded to!).

I'm off to go shake down a bookseller to see if they can point me to the Old Supermysteries. But this series wasn't a bad way to spend a few hours.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the setting of this one in New York, and the Broadway aspect was interesting. I like how Nancy, Frank and Joe work so well together. The characters each have their strengths, and they work together to solve the mystery.
There were some things that felt a bit out of character for the Hardys, but otherwise I liked this one. The mystery was intriguing, and some of the stunts were dangerous and the tension was well written.

[Seema M. Fazil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well... it was good... Not sure whether to rate it three or four stars as there were some parts that seemed hooking, slow parts that bore me, and some parts were, well, confusing. Don't know how to explain! But I liked it. It was quite a good read!

[Leah]

Not as good as the '80s/'90s supermysteries.

[Mary]

I thought it was amazing.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Consistently good for Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys! I always love their team-ups.

[Trisha]

amazing

[Alexandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bummed there wasn’t a single ghost!

[V. Arrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

🎶Springtime for Hitler und Germany🎶

(I can't believe this was literally just The Producers.)