Sinister Paradise

Nancy Drew Files #23

by Carolyn Keene

In Hawaii, Nancy Drew investigates when Lisa Trumbull, granddaughter of millionaire Alice Faulkner, is kidnapped and a ransom note demands that the Faulkners sell their shares of Windward Bancorp to the mysterious Malihini Corporation.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Childrens, Fiction, Juvenile, Crime

180 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1988

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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 3 out of 5]

IMO this book did not make much use of the Hawaiian setting except for a few people wearing Hawaiian shirts. Unfortunately this was a pretty boring paint by numbers missing persons case until about 90% when there is a very exciting though implausible scene involving a helicopter and an active volcano. Which is the only reason I bumped it up to 3 stars. That scene almost made the read worth it.

-lots of talk about banks and bonds *yawn*
-trash cans used as weapons
-Nancy and her friends stay on a boat
-Nancy makes use of her judo skills in this one
-a lot of weird slang: “nugged face”, someone “fingering” a girl (not what you think; they actually meant kidnapping),
-still trying to figure out what a doughnut ring is in relation to a helicopter
-a character named Boomer
-learned that you have to turn off your radio to not set off explosives
-chloroform
-beepers. It’s 1988.
-George confused for a boy.
-death by lava
-no surfing though I do think they talk to a surfer

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as I've come to expect from this series.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

My summary/review (includes cursing): https://anchor.fm/nancy-drew-nickerso...

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

3 stars. This one starts off with a bang. So much action happens right from the start which was fun. It felt like an old cheesy 80s action flick and I mean that in the best possible way. Nancy and the gang are looking for the missing granddaughter of a millionaire so there was a lot going on there. Very fun installment to the series and I really liked the Hawaii setting here.

[Joseph Streight · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always really enjoy the Nancy Drew Files. They are a nice step up from youth to young adult. I like how in the files the culprit is never obvious and the mystery slowly reveals itself. In Sinister Paradise, the mystery evolves and changes and generally keeps you on your toes. It also has one of the most unique ways a villain has tried to kill Nancy. Overall, I enjoyed this book.

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ghost writer of this Nancy Drew book opts for the oxymoronic title here in an attempt I guess ti draw you in to the exciting mystery within - well the mystery was OK but nothing memorable.
After a while Nancy Drew books start to meld together.
Anyway not terrible, but not classic Nancy.

[Roderick · Rating 2 out of 5]

amusing bit about George's masculine nick-name causing confusion

[Savannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book and read it in two nights. It kept me interested and I looked forward to reading it.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m still loving this series!

[Sharise Riether]

Not my favorite Nancy Drew.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

I grew up loving Nancy Drew. Clean read.

[V. Arrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an archetypal, perfect Nancy Drew book.

[Gabs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #47 of 2025
Nancy and the crew are whisked off to Hawaii to look for the missing granddaughter, Lisa, of a bank Mogul. There's a mysterious company at work trying to keep Lisa missing and the crew from surviving to appear in anymore novels.

[Bookish Indulgenges with b00k r3vi3ws · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[K.L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite the tropical location, I never reaallly enjoyed this one. Nancy is hired to look into the disappearance of an elderly ladys grandaughter in Hawaii. The action was pretty good - if unbelievable (think helicopters over volcanoes...) The culprit was easily identifiable as well. I did however learn a lot about volcanic activity, so that was good.

[ELEANOR]

Amazing Book! Nancy goes on a vacation to Hawaii and suddenly ends up in a mystery! She tries to find a girl. It is breath taking! Plz read this book! So amazing, awesome, and exciting! ;) Enjoy! :)

[Megan]

Files #23