Reviews

The Message in the Hollow Oak by Carolyn Keene, Mildred Benson

musingsfromamandalyn's review

mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

You could definitely see the age of the book in this one. I recently went through Cairo, IL and it is a run down ghost town. The mansion they mentioned was no longer open and was in much need of repair. It was a fun mystery though filled with so many components as normal. It was also interesting to hear about the dig but the removal of the bones gave me pause. Shouldn't we leave them rest? Are people hundreds of years from now going to be digging up cemeteries in similar fashion? I really liked the Josh Gates style adventure though. As well as having the whole team involved. 

rmadden's review

mysterious relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I read the OT version of this book. I can’t get over the fact that Nancy just gets land. It’s crazy. Like you could just be given land back in the day? 

reye's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

shlee64's review

adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

tbr_withmaya's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

anieeereads's review

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

curiouskettle's review against another edition

adventurous informative inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

hstapp's review against another edition

3.0

I enjoyed this one. The thought of a bunch of white people digging up the graves of indians to study their history, after having killed off so many of the and stealing their land Is really gross.
But other than that aspect the story is pretty good. First use of ham radio so far. I'm amazed I remember these old mysteries being full of ham radio. But I guess not in Nancy drew.

zenithharpink's review against another edition

3.0

I liked this mystery, there was an element of history in it, and we learn that Nancy knows old French, is a pretty gifted archaeologist, and is a better detective than professionals. This book was entertaining enough, but somehow not quite like previous Nancy mysteries. It just didn't have the same charm. This book was entertaining enough, but to those not fans if or who are unfamiliar with Ms. Drew, I would not recommend.

bexdestruction's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I've been going through The Nancy Drew catalogue slowly. They're catchy little mysteries I can read whenever I get a chance. Some of the language is outdated, but the books are around a hundred years old. Wrong now (the book calls native people Indians), but the language is a sign of the times. Quick, light read!