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mkaybaker07's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this one much more than its predecessor. Definitely going to read more of these!
annareadsmysteries's review against another edition
5.0
We catch up with Nancy at home, bored, as some time has passed since she solved her ‘debut’ mystery aka the Secret of the Old Clock. Her friend Helen drops by to invite her to solve the issue her aunts are having (and to get her to be a bridesmaid at her wedding). It looks like the house they lived at for several years is now haunted! Before Helen’s visit, an evil lawyer drops by and tells Nancy to make sure to take care of her father, as his believed to be in danger. I say an evil lawyer because these books are written for kids, where the suspicious people are usually the villains, and everything is black and white when it comes to justice.
So, this story is mostly about Nancy tackling the ghost issue and rescuing her father, who indeed ends up kidnapped. Also, in true Nancy Drew fashion, the two mysteries end up being linked.
While I really liked book one, as it felt nostalgic for the Nancy Drew games, this one was even better. It had everything the game had – the friend who helps, the option to call someone if you get stuck, the touching everything to see if it opens a secret passage – and on top of that, while it hasn’t kept me guessing, it definitely kept me entertained.
The addition of the friend was a great idea on Keene’s part – Helen compliments Nancy’s personality and the dynamic between them truly sells the girls having fun.
Of course, I will always have to switch off disbelief when it comes to the Nancy Drew series. As I mentioned, there is no mystery when it comes to the bad guys. You can tell who they are from the first time they’re introduced. There is also a hefty amount of plot armour, miraculously convenient resolutions and Nancy is sold as a golden child with many talents. And while I haven’t lived in the 1930s’, I’m sure that the police were probably never this helpful, regardless of what year you live in.
But turning a blind eye to all of this, I can only say this was a fun time and by a milestone better than the first book. Can’t wait to read the next one!
So, this story is mostly about Nancy tackling the ghost issue and rescuing her father, who indeed ends up kidnapped. Also, in true Nancy Drew fashion, the two mysteries end up being linked.
While I really liked book one, as it felt nostalgic for the Nancy Drew games, this one was even better. It had everything the game had – the friend who helps, the option to call someone if you get stuck, the touching everything to see if it opens a secret passage – and on top of that, while it hasn’t kept me guessing, it definitely kept me entertained.
The addition of the friend was a great idea on Keene’s part – Helen compliments Nancy’s personality and the dynamic between them truly sells the girls having fun.
Of course, I will always have to switch off disbelief when it comes to the Nancy Drew series. As I mentioned, there is no mystery when it comes to the bad guys. You can tell who they are from the first time they’re introduced. There is also a hefty amount of plot armour, miraculously convenient resolutions and Nancy is sold as a golden child with many talents. And while I haven’t lived in the 1930s’, I’m sure that the police were probably never this helpful, regardless of what year you live in.
But turning a blind eye to all of this, I can only say this was a fun time and by a milestone better than the first book. Can’t wait to read the next one!
bates1031's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
4.0
jenniferdinsmore's review against another edition
5.0
I recall this as being one of my favs of the whole series. Perhaps where my "recent" fixation with old/creepy houses and potential hauntings started...
calrisia's review against another edition
2.0
This bad boy took me 2hrs 30m to read and the title is really the whole mystery
emmacraig's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
kellylynnthomas's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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