Nancy Drew believes her friend's guardians are trying to steal her inheritance. As she investigates, she has a perilous experience near the deserte...
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Apr 01, 2008
Lisa
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It's so hard to rate these books. It's all about context. But which context? I read them as a young reader, age eight or so, in the early 1980s. They were written in the 1930s, rewritten in the 1960s to contemporize them, and in some cases, rewritten again. Oh, and then there were the ones contemporary to my era in the first place, though I don't remember those well. Carolyn Keene was never a real person...if I researched the context of author, how much more would I understand these books?
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Jun 08, 2011
Jeremy
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This is a comparative review of the 1930s and 1950s editions of this book - if you get a chance to read them side-by-side, I very strongly recommend it.
Of the three books I've read comparatively, this one diverges the furthest. Points of difference include:
- In the 50s edition, the guardian is accompanied by his wife - which makes the whole thing much less sinister. They also don't behave nearly as villainously.
- The 50s version introduces an entire subplot More...
Of the three books I've read comparatively, this one diverges the furthest. Points of difference include:
- In the 50s edition, the guardian is accompanied by his wife - which makes the whole thing much less sinister. They also don't behave nearly as villainously.
- The 50s version introduces an entire subplot More...
Mar 29, 2011
Tabi34
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In my quest to read (re-read) all of the Nancy Drew mysteries this year, I have just completed The Bungalow Mystery. I remember reading this one when I was a kid. Once again, it boggles my mind how dependent I've become on my cell phone. Every time Nancy goes off to investigate or sleuth as she calls it, I keep thinking - use your cell phone. Her car breaks down, today she'd be whipping out the cell phone and calling Triple A or using her GPS. Because Nancy doesn't have these modern day devices,
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Aug 09, 2010
Madeline
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I will probably never get over my girl-crush on Nancy Drew, and this book just confirms that fact. Which is not to say that the series is flawless and beyond criticism - kinda the opposite, really. One thing I've learned from re-reading some of these books as an adult is that whenever you start one, you have basically a fifty-fifty chance of ending up with 190 pages of dated, stupid crap. But this time, I was lucky. This book rocked. That being said, it doesn't escape from the flaws that personi
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Apr 02, 2010
Phair
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Our f2f group did a session where we all read one or more original editions of a Nancy Drew as well as the 1960s revised version. Some of us even read one or more of the most recent Nancy Drew series books. We then had a "compare and contrast" discussion that was lots of fun. Very interesting changes in style, characterizations & sociological aspects.
Bungalow was the title where I read both versions. I did not enjoy the 1930 Bungalow as much as the '31 Red Gate Farm. Stil More...
Bungalow was the title where I read both versions. I did not enjoy the 1930 Bungalow as much as the '31 Red Gate Farm. Stil More...
Oct 21, 2009
Raja99
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This is the third Applewood Books reproduction of the original editions of Nancy Drew. This book includes the original cover art, four grayscale illustrations by Russell H. Tandy (much better than the clumsy scans in the first reprinted book), a new Publisher's Note, and a new Introduction entitled "Nancy and Me" by P. M. Carlson.
The book opens with a dramatic scene of Nancy and her friend Helen almost drowning when their boat sinks during a terrible storm. They are saved b More...
The book opens with a dramatic scene of Nancy and her friend Helen almost drowning when their boat sinks during a terrible storm. They are saved b More...
Jun 02, 2011
I read all the Nancy Drew books as a pre-teen girl back in the 1970's. I loved them then, and now as an adult over 40 years old, I am enjoying them all over again!
I discussed the speaking-style of Nancy and her companions with a friend of mine and we both forgot how proper the speech was! I have been enjoying the good, clean mystery of the past, but I really had been thinking the books had been written in the early 1950's. I was imagining something along the lines of "Leave It More...
I discussed the speaking-style of Nancy and her companions with a friend of mine and we both forgot how proper the speech was! I have been enjoying the good, clean mystery of the past, but I really had been thinking the books had been written in the early 1950's. I was imagining something along the lines of "Leave It More...
Jun 17, 2009
Madeline
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The entire Nancy Drew series has good, well-thought out mysteries, but it's like a Norman Rockwell painting. Nancy is just too perfect, along with the rest of her life. Her father, friends, boyfriend and maid all act exactly like their supposed to. Pretty much the only fault you will find is that Bess is a little fat, which tends to get mentioned in a slightly different way every book. Chubby Beth, or slightly overwieght Beth, or enthusiastic eater Beth. After a few books you begin to see th
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Mar 30, 2010
Nikki
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I am going back to a Nancy Drew kick from when I was younger. I remember that our school library had the whole complete set and I was slowly working my way through them when the librarian took them off the shelves. I wish that I would have known because I would have took them. But I lucked out in February when I found out they are on sale in Chapter's! Granted they are not the old set (which I would die to have) but they are still hardcover! My sister and I are reading them together (but I somet
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Feb 18, 2011
Simon
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I've read this book dozens of times before and I still love it.
The delivery of the plot and how problems present themselves is kind of old school, but hey, the books were published in the 30's, then re-published in the 60's. I think it is safe to say that we ought to leave the classic nature of these books and just poke the obvious once and a while.
Clearly now-a-days, the crimes that were committed in this book are nearly impossible. That is not to say that it can't happen, More...
The delivery of the plot and how problems present themselves is kind of old school, but hey, the books were published in the 30's, then re-published in the 60's. I think it is safe to say that we ought to leave the classic nature of these books and just poke the obvious once and a while.
Clearly now-a-days, the crimes that were committed in this book are nearly impossible. That is not to say that it can't happen, More...
Aug 13, 2009
Darcy
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Feb 05, 2012
Hannah
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Read in tandum the original and revised editions:
Original
Published 1930
25 chapters / 204 pages
Plot synopsis: Nancy sets out to help a young orphan whose legal guardian is not all he appears.
Revised
Revised 1960
20 chapters / 180 pages
Plot synopsis: Nancy sets out to help a young orphan whose legal guardians (a married couple) are not all they appear. An intersecting side plot involves a bank securities embezzlemen More...
Original
Published 1930
25 chapters / 204 pages
Plot synopsis: Nancy sets out to help a young orphan whose legal guardian is not all he appears.
Revised
Revised 1960
20 chapters / 180 pages
Plot synopsis: Nancy sets out to help a young orphan whose legal guardians (a married couple) are not all they appear. An intersecting side plot involves a bank securities embezzlemen More...
Dec 04, 2010
Konnie
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My nine-year-old daughter recently discovered the old Nancy Drew mystery stories (very different from the new early reader Nancy Drew stories). I decided to read one again to revisit an old friend. I had forgotten how fun the mysteries are to read. I also like that Nancy has such strong moral instincts--loyal, honest, courageous, helpful, kind, smart, determined, and on and on. Sounds like a boy scout! I'm glad to have my daughter reading these.
In this mystery, Nancy helps a newly or More...
In this mystery, Nancy helps a newly or More...
Feb 05, 2012
Katie
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Nancy Drew is completely perfect in every way. She's a great swimmer. She can put chains on the wheels of her roadster. (Heck, she has a roadster.) She isn't afraid of intimidating men, she finds ways to get out of danger again and again, and she never hesitates to take someone under her wing and into her home for protection. I don't think she has a single flaw, and I think the only reason readers don't totally hate her is that she does so many cool things. Before the mystery even starts, Nancy
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Mar 06, 2011
Gabby
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This Nancy Drew book was pretty good, but I think that the Popularity of the Nancy Drew series has decreased a TON, because of all the latest and greatest books that are out! I think that this book was an okay book, but if you were to read it in my era at my age, than this probably would not be the right book for you.
Nancy's boat crashes with her and her friend in it, and they get saved by a girl of the name of Laura. Laura was recently adopted by her "father" who seems a More...
Nancy's boat crashes with her and her friend in it, and they get saved by a girl of the name of Laura. Laura was recently adopted by her "father" who seems a More...
Aug 03, 2009
Stacey
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There was no George or Tess in this book, but there was Laura, a new girl that Nancy met and said they would be life long friends. Since this is the third book I wonder if she shows up in any of the other books. Hmmm.... I am going to have to pay attention to that. This Nancy Drew book made it very obvious to me how dumb I was as a kid. The people who "did it" were incredibly obvious and I was slightly disappointed that she didn't do anything to hide that fact. Then again its a Na
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Jun 16, 2011
Whitney
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After their boat capsizing Nancy and her friend Helen are rescued by a young girl Laura. Laura Pendleton, was recently orphaned and is anticipating meeting her new guardian, Jacob Aborn. Something seems rather odd about Jacob especially his fixation on Laura's inherited jewel collection. After Laura escapes from her locked bedroom and flees to Nancy, the young sleuth enlists herself on the case and discovers that not all is as it appears.
Reading these books makes me wish or fantasi More...
Reading these books makes me wish or fantasi More...
Nov 06, 2010
Bluemoon
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This was the third book I've read of Carolyn Keene's Nancy Drew series. I love her style of writing its easy, light and very interesting to read. I admit it's not really my favorite series of all time, but it's a good light reading, for me, when I'm in need of a break from all the fantasy novels on my shelf.
So in this book we obviously meet Nancy, where she is in trouble because of a storm brewing on the beach she is currently on. She is then saved by Laura who just happens to be walki More...
So in this book we obviously meet Nancy, where she is in trouble because of a storm brewing on the beach she is currently on. She is then saved by Laura who just happens to be walki More...
Nov 18, 2009
Sarah
rated it:
Edward Stratemeyer founded the Syndicate to publish mystery series aimed at children and teens. The author of each series was a made up person and the books were ghost written. The Syndicate series included The Rover Boys, The Bobbsey Twins, Tom Swift, The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew.
As my Mom grew up with The Hardy Boys and my grandmother grew up with The Bobbsey Twins, those are the series I read in elementary school. Mom had one Nancy Drew which I made a very lame attempt at reading More...
As my Mom grew up with The Hardy Boys and my grandmother grew up with The Bobbsey Twins, those are the series I read in elementary school. Mom had one Nancy Drew which I made a very lame attempt at reading More...
Oct 13, 2008
Jill
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The Bungalow Mystery (Nancy Drew, Book 3)
by Carolyn Keene
Edition: Hardcover
A Creepy Feeling, September 8, 2008
The Bungalow Mystery
Book 3 Nancy Drew
I have read this book several times in my lifetime. My first time was as an eighth-grader. Next, I read Nancy Drew while raising my girls. I'm now on the third-go-around. This time, I listened to the book on CD, and found it as exciting as ever.
Nancy and her friend, Helen Corning, More...
by Carolyn Keene
Edition: Hardcover
A Creepy Feeling, September 8, 2008
The Bungalow Mystery
Book 3 Nancy Drew
I have read this book several times in my lifetime. My first time was as an eighth-grader. Next, I read Nancy Drew while raising my girls. I'm now on the third-go-around. This time, I listened to the book on CD, and found it as exciting as ever.
Nancy and her friend, Helen Corning, More...
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Apr 13, 2011
Kelsey
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The Bungalow Mystery by Carolyn Keene
Growing up I wasn't the biggest reader, and the Nancy Drew series really turned that around. After reading just one book I was hooked, the simplistic plots were easy to follow, but the stories were quality and well written. Enjoyable for any age, the stories has mystery that although not too complex, kept the reader engaged and entertained. To this day I still pick up a Nancy Drew book every once and a while, they really bring me back to my c More...
Growing up I wasn't the biggest reader, and the Nancy Drew series really turned that around. After reading just one book I was hooked, the simplistic plots were easy to follow, but the stories were quality and well written. Enjoyable for any age, the stories has mystery that although not too complex, kept the reader engaged and entertained. To this day I still pick up a Nancy Drew book every once and a while, they really bring me back to my c More...
Mar 07, 2011
Elle
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I like all of the Nancy Drew books. This one was different though. Most of the settings in Carolyn Keene’s books last around 4 weeks. This particular book’s setting lasted 1 week and over half of the book took place over 1 night! It really surprised me. I think it was a good strategy to get the reader to keep reading. The book was full of action and I was holding my breath at some points, scared for Nancy’s safety. It was a great novel!
Jan 24, 2012
Malinda
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Kelsey and I have read this book. It's pretty cool to enjoy books right along with Kelsey. "The Secret of the Old Clock" is the only one of the Nancy Drew mysteries that I had when I was younger. Kelsey and I are now reading #13 - The Mystery of the Ivory Charm. If you like mystery, if you have a young reader you want to encourage...I highly recommend these for some together time that's well worth it. Good to the last page! :-)
Oct 10, 2011
Lindsey
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I give this book a tumbs up becasue I love Nancy Drew books, even though they are old they have a lot of cliff hangers at the end of each chapters which keeps me instered so I don't ever stop reading. Nancy is faced with a mystery of a new friends jewerly and inheratence stolen. The people that have stolen her inheratence have pretended to be her adopted parents and are living in the bungalow as a hide out.
Sep 18, 2011
Aditya
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I enjoyed the book, it was a good enjoyable leisure read. I would recommend it, just not highly. I considered it near 3.5 stars. As a gripe, I thought the plot had too many ridiculous portions in the story, which I don't remember occurring in Nancy Drew mysteries, but maybe the author had fewer ridiculous decisions by characters in the later books, or maybe I just don't remember what the books were like.
May 29, 2009
Ruby
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I thought I should read this childhood book again. Mildred Wit aka Caroline Keene gives an intriguing mystery for our teen sleuth to solve. When Nancy is saved by a rich, orphaned girl in a storm, she has no idea that they will become bonded by a mystery of her suspicious new guardians who are not what she expected.
Heart-warming and ageless, this story can never be read too many times.
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Oct 07, 2011
Teri
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This book was really good in so many ways! Nancy Drew is such a good detective I couldnt even figure it out myself! The clues are correct but in every book I read theres a twist in one of the clues. Its really exciting how you go on vacation with a friend and end up tied up with some rope in a bungalow with some other prisoner! Well I hope you try reading this book but start from book one if you could! Worood
Jul 25, 2010
Bonnie
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The second Nancy Drew I reread to review for the libray shelf. Humm better get to weeding. I have most of this series. They never get checked out. Fun to have to show kids the history of mysteries for young people but I can't imagine them reading this for that reason or just to see what it was like way back then. I may keep them as a display set but can't see them getting much action.
Feb 17, 2011
Liz
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Fun to read, action, plot action. I thought it would be dated but wasn't terribly. Nancy almost dies in the first chapter and has a few near misses. It's a page turner. I was the lead for a Tween book club that read Nancy Drew. I devoured all of these as a young girl. I still like a good thriller and/or mystery. Mildred Wirt, who wrote this, was the first "Carolyn Keene". She formed Nancy's character and surroundings. Edward Stratmeyer created a publishing syndicate that produ
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Nov 20, 2010
Debbie
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The Bungalow Mystery was one of my favorite Nancy Drew adventures. I read the series between the ages of 9 and 13 and enjoyed them enough to re-read.
Nancy Drew was an important role-model for me. Honesty, integrity, initiative, ingenuity and the compulsion to "put things right" were traits I learned from the series.
Nancy Drew was an important role-model for me. Honesty, integrity, initiative, ingenuity and the compulsion to "put things right" were traits I learned from the series.
