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Nancy Drew Files #29
Pure Poison
Notorious Washington gossip columnist Beverly Bishop has written the ultimate tell-all book, including information Senator Marilyn Kilpatrick does not want published. But when Bishop is found shot with a gun belonging to the senator, Nancy must help Kilpatrick clear her name!
180 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
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397 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
1,041 books3,877 followersCarolyn 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 5, 2023
Well, this book was a delight! I loved Nancy Drew as a child. The yellow backed books were my jam and I also dabbled in the Nancy Drew Hardy Boys Super Editions. But I had never sampled the Nancy Drew Files until now.
First of all, a bomb cover. This series has Nancy looking like a boss on them with her 80s shoulder pads and her big hair that is definitely full of secrets. Plus we get the brooding 40-55 year man who is either trying to kiss her or kill her (you'll have to read it to find out which).
Inside is pure Nancy Drew action. No spare words or descriptors needed. Nancy gets invited by her friend Senator Kilpatrick!! yeah, Nancy is that fancy, to come to Washington DC and help stop a gossip columnist from publishing a tell-all book and ruining said Senator's life. But also there is a tennis player who's life might be ruined not to mention a Supreme Court Justice's wife as well. This book has a lot of dirt in it. In true Nancy fashion she goes undercover, gets shot at, ends up in a fiery car chase, and then uses self defense to save herself. All in under 160 pages.
The series is a little bit dated being written in the 80s and 90s, but I admit to being charmed. I could read one of these between each of my books till the end of time. True literary gold. Sign me up for more Nancy Drew Files.
First of all, a bomb cover. This series has Nancy looking like a boss on them with her 80s shoulder pads and her big hair that is definitely full of secrets. Plus we get the brooding 40-55 year man who is either trying to kiss her or kill her (you'll have to read it to find out which).
Inside is pure Nancy Drew action. No spare words or descriptors needed. Nancy gets invited by her friend Senator Kilpatrick!! yeah, Nancy is that fancy, to come to Washington DC and help stop a gossip columnist from publishing a tell-all book and ruining said Senator's life. But also there is a tennis player who's life might be ruined not to mention a Supreme Court Justice's wife as well. This book has a lot of dirt in it. In true Nancy fashion she goes undercover, gets shot at, ends up in a fiery car chase, and then uses self defense to save herself. All in under 160 pages.
The series is a little bit dated being written in the 80s and 90s, but I admit to being charmed. I could read one of these between each of my books till the end of time. True literary gold. Sign me up for more Nancy Drew Files.
September 24, 2018
A book from the Nancy Drew series and as usual, it's so interesting and exciting. A murder and it's related to some political events and some politicians. Nancy's life was in danger but she managed to solve it at the end.
What I really like about her series that I gain imaginary visual situations and I gain some experiences about what to do in hard situations. I like how smart she is. I imagine everything as if I see it, thanks to the way the writer describes everything and the expressions on people's face.
I'm willing to read more of Nancy Drew's series.
What I really like about her series that I gain imaginary visual situations and I gain some experiences about what to do in hard situations. I like how smart she is. I imagine everything as if I see it, thanks to the way the writer describes everything and the expressions on people's face.
I'm willing to read more of Nancy Drew's series.
July 8, 2018
I discovered the Nancy Drew Case files at an antique market. Apparently they did a spin-off of the original ND books in the 80s and 90s geared toward teens? I loved the 80s covers and had to read them for myself. I actually really enjoyed them! Gave me all the nostalgia feels with a weird 80s spin? Fast, easy read - fun for longtime ND readers:)
June 16, 2017
This was a fun reread..I got this book many many years ago and randomly picked it up again recently..It's fun, short and fast paced. I read it in one sitting .
April 29, 2021
This one was just okay.
August 6, 2021
No romance, but some moments of suspense
November 25, 2022
My recap/review (with spoilers/cursing):
https://anchor.fm/nancy-drew-nickerso...
https://anchor.fm/nancy-drew-nickerso...
February 20, 2022
3 stars. This one was pretty good. It was full of twists and turns and I will admit that I thought I figured it out but then there would be a new reveal. The action was good and fun and everything wrapped up well.
November 27, 2019
Nancys old friend Senator Kilpatrick is running for office and she is in trouble. A gossip writer is publishing a tell all book, and the senator is in it! Once the writer is murdered, the senator is the prime suspect and Nancy has to get to the bottom of things before the senator's career is ruined. Good to see Teresa and Dirk back from Deadly Doubles!
January 18, 2016
One thing that is very helpful is that at the start of the book they have a page which describes the case, the suspects, the contact and the complications. This helps a person keep track of who's who right from the start.
The main theme is that a Senator Kilpatrick, who Nancy knows, has requested Nancy's help. A woman reporter is planning to publish a book exposing secrets of a variety of people, and exposing Kilpatrick's could place her career in jeopardy and also threaten the life of a tennis planer, Montenegro.
There's an abundance of possible suspects, including a rival report, the wife of a justice, and a guy that wants to take over Kilpatrick's seat.
Nancy has to find out who is behind everything that is going wrong, what kind of secrets are being kept, and who knows what about them. In the process there is someone shooting at her and someone who tries to trap her in a burning building. Throw in one dead person and you have a rather interesting and perilous adventure for Nancy Drew.
The main theme is that a Senator Kilpatrick, who Nancy knows, has requested Nancy's help. A woman reporter is planning to publish a book exposing secrets of a variety of people, and exposing Kilpatrick's could place her career in jeopardy and also threaten the life of a tennis planer, Montenegro.
There's an abundance of possible suspects, including a rival report, the wife of a justice, and a guy that wants to take over Kilpatrick's seat.
Nancy has to find out who is behind everything that is going wrong, what kind of secrets are being kept, and who knows what about them. In the process there is someone shooting at her and someone who tries to trap her in a burning building. Throw in one dead person and you have a rather interesting and perilous adventure for Nancy Drew.
July 23, 2016
It was OK, not really my style, and Nancy looks at least 40 on the cover.
July 31, 2014
A nice book ......
All about Beverly bishop murder!!!!
All about Beverly bishop murder!!!!
April 29, 2016
More fun and excitement from this series!
October 1, 2008
a book like none other!!
Read
November 11, 2018A book from the Nancy Drew series and as usual, it's so interesting and exciting. A murder and it's related to some political events and some politicians. Nancy's life was in danger but she managed to solve it at the end.
What I really like about her series that I gain imaginary visual situations and I gain some experiences about what to do in hard situations. I like how smart she is. I imagine everything as if I see it, thanks to the way the writer describes everything and the expressions on people's face.
I'm willing to read more of Nancy Drew's series.
What I really like about her series that I gain imaginary visual situations and I gain some experiences about what to do in hard situations. I like how smart she is. I imagine everything as if I see it, thanks to the way the writer describes everything and the expressions on people's face.
I'm willing to read more of Nancy Drew's series.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews