False Impressions

Nancy Drew Files #43

by Carolyn Keene

Nancy must restore her reputation after an imposter uses her name to con wealthy townspeople out of thousands of dollars.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Suspense, Juvenile

155 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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

[Shelley · Rating 1 out of 5]

We have a Little Library on our street. I'm not sure why my husband bought home three, The Nancy Drew Files books, but I decided to read them and completed them in the last couple of days.

I was a young girl in the 1970's, so I was very much into Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys. I even kept them and they sit in my bookshelves. I didn't understand what "Files" meant until I did a google search - the books are a spin-off of the original books, but more of an emphasis on adventure, malice and romance. Their books are known for their suspense, cleverness, and contemporary. Well, considering I haven't read a Nancy Drew book since the '70, I remember the books as very adventurous and clever, so either my memory is way off, or they were trying to do a marketing trick.

False Impressions was anything but clever. I was really disappointed and it being the first of the three books, I didn't know what to expect of the other two I had. There were too many characters and it became confusing. I'm kept thinking, I'm 58 years old, this is supposed to be for 11 year olds, how am I not able to keep track of all these characters? Ugh I also found the story was just awful and I really didn't like Nancy Drew was being framed for all the good she's done in the past in solving murders and the like. How can everyone just presume she's done it so readily and easily? It really annoyed me!

The story: A woman, in nearby Mapleton at a posh country club has been swindling money from members and she goes by the name of Nancy Drew. It's up to Nancy Drew and her friends to clear her name.

[Bulk Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good to read a Files book again. I find the writing style a lot more engaging than other eras. I've noticed that they receive pretty low ratings compared to other Nancy Drew books, and I think that must be because of the soap operatic plotlines. But honestly, that's the main appeal for me.

This one was confusing, though. I kept thinking the culprit would be Brenda like in the PC game, but it was someone entirely different, and now I'm questioning whether this book has anything to do with the game at all. Yes, Nancy is framed, but that's the only similarity. The cast of characters was way too large at the end, which was annoying because everyone was pretty forgettable.

One of the most laughable aspects of the book was how Nancy disguises herself as Brenda by dyeing her hair, and then everyone, and I mean EVERYONE (including people who have only met Nancy and/or Brenda a handful of times) immediately mistakes her for Brenda when they see her and not just some random brunette. I mean, it wasn't a bad idea if Nancy wanted to use it on people that she and Brenda have never met before, but the police officer who was investigating her? No way.

I also thought it was pretty funny that the police assumed an 18 year-old would be able to pull off such an elaborate con. Especially one who is known for doing good community service deeds (i.e. solving mysteries). Like really, did they look into her at all?

[Trips Starlake · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars.
Gets points for being fast paced.
I enjoyed the concept, the town turning on River Heights's darling was fun, Ned actually had a bit more characterization than usual, shocking!
Even though Nancy Drew often has the case get solved before her eyes, the unraveling of the case was a bit too convenient for me this time.

I find the Nancy Drew Files to be written in a snappy, entertaining way the classic ND novels are missing sometimes.

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

3 stars. I prefer when the cases directly involve either someone Nancy is close to or Nancy herself and this book was the latter which was fun. Someone is trying to blame Nancy for a crime she didn’t commit and it was pretty entertaining watching her and the gang try to clear her name. I really liked this one a lot and the ending was great. A really solid installment.

[Ananya · Rating 2 out of 5]

*2.5
Very meh. But I got through it in just a couple of hours so not bad.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this one!

[Y · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars.

I like stories where the falsely accused must find the true culprits and clear themselves, but I don't like it when people can so easily impersonate someone else just like that and have everyone around them believe them to be that someone. So someone can pretend to be Nancy just by putting on a wig? And in fact Nancy herself can easily fool everyone into believing she's someone else by dying her hair and speaking snootily? Nah. That's a little too ridiculous for me, in Nancy Drew and any other place it tends to show up.

[Alsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book sitting on my shelf, remembering how much I used to like Nancy Drew, I thought I'd give it a read again. Still amazing series!! Suspense and excitement on every page, I recommend it for any detective fans.
Thinking of reading the Nancy Drew books again now. :)

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I was getting over Nancy Drew, and was starting to get bored with it. It was becoming too predictable for me. Then I read this book and was pleasantly surprised by the twists in the story. And my liking for Nancy Drew is alive and kicking again. :)

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

i picked this up from my childhood books at my parents' house when i couldn't find anything else to read. just as good as i remember it being...

[Prami{reader and dreamer} · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't remember much but I know I liked it.

[Mehak Choudhry]

nancy drew files

[Nattie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent. I hated the attitude of the head cop investigating the thefts. He gives police officers a bad name.

[Karisti Severt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solvable. 84/100