Trouble at Lake Tahoe

Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #118

by Carolyn Keene

Nancy's old friend Katie Cobb is favored to win the Far West Regional Water-skiing Championship, held at beautiful Lake Tahoe. But someone is determined to knock Katie off her skis and out of the race, and as Nancy investigates, she could be taking a free-fall herself.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Childrens, Fiction, Adventure, Thriller, Roman

Library Binding

First published April 1, 1994

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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

[Ann♥♪♪♪♪ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good mystery - makes a great summer read! Nancy, Bess, and George have to stop a saboteur before someone or several someones get killed - including Nancy. Not only is there trouble at Lake Tahoe, but plenty of action, too!

[Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun mystery from Nancy Drew, who finds a mystery on vacation at Lake Tahoe during a water skiing competition. Lots of suspects but eventually Nancy cracks the case, but is it in time?

[Gabrielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let's be honest, this was a tiresome book about girls of privilege and their girls of privilege problems. Like bloody environmentalists trying to make them suffer for their God given right to use the lake for water skiing. Anyway I sill thoroughly enjoyed aspects of it. Like the description of the a-frame cabin Katie Cobb's parents rented in Incline Village (where, btw, I just visited, who's privileged now Nancy Drew?).

[peter f mathias · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED THE BOOK

Never have waterskiied, never even thought of doing it, but loving the book very possible eve though you aren't a waterskier.

[CB · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book! Interesting characters, nice mystery, it kept me guessing! I was mislead at some parts and other parts I guessed. The only part I didn’t like was how much time was spent on water skiing (I know it’s meant to be a big part of the book) I’m just not super interested in that sport. It was a quick read and I learned something new! Nancy Drew rarely disappoints.

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.

[Gail Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I'm now a senior, I still enjoy Nancy Drew for a relaxing, quick read. Read them all when young.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, captivating story for all readers. Not the biggest story plot twist, but still enjoyable.

[Bav · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot was interesting. But at one point of time the story was a bit predictable

[Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just can't get enough of Nancy Drew books! :D

[⁠♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK! It's like AXN. It's thrilling. HAHAHA

[LuAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another interesting setting—waterskiing contest on Lake Tahoe and some fun experiences, like Bess learning to waterski.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

reread a few of these in october and i actually really enjoyed this one!

[V. Arrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded down. I liked the characters in this, but the 90s eco-terror scaremongering is SO bizarre in retrospect and really didn't age well.