Shadow of a Doubt

Nancy Drew Files #40

by Carolyn Keene

The legal career of Nancy's father is threatened when he is accused of obstructing justice in an old case and of putting an innocent man behind bars, but Nancy's investigation uncovers the apparent suicide of the convicted man and further questions.

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

154 pages

First published January 1, 1989

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun one from this series.

[Roderick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some stupid decisions made (towards the end, especially) by an unusually self-centered protagonist, who inexplicably can't relate to 2 siblings trying to get justice for their father. . . as she attempts to protect hers from false accusation.

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

3 stars. I really like when the cases focus on someone close to Nancy and this one was particularly great because the target was her father. I really enjoyed it. It had some fun twists and reveals and while the ending was a bit lackluster this was still an entertaining read.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still loving this series!

[V. Arrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This should have been more exciting, given the plotline. But it dragged horribly.

[Josie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I read this book when I was younger and again as a teenager, I am about to get my 10yr old to read them also. Great books for kids to read, especially those 10 - 15 yr olds. THey would love the mystery that is involved in these stories. Girl Power!!!

[Katelyn Halladay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

This book is written so that it comes off as if your in the book as one of the characters. I recommend this book for many teens that look for suspense and mystery.

[Karisti Severt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solvable. 88/100