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Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #54
The Strange Message in the Parchment
A sheep farmer receives a mysterious telephone call shortly after he buys a series of pictures painted on parchment. 'Decipher the message in the parchment and right a great wrong, ' the voice says. Puzzled, the owner asks Nancy to help.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1974
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About the author
Carolyn Keene
954 books3,834 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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 - 30 of 132 reviews
January 30, 2013
I love Nancy Drew books, even as a 27 year old, but this was my least favorite of the dozen or so I've read thus far. I have read commentary in regard to the shifting of Nancy from being a confident, strong young woman in the earliest stories, to a more easily preyed upon and less assured individual by the 1980s. Even the book covers reflect this progression. In earlier books we see Nancy on the cover snooping around and on her guard. Here, Nancy's eyes are closed. She has a much softer look, and there is no direct clue hunting happening. The cover reflects neither strength nor confidence in Nancy.
Within its pages, this book clearly has a few hidden agendas. During the 1970s, more young men and women shifted away from eating meat to becoming vegetarians. Here, the author assures the reader that the meat and sheep skin product industry is a necessary process, even if it is gruesome. Although not a vegetarian myself, it seems that the author was too heavy handed by bringing this point up more than a couple of times.
The author also seems to dislike the idea of labor organization, as they tie it to a shady character and a scam. While some workers are interested in organizing for higher wages, at the least, the most senior and respected shepherd has no interest. Nancy's male friends are even used to infiltrate the ranks to determine the severity of the issue, something I just can't see them doing in earlier books.
Finally, the author seems bent on pushing biblical scripture into the reader through the constant quotation by the head shepherd. This particular author also puts the location of the quotation from the bible at the bottom of the page.
The plot line is weak, and the ending was very predictable. I don't know who in the Keene syndicate wrote this, but it was not their best work to date. While other Nancy Drew stories from this period have weak plots, this was particular story was my least liked.
Within its pages, this book clearly has a few hidden agendas. During the 1970s, more young men and women shifted away from eating meat to becoming vegetarians. Here, the author assures the reader that the meat and sheep skin product industry is a necessary process, even if it is gruesome. Although not a vegetarian myself, it seems that the author was too heavy handed by bringing this point up more than a couple of times.
The author also seems to dislike the idea of labor organization, as they tie it to a shady character and a scam. While some workers are interested in organizing for higher wages, at the least, the most senior and respected shepherd has no interest. Nancy's male friends are even used to infiltrate the ranks to determine the severity of the issue, something I just can't see them doing in earlier books.
Finally, the author seems bent on pushing biblical scripture into the reader through the constant quotation by the head shepherd. This particular author also puts the location of the quotation from the bible at the bottom of the page.
The plot line is weak, and the ending was very predictable. I don't know who in the Keene syndicate wrote this, but it was not their best work to date. While other Nancy Drew stories from this period have weak plots, this was particular story was my least liked.
February 20, 2024
Another exciting adventure in this long-running, classic series. It was surprising to see all the Bible quotations.
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May 2, 2021Nancy figures you have to eat meat otherwise the world would be taken over by animals. Such wisdom. Also, a person who has studied Italian cannot communicate with old Italian farmers on any level.
May 10, 2017
Nancy Drew and the Mystery of the Heavy-Handed Messages about Socialism and Immigrants: Also Featuring Random Bible Quotes and Anti-Vegetarianism.
November 7, 2021
Nancy and her buddies end out at a sheep ranch in #54 - and there are many mentions of parchment and where it comes from. Poor ol' Bess couldn't deal with the slaughtering of sheep to get the parchment and all the other bits and pieces most of us don't want to think about, but Nancy and George were able to tour the facilities with stoic aplomb. Meanwhile, back at the ranch. . . .
Drawn and painted parchments aplenty, and then are stolen! Nancy decides drawing them from memory, on parchment, is just the thing to do (wouldn't have been mine. . .but then, I'm not a Girl Detective!). There's a boy who draws, who is being held hostage? abused? by his very own uncle supposedly. There is a mafia ring from Italy that has it's grubby paws on the the innocent sheep ranch. . . .
And of course, Nancy restores all to order - sorting the mafia, the uncle and finding the boy's mother and making sure they were reunited. She even found a lamb that she could befriend and ensure it escaped the butchery in the main workflow of the ranch. . . a shepherd on the hill above needed a sheep to shepherd. Perfect!
Drawn and painted parchments aplenty, and then are stolen! Nancy decides drawing them from memory, on parchment, is just the thing to do (wouldn't have been mine. . .but then, I'm not a Girl Detective!). There's a boy who draws, who is being held hostage? abused? by his very own uncle supposedly. There is a mafia ring from Italy that has it's grubby paws on the the innocent sheep ranch. . . .
And of course, Nancy restores all to order - sorting the mafia, the uncle and finding the boy's mother and making sure they were reunited. She even found a lamb that she could befriend and ensure it escaped the butchery in the main workflow of the ranch. . . a shepherd on the hill above needed a sheep to shepherd. Perfect!
February 28, 2021
4 stars & 4/10 hearts. I think I would have enjoyed this mystery better if it didn’t contain so much jumping to conclusions. But it’s true that is often what happens in the Nancy books. Apart from that, I liked Tony and Eezy and other characters, and the mystery was fun.
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March 9, 2025This one was wild. I learned that parchment is made from sheep
February 20, 2020
I have never read a Nancy Drew book. I only picked it up to check off a prompt in my reading challenge this year. Who ever wrote this book in the series had a hided agenda. They spoke way to much about a slaughter house of sheep, I understand in the 70's when this book was published a lot of people where switching to vegetarian but come on that had nothing to do with the story line and neither did the whole religious talk. The man named Eezy couldn't talk to Nancy and her friend Junie without talking a quote from the Bible and on top of that the author went as far as putting footnotes at the bottom of the page... seriously why!!
June 29, 2025
Pretty mid, sheeps should have had more screen time
September 14, 2013
Nancy is on a yet another adventure and this time its her former schoolmate, Junie Flockhart who has brought the mystery for her to solve in "The Strange Message in the Parchment". :)
Junie's father, who also owns a parchment making factory and lives on Triple Creek Farm, has bought a parchment with four scenes painted on it. Junie tells her that soon after buying the parchment, her father got a mysterious call where "a man who didn't give his name said the picture had a message. Anyone who could figure it out would bring happiness and comfort to several people, and right an old wrong."
Now its up to Nancy Drew to solve the mystery of the painting and "right an old wrong" , all the while deceiving danger and coming face-to-face with some very evil villains.
There is action, drama, danger and an intriguing mystery here and I just loved reading it. :)
This book is better in terms of plot planning, execution and keeping the suspense till the end as compared to the previous Nancy Drew book that I read "The Secret of the Forgotten City".
I loved the character of Eezy who quotes the bible and plays the harp beautifully. His grandfather type character is soothing, real like and makes the reader fall in love with him.
I also loved the fact that Nancy's usual gang, Bess, George, Ned, Burt and Dave appear only later in the book and that meanwhile Junie plays the sidekick, which was refreshingly interesting.
I also got to learn much about the parchment making process from the book which I feel is good and an enhancement to my general knowledge. :)
Also a crisp writing style and simple dialogues make the book seem more approachable to the younger reading crowd.
The only points I felt somewhat unnecessary were: firstly, the scene in the beginning of the story where a thief steals Nancy's sheepskin jacket was unnecessary as it didn't bear any connection to the main plot or contribute to it except from showing that Nancy is very quick and that Togo is a great dog which we already know. Secondly, the part where everyone questions how the thief could have entered the house and suddenly, as if understanding what is being asked, Togo stands on its hind legs and shows everyone by opening the door. NOT NEEDED. Thirdly, the numerous quotes in the story where the author justifies sheep slaughter "They are killed so you and others will have lamb to eat, Bess." All this could have been said only once rather than bringing it up 2-3 times in the book.
All in all, I really enjoyed the book and recommend all to read it. I give "The Strange Message in the Parchment" a 4.0 out of 5. So go read and enjoy. :)
Junie's father, who also owns a parchment making factory and lives on Triple Creek Farm, has bought a parchment with four scenes painted on it. Junie tells her that soon after buying the parchment, her father got a mysterious call where "a man who didn't give his name said the picture had a message. Anyone who could figure it out would bring happiness and comfort to several people, and right an old wrong."
Now its up to Nancy Drew to solve the mystery of the painting and "right an old wrong" , all the while deceiving danger and coming face-to-face with some very evil villains.
There is action, drama, danger and an intriguing mystery here and I just loved reading it. :)
This book is better in terms of plot planning, execution and keeping the suspense till the end as compared to the previous Nancy Drew book that I read "The Secret of the Forgotten City".
I loved the character of Eezy who quotes the bible and plays the harp beautifully. His grandfather type character is soothing, real like and makes the reader fall in love with him.
I also loved the fact that Nancy's usual gang, Bess, George, Ned, Burt and Dave appear only later in the book and that meanwhile Junie plays the sidekick, which was refreshingly interesting.
I also got to learn much about the parchment making process from the book which I feel is good and an enhancement to my general knowledge. :)
Also a crisp writing style and simple dialogues make the book seem more approachable to the younger reading crowd.
The only points I felt somewhat unnecessary were: firstly, the scene in the beginning of the story where a thief steals Nancy's sheepskin jacket was unnecessary as it didn't bear any connection to the main plot or contribute to it except from showing that Nancy is very quick and that Togo is a great dog which we already know. Secondly, the part where everyone questions how the thief could have entered the house and suddenly, as if understanding what is being asked, Togo stands on its hind legs and shows everyone by opening the door. NOT NEEDED. Thirdly, the numerous quotes in the story where the author justifies sheep slaughter "They are killed so you and others will have lamb to eat, Bess." All this could have been said only once rather than bringing it up 2-3 times in the book.
All in all, I really enjoyed the book and recommend all to read it. I give "The Strange Message in the Parchment" a 4.0 out of 5. So go read and enjoy. :)
November 7, 2024
I CANNOT ☠️☠️☠️ This one HAD to have been ghostwritten by someone else it was SO. BAD. The writing was particularly mediocre.
We’ve got a disturbing amount of capitalism worship (hooray for slaughtering sheep because we need their skins and meat!!!!!!), a shepherd that randomly only speaks in bible quotes, and Nancy miraculously shifting the attitude of a convicted criminal in a roughly two-sentence conversation.
Also how DARE the farm workers organize themselves for better wages!
This was NOT a good post-election read. 🙃
If YOU were a thieving kidnapper, would YOU sell the painting of your actual crime to your neighbor? If you answered HECK YES, you may be the world’s dumbest Nancy Drew villain!
The shame of it all is I did love the reunification storyline, but literally everything else here ruined it. 1.5 stars on a good day.
We’ve got a disturbing amount of capitalism worship (hooray for slaughtering sheep because we need their skins and meat!!!!!!), a shepherd that randomly only speaks in bible quotes, and Nancy miraculously shifting the attitude of a convicted criminal in a roughly two-sentence conversation.
Also how DARE the farm workers organize themselves for better wages!
This was NOT a good post-election read. 🙃
If YOU were a thieving kidnapper, would YOU sell the painting of your actual crime to your neighbor? If you answered HECK YES, you may be the world’s dumbest Nancy Drew villain!
The shame of it all is I did love the reunification storyline, but literally everything else here ruined it. 1.5 stars on a good day.
March 5, 2021
I read these books aloud to my 5-year-old daughter, so I just want you to imagine how much "uhmming" and "errring" occurred when we get to the page long description of Nancy's visit to the slaughterhouse. Oh, look, honey, here Nancy seems slightly perturbed about the methods they use to they drain all the blood out of the sheep!
Also in this book Nancy grouses about illegal immigrants and endorses union busting. NOT MY FAVORITE
Also in this book Nancy grouses about illegal immigrants and endorses union busting. NOT MY FAVORITE
August 21, 2017
Nancy Drew takes on a case to solve the mystery of a series of pictures painted on parchment.
The Nancy Drew books were my favorites as a kid, and rereading them as an adult has been fun. This wasn't one of the best stories, but it's still worth reading if you like Nancy Drew.
The Nancy Drew books were my favorites as a kid, and rereading them as an adult has been fun. This wasn't one of the best stories, but it's still worth reading if you like Nancy Drew.
September 30, 2011
Nancy Drew returns in another thrilling addition to this mystery book series.
May 26, 2014
This book is just weird. It gives a detailed description of a slaughterhouse. I wouldn't want a child to read this. I don't even want to have read this.
July 17, 2022
Nancy Drew is invited to visit her friend, Junie, to uncover the strange message in a parchment purchased by Junie's father. Of course, Nancy doesn't hesitate to help her friend's family. The story is set on a sheep farm, and many descriptions relate to how parchment is made and what processes, butchering, take place on the farm. Personally, I would have been content with not reading these sections of the book. While working on the mystery, Nancy encounters a lot of roadblocks and saboteurs, which doesn't deter Nancy and Junie. They enlist the help of Junie's boyfriend and the farm's shepherd, who loves to speak in Biblical parables, which I thought was a bit off for a ND mystery.
Eventually, with the help of Bess, George, Ned, Burt, and Dave, about 3/4 through the book, Nancy solves the strange message in the parchment and reunites a family.
My favorite parts of the book include the reunification of the family.
My least favorite parts of the book include Nancy taking illegal actions (despite it to help someone in need) and the multiple descriptions of sheep farm butchery.
⭐⭐⭐
Eventually, with the help of Bess, George, Ned, Burt, and Dave, about 3/4 through the book, Nancy solves the strange message in the parchment and reunites a family.
My favorite parts of the book include the reunification of the family.
My least favorite parts of the book include Nancy taking illegal actions (despite it to help someone in need) and the multiple descriptions of sheep farm butchery.
⭐⭐⭐
October 15, 2023
This did not age well. So many Red Flags. Uff.
February 1, 2024
I didnt like Junies family very much.I dont understand why Nancys friends came 40 pages before the ending just leave them out.
July 29, 2025
I am re-reading every OG Nancy Drew book this summer.
I am rating them in flashlights but only against other Nancy Drew books as I read them. I kind of hate-read this one and couldn't wait to be done. In spite of a great cover, this book was not good at all. Barely any mystery (except for the puzzle, which Nancy solved in about two seconds) and a lot of horrific descriptions about working on a sheep farm. 🔦
I am rating them in flashlights but only against other Nancy Drew books as I read them. I kind of hate-read this one and couldn't wait to be done. In spite of a great cover, this book was not good at all. Barely any mystery (except for the puzzle, which Nancy solved in about two seconds) and a lot of horrific descriptions about working on a sheep farm. 🔦
February 6, 2017
I am a huge fan of Nancy Drew books, and have been ever since I was 11 years old. I recognize all the shortcomings of the original series, with its rather two-dimensional characters, whose physical appearance always reflects their personality, and storylines that are not exactly on par with those of Agatha Christie. However, I find these books enjoyable for what they are and consider them an effective way to unwind at the end of the day.
This particular mystery was overall an enjoyable read, like all others. The main cast did not act in any way different from other stories, and Nancy once again proved that she is not only a talented detective in general, but also has plot-convenient talents up her sleeve. The protagonists look and act in unconditionally proper ways and the antagonists are just as unconditionally and irrevocably repugnant. With one big exception, thanks to Nancy.
But it is precisely this one exception, with a few other details, that made this mystery a little over-the-top even for a hardcore Nancy fan. All it takes is for Nancy to talk to a convicted criminal for a few minutes to completely change his view of life. The addition of an abducted and abused child who is finally reunited with his family is another over-the-top element. The plot included these life-changing event, yet they took place within one-two chapters, that is, a couple of days at most. Thus, the last few chapters of the book felt very rushed, without any plot development, as if the author knew that the intricate mystery woven from the start suddenly needed to be resolved in the two remaining chapters in order not to exceed the 20-chapter limit.
A smaller element that I found difficult to appreciate is the use of the foreign language, Italian and English as Second Language. In particular, how the characters get around that obstacle. It begins with one American saying that he is not sure that his language skills are good enough to handle a conversation in Italian. Yet from the moment we see him speak Italian, the vocabulary and grammar structure indicate that he must be quite advanced in his studies. But for somebody who is advanced, it would be strange to wonder if he could handle a simple get-to-know-you-neighbor conversation. Later, the same character comes back having learned additionally different varieties of Italian and able to have profound conversations on different topics in those varieties. As a speaker of several language and a foreign language teacher, I found those moment extremely unlikely. The same goes for the Italian boy who goes from no English at all, including "hello", to "perfect English" in one day. Obviously, foreign language was not going to create a major obstacle in a Nancy Drew story, but the way that the obstacle was handled also seemed rushed and thus very hard to believe.
Despite these details, overall my reading experience was still enjoyable and fast. You know that at the end everything is going to be all right in a Nancy Drew book, and that is part of the pleasure of reading these light stories.
This particular mystery was overall an enjoyable read, like all others. The main cast did not act in any way different from other stories, and Nancy once again proved that she is not only a talented detective in general, but also has plot-convenient talents up her sleeve. The protagonists look and act in unconditionally proper ways and the antagonists are just as unconditionally and irrevocably repugnant. With one big exception, thanks to Nancy.
But it is precisely this one exception, with a few other details, that made this mystery a little over-the-top even for a hardcore Nancy fan. All it takes is for Nancy to talk to a convicted criminal for a few minutes to completely change his view of life. The addition of an abducted and abused child who is finally reunited with his family is another over-the-top element. The plot included these life-changing event, yet they took place within one-two chapters, that is, a couple of days at most. Thus, the last few chapters of the book felt very rushed, without any plot development, as if the author knew that the intricate mystery woven from the start suddenly needed to be resolved in the two remaining chapters in order not to exceed the 20-chapter limit.
A smaller element that I found difficult to appreciate is the use of the foreign language, Italian and English as Second Language. In particular, how the characters get around that obstacle. It begins with one American saying that he is not sure that his language skills are good enough to handle a conversation in Italian. Yet from the moment we see him speak Italian, the vocabulary and grammar structure indicate that he must be quite advanced in his studies. But for somebody who is advanced, it would be strange to wonder if he could handle a simple get-to-know-you-neighbor conversation. Later, the same character comes back having learned additionally different varieties of Italian and able to have profound conversations on different topics in those varieties. As a speaker of several language and a foreign language teacher, I found those moment extremely unlikely. The same goes for the Italian boy who goes from no English at all, including "hello", to "perfect English" in one day. Obviously, foreign language was not going to create a major obstacle in a Nancy Drew story, but the way that the obstacle was handled also seemed rushed and thus very hard to believe.
Despite these details, overall my reading experience was still enjoyable and fast. You know that at the end everything is going to be all right in a Nancy Drew book, and that is part of the pleasure of reading these light stories.
February 25, 2020
Who gave the "okay" for the concept of this plot? Nancy has a friend who lives on a sheep farm.
No, the farm does not do the cute things like shear the wool and make yarn.
It's a slaughterhouse.
The farm makes parchment, i.e. sheepskin.
The business owner's daughter gives Nancy, and Nancy's friends, not one, but Two tours through the slaughterhouse.
The group meets a kindly old shepherd named Eezy, a nickname for Ezekiel. And the old guy always greets visitors with Bible quotes. Precise Bible quotes, with footnotes.
Fun fact: Ezekiel had been one of my favorite Old Testament books, during my days of Bible study. It has that wild description of wheels-within-wheels, that hallucinogenic vision of the angelic dimension. Trippy and mind-expanding, rather!
The bad guy is a neighbor property owner who has hired non-English speakers to work his land.
Another bad guy is a local who steals a painting from Nancy's friend's house. Nancy is generously allowed to visit him in jail. She thoroughly questions his actions and motives, and she encourages him to turn over a new leaf. He is a new man! (Is the man not aware that he has rights to a lawyer? When was that Miranda thing invented? *gooble search for this...* Aw, dagnabbit, Nancy! The Miranda rights were established in 1966. You should know this! Your dang dad is an attorney! Where the heck do you get off, counseling a man who doesn't have a defense attorney, who hasn't received a sentence?! Serious violations, Nancy.)
Nancy's core group of friends are absent from the majority of this book. They show up in time to exchange terrible jokes with Nancy's farm girl friend. Mainly she tries to convince Ned Nickerson that she has trained the sheep to operate tractors.
What a world.
No, the farm does not do the cute things like shear the wool and make yarn.
It's a slaughterhouse.
The farm makes parchment, i.e. sheepskin.
The business owner's daughter gives Nancy, and Nancy's friends, not one, but Two tours through the slaughterhouse.
The group meets a kindly old shepherd named Eezy, a nickname for Ezekiel. And the old guy always greets visitors with Bible quotes. Precise Bible quotes, with footnotes.
Fun fact: Ezekiel had been one of my favorite Old Testament books, during my days of Bible study. It has that wild description of wheels-within-wheels, that hallucinogenic vision of the angelic dimension. Trippy and mind-expanding, rather!
The bad guy is a neighbor property owner who has hired non-English speakers to work his land.
Another bad guy is a local who steals a painting from Nancy's friend's house. Nancy is generously allowed to visit him in jail. She thoroughly questions his actions and motives, and she encourages him to turn over a new leaf. He is a new man! (Is the man not aware that he has rights to a lawyer? When was that Miranda thing invented? *gooble search for this...* Aw, dagnabbit, Nancy! The Miranda rights were established in 1966. You should know this! Your dang dad is an attorney! Where the heck do you get off, counseling a man who doesn't have a defense attorney, who hasn't received a sentence?! Serious violations, Nancy.)
Nancy's core group of friends are absent from the majority of this book. They show up in time to exchange terrible jokes with Nancy's farm girl friend. Mainly she tries to convince Ned Nickerson that she has trained the sheep to operate tractors.
What a world.
August 10, 2019
I didn't recall much of this Nancy Drew mystery from reading it years ago, and I suppose that is probably due to the so-so storyline. The book starts with a petty theft that has nothing to do with the main mystery, and ends anticlimactically with the story's criminals being captured off-page. There are also some odd elements that take you out of the story a bit, especially a seemingly anti-union message.
The mystery of the parchment paintings is a bit of an unusual one for the series, and the solution was nice, if rather farfetched(but come on, no one reads Nancy Drew for dark, gritty realism!). And as an interesting side note, I think this is the first time I've noticed the word "boyfriend"(finally one word, not two!) in this whole series! Using that descriptor probably makes Junie and Dan basically engaged in this series' world!
The Strange Message in the Parchment is a nice light mystery, but is doesn't feel fully developed, and nothing really makes it stand out from the crowd in this huge series.
The mystery of the parchment paintings is a bit of an unusual one for the series, and the solution was nice, if rather farfetched(but come on, no one reads Nancy Drew for dark, gritty realism!). And as an interesting side note, I think this is the first time I've noticed the word "boyfriend"(finally one word, not two!) in this whole series! Using that descriptor probably makes Junie and Dan basically engaged in this series' world!
The Strange Message in the Parchment is a nice light mystery, but is doesn't feel fully developed, and nothing really makes it stand out from the crowd in this huge series.
December 1, 2019
Somehow I missed the Nancy Drew series when I was young, so I decided to try a few books now that I am much older.
I was quite impressed with the scope of education that Carolyn Keene was able to put into a short novel and keep a young mind interested. Nancy Drew helps young people learn the ability and impact of investigative questioning, reasoning, and intuition. She shows how taking time to think things out overnight helps her put it all into perspective.
Keene introduces the concepts of business and how, in this particular instance, the parchment business works (from Shepards to slaughter to processing the lambskin into parchment.
Whether or not young minds pick up all that I did, it was refreshing to see the educational tools used by Keene to teach through the reading mystery.
I was quite impressed with the scope of education that Carolyn Keene was able to put into a short novel and keep a young mind interested. Nancy Drew helps young people learn the ability and impact of investigative questioning, reasoning, and intuition. She shows how taking time to think things out overnight helps her put it all into perspective.
Keene introduces the concepts of business and how, in this particular instance, the parchment business works (from Shepards to slaughter to processing the lambskin into parchment.
Whether or not young minds pick up all that I did, it was refreshing to see the educational tools used by Keene to teach through the reading mystery.
May 28, 2013
This is another of the poorly written later Nancy Drew books written by someone writing anonymously for the publisher, whose goal was to crank out as many money-makers as possible as quickly as possible. It broke from the pattern of Nancy Drew stories by including a shepherd who quoted from the Bible, which would make the book questionable for inclusion in a public school library.
April 15, 2008
Searching for some stolen parchment paintings lead Nancy to a mystery
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February 2, 2024I like how not only were Bible verses quoted throughout this one, but they said where to find the passage. It was really cool.
December 22, 2020
When I was a child I read a lot of Nancy Drew, although probably not that many given that I see there's about 170 of the books. I gave them all away in my late teens to clear out stuff, which I kind of regret now, and I was thrilled recently when a friend sent me this one for a trip down memory lane. Although I don't think I'd read this one before as it was completely new to me.
This is the thing about going back to stuff you thought was FABULOUS when you were a child, and you're now a cynical old adult. Sometimes you look at it and think, dear god, this is soooo corny. Nancy Drew is as corny as corn on the cob, the plot is intensely unbelievable and none of the adults behave like adults - so if you come at it as an adult, you will be horrified =) (I mean, a policeman writes a note and sends two teenage girls off to see a thief in prison; a teenage lad rings the bank asking for details of transactions on a local farmer's bank account - and the bank manager complies). However, this is aimed at little girls who don't understand how the real world works, and want a bit of quick escapism where good American girl -scout Nancy Drew shows people how to be good, solves the puzzle that none of the adults were able to figure out (doh!) and has a great time with her chums. How jolly! And it is a bit of nostalgia for the rest of us. I am really curious about the history of these books though. I love the front cover illustration on this book. The ones I had didn't match this series of illustrations at all. I had books from two versions, one a very early nineties stylised, with a white background and cut out figures in watercolour, and the other were very realistic illustrations of Nancy part way through some daring deed.
I'm reminiscing and not saying much about this book.
I think I'd need to read or re-read some more to completely be able to stand by this statement: but I don't think it's the best one out there. I also am not sure if this one will stand the test of time. It was written in the late 1970s. And it's set on a sheep farm. And they have a slaughter house, which the girls go in to watch the process. And there's a short piece of moralising on, well, you enjoy eating lampchops and wearing sheepskin, so you can't complain! I wouldn't recommend this one for anyone interested in animal rights and/or veganism. There is also a bit of the self righteous little miss - she points out to the thief in prison that he wouldn't like it if someone stole something from him, and instantaneously the man is converted from his terrible ways. (Eye roll). Thank goodness for Nancy Drew.
So yes, Nancy visits her chum on the sheep farm. The father bought a parchment painting from a neighbour and asks Nancy to figure out the message in the painting. The neighbour is a nasty, evil foreigner, so stereotypical he is one step off twirling his moustaches and cackling evily. There's a lot of energised running about, making massive assumptions that turn out to be right and all the bad dudes are apprehended at the end.
This is the thing about going back to stuff you thought was FABULOUS when you were a child, and you're now a cynical old adult. Sometimes you look at it and think, dear god, this is soooo corny. Nancy Drew is as corny as corn on the cob, the plot is intensely unbelievable and none of the adults behave like adults - so if you come at it as an adult, you will be horrified =) (I mean, a policeman writes a note and sends two teenage girls off to see a thief in prison; a teenage lad rings the bank asking for details of transactions on a local farmer's bank account - and the bank manager complies). However, this is aimed at little girls who don't understand how the real world works, and want a bit of quick escapism where good American girl -scout Nancy Drew shows people how to be good, solves the puzzle that none of the adults were able to figure out (doh!) and has a great time with her chums. How jolly! And it is a bit of nostalgia for the rest of us. I am really curious about the history of these books though. I love the front cover illustration on this book. The ones I had didn't match this series of illustrations at all. I had books from two versions, one a very early nineties stylised, with a white background and cut out figures in watercolour, and the other were very realistic illustrations of Nancy part way through some daring deed.
I'm reminiscing and not saying much about this book.
I think I'd need to read or re-read some more to completely be able to stand by this statement: but I don't think it's the best one out there. I also am not sure if this one will stand the test of time. It was written in the late 1970s. And it's set on a sheep farm. And they have a slaughter house, which the girls go in to watch the process. And there's a short piece of moralising on, well, you enjoy eating lampchops and wearing sheepskin, so you can't complain! I wouldn't recommend this one for anyone interested in animal rights and/or veganism. There is also a bit of the self righteous little miss - she points out to the thief in prison that he wouldn't like it if someone stole something from him, and instantaneously the man is converted from his terrible ways. (Eye roll). Thank goodness for Nancy Drew.
So yes, Nancy visits her chum on the sheep farm. The father bought a parchment painting from a neighbour and asks Nancy to figure out the message in the painting. The neighbour is a nasty, evil foreigner, so stereotypical he is one step off twirling his moustaches and cackling evily. There's a lot of energised running about, making massive assumptions that turn out to be right and all the bad dudes are apprehended at the end.
August 23, 2021
This book has aged very poorly. Not only does it have an unnecessary description of Nancy visiting a slaughterhouse (Which is part of a larger mixed message, where the book alternates between reminding us that meat we eat comes from cute animals and that animal products are necessary) but it also comes across as very anti-union. I get that the union is supposed to be a scam in this book, but Nancy seems more concerned with the fact that workers want to join a union rather than the fact that it’s a scam. A character spouts bible quotes, not all of which make sense in context. Most egregiously is discussing a boy who can’t speak English giving the quote: “It is an ancient nation, whose language thou knowest not, neither understandeth what they say.” Nancy ‘agrees’ with this statement, which makes me question what the author thinks it means. To me, it means the author could only find one bible passage about language.
Nancy is also not at her best here. Before the mystery even gets started, she decides to trespass by climbing a fence to get on the culprits' property. No crimes have been committed at this point, at least not by this culprit, so she’s not even looking for clues. Later she’s accused of kidnapping. While the actual crime might be harboring a runaway, you’d think a lawyer’s daughter would know better. Especially when she’s friends with the police.
In spite of these flaws, the quality of writing is pretty good and some of the detective work is very good. Nancy finds actual clues and physical proof, rather than getting culprits to confess at the drop of a hat. (She does later get a confession, but it is done by observing the suspect and changing her behavior based on what she deduces about him, rather than having him decide to just give up.)
Nancy is also not at her best here. Before the mystery even gets started, she decides to trespass by climbing a fence to get on the culprits' property. No crimes have been committed at this point, at least not by this culprit, so she’s not even looking for clues. Later she’s accused of kidnapping. While the actual crime might be harboring a runaway, you’d think a lawyer’s daughter would know better. Especially when she’s friends with the police.
In spite of these flaws, the quality of writing is pretty good and some of the detective work is very good. Nancy finds actual clues and physical proof, rather than getting culprits to confess at the drop of a hat. (She does later get a confession, but it is done by observing the suspect and changing her behavior based on what she deduces about him, rather than having him decide to just give up.)
December 1, 2021
*In the Grosset and Dunlap ghost writer's lounge circa 1977*
Ghost Writer #1: Okay, okay, we need a surname for Nancy's friend's family. What have we got?
Ghost Writer #2: Uh, so... they live... on a farm.
Ghost Writer #1: Go on.
Ghost Writer #3: A sheep farm!
Ghost Writer #1: Yes! What's a good name for a good sheep farming family?
Ghost Writer #4, in the back corner, doing her work: How about something like 'Flockhart'.
Ghost Writers #1, #2, and #3: *stare at her*
Ghost Writer #2: I don't know...
Ghost Writer #3: Hey! Ghost Writer #4 hasn't gone wrong yet! Remember McNab, the Scottish police officer?
Ghost Writer #1: Brilliant work once again, Ghost Writer #4.
This was clearly Ghost Writer #4's only contribution to this story, because otherwise Nancy wouldn't have made a couple of out-of-character statements. Namely, she would NOT have said "I should just give up and go home!" when the parchment got stolen. Like, come on Nancy, 54 mysteries solved and you want to throw in the towel because some two bit punk stole these paintings? #NotMyNancyDrew Ghost Writer #4 also wouldn't have added some Spicy Dr-AMA! to chapter one for no reason. Ghost Writer #4 needed a raise.
Also...
Nancy: I've got a brilliant idea! We'll hide this poor abused Italian boy from his uncle, write the uncle a note saying where the nephew is, put it in a tree, then call with an ominous message about where to find this note!
Junie and Dan: Yeah! Brilliant idea! You're so smart Nancy!
*next day, Nancy and co find a response note*
Uncle, via note: You kidnapped my nephew, Nancy Drew, and I'm contacting the authorities.
Nancy: *surprised Pikachu face*
Ghost Writer #1: Okay, okay, we need a surname for Nancy's friend's family. What have we got?
Ghost Writer #2: Uh, so... they live... on a farm.
Ghost Writer #1: Go on.
Ghost Writer #3: A sheep farm!
Ghost Writer #1: Yes! What's a good name for a good sheep farming family?
Ghost Writer #4, in the back corner, doing her work: How about something like 'Flockhart'.
Ghost Writers #1, #2, and #3: *stare at her*
Ghost Writer #2: I don't know...
Ghost Writer #3: Hey! Ghost Writer #4 hasn't gone wrong yet! Remember McNab, the Scottish police officer?
Ghost Writer #1: Brilliant work once again, Ghost Writer #4.
This was clearly Ghost Writer #4's only contribution to this story, because otherwise Nancy wouldn't have made a couple of out-of-character statements. Namely, she would NOT have said "I should just give up and go home!" when the parchment got stolen. Like, come on Nancy, 54 mysteries solved and you want to throw in the towel because some two bit punk stole these paintings? #NotMyNancyDrew Ghost Writer #4 also wouldn't have added some Spicy Dr-AMA! to chapter one for no reason. Ghost Writer #4 needed a raise.
Also...
Nancy: I've got a brilliant idea! We'll hide this poor abused Italian boy from his uncle, write the uncle a note saying where the nephew is, put it in a tree, then call with an ominous message about where to find this note!
Junie and Dan: Yeah! Brilliant idea! You're so smart Nancy!
*next day, Nancy and co find a response note*
Uncle, via note: You kidnapped my nephew, Nancy Drew, and I'm contacting the authorities.
Nancy: *surprised Pikachu face*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2021
Despite the fact that the character is nearly 100 years old and the material in the books is often...ahem, dated... I adore Nancy Drew, which is why it pains me to give one of these books such a low rating.
As the series progressed, Nancy's character evolved, and there's a sweet spot in the middle where her character wasn't the perfectly impossible dynamo of early versions- Bess and George got some decent 'screen time' and everyone seemed more realistic (in terms of a children's character, anyway.) However the writers swung too far in the other direction and this version of Nancy seemed so unsure of herself for majority of the book.
The plot dragged and didn't seem entirely cohesive- some points not involving the mystery weren't made clear to the reader until nearly the end of the book. There also seemed to be some very heavy handed vegetarian/vegan (did vegans exist in 1974?) propaganda in the book. Overall, it almost seemed to serve as a soapbox for issues with a slight mystery interspersed, than an actual Nancy Drew adventure.
When reading children's and YA lit, I always try to keep the intended audience in mind, but thinking of all the kids that interact with, I don't believe too many-if any- of them would enjoy this book. For sure there are others in the series with more outlandish and unbelievable plots, but at least those are mildly entertaining. This might be my least favorite in the series.
As the series progressed, Nancy's character evolved, and there's a sweet spot in the middle where her character wasn't the perfectly impossible dynamo of early versions- Bess and George got some decent 'screen time' and everyone seemed more realistic (in terms of a children's character, anyway.) However the writers swung too far in the other direction and this version of Nancy seemed so unsure of herself for majority of the book.
The plot dragged and didn't seem entirely cohesive- some points not involving the mystery weren't made clear to the reader until nearly the end of the book. There also seemed to be some very heavy handed vegetarian/vegan (did vegans exist in 1974?) propaganda in the book. Overall, it almost seemed to serve as a soapbox for issues with a slight mystery interspersed, than an actual Nancy Drew adventure.
When reading children's and YA lit, I always try to keep the intended audience in mind, but thinking of all the kids that interact with, I don't believe too many-if any- of them would enjoy this book. For sure there are others in the series with more outlandish and unbelievable plots, but at least those are mildly entertaining. This might be my least favorite in the series.
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