Captive Witness

Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #64

by Carolyn Keene

On a student tour through Europe, Nancy discovers that their leader is on a secret mission to transfer ten refugee children from an iron curtain country to freedom! Before the mission is completed, Nancy receives an urgent message from her father concerning a missing entry in a foreign film festival. Undaunted and clever, Nancy pursues an intriguing clue found in a student's wheelchair and finds herself in great danger.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Classics, Mystery Thriller

Paperback

First published November 20, 1981

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a teen and thought it was THE BEST Nancy Drew Ever.
Re-read it as a 35-year-old, and I stand by my opinion. It's Nancy's most extravagant adventure ever. Not a mystery, more of a thriller, with some very real, very sobering, very high stakes.

Set on the border of the Iron Curtain and making mention of some hefty concepts, it feels like one of a kind in the Nancy Drew universe.

Subtracting for the fact that I'm definitely not the target demographic any more and I roll my eyes at some of the dumb risks taken and the amount of amazingly proficient skills Nancy has, I do recommend it as a very exciting and suspenseful read!

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eric is better than Ned. No one can convince me otherwise.

[Hasan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The real mystery Nancy Drew has solved is the mystery of aging and she never even takes credit for it. In the first Nancy Drew mystery, The Secret of the Old Clock, on page one we read “Nancy Drew, an attractive girl of eighteen, was driving home along a country road in her new, dark-blue convertible.” When we get to mystery number 64, Captive Witness, we see on page two “As he had so often done, Carson Drew was calling on the detective skills of his eighteen-year old daughter on behalf of one of his legal clients.”

The Captive Witness is typical Nancy with the addition of complicated travel since after so many similar stories they Ms Keene has used up most of the available American settings. (The series is ghost written using that name so I guess one more mystery would be who really wrote it.) No matter they are in Austria the usual cast is there with here including Ned who is of course still a freshman at Emerson. I won’t spoil the surprise ending and let you keep wondering if Nancy solves the usual two mysteries per book.

[Katelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Welcome to 1980's Nancy Drew. Where finding a pay phone is a MUST, and Eastern Europe is the "scariest place ever," because, Communism. Throw in a plot to smuggle children out of aforementioned place, a stolen film "exposing Communism," and a tour group of college kids through Austria, and you've got the plot to "Captive Witness." I read this book, because it is supposedly the basis for the Nancy Drew game "the Captive Curse." Let me say that the book shares no similarities with the game, except that the location for about one chapter is in Germany, and *spoilers* Nancy briefly dresses in a costume. Despite that, this book is entertaining, and will definitely illicit giggles from the cheesiness of so much of it. But if you're looking for a light-hearted read, and Nancy Drew nostalgia, you will definitely enjoy it.

[Darinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy Drew and her friends (Bess, George, Ned, Dave, and Burt) all go to Europe on a student trip. While on their European tour, they discover their professor tour guide is trying to rescue some refugee children. In a second mystery, Carson Drew contacts his daughter for helping recovering a missing film. Nancy and her friends have adventurous fun solving the two mysteries.

This is the last Nancy Drew book in what is considered the original Nancy Drew Mystery Stories series. The first 56 books were published by Grosset & Dunlap (1930-1979), and the last 8 books were published by Wanderer (1979-1981). These last 8 books were reissued later and are often lumped together with the 56 books by Grosset & Dunlap to complete the first group of Nancy Drew Mystery Stories books. Wanderer continued publishing the series in 1982.

[T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book originally in 1981 when it was first published. As a 10 year old I thought it was amazing. I decided to buy a copy for my Kindle recently and I read it again with an adult’s perspective. Well, it’s still a good story but I have no idea how they sell Nancy Drew to 21st century youth. I say that for these reasons:

1. Teenagers didn’t have cell phones.
2. The Iron Curtain no longer exists.
3. Czechoslovakia has since failed to exist.
4. As intelligent as Nancy Drew is, I fail to see how her father would send her on dangerous missions in foreign countries.
5. Sadly, Nancy and her friends are the perfect example of ‘White Privilege’ which I never processed back when I was 10.

This is a very pure and wholesome story though. No one curses and Nancy never once even kisses her long time boyfriend Ned.

[Lexi]

I read these books years ago, and I finally decided to add them to my shelf. It's been too long to give a fair rating, but I loved Nancy Drew.
These are perfect for younger readers or more advanced readers who want something fun and easy.

[Jesse Field · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy Drew, she of the titian hair and mad judo skills, is busy showing rude men that it's way better to be fair, good, and kind to others. Having good connections, limitless wealth and stunning looks helps, too.

Reading this old clunker and designing a book report assignment for it gave me nostalgic goose bumps for my earliest days of reading, going through these and the Hardy boys books at my teachers' prompting. I was 6 years old, and terrified of the first-grade classroom, but pleased as punch to discover the school library.

Now, I'm excited to share Nancy to new audiences here in China: my 10th grade English class!

[Coralie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy Drew is on a mission in Europe. I picked this book up because of the European setting, little did I know she was to visit Salzburg and Vienna! Two places I've been to myself!! The story was intriguing and, as always, I adore the characters. A wonderful read!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best Nancy Drew books I've ever read, and I've read the whole original series!

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Might this be one of my top favorite Nancy Drew stories? I haven't read them all, so I won't say for sure but man is it a contender. It felt like what would happen if they adapted a Bond film for Nancy and I was HERE FOR IT. This story was a ride from start to finish and I swear the quality of the writing has improved. Now, it still fits the Nancy Drew formula and has a lot of the usual issues (ableism, racism, fat shaming, etc.), but the action was exciting, Nancy's assertiveness and flirty banter had been turned up a few notches, and there were legitimately quotable lines! Whoever this new ghost writer was has my full endorsement.

[Kyami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nancy is on a tour of Europe and discovers that their leader is on a secret mission to help 10 refugee children. I loved it but, I am basis, I love all the Nancy Drew Books!

I believe this is the last book in the series and its the perfect book for people who love mysteries, especially spy mysteries.

(Book # 64)

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Over the weekend I was craving some Nancy Drew. A fluffy, one-sitting read, though I had an issue with one reveal surprise: Eric doesn't actually use a wheelchair, he was just ~in disguise~

[Stephi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't picked up a Nancy Drew book in years, but I saw one I hadn't read at my local library, so I decided to pick it up. It was quite nostalgic.

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh boy. Many of the books on the series have not afed well, and that is putting it kindly. Nancy visits Japan totally credibly dressed as a Japanese girl, or all the Italians and Greeks being poor and criminals and so on and so on.

Here we have Nancy and her friends visit Austria, helping hunt down a stolen film reel, and helping a bunch of child refugees from some unknown country in “Eastern Europe” across the border to the West. The refugees are both described as orphans and joining their families in the West. Which is it? Let me grab a megaphone: why are Nancy and Ned’s university crowds smuggling refugees?

I used to like the series as a kid. Now they just seem aged, and so crippled (pun intended) with racism. Here we have rich white abled-bodied loud youth wonder how can they find a baseball cap and six pair of sunglasses to buy in Vienna. Really? Was Europe really seen as such backward place by Americans? Oh wait, based on how on the earlier books they described most Italians and Greeks, apparently. And the sad thing is this book seems to explain some people. Maybe this was the last book they read about Europe, and expect people they meet to fit these terrible, afed, racist cliches? This is so far the worst book I’ve rerun to in the series.

Oh, they also had a wheelchair user in this book. Great, isn’t it? Apparently an ambulatory wheelchair user is also a miracle. 8 points for ableism too.

If someone can find a Nancy Drew even worse for what comes for poor story, inaccurate geography, and blatant racism, shoot some recommendations and I’ll give a try. Maybe.

[Paritosh Vyas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one, I have finished in one day.
To an extent, this is an emotional story.

this is about a cinematographer who has filmed and made the movie on the atrocities committed on his people by the powers ruling his country.

This is also about 10 children who are waiting to crossover as refugees.

This is about a smart and cunning opponent who tries to throat Nancy at every step.

This story is worth reading for sure

[Ava · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite Nancy Drew! Five stars ⭐️

[Felicity Hyannis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most incredible book ever. So many years later, it is still as good as when I first read it in ’81. It is a very different type of mystery, but that is why it stands out to me. The writing is beautiful. It was written by the same ghostwriter as The Sinister Omen and Enemy Match, so fans of those awesome stories will be blown away by this one. I have included formatting information at the end of my review.
Here is the plot:
Nancy is on an Emerson College tour of Austria. Their tour leader, Dr. Bagley, is acting suspicious, but he then reveals to Nancy that he is on a mission. Ten orphaned children from an oppressed Iron Curtain country must be smuggled across the border into safe Austria, where they will then be sent to family and friends. Dr. Bagley is worried because a couple of things have gone wrong and he doesn’t want anyone to sabotage the important mission.
In other news, there is a film festival in Austria, and Kurt Kessler, a resident of River Heights but originally from an oppressed Iron Curtain country, has made a powerful documentary about the oppression of civil rights in his country. But the film is stolen and the negative is destroyed, so Nancy is on another mission now: find the film before the festival deadline. The criminals also want Kurt Kessler for ransom, so he is in danger.
There are theories that this book and some others were originally meant to be a part of the Hardy Boys series, but were for some reason rewritten for Nancy Drew. I am also a huge Hardy Boys fan, and I think that these theories make a lot of sense.
Now, here are six reasons that can only begin to describe why I love this book:
1. The writing is excellent. It’s not flowery, even though I love elegant writing, it’s simple and holds your attention while still having a certain grace about it that takes it up a notch. The scenery is also beautiful, and for those who do not love “travelogue” Nancy Drew books, don’t worry. You do get to learn some cool things about Austria (mostly Mozart), but it is not thrown in your face like some of the earlier travel stories. Austria is really the perfect setting for this book, and of course the beautiful but brief descriptions bring the country alive to you.
2. The book is meaningful. The lives of the orphans and Mr. Kessler are on the line, and there is a deadline or eleven parties may find themselves literally dead (that sounds like a Files catchphrase, doesn’t it?). But it is this danger that makes Nancy work so much harder, and the mystery so much more meaningful. Money is one thing. Lives are another. You can tell that Nancy cares so much about ten children that she has not even met, and they are in the back of her mind with every action she takes. This is the Nancy Drew I love. The book has so much emotion, that even one-dimensional characters take on feelings and life.
3. The story is a little different from the others because of the villain. Most Nancy Drew books have Nancy searching for clues as to who did it. Here, we meet the villain early on. We know that it’s him, we just have to prove it. He kidnaps Nancy and Ned, but once they escape, he keeps following them. That may sound boring and weird, but I would not be writing this review if it was. And the villain is incredibly terrible. He seems so smart at times, and so stupid at others. This makes him a richly psychological, deep villain, who has important reasons as to why he is terrible, unlike other books that just have some dumb poor guy who wants money. The last chapter sees the villain unmasked, and it is explained why he is the way he is. It was fascinating, what happened to him and how it got him in this place. I definitely didn’t see that twist coming!
4. OK, another great thing about this book is the non-stop action. Nancy barely has time to come up for air while she investigates this crazy plot. It is one suspenseful, nail-biting scene after the next, but it does have some well-placed comic relief with the bus driver and just friendly jokes that Nancy makes with her friends. But there is so much going on that the book is impossible to put down. I started reading it one night and it flew by rapidly, only after I stopped to look at the clock did I have a sense of passing time again. The end is thrilling and has a sort of Sound of Music feel when Nancy brings the children safely over the Austrian border.
5. Now, you may be thinking “OK, cool, but this book is really outdated. It was published in 1981. The Iron Curtain and Czecoslovakia don’t even exist anymore. Why should I read something so old?” Well, here’s why. This stuff is really important to know about. I’ve lived through the entire Cold War and I remember feeling so grateful that I was safe in a stable democracy. I could only begin to imagine what it might be like living in Eastern Europe at the time. This is an important part of history that I think there should be more material for children on. But also, despite its theme, the book really doesn’t feel that dated when you read it. There are lots of references, of course, but not enough that the story can be discarded for a few things that need to be brought up to date. You don’t really notice the things that aren’t current when you read the book.
6. The title! It works on so many levels. First of all, the stolen film is called Captive Witness. When Nancy and Ned are kidnapped, they are captive witnesses to whatever Herr Guttermann is going to do to them. When Nancy sees the film, she is a captive witness as she doesn’t know where she is (read the book, it will make sense). The ten children and millions of residents of the oppressed countries are captive witnesses to whatever their corrupt government wants to do. But while reading this story, you will be a captive witness to the incredible events that take place within these 186 pages.

When I finished this book for the first time, I was on a sort of happy high for a week. It’s just an incredible book, and somehow, I feel very safe when I read it. I keep a copy next to my bed for if I feel sad in the middle of the night and need cheering up. I really hope that you will read it and enjoy it. If you can, get a copy with the illustrations because they really are beautiful.
Now I can’t really put how much I love this book into words. But I really tried, and I hope that you can understand how much it means to me.
For your convenience, I have put some details about the different cover arts below so you can choose the one you want, and the ISBN numbers as they appear on the book. I have all of them, so I hope that the information will be useful. Thank you for reading my review.


First edition: Ruth Sanderson cover art, illustrations. Published from 1981-1985 by Wanderer. 186 pages.
Paperback ISBN: 0671423614
Hardcover ISBN: 0671423606

Second edition: Hector Garrido cover art. Published in 1986 by Wanderer (I think that might have illustrations) and from 1987-1989 by Minstrel (this is the copy of this cover art I have, it does not have illustrations). 182 pages (unabridged text, but illustrations are cut.) Paperback.
ISBN: 0671624695

Third edition: Linda Thomas cover art. Published in 1990 by Minstrel. 182 pages, for the same reason as the Garrido cover above. Paperback. It does not have illustrations.
ISBN: 0671704710

Scholastic edition: Kinuko Craft cover art. Published in 1981 by Scholastic under the title “Captive Witness Mystery”. 186 pages. Paperback. Has illustrations.
ISBN 10: 0590328573
ISBN 13: 9780590328579

Glossy flashlight hardcover edition: A portion of the original Ruth Sanderson cover art (cut a little to fit format). Published in 2005 by Grosset and Dunlap. Has the original illustrations, with the picture on page 88 being used as the frontispiece (although it also appears inside of the book). 186 pages. Hardcover.
ISBN: 0448436957 and 9780448436951

[Suzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nancy, Bess and George are traveling with Ned, Burt and Dave and a group of other students through an Emerson College-sponsored European trip. While on the trip, Nancy is asked by her father to help find a documentary titled Captive Witness, that has disappeared. The film sheds light on the human rights crisis occurring behind the curtain. So it’s important that Nancy find it before it’s destroyed. 
Another political Nancy Drew story. But this one was better done. It touches upon life “behind the curtain”. Traveling with the group, Nancy is let in on a secret by the professor who organized the trip, Professor Bagley. He works for the U.S. Government as a spy! He and another student, are on a mission to reunite children from an iron curtain country with their parents who managed to escape to freedom. But there are forces working against them to stop it from happening. Which is why Nancy’s help is needed. 

Phew! What a book! I really enjoyed it. It wasn’t vague about the political situation at the time. It took a stance and held it. Wonderful! The ending was a bit lacking though. Yes, it has a happily ever after like usual, but the denouement. I found it anticlimactic. 

[Laura (Reading is a Doing Word) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually enjoyed this a lot more than some of the others I've re-read recently.
Nancy travels to Austria with Ned's college and gets embroiled in not one (oh no - never just one!) but two mysteries. The mysteries themselves are not really mysteries rather intrigues - she ends up devising a plan worthy of Bond to help some refugees from Eastern Europe defect to the West and saves an incriminating documentary film in the process. It involved an intricate plan and a thoughtful end.

[Brionna Kincaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember this Nancy Drew book more than the others. This shows Nancy at using her wit and connections to save the day. For me, the events that take place here are more entertaining than some of her other books. If you love an entertaining mystery with plenty of comical moments, this book is for you.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is maybe my favorite of all the ones I’ve reread recently, beating out my previous top favorite, The Secret of Shadow Ranch. This one was really humorous and I liked the plot. I think it was a bit weak at the end as the villain is so passive that it’s like they aren’t present, but other than that I thought it was well done.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than average Nancy Drew book in a better than average setting in Vienna. Written in 1981, ten years before the Czech Revolution freed the country from Communist rule, Nancy and the gang get to work bringing a group of refugee children to freedom and reunification with their parents.

[Raagini · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always Nancy Drew books are the best! Came across them after many years and took a trip down memory lane. Riveting and fun.

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

this one is so fun and gripping and funny and fantastic. the only love triangle i'll ever accept is nancy, ned, and eric.

[Julianna Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

love nancy drew books, show, comp games

[Delanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Racist and insensitive but kept me interested the whole time. Good moments include Ned's sarcasm and slight jealously as well as some pretty awesome quotes.

Now on a negative note (TW) they are some things I have to mention, there is weight shaming in this book but for the 1st time in N.D. history (i'm only slightly kidding here) it isn't directed at Bess. Nancy, Eric, and the children all coat themselves in black grease paint to stay hidden which is kind of unnecessary plus when Eric proceeds to run out of the river covered in black face paint, "yelling like an Indian [...]" it really seems like this wasn't done with the best intentions. Also Ned, a white dude, refers to himself as a slave. It was meant in a romantic way but still terrible word use especially considering the rest of the book. On a lesser note I really really doubt Gutterman had an amphibious car. It's the least believable thing in the book by far. Nancy isn't nearly scared enough in this book. In chapter 10 she's worried about manners while being followed by men who want to torture her. In chapter 11 she finds out they know what hotel room she's hiding in, and she just goes to bed without worrying about it. Ned's in the same hotel she doesn't even warn him. In chapter 12 she is about to willingly enter a car with her former kidnapper but takes the time to give herself a "hasty manicure".

Lastly there's a somewhat large plot hole but thats a *****SPOILER**** so don't continue if you don't want to be spoiled. In an earlier chapter, Eric has to go the bathroom and everyone carries him in and out of the bathroom. In chapter 14, Nancy asks Eric to get up from his wheelchair and sit on the bed which he does without help. Neither Nancy or Ned who is also in the room comment on Eric walking. Later in chapter 15, Eric reveals to Ned and Nancy that he could walk this whole time and both of them are SUPER surprised despite watching him walk 1 chapter ago.

One last positive thing before the end of this review, I really liked Gutterman as a villain and they should have included more Gutterman-esque characters in the whole series.

Edit: This book was ghostwritten by Richard Ballard, while it was racist the writing was pretty well done and if you're looking for more of his work he only wrote 1 other N.D., #67.

[Carly Adams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nancy Drew was one of my favorites in school and this is my first time revisiting in almost 2 decades. I’d heard they didn’t hold up but I can usually overlook questionable things in old books and still appreciate the rest of the book. But this book was just so hard to get through. The mystery was so unbelievable unrealistic, and not in a charming way. And the writing felt so simple that that couldn’t redeem it. I was rolling my eyes the whole time. Truly, I felt like I could write this book and that’s saying something because I’m fully aware that writing a book, even a bad one, is hard work.
I understand these books had their place in time. I’m thankful for the idea of Nancy Drew. But this book was just not for me at all. I’d still be interested in reading one of the originals because I know those are more of what I used to read, so maybe they’ll hold more nostalgia. Since they were done by different publishers and ghost writers maybe that’ll change things too. But I thought since I picked the best rated one from the 80s I was safe.

[Amy]

This is not a mystery. It's a spy thriller. It's pretty good. One of the most intense climaxes in a Nancy Drew book, and a lot of Nancy and Ned together. In a way, it feels like a precurser to the Files Series, with more action, crime and drama rather than ghosts and treasure.

The cover is misleading, though. I initially picked up this book because I thought it would be ballgowns and dances. Nancy wears that fancy dress for one chapter and does not do whatever you imagine she is doing from the picture, most of the book is spent driving.

[Trips Starlake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly fun! But also, not really a mystery. It was more of a Cold War era secret agent thriller? But I'm not complaining, best time I've had with an ND book in a while.
Yes, there is some racism and some dated language in here, but it is no where near as egregious as other ND titles (I've come to just expect it from this dated series). The plot moves fast and is quite zany, Nancy encounters some unusual car technology but maneuvers it with ease. The ending few chapters with Nancy's risky plan playing out was honestly fun. Eric is a lot more fun than Ned, thats for sure.