Moving Target

Nancy Drew Files #87

by Carolyn Keene

A bike trip in the country leads to a dangerous twist as Nancy's ride takes a sudden, nasty turn. After catching a jewel thief in the act, Nancy hopes to steal a little time for herself. A three-day bike ride with Ned, George, and a group of Emerson College students seems the perfect escape -- until a series of "accidents" puts them all on a definite downhill course. And to add insult to injury, the rider most at risk is Nancy's friend George! But why would someone want to harm George -- a girl who has never hurt anyone? Nancy knows she'll have to find answers quickly before the trip takes a dangerous detour and her friend's ten-speed spins out of control. A deadly secret has come along for the ride, and getting it out in the open may be the only way to save George's life!

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Childrens, Adventure, Juvenile

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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]

Exciting and fun, as usual.

[K.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a bike tour with some Emerson students, someone appears to be trying to harm George. The character of Erik was exceedingly annoying with his competition with George. Enjoyed this

[Bookish Indulgenges with b00k r3vi3ws · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys throughout my school and college days.

Nancy Drew is an amateur detective who solves crimes with occasional help from her best friends, Bess and George and, her boyfriend Ned. She also has occasional help from her father Carson Drew who runs a private law practice. From finding stolen goods to missing persons and solving mysterious happenings, Nancy is a force of nature.

Until I discovered that Carolyn Keene is a pen name for a whole bunch of ghostwriters, I used to feel confused about the slight differences in each character from books to book over the many series of Nancy Drew mysteries. I like the character of Nancy best in the original books written by Mildred Wirt Benson where Nancy is truly a character to root for – an independent and street smart girl with a penchant for trouble.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This. Book was. Good

[angela stafford]

I like it

[Katherine Kapellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to read mysteries especially Nancy Drew Books. I highly recommend this book to anyone that likes to read mysteries.