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Nancy Drew Diaries #21
Danger at the Iron Dragon
Nancy, Bess, and George’s Jiu-Jitsu lessons turn into a takedown of another sort in the twenty-first book in the Nancy Drew Diaries, a fresh approach to a classic series.
After a close call, Mr. Drew insists that if Nancy’s going to be an amateur detective, she needs to be able to defend herself. So Nancy, Bess, and George decide to check out a Jiu-Jitsu class at Iron Dragon MMA. The technique is hard, but before she knows it, Nancy’s having a lot of fun.
And then, just as class ends, the students are shaken by a disturbing sight—someone’s left a dead rat on the front desk and spray-painted “traitor” on the wall. With a big competition coming up soon, is a rival academy trying to stir up trouble to throw the Iron Dragon team off their game?
Nancy agrees to help the team get to the truth, but as her investigation takes some unexpected and increasingly dangerous turns, has River Heights’s finest sleuth been outmatched?
After a close call, Mr. Drew insists that if Nancy’s going to be an amateur detective, she needs to be able to defend herself. So Nancy, Bess, and George decide to check out a Jiu-Jitsu class at Iron Dragon MMA. The technique is hard, but before she knows it, Nancy’s having a lot of fun.
And then, just as class ends, the students are shaken by a disturbing sight—someone’s left a dead rat on the front desk and spray-painted “traitor” on the wall. With a big competition coming up soon, is a rival academy trying to stir up trouble to throw the Iron Dragon team off their game?
Nancy agrees to help the team get to the truth, but as her investigation takes some unexpected and increasingly dangerous turns, has River Heights’s finest sleuth been outmatched?
221 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 12, 2021
57 people are currently reading
329 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
1,016 books3,871 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 52 reviews
August 16, 2021
You do the impossible often enough, it becomes routine.
After Nancy Drew gets attacked and is saved by a girl who knows Jiu-Jitsu, Nancy's dad advises her to learn some form of self-defense. So Nancy also starts learning Jiu-Jitsu at the Iron Dragon MMA along with her best friends, Bess and George. Soon Nancy, Bess and George find themselves in the middle of a mystery. Nancy thinks that it could be the rival Jiu-Jitsu training place. Nancy and Bess go undercover. But even after going undercover and investigating everything, Nancy can't seem to solve the mystery. Things take a dangerous turn when their the Iron Dragon MMA catches fire and Nancy suspects foul play.
I loved the mystery and there were so many twists and turns in this. Things felt a lot more dangerous but the mystery was done well. It was action-packed and a page turner. I love Nancy Drew and her two best friends, Bess and George and I liked the fact that Bess wasn't just a pretty face in this one. I loved Bess's Russian-spy persona. I did find Nancy extra reckless in this and I thought that that could have been avoided but other than that I really enjoyed this. I also loved Nancy's fan Z.
4 stars
After Nancy Drew gets attacked and is saved by a girl who knows Jiu-Jitsu, Nancy's dad advises her to learn some form of self-defense. So Nancy also starts learning Jiu-Jitsu at the Iron Dragon MMA along with her best friends, Bess and George. Soon Nancy, Bess and George find themselves in the middle of a mystery. Nancy thinks that it could be the rival Jiu-Jitsu training place. Nancy and Bess go undercover. But even after going undercover and investigating everything, Nancy can't seem to solve the mystery. Things take a dangerous turn when their the Iron Dragon MMA catches fire and Nancy suspects foul play.
I loved the mystery and there were so many twists and turns in this. Things felt a lot more dangerous but the mystery was done well. It was action-packed and a page turner. I love Nancy Drew and her two best friends, Bess and George and I liked the fact that Bess wasn't just a pretty face in this one. I loved Bess's Russian-spy persona. I did find Nancy extra reckless in this and I thought that that could have been avoided but other than that I really enjoyed this. I also loved Nancy's fan Z.
4 stars
May 5, 2021
Great mystery! I love the original Nancy Drews better, but I enjoyed this adaptation as well. It was interesting seeing everything from Nancy's perspective since the original series was written in third person.
Great twist to this intriguing mystery. Did not guess the culprit correctly.
4.5 stars
Great twist to this intriguing mystery. Did not guess the culprit correctly.
4.5 stars
January 11, 2022
3.5! this one was great
July 11, 2021
Props to this "Carolyne Keene" genius who skillfully combined one of my favorite childhood things (Nancy Drew) with one of my favorite adult things (Brazilian jiu-jitsu). Written by someone with an obvious affection for and knowledge of the sport. Well done.
February 28, 2021
I love this series. They are just so fun and such quick reads. I love reading mysteries where there is a mystery other than solving a murder.
May 14, 2025
Four and a half stars. I really liked this one. Really good mystery! My favorite (well tied with the first one Curse of the Arctic star) in the Nancy Drew series. 😃
January 20, 2025
A very standard, run of the mill ND mystery. I got weirdly weepy at the end when Bess chooses to continue jiujitsu and the fighters all start training neighborhood kids for free, though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2022
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Danger at the Iron Dragon is the 22nd book in the Nancy Drew Diaries series (it’s volume 21, but they also released https://bargain-sleuth.com/2020/12/25... which is part of the Diaries canon), and I finally feel like I can say I liked this modern interpretation of America’s favorite teen sleuth. Even though George, who was always bragging about her Judo skills in the original books doesn’t like Jiu-Jitsu in this series. But I can handle that, because what seems like a horrible number of ghostwriters for the series, they got a good one for this volume.
The premise of Nancy being encouraged by her dad to take a self-defense class is a good one considering how many scrapes Nancy has been in over the previous books. And I liked that Bess seemed to enjoy the Jiu-Jitsu even more than Nancy. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Nancy Drew book without her stumbling onto a mystery, With the help of her friends, there’s plenty of sleuthing, some danger, and a culprit that I did not guess right away, but did eventually figure out before the resolution.
I could go on about this being one of the better books in the series, with a writer who seems to know the canon, but I won’t. Suffice it to say that a series that uses sabotage as a trope ad nauseam veers in a different direction with this book, although it seems like sabotage at the beginning. This is a solid entry of the series, and one that I might use to introduce a younger reader to start their trip down the Nancy Drew rabbit hole. I especially like the fact that the ghostwriter has a sense of humor and alludes to Nancy’s penchant for getting knocked on the head and getting concussions. That’s just one of the things in this book that made me chuckle.
Danger at the Iron Dragon is the 22nd book in the Nancy Drew Diaries series (it’s volume 21, but they also released https://bargain-sleuth.com/2020/12/25... which is part of the Diaries canon), and I finally feel like I can say I liked this modern interpretation of America’s favorite teen sleuth. Even though George, who was always bragging about her Judo skills in the original books doesn’t like Jiu-Jitsu in this series. But I can handle that, because what seems like a horrible number of ghostwriters for the series, they got a good one for this volume.
The premise of Nancy being encouraged by her dad to take a self-defense class is a good one considering how many scrapes Nancy has been in over the previous books. And I liked that Bess seemed to enjoy the Jiu-Jitsu even more than Nancy. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Nancy Drew book without her stumbling onto a mystery, With the help of her friends, there’s plenty of sleuthing, some danger, and a culprit that I did not guess right away, but did eventually figure out before the resolution.
I could go on about this being one of the better books in the series, with a writer who seems to know the canon, but I won’t. Suffice it to say that a series that uses sabotage as a trope ad nauseam veers in a different direction with this book, although it seems like sabotage at the beginning. This is a solid entry of the series, and one that I might use to introduce a younger reader to start their trip down the Nancy Drew rabbit hole. I especially like the fact that the ghostwriter has a sense of humor and alludes to Nancy’s penchant for getting knocked on the head and getting concussions. That’s just one of the things in this book that made me chuckle.
July 10, 2023
Nancy Drew seems to be at it again but this time filling the mystery with more action than what may be anticipated from the typical franchise. After finding herself a victim of a mugging Nancy takes up Jiu-Jitsu with her two best friends Bess and George. The lessons at the Iron Dragon MMA seem to be filled with more than any typical person would be able to handle. Luckily, Nancy, being the skilled detective she is, recognizes the much-needed fresh perspective to find out who is wanting to sabotage the dojo. Could it be a matter of taking out the competition or something much deeper? From finding herself being mugged to pulling someone out of a fire at The Iron Dragon, will Nancy be able to solve the mystery before it is too late? Nancy also finds herself uncovering the relationship between a stream of bank robberies and the events at The Iron Dragon, and most of all who may be involved. Much more depth than what Nancy figured would come with the Jiu-Jitsu lessons, but mysteries follow Nancy wherever she goes. Alas will it come together, and Nancy be able to come out stronger in the end?
The story was written with slightly more action filled events compared to the normal mystery being the sole basis of the storyline. Personally, I find that writing that has more complexity beyond simple mystery is that much better. Nancy becomes more relatable along with the storyline being that much more excitable and the pages being a driving force in the desire to find out what happens next. The ending provided closure in an adventurous way, and we did get to see the human side of Nancy towards the end as well, which provided an additional relational aspect to the storyline as well. Overall, a great read!
The story was written with slightly more action filled events compared to the normal mystery being the sole basis of the storyline. Personally, I find that writing that has more complexity beyond simple mystery is that much better. Nancy becomes more relatable along with the storyline being that much more excitable and the pages being a driving force in the desire to find out what happens next. The ending provided closure in an adventurous way, and we did get to see the human side of Nancy towards the end as well, which provided an additional relational aspect to the storyline as well. Overall, a great read!
January 24, 2025
Hi, all. You might have started to wonder, where is Brina and her reviews to start January? Ok, maybe not. I just wanted to offer a shameless plug that mental health is real. In January and February I sometimes suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder. My mom calls it Sunlight Deprivation Disorder. I call it Sports Deprivation Disorder. Regardless of what it is called, there are some years where the struggle is real, especially this year where schools have been closed in January more than they have been open and I haven’t gotten into a routine since winter break ended. That did it. I can’t look at most books and actually get motivated to read them. My favorite diversion lately, old sports highlights on YouTube. At least I am watching sports. Now that that’s out of the way, I am thankful for Nancy Drew. This is the third Nancy Drew book that I have read in January and I’m grateful for the mindless entertainment. Nancy is a young woman who along with her friends Bess and George shows girls the importance of teamwork and strong female friendships. I enjoy the cases in this series because they highlight girls supporting girls. Bonus that this case involved mixed martial arts and the need for self defense. Yes, these cases are cliched and I usually solve them half way through the book. Nancy Drew is just what my brain needs at the moment although now that I’ve read the entire diary series I will have to figure something out. On the other hand, the weather is slowly warming up so schools are staying open and I’m getting my routine back. That should lead to more reading. In the meantime I have Nancy Drew and I will read every case that I can get my hands on. Hopefully my next review will be a little more meaty but just giving you all an update.
4 stars
4 stars
September 18, 2022
After several close encounters on her sleuthing adventures, Nancy agrees to take up martial arts, specifically Jiu-Jitsu at the urging of her lawyer father, Carson Drew. Nancy invites Bess and George along for the classes and how fun that Bess loved the classes more than George. I do like when Bess breaks the mold of how she's been written for so long.
Unbeknownst to Nancy, there is a mystery lurking along the mats of the dōjō. While practicing, the dōjō experiences someone placing a dead rat at the reception desk and writes 'Traitor' on the wall. Is this the work of a local competitive dōjō or is it something else entirely? You'll have to read to find out but I will promise a red herrings along the way and a lot of fun.
I enjoyed this story and recommend it to fans of Nancy Drew.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Unbeknownst to Nancy, there is a mystery lurking along the mats of the dōjō. While practicing, the dōjō experiences someone placing a dead rat at the reception desk and writes 'Traitor' on the wall. Is this the work of a local competitive dōjō or is it something else entirely? You'll have to read to find out but I will promise a red herrings along the way and a lot of fun.
I enjoyed this story and recommend it to fans of Nancy Drew.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
February 14, 2021
Nancy is encouraged by her dad, attorney Carson Drew, to take a self-defense class after she is mugged late one night. She attends a class in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu after being invited by the young woman who helped Nancy the night she was attacked. Of course, Nancy has a new mystery to solve by the end of the class. But the shocking part is this: Bess Marvin takes to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu like she used to take to chocolate layer cake with chopped pecans in the frosting.
This was probably the most fun Nancy Drew mystery I've read in a long time. The mystery was interesting, the clues added up, and there was plenty of action.
Highly recommended!
This was probably the most fun Nancy Drew mystery I've read in a long time. The mystery was interesting, the clues added up, and there was plenty of action.
Highly recommended!
July 20, 2021
A little more adventure-y than mystery-y (Nancy susses out the culprit pretty quickly), but I loved the setting of the jiu-jitsu gym and all her awesome new friends. (Z in particular was so cute—of course Nancy'd have a fan!) I also really liked the role Bess played in this story. I adore George, but it was nice to see her cousin excel at something (especially something athletic) for once. Plus her rather mixed-up codenames / backstories were hilarious!
August 17, 2022
This was another unexpectedly good mystery in this series. It involves martial arts and bank heists.
January 30, 2023
Very good and entertaining...completely surprised that Bess somehow got interested in Jiu-Jitsu. I thought she wasnt the type to like sports? Maybe she sees something special in Jiu-Jitsu. Im very pleased that Z is supportive to Nancy. Didnt expect that Nancy had a fan LOL.
April 20, 2023
fun and thrilling mystery! it really captured the essence of Nancy Drew that I remembered as a kid, really well done compared to some of the other Nancy Drew Diaries I’ve read. Would be so happy to let my kids read this :)
January 13, 2021
Nancy Drew books are always interesting.
January 25, 2021
I selected this book for one of my reading challenge groups - I enjoyed reading- a mystery but on the "lite" side -
March 18, 2021
Typical Nancy Drew - except when did she become a bit if a klutz snd not athletically proficient?
June 16, 2021
I liked it. It's been a while since I read the last book in the series, but luckily they're completely standalone. This one made me glad they are still publishing these.
July 4, 2021
Another good entry in the diary series. After the first two books in the series started out slow, the rest of them have been pretty entertaining.
August 7, 2021
Sandra review
This book was really good to read thank Nancy marcher friends to help solved this case and for her father help,too
This book was really good to read thank Nancy marcher friends to help solved this case and for her father help,too
August 9, 2021
I think, this is the best Nancy Drew Diaries book that I've ever read.
It has enough action and mystery, too.
It has enough action and mystery, too.
August 30, 2021
This one was a little bit of a struggle for me, but I think it's because I have no interest in MMA whatsoever. So, while the story had no real holes, I couldn't get invested.
September 25, 2021
Love my Nancy Drew's another great read
October 7, 2021
I love that Bess has found a talent in jiu jitsu!
January 7, 2022
Good book--good read.
September 20, 2022
Mystery, strong female protagonist, self defense, MMA, jiu jitsu
December 9, 2022
4.5 rounded up because the fight descriptions were really good. Also some really charming characters and fun, silly espionage hijinks.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews