Hot Tracks

Nancy Drew Files #71

by Carolyn Keene

When the River Heights car theft ring makes off with Bess's new Camaro, Nancy investigates, but her discovery of one of the thieves' corspes complicates her case. Original.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Childrens

160 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1992

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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

An enjoyable and convoluted story.

[Prami{reader and dreamer}]

Don't remember much but I liked Nancy and the mysteries.

[K.L.]

Familiar chop shop story. Bess' new car gets swiped (Bess drives?????) and Nancy helps her solve the thefts

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader)]

3 stars. Bess’s new car gets stolen and then holy hell does everything spiral out of control after that. This story is a mess but in the best way possible. It was fun and bonkers.

[Chris Comden]

Hot Tracks by Carolyn Keene
Series: Yes Nancy Drew Flies #71
Format: Softcover
Stars: 2
Recommend: Yes
Would Reread:

I give honest reviews and all my opinions are my own.

For more of my reviews go to Heavenly High Seas Books