If Looks Could Kill

Nancy Drew Files #91

by Carolyn Keene

Nancy receives an invitation from supermodel Martika Sawyer to her exclusive tropical resort, Cloud Nine. But inside one of the gorgeous bodies at Cloud Nine lies the mind of a master manipulator--and a murderer.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Childrens, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Juvenile

160 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

So obvious who it was. It reminded me of Peril at End House by Agatha Christie as the plot is extremely similar, right down to the shawl.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

More mystery, more excitement, more fun.

[Eric Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good ND book! The mystery was interesting and had some unexpected twists near the end that I didn't see coming! The story moved along nicely, though a little slow at times, and I enjoyed the setting and the characters. The solution to the mystery was quite clever and was bit of a surprise, especially who done it. I thought who the culprit might be, but I was totally wrong! There is one character that dies unexpectedly near the end and it's actually quite sad that they died. Nancy was also pretty great in this book, although there were some things she could have done to solve the mystery, she uses her head and focuses entirely on solving the mystery. Overall, a very good mystery with plenty of twists and turns and with some fun detecting work. 4 stars.

[K.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy and crew go to a fabulous island spa to help an ex model figure out who is trying to sabotage the opening of the resort

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun one!

[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.

[T-mera7c]

The book is about so far it is about how this woman her name was Martika. She opened a shop on a private island. Someone threatened her not to open it but she did. The reason why I picked this book because it sounds really interesting. also that I like mystery books and how they figure out there mysteries.

[Posie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really fun to read.

[Prerna · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWSOME!!AMAZING!!

[Jennifer 施麗麗 · Rating 5 out of 5]

very firzt Nancy drew book that i'v read! and the rest is history!

[V. Arrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUCH a fun book in this series.