What do you think?
Rate this book
Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #28
The Clue of the Black Keys
During an archaeological expedition in Mexico, two professors, the senior Dr. Joshua Pitt and young Terry Scott find a clue to buried treasure. The clue was a cipher carved on a stone tablet. Before the older professor had time to translate it, he and the tablet disappeared! Terry tells Nancy of his suspicions of a Mexican couple, posing as scientists, who vanished the same night as Dr. Pitt. Nancy follows a tangled trail of clues that lead to Florida and Mexico and a secret of antiquity that can only be unlocked by three black keys. This book is the revised text. The plot of the original story (©1951) is similar with minor revisions.
174 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1951
150 people are currently reading
2424 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
948 books3,854 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
February 26, 2019
Rather a silly episode, focused on Mexican ancient cultures, and involving a trip to a town and archaeological dig in Mexico. How many diversity points does Nancy get? Unfortunately Zero. The ancient culture lore is all made up, the bad guys are the only ones with Hispanic-inspired names: Mr. and Mrs. Juarez Tino. Mrs. Tino doesn't even tell us her first name. She just yells it before attempting to clobber Nancy. (I am Mrs. Juarez Tino! Does that mean anything to you?!") The same Mrs. Tino is astoundingly inept at apprehending her enemies. As soon as she sets eyes upon Nancy's accomplice, who simply enters the room, Mrs. Tino flies into a rage, trips over a chair, and falls to the floor. So Nancy's associate simply unties Nancy, and uses those ropes to tie up Mrs. Tino.
A couple stars go toward the accurate depiction of academic departments: a cluster of old guys who are crabby and distrustful of each other.
An extra star goes toward the "What in the heck?" category. The professors are seeking an ancient treasure, in the shape of a silver frog. But beware, the treasure may also bring "the destruction of mankind"!!
Nancy, being Nancy, of course finds the treasure. Fully prepared to prevent the world's destruction, she watches as the professors open the frog, and a mysterious green powder trickles out.
Luckily, no one is destroyed. The scientists decide to bring the frog and powder to a university laboratory, where the items can be studied. And this is the end of the tale. No one in this book has any curiosity about this substance. It really bothers me. And because all these Nancy books are stand-alone novels, readers will never know if this batch of professors die horribly via the powder, or gain immortality by the powder. What is it? Penicillin? Wasabi? Matcha? Something illegal?? Nancy doesn't care. She's already looking forward to her next case, whatever it may be.
A couple stars go toward the accurate depiction of academic departments: a cluster of old guys who are crabby and distrustful of each other.
An extra star goes toward the "What in the heck?" category. The professors are seeking an ancient treasure, in the shape of a silver frog. But beware, the treasure may also bring "the destruction of mankind"!!
Nancy, being Nancy, of course finds the treasure. Fully prepared to prevent the world's destruction, she watches as the professors open the frog, and a mysterious green powder trickles out.
Luckily, no one is destroyed. The scientists decide to bring the frog and powder to a university laboratory, where the items can be studied. And this is the end of the tale. No one in this book has any curiosity about this substance. It really bothers me. And because all these Nancy books are stand-alone novels, readers will never know if this batch of professors die horribly via the powder, or gain immortality by the powder. What is it? Penicillin? Wasabi? Matcha? Something illegal?? Nancy doesn't care. She's already looking forward to her next case, whatever it may be.
October 12, 2023
This one was so fun! I devoured it in a day haha.
The Clue of the Black Keys deals with lots of travel, burglaries, boating, islands, kidnapping, and secret treasure.
This story also seemed more unique compared to some of the other Nancy Drews which was cool.
I mean, who doesn’t love mysteries where you’re on an endless goose hunt?
The Clue of the Black Keys deals with lots of travel, burglaries, boating, islands, kidnapping, and secret treasure.
This story also seemed more unique compared to some of the other Nancy Drews which was cool.
I mean, who doesn’t love mysteries where you’re on an endless goose hunt?
August 4, 2020
Nancy's 28th adventure takes her all the way to the Florida keys, and she has experiences with boats, islands, a wee drop of torture, buried treasure, academics, test taking, and a mysterious green powder that can either save mankind or destroy it but when found gets only one sentence! I wish for the rest of the story on that!
I'm over halfway through on my serial read. . . this one was in the middle of the pack, like most.
I'm over halfway through on my serial read. . . this one was in the middle of the pack, like most.
February 4, 2021
4 stars & 4/10 hearts. I enjoyed this mystery... although I do have a few grips. 1, why does Nancy always get herself captured and tied up (and either locked up somewhere or carried off)? You'd think she'd have caught on by now that going into places after dangerous people alone is just asking for trouble?? And why does she never take seriously any warnings?? Also, I'm kind of tired of Nancy having unlimited money at her disposition even though she doesn't work or do school... idk, it's just a minor grip but it bugged me in this book. Also how she manages to get herself into special groups and gets special privileges. I know, Nancy is awesome and perfect, but every once in a while I get tired of her perfectness! Finally, the mystery was a little too fast-paced and easy and... unrealistic, in my opinion. All that said, I enjoyed the mystery. The new characters were fun, and the plot was intriguing. It just had too many of the stuff that bugs me in the Nancy books for me to give it 5 stars. Maybe I'll like it better upon reread. ;)
July 13, 2023
Sadly, this is probably my least favorite Nancy Drew story to date. 😂 It read like the author didn’t really care about the story and just wanted to speed through it. There was such a hodge podge of subject matter and characters that I couldn’t keep the story straight. Also, two moments that literally made me laugh out loud:
1. Nancy went up to a person working at the airline and asked for a passenger list of one of the planes and the person said, “Sure!” with no hesitation.
2. To add some last-minute drama with about 10 pages left, a character finds a mysterious substance and says “It will destroy all of mankind!” The unraveling of this mystery was *very* fast.
I didn’t hate it because it’s Nancy Drew, after all, but I probably won’t read this again.
1. Nancy went up to a person working at the airline and asked for a passenger list of one of the planes and the person said, “Sure!” with no hesitation.
2. To add some last-minute drama with about 10 pages left, a character finds a mysterious substance and says “It will destroy all of mankind!” The unraveling of this mystery was *very* fast.
I didn’t hate it because it’s Nancy Drew, after all, but I probably won’t read this again.
December 21, 2022
The first half was not very good, but then it picked up and there was actual suspense!
August 21, 2017
This is #28 of the Nancy Drew Mystery Series. I re-read it on a whim. I think that it's one of the better Nancy Drew mysteries. Young Professor Terry Scott comes to Nancy with a broken key that was found in Mexico with some stone tablets. The tablet, 2 keys, and another Professor have all disappeared. Terry wants Nancy's help. The story then takes place in the (Black) Florida Keys where Nancy searches for the missing professor and a treasure.
May 22, 2024
WHAT A HALFWAY POINT 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Nancy gets to solve an ancient mystery with a hot professor; Ned’s in the dog house for me from his comments in the last book, so Professor Terry Scott couldn’t have come at a better time 😂.
The pacing felt a bit rushed at the end, but honestly this mystery was so exciting I didn’t mind.
I love the extremely accurate depiction of a bunch of academics being very jealous of each other lol.
VERY glad to see that Carson Drew didn’t trust Terry right away, a rare bit of character mystery in a Nancy Drew story.
Lol-ed at the powder Nancy uncovers being a miracle drug that will cure every disease. Camp. I love it.
Nancy gets to solve an ancient mystery with a hot professor; Ned’s in the dog house for me from his comments in the last book, so Professor Terry Scott couldn’t have come at a better time 😂.
The pacing felt a bit rushed at the end, but honestly this mystery was so exciting I didn’t mind.
I love the extremely accurate depiction of a bunch of academics being very jealous of each other lol.
VERY glad to see that Carson Drew didn’t trust Terry right away, a rare bit of character mystery in a Nancy Drew story.
Lol-ed at the powder Nancy uncovers being a miracle drug that will cure every disease. Camp. I love it.
September 15, 2021
Nancy Drew and her friend Bess Marvin were both in an animated mood as they stepped off the airplane.
They’d just spent a weekend in New York City and based on the sparkle in their eyes and the laughter in their conversation, it was clear to Mrs. Marvin, watching the girl’s approach, that they’d had a grand time.
Mrs. Marvin kissed them both, then offered Nancy a ride home.
“Thank you,” Nancy answered, “but I left my car here.”
The small party then went their separate ways with Nancy making her way to the parking lot.
Suddenly, a young man in a gray topcoat signaled for her to wait, he was wearing a look of apprehension when he asked, “Are you Nancy Drew?”
Nancy nodded, which prompted him to go on, “This morning I consulted your father about my situation, and he told me that my case sounded more like a mystery for a detective than a legal case for a lawyer.”
Nancy studied the eager young man, choosing not to reply in favor of waiting to hear what he had to say. He seemed to perceive that she was doing this when he started up again most earnestly,
“Perhaps I should introduce myself, my name is Terence Scott, but my friends call me Terry. You may think it strange, my coming to meet you here, but when I learned how clever you are at solving mysteries…”
“I’ll do what I can,” Nancy promised.
Nancy then suggested that they relocate to the waiting room inside the airport terminal. A moment later, they sat down on a bench and Terry Scott removed his topcoat, folded it and placed it on the bench between them.
Terry then mentioned that he was a professor and went on to share his story which mainly took place in Mexico. He told Nancy he’d been there with a group of other professors, the previous summer. Together, they were trying to unravel an ancient mystery, and after some early research, were quite sure of the location they’d narrowed down to, one where clues to the mystery might be found. So sure, were Terry and his colleagues, Dr. Graham, Dr. Pitt and Dr. Anderson, that they began searching with vigorous enthusiasm.
And it was while they were looking for the treasure, Terry explained excitedly, that a couple, strangers to all of them, suddenly appeared. The man, Juarez Tino and his wife were seen working a site nearby where the group of professors were digging.
“They were trying to pass themselves off as scientists, but we suspected that they were nothing more than untrustworthy opportunist who’d somehow found out about what we were doing,” Terry asserted with a frown.
“Why did you suspect them opportunists?” Nancy asked, she could feel herself becoming drawn into this story of adventure and intrigue.
Terry sighed in frustration, “We actually found a stone tablet that we believed contained a clue to the location of what we now guessed to be a great treasure.” He was shaking his head as he recalled the next part, “late, one night, we actually found an important stone tablet, and since it was such a long day, we all turned in after the amazing find. We hadn’t even made a copy of the cipher that was carved into it.”
“And then what?” Nancy asked, she was now sitting on the edge of her seat.
The professor was now looking rather dejected as he said, “When we woke the next morning, the tablet was gone, as was Dr. Pitt and the Tino’s!”
For the next few minutes, Terry and Nancy mused as to what might have happened while all the other professors were sleeping. Ideas batted around included a scenario where Dr. Pitt may have awoken and witnessed the Tino’s attempting to steal the tablet, which may have led to them taking him hostage. Or, they guessed, Dr. Pitt and the Tino’s were in league together from the start.
There was a pause in the musing when Nancy asked, “Have you any further clues that might help solve the mystery?”
“Yes,” Terry replied, “After Dr. Pitt disappeared, I found this in his tent,” he then pulled out a part of an ancient key, one that he told Nancy was made of obsidian and was rumored to be one of a set of three.
After they studied the key, Terry placed it back into the pocket of his topcoat.
“We’ll need to find the other part of this key, as well as the other two…and we’ll need to find Juarez Tino, I think he’s the mastermind of the whole criminal operation.”
Suddenly, Terry glanced at his wristwatch, “I must make a phone call, can you please excuse me?”
Nancy nodded, and Terry made his way to a pay phone, leaving his topcoat sitting on a bench beside Nancy.
A moment later, a sinister looking man approached the bench, and through the corner of her eye, Nancy saw the man fingering the professor’s topcoat!
“What are you doing?!” Nancy cried out.
The man stood up and ran away hastily, and just as he disappeared, Terry Scott returned.
“Is something wrong?” he asked anxiously.
“I’m not sure,” Nancy answered, “A man who came to sit here acted as if he wanted to steal your coat.”
Terry Scott then snatched up his coat and plunged his hand into the pocket, “It’s gone…the black key has been stolen!” He cried out.
That marked the end of chapter one, and already we’ve learned that this story would contain amazing elements such as a lost treasure that if discovered would have serious impact on the human race, a cipher that might be a link to unlocking the secrets of the lost treasure in the hands of the last people you would want to control a power such as this, and a daring artifact theft that occurs right out in the open in a guarded airport! All of this seemed to add up to being a promise of a grand story, and by the end, I’m happy to say, the promise was kept!
This story was filled with colorful characters and unusual circumstances, some of which were: A fake fruit stand owner, a pair of devious art dealers, a small camera that helps Nancy capture clues, a rather effective trap set by a housekeeper, the legendary story of the sinking of a great vessel and a memorable fisherman named “Two Line Parker,” and lastly, much to my delights as a owner of a music school, we find out that Nancy makes a habit of improvising on the piano as a way to think through her cases!
And as to the last couple of chapters, I must say that the tone of these was more menacing than I’ve experienced in any Nancy Drew story up to this point. After reading it, I imagined that the publisher was pushing to the limits of what might have been considered “children’s reading” in the 1950’s. I must admit that I found myself, for a short time there, wondering if the author had strayed from the limits of threatening subject matter, and that the publisher perhaps didn’t catch this before the book went to print. All of this to say, it was a smashing finish to the story.
And as to Nancy Drew herself, I liked that the narrator tells us that she made it a habit to pay heed to the wisdom of her father, and others of his generation. This respect for the good judgement of those who care for us, but also have the experience to know what is good for us is an attribute of good character. In this story, Nancy’s father does not allow her to step away from her duties at the law firm in order to pursue a certain aspect of the mystery. We’re told that left to her own devices, she would’ve liked to take the mystery on as early as possible, (I mean, we are taking about Nancy Drew after all), but she respectfully acquiesces to her father’s judgement that the timing wasn’t yet right for her to purse the case.
Yet another reason why she has been an extraordinary heroine of fiction for nearly a century.
Enjoyable in every way!
They’d just spent a weekend in New York City and based on the sparkle in their eyes and the laughter in their conversation, it was clear to Mrs. Marvin, watching the girl’s approach, that they’d had a grand time.
Mrs. Marvin kissed them both, then offered Nancy a ride home.
“Thank you,” Nancy answered, “but I left my car here.”
The small party then went their separate ways with Nancy making her way to the parking lot.
Suddenly, a young man in a gray topcoat signaled for her to wait, he was wearing a look of apprehension when he asked, “Are you Nancy Drew?”
Nancy nodded, which prompted him to go on, “This morning I consulted your father about my situation, and he told me that my case sounded more like a mystery for a detective than a legal case for a lawyer.”
Nancy studied the eager young man, choosing not to reply in favor of waiting to hear what he had to say. He seemed to perceive that she was doing this when he started up again most earnestly,
“Perhaps I should introduce myself, my name is Terence Scott, but my friends call me Terry. You may think it strange, my coming to meet you here, but when I learned how clever you are at solving mysteries…”
“I’ll do what I can,” Nancy promised.
Nancy then suggested that they relocate to the waiting room inside the airport terminal. A moment later, they sat down on a bench and Terry Scott removed his topcoat, folded it and placed it on the bench between them.
Terry then mentioned that he was a professor and went on to share his story which mainly took place in Mexico. He told Nancy he’d been there with a group of other professors, the previous summer. Together, they were trying to unravel an ancient mystery, and after some early research, were quite sure of the location they’d narrowed down to, one where clues to the mystery might be found. So sure, were Terry and his colleagues, Dr. Graham, Dr. Pitt and Dr. Anderson, that they began searching with vigorous enthusiasm.
And it was while they were looking for the treasure, Terry explained excitedly, that a couple, strangers to all of them, suddenly appeared. The man, Juarez Tino and his wife were seen working a site nearby where the group of professors were digging.
“They were trying to pass themselves off as scientists, but we suspected that they were nothing more than untrustworthy opportunist who’d somehow found out about what we were doing,” Terry asserted with a frown.
“Why did you suspect them opportunists?” Nancy asked, she could feel herself becoming drawn into this story of adventure and intrigue.
Terry sighed in frustration, “We actually found a stone tablet that we believed contained a clue to the location of what we now guessed to be a great treasure.” He was shaking his head as he recalled the next part, “late, one night, we actually found an important stone tablet, and since it was such a long day, we all turned in after the amazing find. We hadn’t even made a copy of the cipher that was carved into it.”
“And then what?” Nancy asked, she was now sitting on the edge of her seat.
The professor was now looking rather dejected as he said, “When we woke the next morning, the tablet was gone, as was Dr. Pitt and the Tino’s!”
For the next few minutes, Terry and Nancy mused as to what might have happened while all the other professors were sleeping. Ideas batted around included a scenario where Dr. Pitt may have awoken and witnessed the Tino’s attempting to steal the tablet, which may have led to them taking him hostage. Or, they guessed, Dr. Pitt and the Tino’s were in league together from the start.
There was a pause in the musing when Nancy asked, “Have you any further clues that might help solve the mystery?”
“Yes,” Terry replied, “After Dr. Pitt disappeared, I found this in his tent,” he then pulled out a part of an ancient key, one that he told Nancy was made of obsidian and was rumored to be one of a set of three.
After they studied the key, Terry placed it back into the pocket of his topcoat.
“We’ll need to find the other part of this key, as well as the other two…and we’ll need to find Juarez Tino, I think he’s the mastermind of the whole criminal operation.”
Suddenly, Terry glanced at his wristwatch, “I must make a phone call, can you please excuse me?”
Nancy nodded, and Terry made his way to a pay phone, leaving his topcoat sitting on a bench beside Nancy.
A moment later, a sinister looking man approached the bench, and through the corner of her eye, Nancy saw the man fingering the professor’s topcoat!
“What are you doing?!” Nancy cried out.
The man stood up and ran away hastily, and just as he disappeared, Terry Scott returned.
“Is something wrong?” he asked anxiously.
“I’m not sure,” Nancy answered, “A man who came to sit here acted as if he wanted to steal your coat.”
Terry Scott then snatched up his coat and plunged his hand into the pocket, “It’s gone…the black key has been stolen!” He cried out.
That marked the end of chapter one, and already we’ve learned that this story would contain amazing elements such as a lost treasure that if discovered would have serious impact on the human race, a cipher that might be a link to unlocking the secrets of the lost treasure in the hands of the last people you would want to control a power such as this, and a daring artifact theft that occurs right out in the open in a guarded airport! All of this seemed to add up to being a promise of a grand story, and by the end, I’m happy to say, the promise was kept!
This story was filled with colorful characters and unusual circumstances, some of which were: A fake fruit stand owner, a pair of devious art dealers, a small camera that helps Nancy capture clues, a rather effective trap set by a housekeeper, the legendary story of the sinking of a great vessel and a memorable fisherman named “Two Line Parker,” and lastly, much to my delights as a owner of a music school, we find out that Nancy makes a habit of improvising on the piano as a way to think through her cases!
And as to the last couple of chapters, I must say that the tone of these was more menacing than I’ve experienced in any Nancy Drew story up to this point. After reading it, I imagined that the publisher was pushing to the limits of what might have been considered “children’s reading” in the 1950’s. I must admit that I found myself, for a short time there, wondering if the author had strayed from the limits of threatening subject matter, and that the publisher perhaps didn’t catch this before the book went to print. All of this to say, it was a smashing finish to the story.
And as to Nancy Drew herself, I liked that the narrator tells us that she made it a habit to pay heed to the wisdom of her father, and others of his generation. This respect for the good judgement of those who care for us, but also have the experience to know what is good for us is an attribute of good character. In this story, Nancy’s father does not allow her to step away from her duties at the law firm in order to pursue a certain aspect of the mystery. We’re told that left to her own devices, she would’ve liked to take the mystery on as early as possible, (I mean, we are taking about Nancy Drew after all), but she respectfully acquiesces to her father’s judgement that the timing wasn’t yet right for her to purse the case.
Yet another reason why she has been an extraordinary heroine of fiction for nearly a century.
Enjoyable in every way!
June 27, 2023
This one was very American and I frequently had no idea what they were on about. In The Clue of the Black Keys, a bunch of archaeologists are hunting for a Mexican treasure. One of them vanishes and another consults Carson Drew to help out. He passes on the responsibility to Nancy and the two end up hunting for treasure and missing scientists in Florida.
The story is weak in many respects. I had never heard of the Florida keys and it made everything confusing. Also, why is everyone going to Florida when the treasure is supposed to be in Mexico Nancy ends up as an archaeology student and passes her exams ... that was a bit of wtf right there! Is there anything wondergurl cannot do?!
The supposed treasure is a silver frog which contains the secret that would destroy humanity. But Nancy insists on revealing it and there is some speculation about the powder's good or bad qualities. It's not really cleared up at the end, leaving the readers hanging! The world obviously isn't destroyed by the powder because there are quite a few more Nancy Drew books, but still would be nice to know for sure!
Not one of the best NDs, that's for sure!
The story is weak in many respects. I had never heard of the Florida keys and it made everything confusing. Also, why is everyone going to Florida when the treasure is supposed to be in Mexico Nancy ends up as an archaeology student and passes her exams ... that was a bit of wtf right there! Is there anything wondergurl cannot do?!
The supposed treasure is a silver frog which contains the secret that would destroy humanity. But Nancy insists on revealing it and there is some speculation about the powder's good or bad qualities. It's not really cleared up at the end, leaving the readers hanging! The world obviously isn't destroyed by the powder because there are quite a few more Nancy Drew books, but still would be nice to know for sure!
Not one of the best NDs, that's for sure!
May 5, 2011
A 'okay' mystery that gives us some interesting bits of history and scenes in the Florida Keys.
What I found fascinating was how despite not being allowed to do anything too action-packed, because she's 'just a girl', or having any actual authority, Nancy is in charge of everyone and everything and seems to keep all the men in her thrall.
Her relationship with Ned has a weird almost sexual tension to it that is worthy of the 'Sex in the city' girls.
What I found fascinating was how despite not being allowed to do anything too action-packed, because she's 'just a girl', or having any actual authority, Nancy is in charge of everyone and everything and seems to keep all the men in her thrall.
Her relationship with Ned has a weird almost sexual tension to it that is worthy of the 'Sex in the city' girls.
April 30, 2015
A fun little mystery. It has been YEARS since I last read a Nancy Drew book and it was great to read this story. I liked the treasure hunt aspect and, of course, Nancy and her friends were great characters.
July 28, 2018
It's my first Nancy Drew book and now i'm hooked.... hey that rhymed!
September 23, 2011
Dark mystery as Nancy Drew travels to Mexico to help solve and international mystery.
February 21, 2017
Great Nancy Drew read.
Would recommend for a Nancy Drew fan.
Would recommend for a Nancy Drew fan.
December 1, 2024
Why isn't Nancy in college? She aces that quiz with just a few hours of studying. (Technically a spoiler, but seriously, was anybody surprised?)
Ned is back in college for another season as star quarterback, but somehow Nancy is still 18. Why didn't they age her? Bess and George couldn't join her on the expedition to Florida due to lack of funds. I think they were taking classes in one of the much earlier books, but they're not doing anything either, from the sounds of things.
Ned is back in college for another season as star quarterback, but somehow Nancy is still 18. Why didn't they age her? Bess and George couldn't join her on the expedition to Florida due to lack of funds. I think they were taking classes in one of the much earlier books, but they're not doing anything either, from the sounds of things.
January 4, 2024
I love the twist and turn's of this story. I love that their is the main storyline but also a few small/side storyline's that were so intresting to read as well. Nancy takes this job of someone who her dad didn't want to help becuase he knows something she dose not, but everything worked out in the end.
January 30, 2019
I read this one in a two book combo I have and it was super fun! The plot twist at the end shocked me and I loved all of the characters! I love it how her dad always supports here, he reminds me of my own dad, who has always supported me! Terry was super funny and Ned's reaction when he met him was so funny lmao!
January 24, 2024
Can’t go wrong with Nancy Drew!
June 4, 2024
This was a fun mystery to read with lots of twists that unraveled. I really enjoyed reading about Terry Scott, he made for a good character!
April 15, 2025
One of my favorites because I re-read this so many times as a kid.
July 7, 2017
If there were a "what are the worst elements of Nancy Drew" bingo card, this one would win.
A group of (white) scientists are on an archaeology trip in Mexico, looking for a buried treasure. To their credit, they 100% acknowledge that what they are looking for isn't theirs, and would belong to the Mexican government. They find a stone tablet with three black keys attached, but before they can decipher the tablet, one of the scientists, Dr. Pitt, disappears, along with the tablet. Dr. Terry Scott is on the trip, and he thinks a shifty ethnic type named Juarez Tino (??!??!) who is described as swarthy and just a general asshole is behind it. He comes to Carson Drew for help, and Carson refers the case to Nancy because, eh, whatevs. But Carson also cautions Nancy because Terry's story seems kinda... implausible. Terry has half of one of the black keys, though.
Also, Juarez Tino has an equally awful (and ethnic) wife.
So Nancy agrees to take Terry's case, but not before there's a dance at Emerson, bitches! Ned asks Nancy to bring along "an old professor" who is apparently an Omega brother, who is invited to the dance. Said "old professor" is Terry, of course. On the way there, someone moves a detour sign and Nancy's car plunges into the ditch! The car is okay, though, and they're both all right.
Nancy thinks Ned being unaware that Terry is a hot younger guy is hilarious, because she knows that Ned is a jealous son of a bitch, and she's not wrong. Terry makes Nancy promise him a dance, but Ned presumably claims all her dances. When he asks about going to the Thanksgiving dance back in River Heights, Nancy says she's not sure she'll be going and Ned's like "cause of Terry?" and Nancy's like, "no, Mexican treasure!" And Ned says he wants her back in one piece for the Emerson winter prom. OF COURSE Y'ALL.
Then Terry is held captive by a pair of swindling assholes and left for dead! Nancy tracks him down and gets the cops to break in and saves his life! And Terry's all like "I would have died if not for you" and I'm like "chill out, Nancy has a bf." And the next day Terry's like "hey guess who's goin' to Mexico! Bye bitches!" Because a near-death experience ain't shit.
Nancy asks a college professor planning an archaeology trip to Florida if she can come along (her father won't let her just traipse off to Florida without a chaperone) and he's like "if you can pass the quiz I'm about to give for my college class which has been learning about this for a month" and Nancy's like "bring it!" She goes to the library and crams for like 4 hours and passes the quiz. Of course she does.
Nancy meets Fran and a few other students, and Fran has an older cousin (I think) who has a speedboat, so they meet up with that guy and waterski and look for a possible villain hideout. Terry pops back up because he needs to get Nancy to Mexico, and they find Dr. Pitt on one of the Florida keys! Terry and her relative go for help/the cops, and Nancy and Terry and Dr. Pitt are captured by the Tinos and the swindling assholes, and Mrs. Tino has an EVIL TORTURE BRACELET Y'ALL. And they use it on Nancy! Those assholes! The torture isn't to get Nancy to talk; it's to get the guys to talk, and it works.
The bad guys take Dr. Pitt to Mexico so he can find the treasure for them. Nancy, Terry, and the cops head to Mexico to stop them. Dr. Pitt is sure the treasure is evil or cursed, so he doesn't want it found, but the bad guys give him no choice. The bad guys are taken into custody and the good guys dig up the treasure, which is a treasure box full of frogs. One of them has a mysterious green powder inside! Terry thinks the markings say that it will benefit mankind. Dr. Pitt is immediately like "seems legit," and the guy who led the Florida school trip, Dr. Anderson, is like "I wish all my students were as awesome as you, Nancy Drew!"
As do we all, Dr. Anderson.
A group of (white) scientists are on an archaeology trip in Mexico, looking for a buried treasure. To their credit, they 100% acknowledge that what they are looking for isn't theirs, and would belong to the Mexican government. They find a stone tablet with three black keys attached, but before they can decipher the tablet, one of the scientists, Dr. Pitt, disappears, along with the tablet. Dr. Terry Scott is on the trip, and he thinks a shifty ethnic type named Juarez Tino (??!??!) who is described as swarthy and just a general asshole is behind it. He comes to Carson Drew for help, and Carson refers the case to Nancy because, eh, whatevs. But Carson also cautions Nancy because Terry's story seems kinda... implausible. Terry has half of one of the black keys, though.
Also, Juarez Tino has an equally awful (and ethnic) wife.
So Nancy agrees to take Terry's case, but not before there's a dance at Emerson, bitches! Ned asks Nancy to bring along "an old professor" who is apparently an Omega brother, who is invited to the dance. Said "old professor" is Terry, of course. On the way there, someone moves a detour sign and Nancy's car plunges into the ditch! The car is okay, though, and they're both all right.
Nancy thinks Ned being unaware that Terry is a hot younger guy is hilarious, because she knows that Ned is a jealous son of a bitch, and she's not wrong. Terry makes Nancy promise him a dance, but Ned presumably claims all her dances. When he asks about going to the Thanksgiving dance back in River Heights, Nancy says she's not sure she'll be going and Ned's like "cause of Terry?" and Nancy's like, "no, Mexican treasure!" And Ned says he wants her back in one piece for the Emerson winter prom. OF COURSE Y'ALL.
Then Terry is held captive by a pair of swindling assholes and left for dead! Nancy tracks him down and gets the cops to break in and saves his life! And Terry's all like "I would have died if not for you" and I'm like "chill out, Nancy has a bf." And the next day Terry's like "hey guess who's goin' to Mexico! Bye bitches!" Because a near-death experience ain't shit.
Nancy asks a college professor planning an archaeology trip to Florida if she can come along (her father won't let her just traipse off to Florida without a chaperone) and he's like "if you can pass the quiz I'm about to give for my college class which has been learning about this for a month" and Nancy's like "bring it!" She goes to the library and crams for like 4 hours and passes the quiz. Of course she does.
Nancy meets Fran and a few other students, and Fran has an older cousin (I think) who has a speedboat, so they meet up with that guy and waterski and look for a possible villain hideout. Terry pops back up because he needs to get Nancy to Mexico, and they find Dr. Pitt on one of the Florida keys! Terry and her relative go for help/the cops, and Nancy and Terry and Dr. Pitt are captured by the Tinos and the swindling assholes, and Mrs. Tino has an EVIL TORTURE BRACELET Y'ALL. And they use it on Nancy! Those assholes! The torture isn't to get Nancy to talk; it's to get the guys to talk, and it works.
The bad guys take Dr. Pitt to Mexico so he can find the treasure for them. Nancy, Terry, and the cops head to Mexico to stop them. Dr. Pitt is sure the treasure is evil or cursed, so he doesn't want it found, but the bad guys give him no choice. The bad guys are taken into custody and the good guys dig up the treasure, which is a treasure box full of frogs. One of them has a mysterious green powder inside! Terry thinks the markings say that it will benefit mankind. Dr. Pitt is immediately like "seems legit," and the guy who led the Florida school trip, Dr. Anderson, is like "I wish all my students were as awesome as you, Nancy Drew!"
As do we all, Dr. Anderson.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2021
Nancy help young professor Terry Scott is a search for his missing colleague and a mysterious mexcian treasure.
There are broken keys, mysterious codes and clues, robbery and abduction - the usual elements of a Nancy mystery. I liked the sleuthing Nancy does to solve the clue of the "keys" and the ambiguity of the title. The action takes place in Florida and Mexico and all in all was a fun read.
There are broken keys, mysterious codes and clues, robbery and abduction - the usual elements of a Nancy mystery. I liked the sleuthing Nancy does to solve the clue of the "keys" and the ambiguity of the title. The action takes place in Florida and Mexico and all in all was a fun read.
March 12, 2023
Not my favorite. It felt like it took awhile for the story to really get moving. Also was not a fan of Nancy being treated like a child by both her father and the professor. Nancy is pretty independent, so her need for male chaperones seemed out of character and unnecessary. I also missed George and Bess. The treasure hunt was fun, but otherwise, this one was a bit of a miss for me.
November 16, 2015
A very strong entry. Nice characters, nice plot, a few exotic locales, Mr. Drew is very good, as usual, and the illustrations of Nancy some of the best, the young sleuth rarely looking better, save the cover illustration, which doesn't look like Nancy at all.
December 24, 2025
Join Nancy here on an archeaological expedition
May 23, 2018
Nancy does some traveling to solve this mystery that involves an archaeological find in Mexico. A fun and exciting story.
December 29, 2018
Nancy helps Professor Terence “Terry” Scott find one of his missing colleagues, Dr. Pitt who mysteriously disappeared in Mexico while on an expedition. Professor Scott also asks Nancy to help him hunt for the treasure that he and his colleagues discovered whilst on said expedition.
What I Loved:
1) All of the Travel.
The story starts off with Nancy returning from a trip to New York with Bess and George. At the airport, she meets Terry. The mystery takes Nancy first to Baltimore, Maryland. But this stop turns out to be a ruse perpetrated by the criminals she’s hunting down, so she quickly returns to River Heights. Then, the clues lead her to Florida. Her father is hesitant to let Nancy travel there by herself, so she joins a special trip being conducted by one of Terry’s colleagues, Dr. Anderson. Finally, the mystery comes to a close in a Mexican jungle.
2)The characters. Specifically Terry and Sergeant Malloy.
Terence Scott is a handsome 25-year old professor. He and Nancy work extremely well together. At one point, she comes to his rescue. Not the other way around. Which made me absurdly happy. I would love to see more of this guy! There are sparks there!! Sorry Ned!
Anyway, Sergeant Malloy is a straight-up decent officer. Sometimes the police don’t take Nancy seriously because she’s a young woman. But Sergeant Malloy meets Nancy and listens to her and believes in her abilities. And when there’s a car chase, he lets Nancy take the wheel haha.
3) The humor.
When Nancy is tied up in her bedroom and escapes, George makes this quip:
“Talk about a cat having nine lives. This must be your forty-ninth!"
I laughed way too hard and for way to long at this.
4) I fell down a research rabbit hole.
It all started when Nancy figures out what the mysterious number 74772 is. A phone number. More accurately, River Heights 7-4772. Now, that got me thinking about phone numbers. Because in a lot of old movies and shows, it’s the same thing. You use an exchange followed by 5 numbers. So I did research on the history of phone numbers. It’s a little complex.
Final Thoughts
To be fair, I should mention one thing I didn’t like. Because even though I loved this book, it has its flaws. A few times it is mentioned that Nancy needs a man with her to protect her while she works the case. And it’s an idea that appears in so many of these mysteries. It got old, real quick. Nancy has proven herself capable on multiple occasions. Why is that not enough? It’s a sign of the times, I guess.
What I Loved:
1) All of the Travel.
The story starts off with Nancy returning from a trip to New York with Bess and George. At the airport, she meets Terry. The mystery takes Nancy first to Baltimore, Maryland. But this stop turns out to be a ruse perpetrated by the criminals she’s hunting down, so she quickly returns to River Heights. Then, the clues lead her to Florida. Her father is hesitant to let Nancy travel there by herself, so she joins a special trip being conducted by one of Terry’s colleagues, Dr. Anderson. Finally, the mystery comes to a close in a Mexican jungle.
2)The characters. Specifically Terry and Sergeant Malloy.
Terence Scott is a handsome 25-year old professor. He and Nancy work extremely well together. At one point, she comes to his rescue. Not the other way around. Which made me absurdly happy. I would love to see more of this guy! There are sparks there!! Sorry Ned!
Anyway, Sergeant Malloy is a straight-up decent officer. Sometimes the police don’t take Nancy seriously because she’s a young woman. But Sergeant Malloy meets Nancy and listens to her and believes in her abilities. And when there’s a car chase, he lets Nancy take the wheel haha.
3) The humor.
When Nancy is tied up in her bedroom and escapes, George makes this quip:
“Talk about a cat having nine lives. This must be your forty-ninth!"
I laughed way too hard and for way to long at this.
4) I fell down a research rabbit hole.
It all started when Nancy figures out what the mysterious number 74772 is. A phone number. More accurately, River Heights 7-4772. Now, that got me thinking about phone numbers. Because in a lot of old movies and shows, it’s the same thing. You use an exchange followed by 5 numbers. So I did research on the history of phone numbers. It’s a little complex.
Final Thoughts
To be fair, I should mention one thing I didn’t like. Because even though I loved this book, it has its flaws. A few times it is mentioned that Nancy needs a man with her to protect her while she works the case. And it’s an idea that appears in so many of these mysteries. It got old, real quick. Nancy has proven herself capable on multiple occasions. Why is that not enough? It’s a sign of the times, I guess.
January 19, 2025
Sometimes life just thrusts a mystery upon you. Take the case of Nancy Drew and The Clue of the Black Keys. The eighteen-year-old detective is minding her own business walking through the airport after a weekend In New York with her friend, Bess Marvin. The two girls are on their way to their hometown of River Heights. As she’s headed toward her car, a young man introduces himself. His name is Terry Scott and he has a mystery for her.
In Mr. Scott’s mind, this mystery was so urgent, that he couldn’t even wait for Nancy to arrive home from the airport. He explained to her that he was one of four professors who had unearthed a great find in Mexico over the summer. Just after the four unearthed a stone tablet that they believed would lead to the treasure once it was deciphered, one of the professors, Dr. Pitt, disappeared along with the tablet. Although the authorities were notified, nothing turned up and the remaining professors had to return home.
Terry Scott shows Nancy one of the clues they have to the mystery on the tablet – part of an ancient obsidian key. While they are talking, someone makes an attempt to steal the key. By the description of the man, it seems as if he was someone who camped near the four professors and disappeared about the same as Dr. Pitt did.
The mystery takes place all over with action happening in River Heights, the Florida Keys, as well as back in Mexico. As Nancy Drew novels go, this one had considerable action and it kept the story moving along quite well. Some of the circumstances might be hard to believe. It seemed as if Terry Scott ran hot and cold at times as far as how much he wanted the mystery solved. Instances such as his having to meet Nancy’s plane contradicted times when he seemed content to wait and see what happened, such as when he was asked to translate a diary that might also contain clues to the mysterious treasure.
To read my full review, please go to The Clue of the Black Keys – Nancy Drew Hunts for a Treasure
In Mr. Scott’s mind, this mystery was so urgent, that he couldn’t even wait for Nancy to arrive home from the airport. He explained to her that he was one of four professors who had unearthed a great find in Mexico over the summer. Just after the four unearthed a stone tablet that they believed would lead to the treasure once it was deciphered, one of the professors, Dr. Pitt, disappeared along with the tablet. Although the authorities were notified, nothing turned up and the remaining professors had to return home.
Terry Scott shows Nancy one of the clues they have to the mystery on the tablet – part of an ancient obsidian key. While they are talking, someone makes an attempt to steal the key. By the description of the man, it seems as if he was someone who camped near the four professors and disappeared about the same as Dr. Pitt did.
The mystery takes place all over with action happening in River Heights, the Florida Keys, as well as back in Mexico. As Nancy Drew novels go, this one had considerable action and it kept the story moving along quite well. Some of the circumstances might be hard to believe. It seemed as if Terry Scott ran hot and cold at times as far as how much he wanted the mystery solved. Instances such as his having to meet Nancy’s plane contradicted times when he seemed content to wait and see what happened, such as when he was asked to translate a diary that might also contain clues to the mysterious treasure.
To read my full review, please go to The Clue of the Black Keys – Nancy Drew Hunts for a Treasure
Read
April 11, 2023The Frog Treasure, an antique treasure lay buried and hidden in an island of Mexico, a treasure which can only be unlocked with the help of three black keys made of obsidian, a material resembling volcanic glass. Nancy has got, as a clue, a broken half piece of one of these keys. Her hunt for the remaining two-and-a-half keys, makes up the main plotline of the mystery comprising this book.
The mystery leads Nancy to a trip to Mexico, for which, she must participate and qualify a university examination of geology. A group of three professors accompany and guide Nancy through the Mexican islands to gather clues, clues that not only escort them towards the location of the missing black keys, but also towards the fourth professor of this group Dr. Pitt, who was kidnapped by those who stole away the keys.
Propped up with a bunch of research papers and hopping from clue to clue, the crew at last, reaches a place called as the ‘traveller’s palm’. At this place, engulfed amidst the canvasses of palm leaves, was a secluded hut. Inside the hut was a chamber where they discovered professor Pitt, moaning weakly. At some distance from this hut, they discovered the missing black keys, buried deep in the shoreline sand, also a trunk. The trunk was filled with several silver-polished frog-shaped sculptures, each bejewelled with gleaming gems, as well as a healing herb powder. The treasure was handed over the Mexican police and the group of professors congratulated Nancy for their reunion.
All in all, the mystery is a refreshing read, with interesting characters and detailed descriptions, of course, featuring the signature chuckly style of the Nancy Drew-Carolyn Keene series!
The mystery leads Nancy to a trip to Mexico, for which, she must participate and qualify a university examination of geology. A group of three professors accompany and guide Nancy through the Mexican islands to gather clues, clues that not only escort them towards the location of the missing black keys, but also towards the fourth professor of this group Dr. Pitt, who was kidnapped by those who stole away the keys.
Propped up with a bunch of research papers and hopping from clue to clue, the crew at last, reaches a place called as the ‘traveller’s palm’. At this place, engulfed amidst the canvasses of palm leaves, was a secluded hut. Inside the hut was a chamber where they discovered professor Pitt, moaning weakly. At some distance from this hut, they discovered the missing black keys, buried deep in the shoreline sand, also a trunk. The trunk was filled with several silver-polished frog-shaped sculptures, each bejewelled with gleaming gems, as well as a healing herb powder. The treasure was handed over the Mexican police and the group of professors congratulated Nancy for their reunion.
All in all, the mystery is a refreshing read, with interesting characters and detailed descriptions, of course, featuring the signature chuckly style of the Nancy Drew-Carolyn Keene series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews