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Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #94
The Picture Perfect Mystery
When a con artist switches contracts with famed local painter Lila Cramer, Nancy Drew has just four days to catch the crook, or Lila will have to forfeit her entire collection
152 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 1990
About the author
Carolyn Keene
1,203 books4,066 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 24, 2018
These later books have a different feel than the old-school Nancy Drew novels. Still, the mystery was intriguing and good fun. I'm glad I recently got my hands on several others in the series.
March 12, 2023
This was a nice well paced mystery involving vengeance and grudges in the art world. Nancy worked with Bess on this one and Nancy's long time friend Lea Ann to find out why someobe would try to sabotage a lical artist and her gallery days before an important exhibition. A solid read thar comes together nicely in the end.
August 14, 2026
Buy one, get ten free
Another Nancy drew mystery. They all have mystery and suspense. This one was centered around an art gallery and a con around some paintings.
Nancy and her friends are soon on the case and quickly have a list of suspects.
There are several twists and turns before the case is solved.
If you like mystery’s I think you will like this.
Another Nancy drew mystery. They all have mystery and suspense. This one was centered around an art gallery and a con around some paintings.
Nancy and her friends are soon on the case and quickly have a list of suspects.
There are several twists and turns before the case is solved.
If you like mystery’s I think you will like this.
November 27, 2018
I used to read these books when I was a kid, so I am glad I got to reread it again.
May 13, 2020
honestly a little anticlimactic, but it was fun that I guessed the culprit, and I liked the whole operation at the end.
January 26, 2026
A cozy mystery with familiar characters and intriguing plots. Is a little predictable, but still pretty enjoyable.
September 9, 2013
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.
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.
February 19, 2015
This section of ND Mysteries has some interesting settings, this one a local art gallery. The mystery was clever and required Nancy to do some shoe leather to the pavement sleuthing. I enjoyed the reference to her childhood and the relationships among the clients and suspects.
March 21, 2013
Don't remember much but I liked Nancy and the mysteries.
April 26, 2017
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews