bargainsleuth's review against another edition
3.0
For this and other book reviews, visit www.bargain-sleuth.com
I’m almost caught up with the Nancy Drew Diaries series. There are currently 21 volumes in the series, and I’m up to number 18, The Stolen Show (Amazon) (AbeBooks). The modern Nancy Drew takes some getting used to, and more often than not, she’s investigating a case of sabotage. That trope got old many books ago, so I really wasn’t looking forward to this volume.
The mystery turns out not to be so much about sabotage, but uncovering an international group of jewel thieves. And for the first half of the book, Nancy is nervous and fearful, which is so not like the Nancy Drew I grew up with. And what’s she nervous about? Being a dog handler for a show in Quebec. I’m not sure why the publishers picked Quebec, because there’s nothing in the book that reflects the province of Canada other than the cold, and an Interpol detective that shows up. And somehow, Nancy outsmarts the Interpol detective!?
I’m not sure why the publishers seem to diminish Nancy with her nervousness and fearfulness. I haven’t read the current Hardy Boys series, but I’ll bet anything they’re not as full of self-doubt as the modern Nancy Drew. And quite frankly, while listening to this audiobook, I found my mind wandering during the first half of the book. Wandering so much that I listened to the book a second time. The first half of the book has a tiring amount of information about competitive dog shows. I’m all for slipping in information in children’s books so they not only have an enjoyable story, but learn something as well, but after a while, it got boring.
I will have to say this about The Stolen Show: there’s some real peril for Nancy, Bess, and George. I won’t say what happens to spoil it for you, but suffice it to say that there’s a dangerous situation which is reminiscent of the original Nancy Drew Mysteries. And Nancy is there to save the day, thankfully. I’m so glad Ned and Carson are MIA because oftentimes, Nancy is rescued by them and I’ve always felt that it diminished her skills as a sleuth and as a young independent woman.
Overall, this was an uneven book. Some parts, like the beginning fifty or so pages, were just boring as all get out, but the second half of the book is good. With Simon & Schuster being bought by Penguin Books, I wonder about the future of the books if they are continually wishy-washy like this volume.
I’m almost caught up with the Nancy Drew Diaries series. There are currently 21 volumes in the series, and I’m up to number 18, The Stolen Show (Amazon) (AbeBooks). The modern Nancy Drew takes some getting used to, and more often than not, she’s investigating a case of sabotage. That trope got old many books ago, so I really wasn’t looking forward to this volume.
The mystery turns out not to be so much about sabotage, but uncovering an international group of jewel thieves. And for the first half of the book, Nancy is nervous and fearful, which is so not like the Nancy Drew I grew up with. And what’s she nervous about? Being a dog handler for a show in Quebec. I’m not sure why the publishers picked Quebec, because there’s nothing in the book that reflects the province of Canada other than the cold, and an Interpol detective that shows up. And somehow, Nancy outsmarts the Interpol detective!?
I’m not sure why the publishers seem to diminish Nancy with her nervousness and fearfulness. I haven’t read the current Hardy Boys series, but I’ll bet anything they’re not as full of self-doubt as the modern Nancy Drew. And quite frankly, while listening to this audiobook, I found my mind wandering during the first half of the book. Wandering so much that I listened to the book a second time. The first half of the book has a tiring amount of information about competitive dog shows. I’m all for slipping in information in children’s books so they not only have an enjoyable story, but learn something as well, but after a while, it got boring.
I will have to say this about The Stolen Show: there’s some real peril for Nancy, Bess, and George. I won’t say what happens to spoil it for you, but suffice it to say that there’s a dangerous situation which is reminiscent of the original Nancy Drew Mysteries. And Nancy is there to save the day, thankfully. I’m so glad Ned and Carson are MIA because oftentimes, Nancy is rescued by them and I’ve always felt that it diminished her skills as a sleuth and as a young independent woman.
Overall, this was an uneven book. Some parts, like the beginning fifty or so pages, were just boring as all get out, but the second half of the book is good. With Simon & Schuster being bought by Penguin Books, I wonder about the future of the books if they are continually wishy-washy like this volume.
eowynn01's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Growing up on the Nancy Drew Files and the OG Nancy Drew Mysteries this felt more child like then those did, but that could be from an adult view now over a child and views change.
This was an easy read and would say kids who are around the age of 11-12 would be the best targeted readers. One could read this to younger listeners since it is clean and wholesome who done it in the form of the other Nancy Drew books.
Even though there was, "that would never happen" moments and Nancy and friends in another country with no parent seems odd; I still enjoyed this enough to where I would give this to young kids looking for a mystery.
This was an easy read and would say kids who are around the age of 11-12 would be the best targeted readers. One could read this to younger listeners since it is clean and wholesome who done it in the form of the other Nancy Drew books.
Even though there was, "that would never happen" moments and Nancy and friends in another country with no parent seems odd; I still enjoyed this enough to where I would give this to young kids looking for a mystery.
aimmyarrowshigh's review against another edition
5.0
Man, I wish that the summary had ANY hint of the ACTUAL plotline of this book! I skipped it on my first readthrough of the series because it sounded incredibly juvenile and silly, but it was actually action-packed and full of smarts and intrigue. Also, Bess is SUCH a Daphne.
meekumoh's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, this one blew me away. A strong plot, great tension - this is as close to classic gritty Nancy Drew as this series ever got. No petty personal conflicts, there's a darker web of events that is wonderfully concluded. Definitely one of the best in the series thus far!
pussreboots's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
bertturtel's review against another edition
3.0
Nice family friendly listen. Narrator perfect for the tale. Granddaughter was disappointed that the dogs on the cover were not in the book. She was satisfied that other dog breeds were integral to the plot.
Listened using Chirpbooks.com.
Listened using Chirpbooks.com.
jmcneill's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
aanya12's review against another edition
5.0
Woah, just woah!
Loved this!!!
Nancy's cleverer than an interpol agent?
Why does that not surprise me...........
Loved this!!!
Nancy's cleverer than an interpol agent?
Why does that not surprise me...........
kj80230's review against another edition
4.0
A cute newer/more contemporary version of Nancy Drew. Had a nod to technology that didn't exist when the originals were written but still has the same sweet/smart characters. I was worried that updating the series to current day would taint the sweet nature of the books but all is good!