A review by chandaferguson
The Clue of the Broken Locket by Carolyn Keene

adventurous lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Some people like mysteries that slowly come together, pieces of the unknown falling into place with rising action, climax, and an easy conclusion. Others like a mystery that’s more like a whirlwind, chaotic or confusing, until in the end, it all settles together, even though the pieces come together a lot more abstractly or quickly. 

In my opinion this mystery is more of the latter, which is really exciting for people who like a story of calamity with a lot of characters, conflicts, and elements going on. However, for those who like a more organized story, this one can fall a little flat. 

In this story, Nancy finds herself intrigued by a mystery relating to a missing fortune, a secret hiding place, and a long-lost past. There’s a mysterious girl who runs every time Nancy sees her, there are hostile home-owners, a kidnapping, pirated records, and more! To me, this one felt more dated and a bit convoluted re-reading it, but as a child, it was all the makings of suspense. I recommend this one more for young readers than re-readers, but regardless, Nancy Drew mysteries hold a special place in my heart. They’re tidy, a bit predictable (but that’s part of the comfort and familiarity of reading them), and age-appropriate for most young readers.

Book 58/150
⭐️⭐️⭐️