The Secret of Red Gate Farm

Goodreads Description:    When Bess Marvin purchased an expensive bottle of Oriental perfume, she never expected to stumble into a mystery. Now Bess, Nancy, George, and their new friend Jo are out to unravel the secrets of a mysterious conspiracy, a secretive cult, and a ring of counterfeiters in The Secret of Red Gate Farm.












My Thoughts:

-    The ending of this one was a bit of a surprise to me. I don't know why, but it just wasn't what I was expecting. Loved that!

-    Nancy seems a lot older than 18. She just seems more mature, confident, and smarter than usual 18 year old.

-    I loved that Nancy studied and learned how to decipher codes! She keeps adding new skills to her repertoire. I just admire her!

-    I like that the police take Nancy seriously and value her tips and advice. They see her as a contributor rather than a nuisance, and it is just nice that Nancy and the police work together to solve these mysteries. 

-    I can't get used to a girl named George! I think she is a guy half the time. 

-    Even though the book was a quick and easy read, I didn't feel like the story was rushed. 

Previous Nancy Drew Books

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The Secret of Shadow Ranch

Goodreads Synopsis:    Nancy Drew arrives in Phoenix, Arizona, eagerly looking forward to a fun-filled vacation at Shadow Ranch, but abruptly finds herself involved in a baffling mystery. The ranch is being haunted by a phantom horse and maliciously damaged by an unknown enemy. Local people believe that the ghostly animal is carrying out the curse of Dirk Valentine, the romantic outlaw who was killed many years ago at Shadow Ranch, where he had gone to fulfill a promise to his sweetheart.Suspecting that a treasure hidden by Valentine may be at the root of the Shadow Ranch mystery, Nancy undertakes a challenging search, aided by her friends Bess Marvin and George Fayne. The first vital clue is found in an antique watch and sparks a series of clever deductions and dangerous developments. While seeking further clues, the girls' investigation in a ghost town ends in near disaster when Nancy is trapped inside a building that is toppled by a rockslide -- a rockslide which is deliberately caused. But the pretty titian-haired detective remains undaunted in her determination to solve the mystery.

For those who enjoy a suspenseful thriller, Nancy Drew's first Western adventure makes a great listen.

My Thoughts:

-    Another fun and satisfying Nancy Drew mystery!

-    I like that Nancy Drew went all western in this story. It was a western treasure hunt! Great stuff! I love that each Nancy Drew is so different and unique. The hunt for an outlaw's treasure was cool, and I wish there had been more back story on Valentine. 

-    A girl named George?

-    Nancy knows a lot of people! She has friends everywhere! I guess it is no surprise. She is very polite and kind, and I would like to be her friend.

-    I feel like a character is more heroic and macho when they are on a horse. It might be just me, but I liked that Nancy was an experienced rider.

-    The phantom horse was a fun element to the mystery, and I liked how Nancy and Chief figured out how the phantom horse thing was pulled off. 

-    Nancy is so clever and lucky! She can put clues together, and determine what others will do, and I also think she is incredibly lucky!

-    When reading these books, you can't let your eyes glaze over or zone out. Things happen fast, and I sometimes had to go back and read a couple paragraphs. Some important event will occur, and it takes place in one or two paragraphs. The story moves fast! I like that there is no fluff.

Previous Nancy Drew Book

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The Mystery of Lilac Inn

From Goodreads:    Teenage detective Nancy Drew finds herself in danger when she sets out to track a jewel thief.
















My Thoughts:

-    This book was really fun! It had a lot more dangers in it that the previous books.

-    Nancy is the victim of identity theft, but as the story continues Nancy find out she has a doppelganger out there!

-    Nancy's life is constantly in danger in this story. There are people out there trying to kill her! She gets a spear thrown at her, she gets run off the road, she gets a rock thrown at her head, and more!

-    I really like Nancy's relationship with her father. They are close and can openly talk with each other. I love that they trust each other implicitly. 

-    The story and mystery are more complicated than the previous ones. I really feel like this book stepped it up a notch.

Previous Nancy Drew Book

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The Bungalow Mystery

From Goodreads:    While trying to help a friend out of a difficulty, teenage detective Nancy Drew has a perilous experience in and around a deserted bungalow.















My Thoughts:

-    These books are just plain old fashioned fun!

-    I love that each book is a different kind of mystery. The last book was a ghost mystery, and this one was more dangerous. 

-    I think Nancy is getting more inquisitive and bold with each case she solves. She almost has no boundaries on what she will do for clues. I enjoy seeing our young sleuth grow as a detective.

-    Like I said, this book was filled with more dangers. It had more action in it! The book starts out with Nancy almost drowning, and it isn't the last time Nancy's life is threatened.

-    I like the illustrations in these books. They are fun and old school sketches. 

-    I like how Nancy involves people in her investigations. She always lets people know where she is and what she is planning. I like how everyone helps her and cares for her. Nancy has a really nice support group going for her.

-    Nancy makes friends everywhere she goes. She is intelligent and kind. I really admire her character. 

Previous Nancy Drew Book

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The Hidden Staircase

Goodreads Bit:    Teenage detective Nancy Drew uses her courage and powers of deduction to solve the mysterious happenings in an old stone mansion.
















My Thoughts:

-    At first I was a little embarrassed reading Nancy Drew, but I'm going to take Stephanie Perkins' advice, and I'm not going to be ashamed of anything I enjoy reading, so here it is: I really like reading these Nancy Drew books! I feel like I missed out when I was younger. 

-    The title kind of gives away some of the mystery. I don't like that.

-    I liked that this story was a pretty different mystery than the first one. I enjoyed the ghost story element and creepy old houses!

-    There was some added danger to Nancy's family, and it made the mystery even more urgent. 

-    Nancy is very confident, and she has a lot of courage. I would not go hunting for ghosts in creepy attics and basements, but she did it willingly! I also like that Nancy is very polite and considerate. She has good character!

-    I liked that the police weren't useless. I hate it in movies and books when the police are totally useless and the protagonists have to do everything themselves. Nancy involves the police and helps them, and she lets the police do their job! Thank you!

-    I thought the ending was a bit abrupt, but everything was solved, so I guess it was ok. I like that the book doesn't have a bunch of added fluff, and the story moves along quickly. 

Previous Nancy Drew Book

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The Secret of the Old Clock

Goodreads Bit:    Nancy Drew's keen mind is tested when she searches for a missing will.

















My Thoughts:

-    I've never read or had any desire to read the Nancy Drew books, but my friend read the first few and said they were actually fun to read, so I decided to give them a try. I'm glad I did! This first one was a quick/fun read.

-    I like how straight forward the story is. There isn't any filler fluff. I felt like each chapter and character were important.

-    I really liked how Nancy got to know each of the characters and how they added to the mystery of the missing will.

-    Nancy is a very kind and charitable person. I wish I was more like her. I hope my daughter wants to read Nancy Drew books when she is older cause they will teach her good things.

-    I like mystery books. I like figuring things out along the way, and I especially like being right. I don't like that the title of this book kinda gives stuff away!

-    This book is pretty old fashioned, but I have to admit that I liked all the nostalgia. I sometimes wish I lived in a more simple world. 

-    I like the lack the of technology in the book. Nancy didn't have gadgets or a cell phone to rely on. She used her intelligence and wit. You go girl!

-    I will be continuing the Nancy Drew series, and if they are all as delightful as this one, Nancy Drew might just become my new guilty pleasure.