Rehearsing for Romance

Nancy Drew Files #114

by Carolyn Keene

After Bess lands a promising role in a murder mystery play, Nancy begins to suspect that her friend is in danger when a real-life drama begins mimicking the play plot and every member of the cast becomes a suspect. Original.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Childrens, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Fiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Carolyn 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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.

Reviews

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I near the end of this series, it's crazy to think that my journey through Nancy Drew: Files was all started thanks to a random garage sale in my area. To those people who sold me the first set of these books, I don't know who or where you are, but...thank you!

[Christie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I read some books in this series as a kid and I'm pretty sure it kickstarted my interest in murder mysteries. For a reading challenge I needed to read a book published in my birth year, so I decided to pick one of these up. This is a super short read that I finished in about 90 minutes. The writing was simple and engaging and the cast of suspects was big enough that the culprit wasn't super obvious.

I probably wouldn't pick up another book in this series again because it felt a little young for me now, but I did enjoy reading this and it felt very nostalgic to go back and read a series that reminded me of my childhood (even though most of these books were published years before I was born!).

[Eric Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book all the way through. The play drama and the mystery was interesting and so were the characters. Although the play was more focused on than the mystery and Nancy doesn't do a whole lot of sleuthing. She also keeps saying she will ask some people some questions, but she never does. I had a good feeling of who the culprit was and was right. Overall, this is an entertaining, interesting book that will keep you turning the pages. 3 stars.

[V. Arrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid Nancy Drew book. Lots of backstage drama and intrigue at a Chicago theatre production, which is always fun. I do wish that Bess had more rounded characterization in this iteration of the ND franchise, though. One thing that the Diaries series does so much better than the Files is characterization of both Bess and George.

[K.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bess is acting in a stage show when she has to take the lead after the leading lady is *accidentally* shot. Nancy joins her onstage as she tries to discover who is trying to destroy the show. Enjoyed this

[Aaliyah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the story line a great book

[Gracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Loved this book!

[Prerna · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really like bess so i liked this

[Ikram · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good read

[Alyssa Boni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book even though I didn't know that Tim would be the killer and sorry if you are reading this book and I just spoiled it but that's why I put it under Hide Review Because of Spoilers so it's your fault for looking.