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Nancy Drew: Girl Detective #19
The Orchid Thief
Bess, George, and I are heading down to Key Largo, Florida, to enjoy some fun in the sun with my old friend, marine biologist Delia Duke. But it seems that Delia's state park is clouded over with mystery: Someone has been poaching the park's rare butterfly orchids. Their future depends on us!
George seems more interested in searching for treasure in the Catalina, an old sunken Spanish galleon, than in hunting for an orchid thief. My hope is that George, Bess, Delia, and I can save two priceless treasures in one fell swoop.
144 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2006
17 people are currently reading
395 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
1,270Ìýbooks3,716ÌýfollowersCarolyn 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 12, 2020
When I was in third grade, my teacher had a display of posters about foreign countries with the words, "If you can't go...read about it!"
Well, Florida may not be a foreign nation, but, I doubt I'll be taking any vacations anytime soon, so, I traveled via the pages of a book--well, an e-book, anyway--to the Sunshine State. It was a fun trip, and who could ask for a better travel companion than the lovely and brilliant Nancy Drew?
Well, Florida may not be a foreign nation, but, I doubt I'll be taking any vacations anytime soon, so, I traveled via the pages of a book--well, an e-book, anyway--to the Sunshine State. It was a fun trip, and who could ask for a better travel companion than the lovely and brilliant Nancy Drew?
July 7, 2015
Nancy, Bess and George travel to Key Largo to help their friend Delia catch the person who's been poaching rare orchids from the island. George leaves her friends to help a married couple find the mother lode from a centuries' old shipwreck. However, a modern-day pirate may get to the gold and jewels before George and the others do. And what has all of this got to do with the missing orchids?
This book was enjoyable enough, but I don't feel it was as well-plotted as some of the others in the series. It wasn't hard to work out the villain. However, it's a nice light read with an environmental message.
This book was enjoyable enough, but I don't feel it was as well-plotted as some of the others in the series. It wasn't hard to work out the villain. However, it's a nice light read with an environmental message.
September 6, 2024
Going through a few of my Nancy Drew books while I finally watch through the (great) tv show.
My second of two modern Nancy Drew books I own for some reason, and this one was equally weird, first person, new personalities for Bess and George, the works. Nancy goes down to Florida (with her friends) (again, after I just read Crocodile Island) and immediately draws the ire of a trashy local Florida redneck. Then her Florida friend's boyfriend is a total loser flake. The whole time you knew who the villain was, but it was just about proving it and catching him. He actually took out a knife and threatened to kill them all! That doesn't happen a lot in Nancy Drews. Not a good book, but decent enough, better than the snake one.
My second of two modern Nancy Drew books I own for some reason, and this one was equally weird, first person, new personalities for Bess and George, the works. Nancy goes down to Florida (with her friends) (again, after I just read Crocodile Island) and immediately draws the ire of a trashy local Florida redneck. Then her Florida friend's boyfriend is a total loser flake. The whole time you knew who the villain was, but it was just about proving it and catching him. He actually took out a knife and threatened to kill them all! That doesn't happen a lot in Nancy Drews. Not a good book, but decent enough, better than the snake one.
June 9, 2023
Chick Russell is a little mangy mutt, I’m sorry but it’s true. Bro probably has a punchable face. Bro probably has no prospects in life. Bro probably never washes his greasy boat. Bro probably dresses up in disguise to steal endangered orchids. Bro probably can’t even hold someone at knife properly. If he catches me on the streets it’s over before it even began.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2019
Must I tell you that this is the best Nancy Drew book ever??
March 9, 2020
One of the better Nancy Drew books. The plot was well organized and the characters took part fittingly.
April 4, 2020
I grew up reading Nancy Drew and I loved them. As an adult I love orchids and the Keys so I wanted to read this little book - predictable but a good story nonetheless :)
November 1, 2020
This one was a lot of fun, but the side plot with George seemed pretty unrealistic.
March 31, 2024
Loved it! Used to read Nancy Drew when I was a kid so wasn't surprised.
March 30, 2021
Loved this one. Keeps you guessing
June 30, 2008
I was prompted to read Nancy Drew again by a conversation with a friend. Nostalgia for my youth when I would read everything Nancy Drew.
July 9, 2012
GREAT BOOK
August 19, 2024
The last page was so fucking cheesy that it knocked a whole star off the book. Jeez.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
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