Cover Art: Hector Garrido
Interior Art: Paul Frame

Author: Unknown

PLOT:

The excitement of a professional tennis tournament provides the backdrop for Nancy Drew’s latest adventure. An old school friend, tennis star Nina Ford, asks Nancy to help her father, who’s been convicted of theft and sent to prison. But on his way, he disappeared. It’s up to Nancy to find him – and the documents needed to prove his innocence. Helped by her irrepressible new assistant, fourteen-year-old Midge Watson, Nancy investigates the mysterious situation. What she discovers is completely unexpected – someone is trying to fix the tennis matches Nina is scheduled to play! Seeking answers to more than one puzzling question, Nancy pursues a long and perilous string of clues to unmask a dangerous gang of ruthless villains. But can she expose them before they get to her? (from the back cover)

CHARACTERS:

Nancy Drew – the female detective is always ready to help a friend in need

Bess Marvin – Nancy’s chum is always at her side

Hannah Gruen – the Drews’ ever-faithful housekeeper, who worries about Nancy

Carson Drew – River Heights’ famed attorney and Nancy’s father

Nina Ford – a friend from Nancy’s school days whose father is missing

John Ford – Nina’s father who was falsely accused of a crime and is now missing

Kimberly van Rensselaer – a snobby girl who is runner up for the Bicentennial parade

Midge Watson – a fourteen year old girl who appoints herself as Nancy’s assistant

Aaron Calisher – Mr. Ford’s business partner who has been caring for Nina

Emily Calisher – Mr. Calisher’s wife with whom Nina has been living

Bull Tolliver – a crook who is hiding along the river, renting out boats

Sam Jackson – a loner who lives in a cabin along the river

Ivan Foster – Aaron Calisher’s assistant and trusted employee

REVIEW:

When Nancy receives a desperate letter from Nina Ford, a former schoolmate, who is asking Nancy to help her find her missing father, she knows she can’t say no. But Bess is quick to remind her that she is involved in River Heights’ Bicentennial celebration coming up in just one week – how will she have time for both? Nancy’s father reminds her that a friend is worth more than a crown, and Nancy’s mind is made up when Nina calls her to inform her that now she is being threatened! The news of Nancy’s investigation thrills Kimberly van Rensselaer, who is the runner up for the Queen of River Heights contest, after Nancy.

After informing the Bicentennial committee, Nancy is surprised to discovery fourteen year old Midge Watson in the backseat of her car – a young girl who is determined to become Nancy’s assistant in solving mysteries! At first Nancy is none-too thrilled, but the girl proves her skills when she points out that they are being followed. After dropping the young girl at her home, Nancy manages to lose the car following her. Who was it, and could it possibly be connected to Nina’s request for help?

The next day, Nancy heads for New Brighton, the town where Nina lives. On the way, Nancy is shocked to find the same car following her that followed her the day before! She manages to lose the car again, and then makes her way to a local coffee shop to meet her friend. Nina arrives and fills her in on the details of how her father was framed for illegal stock transactions and fraudulent use of the mail system. After her father’s safe was stolen, in which was the only evidence that could prove Mr. Ford’s innocence, he was arrested and sentenced to prison. He disappeared on the way, however, when the police car in which he was riding was washed away in the river. His body was never recovered.

Nina suddenly becomes frightened at the appearance of Mr. and Mrs. Calisher, with whom she has been living since her father’s disappearance. Since the threatening phone calls began, warning her to lose her next tennis game or her life will be lost, Mr. Calisher has been a nervous wreck. Nina asks Nancy to keep her investigation a secret from the Calishers. As Nancy prepares to leave, Midge Watson shows up and warns Nancy that someone is messing with her brakes! She rushes from the coffee shop, only to see the familiar car that had been following her drive away. Going back inside, with Midge in tow, she is confronted by the Calishers, who remember Nancy from when they lived in River Heights. Mr. Calisher begs her not to reopen John Ford’s case, but Nancy informs him that she must stand by her friend. Mr. Calisher cryptically suggests that he hopes she does not live to regret her decision!

After the Calishers leave with Nina in tow, Nancy realizes she must deal with Midge’s sudden appearance! Having stowed away in the trunk of Nancy’s car, Midge explains that she will do anything to be Nancy’s assistant. Nancy takes her to the motel with her and they contact both of their fathers to let them know where they are. Nancy promises to keep an eye on Midge, and the two begin plotting how they will solve the mysteries before them! They head for the river to view the last place John Ford was seen alive, and Nancy comes face to face with Bull Tolliver, a crook who was involved with a ring of burglars that she once exposed and put in prison. Nancy keeps her cool and doesn’t let on that she recognizes the man as she and Midge rent a boat to investigate the river. The boat capsizes, though, when Midge stands up, and the two swim to shore. Amazingly enough, Midge uncovers a pair of handcuffs as they build a fire to warm themselves – handcuffs that are property of the State Police!

A trail that leads to a small gathering of run-down shacks starts Nancy and Midge down a path of exciting adventures! A leaking boat and sudden storm threaten to end their investigation early, but the appearance of a loner named Sam Jackson who rescues them from the river rapids means more than just living to see another day – it leads to more clues about John Ford’s whereabouts! A bearded stranger in the New Brighton library and a betrayal by Mr. Calisher’s trusted assistant lead Nancy closer to solving the mystery of not only the disappearance of John Ford, but also the threats on Nina’s life! Bess arrives just in time to be kidnapped along with Nancy, and it’s up to Midge once again to rescue the two of them. Once Bess returns to River Heights, Midge and Nancy follow up on a couple of hunches – one of which leads them to the bottom of a cave! After another near-capture, Nancy is able to reveal the true villains behind the crimes and exonerate John Ford once and for all!

PERSONAL THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS:

This is the first of the Wanderers to feature Hector Garrido’s artwork on the cover. The style is a bit different from Ruth Sanderson’s soft features, and the colors are a bit darker. Thankfully, Paul Frame continues with the interior art (the first of which in this book, on page 17, shows clearly that Mr. Frame still remembered his work on Trixie Belden, since his rendition of Bess in this picture is nearly a splitting image of Trixie!).

I find it utterly amazing that Nancy so quickly takes on a fourteen-year old girl as an “apprentice” to help her solve the mystery! Nancy has always had a friend or two to help her (Helen, Bess, George, Ned), but this is a bit unbelievable, in my opinion. As responsible as Nancy is always portrayed, taking a minor on dangerous adventures is certainly far from responsible in my book!

And the coincidences are a bit much this time around, such as when Nancy and Midge find the handcuffs that John Ford wore at the exact place where Midge capsizes the boat – talk about convenient!

Despite these things, I have to admit this book had several good lines! One was on page 139 when Bess got ready to return to River Heights and told Nancy, “I had a wonderful time. Just think, in a few hours with you, I managed to be kidnapped – and escaped! Just imagine what could happen if I stayed a week!” Ahhhh, life with Nancy Drew! The other came from Midge on page 157, when, after realizing they could have entered a closed road through a different way, Midge pipes up, “I’m glad you’re not perfect all the time! I wouldn’t be able to stand it!” Nancy? Not perfect? No way!

These paperbacks are not the original texts – they may not be as rich in details, and the characters may not be as multi-dimensional; but the stories are entertaining and original, and the cover style and the art are definitely high standard. Give them a chance – start “wander-ing” through these first Nancy Drew paperbacks – you might just find you like them!

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