“The Clue in the Diary” by: Carolyn Keene

This is the 7th book in the “Nancy Drew Mystery Stories” series by: Carolyn Keene.

Age: 10+

Description: Nancy and her friends, George and Bess, are returning from a country carnival when they witness the explosion and burning of a beautiful country mansion. Fearing its occupants may be trapped in the blazing building, they rush to the rescue - and unexpectedly fund themselves confronted with a mystery that seems to be insoluble. The first clue, an anonymous diary, includes not only indecipherable handwriting, but puzzling technical drawings and chemical formulas as well. Who dropped the diary near the burning house? Was it the gaunt stranger Nancy glimpsed running away from the flaming structure? What was he doing there? And does he know the whereabouts of Felix Raybolt, an unscrupulous dealer in patents, who has not been seen since his home burned? Or did Raybolt die in the fire? When evidence mounts against Joe Swenson, who was swindled by "Foxy Felix", our young detective makes the desperate effort to exonerate the inventor of the suspicion of arson because of his dear five-year-old daughter.


My Rating: 5/5

I really enjoyed this one!

Because the action of the story started so soon, the recap and character introduction felt out of place in the middle of the conflict.

I also find it interesting that Mr. Drew never seems alarmed at the danger Nancy always finds herself in.

I love Nancy’s integrity! When someone confides in her she does not betray their trust - even with her closest friends. I admire that!


Things to be aware of in “The Clue in the Diary”

Language:

* One mention of “I swear it”

Mild name calling including: “skinflint”


Violence:

- A house is caught on fire. <spoiler>Someone is suspected to have died in the fire.</spoiler>

- There is a minor car crash

- A girl is slapped across the face


Romantic Content:

There is some romance! No content to note, though. It is very clean.


Additional Notes:

- “He’d steal a crust of bread from a starvin’ child!”

- Nancy enters a house that is not hers.

- One mention of hating someone.

- A character drives a car that is not theirs

- One character is described as “pleasantly plump”



Links to the book:

Amazon: https://a.co/d/dLV3QSG

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32978

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