The Bungalow Mystery (Nancy Drew, Book 3)

I read quite a few of the Nancy Drew Mysteries as a child. I have retained only five of those books in my personal library, so I recently decided to start collecting them again and, of course, to re-read them. My mom gave me three this Christmas, one of which was the facsimile edition of the Bungalow Mystery from Applewood Books. This book is somewhat longer than the more common Grosset & Dunlap editions (the yellow hardcover books). Having read reviews on the facsimile editions, I was expecting something quite different than what I was used to. Upon reading the book, I did not find it (the story) to be very much different from the modernized editions. The illustrations, however, are very different and better. The quality of the book is much better, as well. Of the two editions, I would recommend the facsimile over the re-edited versions.

See if you can get the "Bungalow Mystery" in an Applegate edition, which preserves the original language and attitudes of the 30s. The updated versions are fine too, but the originals, although fixed in an earlier period, are remarkable for their descriptive, exact language. Carefully plotted and deftly written, the "Bungalow Mystery" finds Nancy coming to the aid of a new friend who has rescued her during a storm on the lake near her summer camp. There is the trademark Carolyn Keene blend of exciting situations and Nancy's remarkable resourcefulness. I recommend all the Nancy Drew yarns to the girls of my piano studio. Wholesome and winsome, Nancy has aged well, and continues to delight young readers.

This was the 2nd best book in the series, only to its predecessor, The Hidden Staircase. The book kicks into action around page 70 and is non-stop suspense from there on. Its actually one of the few books that has a good mystery in the story and the cliff hangers at the end of each chapter are well thought out. In my opinion most of the Nancy Drew books were awful. The set is over rated. Of the original 56 books, about 25 of them are good. Half the set. This ranks in at #2 with me.

This book was one of the best Nancy Drew books. It captivated your interest and was suspenseful. It was a story of friendships made and renewed. You'll like the surprise ending and how Nancy goes about solving the case.

The Bunglow Mystery is a very, good book it kept my interest right to the very end. Many times when I was told to put down the book I, did't want to because I was at a cruchal part of the book. And I find this part dthe part most interesting. I beleve that Caroyn Keene has done a great job of discribing the little detales and the characters them selves.