The Haunted Bridge (Nancy Drew, Book 15)

The older version of The Haunted Bridge was published in the late 1930's. It is a wonderful book with the wrong title name; which is easily noticed by the mid-section of the book. Although this book is not as full of action as many other books in the series, it still contains much fun. It has an obnoxious man who likes Nancy, a parted romance, a burned down mansion, and a stolen jewelry case. This book is obviously like no other book in the Nancy Drew collection and is recommended for any one who likes a great book.

This is the best Nancy Drew story of the entire series. My daughter and I have read both versions, my older copy published in the thirties and the newer version I purchased for her for her birthday. She prefers the newer version, while I like the older one, but we both agree this is the best of the series. I remember reading my copy four or five times in my youth. I understand this series was written by many different people using the same pen-name. They really knew what they were doing. A ghostly scarecrow, a mysterious jewel box, an obnoxious admirer, and girls on an unsupervised vacation. What a way to appeal to girls of all ages, even grown-up ones. I think they got the formula just right for this one. This is still one of my favorite feel-good, read-again books. My daughter is reading her copy again as I am writing this.

If you can, get the old editions of the Nancy Drew mysteries. I mean the truly old ones which refer to her "roadster" and her "chums" Bess and George, and the faithful housekeeper Hannah who always provided hot cocoa and comfort. In spite of an occasional unreconstructed, politically incorrect detail or two, these books are gems. Nancy's character was a wonderful role model for girls growing up in the 40s and 50s. Free and unfettered, supremely confident and clever, Nancy led her readers down a merry path of good times and entertaining adventures. "The Haunted Bridge" is among the best of the series, although all of the earlier books are wonderfully written and capable of delighting young readers still. As for the later books, written by someone else to capitalize on the success of the tv show, I haven't read them so I can't offer opinions. I do know it would be hard to match the dozens of books beginning in the l930s.

I really Love this book because it really was just absolutely fantastic.. believe me. I've been reading Nancy Drew's for a couple of years now and this is probably one of the best ones I've ever come across.

Nancy is at Deer Mountain Lodge to help her father with a case involving jewel thieves and soon finds another mystery. A haunted bridge! How Nancy solves both mysteries and competes in a golf tournament despite her injurred arm is exciting and fun reading.