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Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #10
Password to Larkspur Lane
A carrier pigeon furnishes Nancy with a clue to a mysterious retreat.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1933
247 people are currently reading
3,777 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
1,281Ìýbooks3,719ÌýfollowersCarolyn 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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 - 30 of 496 reviews
August 12, 2009
Zanier than most! Here's my favorite line: "I'll wire the International Federation of American Homing Pigeon Fanciers and give them the number stamped on the bird's leg ring." Who knew?!!
May 2, 2019
Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys stories derive from ghostwriters assigned by The Stratemeyer Syndicate. Read Melanie Rehak’s highly-informative treatise! Walter Karig handled three, when a deal was not struck with Mildred A. Wirt. Notice that the style of his titles are different. We reunite with Mildred after this, â€�The Password To Larkspur Laneâ€�. Volume #8 was awful. °Â²¹±ô³Ù±ð°ù’s next was better, except portraying that Bess & George turned against Nancy. Here in volume #10, he forgot Helen was married but I was glad to have my favourite co-sleuth back. Walter aimed for the fences: I give it four stars! The subject is sensitive and not farfetched, making it a worthwhile cautionary tale.
We suspend disbelief through quite a few coincidences that alert Nancy to suspicious doings; however we are glad she honed-in on them. Along with casting attention on an important subject, which is quantified as elder abuse; story-wise, I love that the mystery is solved by collaborative information-gathering and surveillance work. It is not like many of these novels, in which criminals are overheard or observed at the perfect time. There was planning, grunt work, and danger. Nancy & Helen lied their way into a place, the former dug herself out of a hole very literally, and even made an explosion! Animal care is covered too, with homing pigeons making an important part of this mystery ensemble cast.
Nancy observed a doctor she knew, distressed. He revealed that he treated an elderly woman under covert circumstances. He was not allowed to see where he was and snatched an item to identify her. Meanwhile, Nancy intercepted a tired homing pigeon with a peculiar message. If she could follow him, she had a feeling the mysteries would intertwine. This adventure rocked! Please warn the elderly against buying into false retirement facilities.
We suspend disbelief through quite a few coincidences that alert Nancy to suspicious doings; however we are glad she honed-in on them. Along with casting attention on an important subject, which is quantified as elder abuse; story-wise, I love that the mystery is solved by collaborative information-gathering and surveillance work. It is not like many of these novels, in which criminals are overheard or observed at the perfect time. There was planning, grunt work, and danger. Nancy & Helen lied their way into a place, the former dug herself out of a hole very literally, and even made an explosion! Animal care is covered too, with homing pigeons making an important part of this mystery ensemble cast.
Nancy observed a doctor she knew, distressed. He revealed that he treated an elderly woman under covert circumstances. He was not allowed to see where he was and snatched an item to identify her. Meanwhile, Nancy intercepted a tired homing pigeon with a peculiar message. If she could follow him, she had a feeling the mysteries would intertwine. This adventure rocked! Please warn the elderly against buying into false retirement facilities.
April 24, 2025
Ned says it all when he says: "Oh, Nancy, you take such chances." She does take a lot of chances, but as we all know it always comes out alright in the end. Her friends and community connections lend a hand and this particular mystery is resolved with a very dramatic resource-heavy capture of the bad guys. Inconceivable in today's world, but an entertaining read for those who enjoy original mysteries where good always prevails.
February 23, 2024
Another fun volume in this series.
May 21, 2022
I read the 1933 version, complete with roadsters, telegrams and girls wearing 'dainty lingerie.' Nancy's old - and new - car have a rumble seat and she's allowed to run around doing just about anything she wants, including getting into trouble again and again. Of course her father, renowned lawyer Carson Drew, is ever in the background 'cautioning' Nancy to be careful, but Nancy is as Nancy does and Nancy, far ahead of what nice girls in 1933 should be doing, does whatever she wants.
In this story a carrier pigeon is injured mid-air by a small plane. The pigeon just so happens to fall practically in Nancy's arms. Attached to the bird's leg is a message in a small container. It's a mysterious message - of course it is - and at once Nancy contacts the local carrier pigeon association to determine who the pigeon belongs to.
It belongs to no one! It's an unregistered pigeon! Oh my gosh!
Shortly thereafter as Nancy is driving along in her roadster, she notices a strange car with its 'curtains drawn' by the side of the road, and then a local doctor - a bone specialist - is racing along the same road, stops near the mysterious car and disappears inside it. The car then races off. Oh, my gosh...
This leads to questioning said doctor which leads to an old woman being held somewhere, and a bracelet the doctor takes from her (he was blindfolded when brought to the woman), and then Nancy being followed and spied upon and stalked and a lot of this just happens. Which means no one is told about most of it, except one sort-of-lame police detective who tosses the bracelet aside and tells Nancy - and her father! - to let the 'real detectives' handle this.
Turns out that carrier pigeon, messages about passwords, larkspurs, being stalked and followed - and Nancy having her handbag temporarily stolen - all are linked in a nefarious way to a criminal gang that cheats elderly, wealthy women out of their money and keeps them locked up in a sanatarium out in the woods! Oh my gosh gosh gosh!
I actually did like this book. Nancy's predicaments are spelled out almost logically and she gets out of a major predicament - a dirty old well or cistern - in a fairly original and believable manner. Of course, great portions of the book make no sense - not in 1933 or 2016. But who cares? She's resourceful, tough and smart, yet can wear an evening dress fit for a fairy princess, plus - big plus - Nancy has a natural wave in her hair and all the other girls are super-envious of her. She even manages to save a little girl from either 1. being smashed by a powerboat on a lake, or 2. drowning. Said little girl and her parents also tie in to the mystery - of course they do!
Ned's in this one, too, though terribly underused. Nancy does admire his 'physique' in one scene, so perhaps he's in this book just for window dressing. :D
Entertaining and engaging. Four stars!
In this story a carrier pigeon is injured mid-air by a small plane. The pigeon just so happens to fall practically in Nancy's arms. Attached to the bird's leg is a message in a small container. It's a mysterious message - of course it is - and at once Nancy contacts the local carrier pigeon association to determine who the pigeon belongs to.
It belongs to no one! It's an unregistered pigeon! Oh my gosh!
Shortly thereafter as Nancy is driving along in her roadster, she notices a strange car with its 'curtains drawn' by the side of the road, and then a local doctor - a bone specialist - is racing along the same road, stops near the mysterious car and disappears inside it. The car then races off. Oh, my gosh...
This leads to questioning said doctor which leads to an old woman being held somewhere, and a bracelet the doctor takes from her (he was blindfolded when brought to the woman), and then Nancy being followed and spied upon and stalked and a lot of this just happens. Which means no one is told about most of it, except one sort-of-lame police detective who tosses the bracelet aside and tells Nancy - and her father! - to let the 'real detectives' handle this.
Turns out that carrier pigeon, messages about passwords, larkspurs, being stalked and followed - and Nancy having her handbag temporarily stolen - all are linked in a nefarious way to a criminal gang that cheats elderly, wealthy women out of their money and keeps them locked up in a sanatarium out in the woods! Oh my gosh gosh gosh!
I actually did like this book. Nancy's predicaments are spelled out almost logically and she gets out of a major predicament - a dirty old well or cistern - in a fairly original and believable manner. Of course, great portions of the book make no sense - not in 1933 or 2016. But who cares? She's resourceful, tough and smart, yet can wear an evening dress fit for a fairy princess, plus - big plus - Nancy has a natural wave in her hair and all the other girls are super-envious of her. She even manages to save a little girl from either 1. being smashed by a powerboat on a lake, or 2. drowning. Said little girl and her parents also tie in to the mystery - of course they do!
Ned's in this one, too, though terribly underused. Nancy does admire his 'physique' in one scene, so perhaps he's in this book just for window dressing. :D
Entertaining and engaging. Four stars!
June 14, 2022
I love Nancy Drew! These are some of my favorite nostalgic reads from childhood, and it’s always a joy rereading them.
Were there a lot of “too convenient� solutions to problems in this story? Yes.
Were some of the solutions a tad unbelievable? Also yes.
But, I love how Nancy Drew has trusty plot armor and has the ability to weasel her way out of trouble. It alleviates anxiety and makes her stories super enjoyable. I always know what I’m getting myself into.
Plus, who doesn’t love a mystery involving cute elderly ladies and pigeons?
I can’t wait to read book 11!
Were there a lot of “too convenient� solutions to problems in this story? Yes.
Were some of the solutions a tad unbelievable? Also yes.
But, I love how Nancy Drew has trusty plot armor and has the ability to weasel her way out of trouble. It alleviates anxiety and makes her stories super enjoyable. I always know what I’m getting myself into.
Plus, who doesn’t love a mystery involving cute elderly ladies and pigeons?
I can’t wait to read book 11!
June 15, 2022
Another fun Nancy Drew mystery! This one has a pretty interesting start involving carrier pigeons of all things. There are a lot of coincidences that help Nancy solve the mystery but it’s still such innocent, wholesome fun. Elderly people are being kept against their will so it’s doubly entertaining when the mystery is solved and Nancy and her friends are also able to do a good deed.
March 20, 2021
This was a childhood favourite. Carrier pigeons carrying messages, a sinister 'hospital' in the middle of nowhere, old ladies kidnapped for their money, this was a thrilling ride for a youngster. The magic still holds, though I am able to laugh at some of the more illogical aspects of the plot. However, I tend to re-read Nancy Drew as an adult as if it's some kind of fantasy world where Nancy dreams up the rules, and I tend to just go along with it.
The mystery starts with an injured carrier pigeon falling into Nancy's yard. She rescues it and finds a mysterious message attached to its leg. Soon after, she witnesses her family physician being kidnapped in a black saloon car (for some odd reason, child me used to think of this as an ambassador car). Dr Spire later tells Nancy and her dad that he was blindfolded and taken to help an old woman who handed him a locket as a clue.
Meanwhile, Helen Corning has invited Nancy over to solve a couple of mysteries: the grumpy house servant and a mysterious blue circle. Now all the clues are in hand, and Nancy sets out to solve the mystery with Bess and George. It was rather interesting to see both Helen and Bess and George in the same book. Dave, Burt, and Ned are now in serious relationships with the girls in just a book or two.
Password to Larkspur Lane also introduces one of my favourite secondary characters in the Nancy Drew universe: Effie Schneider. Empty-headed, obsessed with film stars, Effie is a fun character. On the whole, one of the more fantastical and fun books in the series.
The mystery starts with an injured carrier pigeon falling into Nancy's yard. She rescues it and finds a mysterious message attached to its leg. Soon after, she witnesses her family physician being kidnapped in a black saloon car (for some odd reason, child me used to think of this as an ambassador car). Dr Spire later tells Nancy and her dad that he was blindfolded and taken to help an old woman who handed him a locket as a clue.
Meanwhile, Helen Corning has invited Nancy over to solve a couple of mysteries: the grumpy house servant and a mysterious blue circle. Now all the clues are in hand, and Nancy sets out to solve the mystery with Bess and George. It was rather interesting to see both Helen and Bess and George in the same book. Dave, Burt, and Ned are now in serious relationships with the girls in just a book or two.
Password to Larkspur Lane also introduces one of my favourite secondary characters in the Nancy Drew universe: Effie Schneider. Empty-headed, obsessed with film stars, Effie is a fun character. On the whole, one of the more fantastical and fun books in the series.
December 1, 2017
What is happening in Nancy's world? Once again, she rescues a rich old person who is being held captive by mean people.
The mean people have their hideout done up in high-security fashion. As if they're afraid the elderly will vault out of their wheelchairs and over the electric barbed wire fence.
Luckily for everyone, Nancy knows the direct number for the International Federation of Carrier Pigeon Fanciers.
The mean people have their hideout done up in high-security fashion. As if they're afraid the elderly will vault out of their wheelchairs and over the electric barbed wire fence.
Luckily for everyone, Nancy knows the direct number for the International Federation of Carrier Pigeon Fanciers.
December 30, 2023
This book was 1st written in 1933 and re edited in 1966. I remember loving this book when I was younger, much younger. But this time around I just could not get into it. I 1st noticed that in this addition Nancy drew owned a television set as well as a dishwasher. People didn't have these things in 1933. I don't remember the name of the ghost rider, but he also wrote the sign of the twisted candles which I did like. The riding in the book, to me, was just terrible.
December 2, 2014
There are 2 mysteries for Nancy to solve in this outing. Both ended up being related but I was not aware of it when I started reading.
This story had more action than some of the previous stories and I found the 'chase' pretty exciting and appreciated Nancy using her common sense in a time of crisis. Also, the language (this is one of those newer books so maybe that is why) was less archaic than in previous books.
Since I never read Nancy Drew when I was much (much!) younger - I was a Scholastic Book Club girl - I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series. I am really enjoying them. This is a timeless series that I hope newer generations will appreciate, too!
This story had more action than some of the previous stories and I found the 'chase' pretty exciting and appreciated Nancy using her common sense in a time of crisis. Also, the language (this is one of those newer books so maybe that is why) was less archaic than in previous books.
Since I never read Nancy Drew when I was much (much!) younger - I was a Scholastic Book Club girl - I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series. I am really enjoying them. This is a timeless series that I hope newer generations will appreciate, too!
January 21, 2020
Found it! Found the lost #10 Nancy Drew. . . .and it's
Nancy to the rescue! And a new car. . . Drew Carson is a very generous father, in spite of the fact that he can't stay in any one place for more than a page. Ah well. Nancy, with a buddy other than George and Bess, rescues a little old lady hidden amongst a forest of larkspur (aka delphinium).
And in this book Nancy gets thrown down a cistern and I think I can hear a wee drop of worry in the fearless girl's thoughts. . .or she might be speaking to the slimy walls, not sure which. Anyway. It was nice to hear she was a little concerned. She felt around for some ladder slats that she noted fell in with her, and luckily was able to force those into the cracks of the old slimy walls (g'd bless their hickory cores!), and *boom* she's up 20 feet and pushing the iron cistern lid up and over. Phew. What a girl!
*smile* She needs a superhero outfit. 4 stars for letting a wee drop of human vulnerability show before she sucked it back in and leapt to action! #12 is next!
Nancy to the rescue! And a new car. . . Drew Carson is a very generous father, in spite of the fact that he can't stay in any one place for more than a page. Ah well. Nancy, with a buddy other than George and Bess, rescues a little old lady hidden amongst a forest of larkspur (aka delphinium).
And in this book Nancy gets thrown down a cistern and I think I can hear a wee drop of worry in the fearless girl's thoughts. . .or she might be speaking to the slimy walls, not sure which. Anyway. It was nice to hear she was a little concerned. She felt around for some ladder slats that she noted fell in with her, and luckily was able to force those into the cracks of the old slimy walls (g'd bless their hickory cores!), and *boom* she's up 20 feet and pushing the iron cistern lid up and over. Phew. What a girl!
*smile* She needs a superhero outfit. 4 stars for letting a wee drop of human vulnerability show before she sucked it back in and leapt to action! #12 is next!
November 4, 2019
Nancy Drew E' un classico del giallo per ragazzi più che altro in America, da noi in Italia uscirono negli anni '70 in vari volumetti per la serie "giallo per ragazzi".
Non regge però alla prova del tempo.
Adulti, addirittura poliziotti che si mettono nelle mani di una quindicenne abbastanza supponenente (e antipaticissima).
Forse tutto ciò risultava abbastanza plausibile negli anni '30 ma non oggi.
La risoluzione dell'enigma è rocambolesca e sempre più improbabile.
Non regge però alla prova del tempo.
Adulti, addirittura poliziotti che si mettono nelle mani di una quindicenne abbastanza supponenente (e antipaticissima).
Forse tutto ciò risultava abbastanza plausibile negli anni '30 ma non oggi.
La risoluzione dell'enigma è rocambolesca e sempre più improbabile.
June 30, 2018
Not exactly my favorite Nancy Drew book, but Stephanie Tromly mentioned this specific one in an interview. In this book, Nancy manages to solve a mystery AND get the top spot in a gardening contest. Yes. She is even more achingly perfect than usual. LOL. :)
September 25, 2023
3 stars | 3/5 audiobook
Another solid Nancy Drew mystery. I've been reading these from start to finish again and these are such cute and easy reads.
There was a LOT going on in this one and of course it all connected in the end. I did get lost several times along the way with the carrier pigeons, creepy convicts and the old people stuck in the retreat.
3-stars because it was a solid Nancy Drew mystery but not one of my favorites. The case just didn't really capture me.
Another solid Nancy Drew mystery. I've been reading these from start to finish again and these are such cute and easy reads.
There was a LOT going on in this one and of course it all connected in the end. I did get lost several times along the way with the carrier pigeons, creepy convicts and the old people stuck in the retreat.
3-stars because it was a solid Nancy Drew mystery but not one of my favorites. The case just didn't really capture me.
February 2, 2020
3.5 stars Not the best of Nancy, but still suspenseful at parts!
Popsugar Challenge 2020 - A book with more than 20 letters in its title
Popsugar Challenge 2020 - A book with more than 20 letters in its title
May 27, 2019
When Nancy finds an injured homing pigeon, its message leads her to a new mystery. What do bluebells and larkspurs mean? It especially gets interesting when a hometown doctor tells her of an encounter where he was kidnapped to the exact location Nancy's looking for. One where an old woman is seemingly being held captive. With sidekicks Bess and George, she finds herself on another adventure to find Larkspur Lane.
January 14, 2021
3 stars & 3/10 hearts. I read the 1930 version of this because it's all Archive had. I understand the 1970 edition is similar. I didn't love this one. On its own, I suppose it's good, but it wasn't the Nancy I knew and loved. I will come back and review this when I get my hands on the 1970 edition.
September 23, 2011
A stark departure for typical Nancy Drew books. She is in much more peril, and it's more a kidnapping story than a mystery.
January 20, 2024
I love this mystery, but the narrator for the audio book was not the best.
March 24, 2024
Why did I read this I have no clue but quite literally 8 plot lines happening at once pretty epic
October 19, 2022
Truly wild
July 1, 2014
I took a break from re-reading Nancy Drew books for awhile, but I decided to start back up again. These are just so much fun to read and they always make me smile - usually because I am laughing at them, but I'll take it.
I am seriously sick of Nancy being so ridiculously perfect, though. She solves two mysteries, rescues an old lady, survives a kidnapping, MacGyvers her way out of a cellar and STILL comes in first place in the flower contest. What an overachiever.
I always laugh at how outdated these books are, but this one really takes the cake. A carrier pigeon falls into Nancy's yard. A carrier pigeon. And Nancy's immediate reaction is, and I quote:
"I'll wire the International Federation of American Homing Pigeon Fanciers and give them the number stamped on the bird's leg ring."
.... Of course. All 18 year olds know to do that.
Also, Nancy's dad hands her a brand-new convertible in this book for absolutely no reason at all. Her old car (of which she's had a few already, and this is only book 10) is totally fine, but he still buys her a new one.
Seriously, it must be nice to be Nancy Drew.
I am seriously sick of Nancy being so ridiculously perfect, though. She solves two mysteries, rescues an old lady, survives a kidnapping, MacGyvers her way out of a cellar and STILL comes in first place in the flower contest. What an overachiever.
I always laugh at how outdated these books are, but this one really takes the cake. A carrier pigeon falls into Nancy's yard. A carrier pigeon. And Nancy's immediate reaction is, and I quote:
"I'll wire the International Federation of American Homing Pigeon Fanciers and give them the number stamped on the bird's leg ring."
.... Of course. All 18 year olds know to do that.
Also, Nancy's dad hands her a brand-new convertible in this book for absolutely no reason at all. Her old car (of which she's had a few already, and this is only book 10) is totally fine, but he still buys her a new one.
Seriously, it must be nice to be Nancy Drew.
December 15, 2016
Oh Nancy, Nancy, how is it that you have not managed to get yourself killed, maimed, or bodily harmed yet? You take such silly risks some times, young lady, yet amazingly you always come out smelling like roses, and successfully save the day and solve the mystery!
My daughter LOVES these stories, so we keep reading them. I roll my eyes, but since the character is a strong FEMALE character, who doesn't need any man to save her, I go along with her joy in these. The plots are just so out there and almost ridiculous sometimes though. But, oh well, I can see how these are popular still all these years after many of these were written.
My daughter LOVES these stories, so we keep reading them. I roll my eyes, but since the character is a strong FEMALE character, who doesn't need any man to save her, I go along with her joy in these. The plots are just so out there and almost ridiculous sometimes though. But, oh well, I can see how these are popular still all these years after many of these were written.
May 26, 2014
I've read the original and revised versions of this book. They are pretty much the same except in the original Nancy is accompanied by Helen Corning instead of Bess and George and let me tell you Helen is way better choice in this story. In the revised George falls and hurts her ankle. She has to sit where she is forcing Bess to step up and go with Nancy undercover, whining all the way. In the original Helen falls and hurts her ankle. Nancy fixes it up and Helen says "great lets get!". A LOT less whining. I would recommend the original although the revised will do in a pinch.
August 4, 2022
Chapter 19 is the entire reason this is one of my all time favourites of the Nancy Drew series. As a kid, I would sneak into my sister’s room and borrow her collection to read. #10 was the only book she noticed when it went missing and hunted it down, immediately pointing the finger at me. Okay it was true but, was that necessary? I always put them back and didn’t even bend the spines. All that to say, Password to Larkspur Lane is also one of my sister’s favourites in the series.
February 17, 2021
I had a massive Nancy Drew phase in third grade, which resulted in the accumulation of many of the books on my shelf. Over summer 2018, I stumbled across some copies in this indie bakery/bookstore in north carolina which of course, I picked up and started to read. Now I realized why I liked these books so much. Time to blow the dust off my copies and reread them! :)
January 13, 2009
This was one of my favorites of the first 10... even 30 plus years later I remember how fun the series was to read.
November 4, 2019
What fun to read Nancy Drew again after all these years!
January 11, 2025
A quaint mystery in a big, old hurry.
Password to Larkspur Lane is my first introduction to Nancy Drew. While I suspected this young adult novel series from the thirties wouldn't be a perfect fit for me, I was hoping to get a bit more fun out of it than I did. Mind you, this book wouldn't break momentum long enough for such a thing.
I have been led to believe that Password to Larkspur Lane is one of the better and less dated adventures for the intrepid junior detective. If that's so then I shudder to think how dry and impenetrable the other books are by comparison.
While I enjoyed the layering of detail in terms of the mystery (from coded pigeon post to elaborate medical scams), I felt like the author (whichever version of Keene was writing it) hadn't the time or page count to explore anything beyond that. Nancy and the other characters felt very one-dimensional and significant changes happened between paragraphs without even an attempt to artfully describe them. Consequently the prose often felt instructional and plodding.
Aside from curiosity to know if this style is repeated in any later or earlier books in the series, I don't feel compelled to read more of Nancy Drew. Password to Larkspur Lane holds an old world charm to it but its impatience and lack of sentiment soon wore me down. If I had to recommend the book, then it would be to anyone interested in Nancy Drew and the early days of young adult mysteries.
Password to Larkspur Lane is my first introduction to Nancy Drew. While I suspected this young adult novel series from the thirties wouldn't be a perfect fit for me, I was hoping to get a bit more fun out of it than I did. Mind you, this book wouldn't break momentum long enough for such a thing.
I have been led to believe that Password to Larkspur Lane is one of the better and less dated adventures for the intrepid junior detective. If that's so then I shudder to think how dry and impenetrable the other books are by comparison.
While I enjoyed the layering of detail in terms of the mystery (from coded pigeon post to elaborate medical scams), I felt like the author (whichever version of Keene was writing it) hadn't the time or page count to explore anything beyond that. Nancy and the other characters felt very one-dimensional and significant changes happened between paragraphs without even an attempt to artfully describe them. Consequently the prose often felt instructional and plodding.
Aside from curiosity to know if this style is repeated in any later or earlier books in the series, I don't feel compelled to read more of Nancy Drew. Password to Larkspur Lane holds an old world charm to it but its impatience and lack of sentiment soon wore me down. If I had to recommend the book, then it would be to anyone interested in Nancy Drew and the early days of young adult mysteries.
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