Nancy Drew books

[miriam_e]

I've been taking a bit of a rest from reading science fiction lately, instead reading the old Nancy Drew mysteries, and the more recent Nancy Drew Files series of books. At first I was not all that keen on the older books as they're simplistic and naïve, but they're starting to grow on me. They have a certain 1930s charm.

The newer Nancy Drew Files books are more engrossing. I feel like I'm getting more Veronica Mars episodes (I loved that TV series). The books don't have the smart dialogue of that show, but they often have satisfyingly complex plots. Rob Thomas, the creator of Veronica Mars always said he took inspiration from the Nancy Drew books. I can see it.

Comments

[greylock]

I don't think I've ever read any of the Enid Blyton mysteries. Wow! Looking up info about it, she wrote a lot of them!

Enid was prolific. I have a biography about her. It probably doesn't matter what you read, as they are not that complex, but my preference for the lesser known ones (Adventure/Mystery/Secret) compared to the Secret Seven/Famous Five is purely based on what I read first.

I had a bit of difficulty tracking down Danny Dunn books.

For the longest time I was concerned I imagined them. IIRC, they are largely science-based... Largely. It's hard to find hard copies, so I haven't read many in decades, but the time travel one is the most out there.

I haven't read any Dr Who books. Maybe I should.

Assuming we're talking Target, anything in the pre-'80s is better, and the tail end of the range.

Anything mid-80s by Terrance Dicks is... lazy. I don't hate them, but they're lazy script to screen.

[miriam_e]

Danny Dunn... I haven't read many in decades

I can send you the set as ebooks if you wish.