Title: The Whispering Statue
Author: Carolyn Keene
First published January 1, 1937
179 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780448095141 (ISBN10: 0448095149)
Rating: 3.92
Overview
In Carolyn Keene’s The Whispering Statue, Nancy Drew is summoned to investigate two mysteries that will put her sleuthing skills to the test. The first involves a rare and valuable collection of books that wealthy Mrs.
Merriam suspects is being sold by a dishonest art dealer. In the second, a stolen marble statue with an eerie resemblance to Nancy herself has suddenly reappeared, but something about it seems off.
With her clever mind and quick thinking, Nancy goes undercover to gather evidence against the art thieves and solve both puzzling cases. This is a revised edition of the book, with a new plot that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
About the Author
Many different people, both men and women, used the pen name Carolyn Keene over the years to write Nancy Drew books. The Stratemeyer Syndicate, the company behind the series, hired a variety of writers to keep the stories fresh.
In order to keep the true author’s identity a secret, they used the pseudonym Carolyn Keene.
Edna and Harriet Stratemeyer inherited the company from their father Edward Stratemeyer. Edna contributed 10 plot outlines before her sister Harriet took over.
Harriet breathed a feisty spirit into Nancy’s character and wrote most of the series after Mildred quit writing for the Syndicate. Mildred wrote 23 of the original 30 Nancy Drew Mystery Stories, including the first three, and her characterization helped make Nancy an instant hit.
The Stratemeyer Syndicate kept the series alive and on store shelves for each succeeding generation of girls and boys under the reins of Harriet Stratemeyer Adams. In 1959, Harriet and several writers began a 25-year project to revise the earlier Carolyn Keene novels.
They condensed the Nancy Drew books, removed racial stereotypes, and updated the language. In some cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.
Other writers who contributed to Nancy Drew’s prolific existence include Walter Karig, Leslie McFarlane, James Duncan Lawrence, Nancy Axelrod, Priscilla Doll, Charles Strong, Alma Sasse, Wilhelmina Rankin, George Waller Jr., and Margaret Scherf.
Editoral Review
The Whispering Statue by Carolyn Keene is a classic mystery novel that was first published on January 1, 1937. Carolyn Keene is a pseudonym used by a number of different authors who have contributed to the Nancy Drew series of novels.
As a classic mystery novel, The Whispering Statue follows a young detective named Nancy Drew. In this particular story, Nancy is hired to investigate a mysterious statue that is believed to be cursed.
Her investigation leads her to a small, wealthy community where she encounters a cast of interesting and suspicious characters. As she delves deeper into the mystery, Nancy uncovers a web of deceit and danger that puts her own life in peril.
The setting of The Whispering Statue is one of the book’s strengths. Carolyn Keene does an excellent job of describing the wealthy community where the story takes place, creating a vivid and engaging backdrop for the action.
The characters are also well-developed, with each one having his or her own unique personality and motivations. However, the pacing of the story can be a bit slow at times.
There are several chapters where not much happens, and the mystery itself takes a while to fully unfold. Additionally, the writing style can be a bit simplistic, which may make it less appealing to adult readers.
Despite these flaws, The Whispering Statue is a great read for fans of classic mystery novels. The story is engaging, and the characters are well-drawn.
It also has some historical significance, as it provides a glimpse into American culture and values during the 1930s. Overall, I would recommend The Whispering Statue to anyone who enjoys mystery novels or is interested in American cultural history.
While it may not be perfect, it is an enjoyable and engaging read. I would give it a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars.
