I'm still plodding my way through the Nancy Drew series - my goal is to re-read all of the original 64 books. Unfortunately, Nook doesn't have all of them loaded yet so I had to skip from 46 to 50. We've come a long way in skipping those 4 books. Ned stayed at Nancy's house (gasp) twice! It would be quite scandalous but he's sick - orinthosis which is probably bird flu in modern terms. He is terribly ill and the doctor makes a house call. Nancy also gets it but of course recovers quickly and while still on the mend, climbs a tree and a limb breaks, but she jumps and catches the limb above, falls in a river and goes over a dam but since she's a strong swimmer, she and Ned survive and of course solves the mystery and saves the farm. What girl doesn't want to be Nancy? She's strong, courageous and has a cute boyfriend who'll save if need be. Oh and lots not forget an excellent ballet dancer. In fact, she's so good, that a professional company wants her to dance with them based on her dancing a quick little bit with the lead dancer. One of the quirks I found in this book that makes it a bit dated is the handling of the animals in the private zoo/aviary. The were kept in small confined areas. The book was the first time I noticed that mental illness is mentioned. Nancy is kidnapped by one of the villains, but he makes some strange comments like he's not really aware. Nancy asks that he get some mental help. Yes, Nancy Drew is catching up with modern times.
What the fuck was that?Some nonsensical story about unknown assailants killing the animals of a private zoo/aviary located on a greatly desired property. It was written in 1972-ish and reads more like Scooby Doo than Nancy Drew. Title has nothing to do with the mystery AT ALL other than that some people are mildly superstitious.Ned and Nancy catch a deadly bird pneumonia but survive (of course, since there are six more books in this series). They also are tossed into a river by a heavy and survive a plunge over a dam. Nancy gets kidnapped by an unhinged leaping dancer who leaps with her to an abandoned barn where she joins a demonic cult. F'realz.Anyway, the evil developer who forces people to sell their property eventually gets arrested though he didn't do any of the bad deeds directly.Ned gets chloroformed by an unknown assailant. Also, Nancy gets arrested for packing 9 children and three adults in her convertible, but the officer lets her go with a warning. It's the first time anyone has ever objected to Nancy cramming more than six people in her car.
What do You think about The Double Jinx Mystery (1973)?
I remember the first time I read Nancy Drew. It blew my mind that there were girls presented with a brain. Most of the stuff I'd read up to that time, was that girls were sugar and spice - fluffy. No brains. To also learn about George who is a tomboy was a nice validation. Carolyn Keene wrote just for me! That is how I felt. When I did more research, I was shocked to find out, Ms. Keene was actually a man ... writing under Franklin Dixon. I also loved the Hardy Boys. No wonder I loved these series.Great for girls aged 8 and up.
—♆ BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme
Certainly one of the odder installments of Nancy Drew's adventures. I enjoyed the bird facts and the relationship shown between Nancy and her beau, Ned. The run in with the law when transporting some children who were to visit the aviaries and little petting zoo was quite funny, however a mysterious bird illness befalling Ned AND THEN Nancy, certainly felt like too much drama was trying to be worked in.Nevertheless the book was still readable and somewhat enjoyable but it wasn't a favourite nor quite memorable. Hence 2 stars.
—Stephanie
