The Phantom of Pine Hill is a children's story by Carolyn Keene (pseudonym) and the 42nd book in the Nancy Drew series. When Nancy Drew, together with her two close friends, arrive for the Emerson University June Week celebration and learn there has been a mix-up in their motel reservations, the confusion leads to a baffling mystery. Uncle John Rorick, a descendant of the early settlers of the town of Emerson, invites the three girls to be his guests at his historic mansion on Pine Hill. Shortly after their arrival, he tells them about the phantom who haunts the mansion's library. As they become involved in a mystery that combines the town's history with the phantom, their clever sleuthing soon uncovers the true culprits.I’ve always been a voracious reader. So, as a child, one of my favorite things about summer was the frequent trips to our local library, which was less than a mile from our house. Like most young girls of a certain age (ahem), my love for mysteries started with Nancy Drew—there simply was no mystery too baffling that she couldn’t solve. And as I would read her most current adventure, I would imagine myself following in her footsteps … taking charge and plunging ahead, getting into mischief, chasing down culprits and solving the mystery. Even though I haven’t re-read any of these books since I was a child, I still think that Nancy is a great character—her courage, confidence and fierce independence, makes her an iconic source of inspiration for young girls everywhere. A must-read children's book, The Phantom of Pine Hill is another wonderful Nancy Drew mystery.
Sometimes you just have a day where the only thing that will get rid of your bad mood is a hot bath, a scented candle and a Nancy Drew novel. I must have got this book off BookMooch a couple of years ago as I've had it listed on here since 2011, but I hadn't got around to reading it until now. In fact, I'd forgotten I had it until I reorganised my bookshelves this weekend and didn't recognise the synopsis. The title was familiar, but I have a feeling that's because it's one of the books Claudia Kishi references in the Baby-Sitters Club series. Sadly, it didn't quite live up to Claudia's recommendation, or my childhood memories of Nancy Drew. Maybe this just isn't one of the better mysteries. The villains' motivations were never really clarified and I figured out who one of the villains was incredibly early in the book--so early that I was sure he must have been a red herring, and was confused when I realised this suspicious character was genuinely the villain. I did enjoy the wholesome, innocent nostalgia of these books. The girls dress up and attend fraternity dinners, dances and boating races with their gentlemanly beaus. They still have plenty of independence, and even Bess gets the chance to prove that she can defend herself. That said, the girls are pretty caricatured--Nancy is the quick-thinking detective, George is the strong tomboy, and Bess is the worrisome girly girl who is always ruining her diet. But I suppose there was always a girl for the reader to relate to. A fun, quick, nostalgic read for tonight's bath, but not the best-written mystery I've come across in this series. 3*
What do You think about The Phantom Of Pine Hill (1964)?
When Bess, George, and Nancy find themselves staying at an old house, a phantom is heard to be there! The sleuths are into the mystery, and it is a hard mystery to figure out, and Nancy admits one of the hardest she has had. It is confusing, all the suspects, and narrowing this mystery done to one. But they decide it`s Fred Jenkins, because the girls catch him in the act! Money has gone missing from 'Uncle' John`s collection of money in books, and his coins that were rare and valuable. And Bess, George, Nancy, and Ned Nickerson are solving the mystery of the sunken ship, the Lucy Belle. Even thought that mystery`s not solved, they come close, by finding a hat from the captain.
—Callie Stillion
In this book Nancy Drew and her friends go to a town with a huge university where she she comes across the mystery of The Phantom of Pine Hill. Someone, or something, is coming into the library when the doors and windows are locked stealing money and throwing books and everything everywhere. Maybe someday she will get to just go on vacation without any mysteries to solve, probably in her late 70's.I like Nancy Drew because she's smart and mostly fearless. I like mysteries and this is a good one. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries.
—Julian
