Customer Reviews

The Clue of the Velvet Mask (Nancy Drew #30)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This review concerns the original 1953 edition and the revised 1969 edition. Nancy goes on the trail of the ruthless Velvet Gang, bold criminals that steal valuable jewels and art from the homes of wealthy people while the owners are throwing parties. The gang members use velvet masks to conceal their identities. This was a very good book that kept me interested from begining to end. The book is well-written (the original, at least) and is loaded with action. George is kidnapped, as are Nancy and Bess and Nancy is constantly coming face-to-face with the gang. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I highly recommend it to all fans of Nancy Drew.

I enjoyed this book. I have always liked Nancy Drew books because they are easy to understand. While you are reading this book you can expect Nancy to solve the crime. You can also expect her to get in some sort of trouble. I conclude that if you are a Nancy Drew fan, you will like this particular book.

As always, Carolyn Keene comes through with another winning Nancy Drew book! The pages will fly as you race to the thrilling conclusion!

Bought for 12 year old granddaughter - she enjoys any "Nancy Drew" books she can get her hands on. This was slightly used but in great condition and great price.

I've read #s 1-30 of the original Nancy Drews (before they were revised-- and poorly so--in the '60s.) This last one by Mildred Wirt Benson is by far her best. The plot is well crafted, unlike some of her previous titles that rely on coincidental meetings to carry the action along.

Nancy is a thoroughly modern dectective. She methodically investigates, searches for clues, tracks down their origins, consults with the police department and interviews suspects and witnesses. At one point I was reminded of the tv series, CSI, when she has a chemical analysis made of the ink writing on the lining of a hooded velvet mask. How modern is that? Another clue is a metal charge plate Nancy goes back to find along the train tracks. Just enough of it that hasn't been smashed by the train identifies its issuer as Taylor's Department Store. Wow! You could charge goods way back in 1953? Who knew?

The characters are more three-dimensional. George, in particular has more to say than her usual, "Hypers!" She shows great courage and then weakness after a harrowing encounter with the vicious Velvet Gang, as a modern girl would. Members of the gang are also a little more rounded out than Benson's typical bad guys. Besides the usual knock-em-out bang to the head, these thugs also rely on ether to render victims unconscious. And at least one of the gang is a reluctant evil doer. All in all, this Nancy Drew may be Benson's last, but it's obvious that she saved the best for last. If you haven't read Mask yet, be sure to pick up the earlier, unrevised edition.

Crooks rifle jewelry from those hosting River Heights' finest social events, and even inviting Nancy doesn't stop the thievery. Departs from the usual Drew formula by Nancy being right at the scene of the crime and still unable to stop the caper. Exciting plot twist at climax--has Nancy finally met her match? A page-turner even adults can appreciate.

i loved it adventure,ned,george,bess,all equal one great nancy drew book a must read for all nancy drew readers!!

Although the revised editions of the Nancy Drew books never lived up to the originals in my opinion, the writing was always decent...But then around volumes #27-#30, it really started to decline,and became what I call poor quality. It seemed as if the writer('s) really did'nt care what thier readers would think of thier work, just as long a they got thier pay check, they were happy. And the art is atroucious! The cover paintings arent too bad, but its the illustrations inside the books that really show the lazziness of the artist. I really liked the original illustrater's (which was Russel Tandy) approach. He would first actually read the whole book before going to work, unlike Nappi who would doodle a few pencil drawings that looked as if they came from a generic color book from Big Lots... I dispies this garbage...