The Thirteenth Pearl by Carolyn Keene (1979, Hardcover)

Nancy Drew has been inspiring teen (and pre-teen and post-teen!) readers for not only decades, but generations. Your grandmother might have read them. Your grandchildren might read them -- especially if you keep the tradition alive, collect the books, and introduce them to a new generation of readers -- perhaps on some rainy day when outside play is not appealing . . . what better time for tucking oneself in for a good mystery read -- or reading-to that eager child!!

Nancy Drew has evolved, but nothing can change what came before -- the original 56 volumes. Yes, you need them all, in one version or another. You especially need the very last hard cover picture cover Nancy Drew in the series, #56, and that is the Thirteenth Pearl! The cover art is wonderful, toned in beautiful blues. Whether cased in yellow matte or yellow shiny, you get the same art, and same text -- which is not the case with many titles!!

I paid the most I have ever paid for a series book, for a first edition matte of the Thirteenth Pearl. Well my birthday is on the Thirteenth, after all, and blue IS my favorite color. And what girl doesn't like pearls??

The yellow shiny editions are still very affordable -- be sure to snap one up! In 40 more years, these will be rare and pricey, as the matte ones in good condition are getting to be now.

Maybe I'm getting too old, or maybe I expect more from my children's literature. In either case I am not able to sing the praises of this Nancy Drew mystery. It features an interesting premise with a mysterious cult of pearl worshippers and criminal intrigue thrown in for good measure, but it is also lackluster on the dialogue, and humdrum on the action. Too predictable and too blah... So sorry, Nancy!