The treasure in the Tower: The Hardy Boys Series

I listened to the Audio book version as I have taken up listening audio books whilst at the gym.

This is the first book in The Hardy Boys Series and a well developed start to the series. The books are written under a psydonum name of which was a part of the Stratmeyers group. The author of the first Hardy Boys book stated that he made a conscious decision to spend time developing The Hardy Boy characters during writing this book. This was not always done by authors as the writers did not receive royalties for the book sales only a one off payment. This situation often encouraged writers to stick strictly to the outline they were given by Stratemeyser and churn out the book as quickly as possible in order to receive their payment and start on the next book outline they were sent.

Frank and Joe Hardy were developed as popular boys who played baseball and dated girls at their high school (with the boys having favorite dates.) Joe comes across as more impulsive and excitable than Frank. The boys had a sound family life with their father having the exciting work of working as a detective.The story evolves with Frank and Joe working on the same case as their father in order to help a school friend and collect a substantial financial reward. I enjoyed this story, a great start to a great series.

The Mystery of the Castaway Children: Trixie Belden series

This is the 21st book in the series and one of my favorite Trixie stories that I have read so far.

The story centers around two missing children and Trixie finding a baby in her dog Red's dog kennel after a storm. The story is well developed with the story developing layers of possible runaway /vs / kidnapping scenarios.

On the relationship front Di flatters Mart a number of times during this story which would indicate that Di has a romantic interest in Mart. Dan Morgan is a part of the story but takes on a minor role with the author stating early on in the story that Dan has to work a lot which is why he is not always available to be a part of The Bob Whites adventures.

This book was so good that I immediately picked up another Trixie Belden book to read which would have to be the best possible sign for a series book.

Riddle of the Prairie Bride American Girl Mysteries

The main character Ida Kate Deming is a very likable, young, responsible girl who takes over her mothers responsibilities after her mother has died. I loved the era references as poor Ida spent two whole days in the week to get the washing and ironing done for herself and her father.

The story starts 2 years down the track after Ida Kate's mother's death and Ida Kate's father puts a ad in a newspaper for a wife (referred to as a mail order bride) as a number of women reply.

The mystery revolves around the woman that Ida Kate's father chooses arrives and slowly Ida starts to believe she is an impostor and not the woman they have been corresponding with.

The story is heart felt, well paced, educational in its historical context and the mystery unfolds to a pleasant ending. Can't wait now to read another American Girl Mystery. Highly Recommended as a new favourite series.

Nancy Drew The Secret of Red Gate Farm Audio Book

The Sixth Book in the Nancy Drew Mystery Series takes Nancy, Bess and George to the country in order to help save the Farm of new friend Joanne.

The fact that this mystery starts with the purchase of a bottle of perfume goes to show that writers can get ideas from anywhere.
The farm although not described in depth detail could still be vividly visually interpreted by the reader.

Additional boarders at the Farm add interest as well as the "Nature Cult" that are renting land and performing strange dances of an evening.

The audio book is read by Laura Linney who does a great job of bringing the action to life.
Some things that stood out to me were Nancy decribed with Blonde hair and Nancy not having a memento to take home of her adventure at the end of this story.

I enjoyed this book a lot more than The Secret of Shadow Ranch.

Nancy Drew The Bungalow Mystery Audio Book

The Bungalow Mystery is book 3 in the Nancy Drew Series.

I listened to the audio book version by Laura Linney.

I am really enjoying audio books at the moment as it allows me to "read" a book at a time when I usually wouldn't be able to, like driving in the car or whilst on the computer.

This book had me hooked from the outset and the mystery would have to be my favourite to date. I think what had me hooked was the interesting storyline, a bit different from the usual Haunted House affair that mystery series love.

I also like to read pre Bess, George and Ned.

This book has Helen again, and a suitable beau for Nancy.

It mentions Nancy is 18. Wouldn't all women love to get to certain age like Nancy does then magically go back a few years rather than going forward in age. No wonder Nancy is such an icon!

The series again mentions Helen's fiancee as being overseas and that she will marry on his return. Book 2 previously also stated that Helen was a few years older than Nancy so Helen would be in her 20's. I would have to say I remember thinking during this book that I actually prefer Helen as Nancy's sidekick over Bess and George. (I'll have to put some thought into as to why.)

Of note this book mentions that Nancy has a token from each of her mysteries (this one ended with Nancy receiving a ring)

I also loved that the ending wasn't rushed like some others are and that Nancy is the hero in the end, what all top sleuth crime fighters should strive to achieve by the end of the last chapter.

I love how in the beginning of the series the books sound like they should be read in order, a feeling I felt was lost as the series continued.

Nancy Drew The Hidden Staircase Audio Book & DS Game

More driving in the car for work so I was in need of an audio book. I now have a few Nancy Drew Audio books so I decided to start with The Hidden Staircase as I hadn't read the book before.
The book is being read by Laura Linney and you can find them on Amazon etc. By the time I had done all the driving for the day I only had one chapter to go. The book was enjoyable to listen to, it definitely makes a difference having an actress as the reader.
As for the story it had the favourite mystery topic of many children's authors of a haunted house and unwanted, troublesome Ghosts. In this story there was an added twist of a family problem where Nancy's father is in danger. The story was well written, the first chapter is a good read with a strong start.
The Hidden Staircase itself within the mystery could of been a bit more interesting. I thought the Nancy Drew Mystery "The Mystery of The Hidden Window" was a lot more exciting in its tunnels than this book.



On a slightly different note but still talking about The Hidden Staircase The Nancy Drew The Hidden Staircase DS Game I was a little disappointed with after playing the Nancy Drew The deadly secret of Olde World Park which I loved, and is my favourite DS Game I have played so far.
What I didn't like about this game was the fact I was finished in such a short time. The aim of the game is to replay the game and try and quicken your time but who cares how quick you do something? I don't, I want something new to do.
That said the cover of the game has beautiful graphics and sort of reminded me of a Janet Loise Johnson style Nancy (Janet is the actress who played Nancy Drew in the later episodes of The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries from 1978 & 1979.)

Twilight - Book 1 of the Saga

Not my usual type of series book that I read but after avoiding all the fanfare of seeing the Movie when it was in the cinema, prior to the release of The New Moon movie I was tempted to see the Twilight Movie on DVD after I heard that the movie's star Kristen Stewart was going to be playing one of my all time favourite rockers Joan Jett in an upcoming movie about The Runaways (Joan Jett's first band which also had heavy metal goddess Lita Ford in it.)
I loved the alternate style "edginess" to the first movie. (Forkes had that kind of Twin Peaks type town vibe to me) So unlike a lot of fans of the book who went to see the movie I was in the group that was intrigued to read the book after seeing the movie.
That's said there were some distinct differences in the book and some scenes in the movie that I felt would of benefited if they had been as the book was. The major one to me would of been towards the end of the book where Jacob comes to the Prom and asks Bella to dance whilst Edward looks on. In the movie Jacob sneaks up to Bella while she is outside the dance and doesn't dance with her unlike the book. I think that dancing may have helped establish the relationship between Bella and Jacob better for the second movie.
Another notable was the big fight scene in the ballet studio. In the book it barely happens. Reason being the book is being written in the first person with Bella as the star and after Bella is thrown against the mirror she goes off to the land of dreams until she wakes up in hospital. Thus what she missed is only referred to through her questioning of Edward.
I can see how the book and movies have become a huge hit, but I must say whilst reading the book I was being manipulated by the old tried and tested Days of Our Lives Super couples of the 90's. We could liken our heroine Bella very much to Hope and Edward to Bo. A good looking couple like / don't like each other (doth does protest too much) until they finally admit their feelings only to be torn apart by circumstances, their own feelings of lack of self worth, good looking other people that complicate there relationships, danger - with one of the partners trying to protect the other and keeping away from them for their own good ETC ETC ETC. Hey I know this stuff so well I should write my own love story. lol.