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Book Review of The Official Nancy Drew« Handbook: Skills, Tips, and Life Lessons from Everyone's Favorite Girl Detective

reviewed on + 168 more book reviews


This book is a complete and utter disappointment---and rip off. The fact that icon Nancy Drew's name and image is incorporated into this book is a sham. It is nothing but lifestyle tips and suggestions for young girls. Nancy is incidental. Sleuthing tips are thrown in just to be able to say they are there. Here's the deal:

There is a whole chapter for arranging flowers--what has that got to do with Nancy Drew? Another for coping with a bad hair day ("Use product" and "Get the gray out--fast" are both discussed). Get the gray out, seriously? Throwaway tips include how to use an eyebrow pencil and tweezers; how to keep a bra strap from falling; the importance of whitening your teeth; the etiquette of "sip, don't slurp". Huh? Still more advice to lose excess weight, the importance of sunscreen, and getting a good night's sleep. I am aghast.

As a Nancy Drew fan, this book irritated me to the extreme. I cannot recall being more disappointed and annoyed by a book ever. I am posting it with little hope it will be ordered, especially after this review. Shame on publisher Simon & Schuster. Avoid, avoid, avoid.

ZERO stars!