Secret at Mystic Lake by Carolyn Keene

George got a birthday gift of a bicycle trip. Nancy and (a reluctant) Bess are joining her. As an adult, I had trouble figuring out why someone would take a trip run by teenagers, but as a kid I totally would have bought into this story. While previous stories in this series have made some sense, this one really didn't. There were characters that felt like they were pulled out of a jar (Blade) and dropped into the story.

Two stars

Nancy Drew Diaries #6

Follows Sabotage at Willow Woods

Followed by the Phantom of Nantucket

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Clue in the Diary by Carolyn Keene

The book opens with Nancy, Bess, and George leaving a carnival where they met a young child, Honey, and her mother. The are on their way home when they witness a house bursting into flames. While making sure everyone is out of the house, Nancy meets a young man who is at first suspicious looking, but then she realizes is helping people. He introduced himself as Ned Nickerson. 

But that is all within the first part of the book. There is a missing father (Honey's), a man who has been duping inventors (and the owner of the house that burned), and a number of instances where Nancy is near death. 

I vaguely remember reading this as a child and enjoying it, but it is harder to suspend belief as an adult. 

Three stars

Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #7

Follows The Secret of Red Gate Farm

Followed by Nancy's Mysterious Letter

This book came out in 1932

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Fury in Death by J. D. Robb

Thirteen years ago, Steven Redman's world fell apart. While he was out on a cravings run for his pregnant wife, his entire apartment complex went up in flames taking his wife, unborn child, and toddler. At the time, he was the youngest director ever for Wyst- . Then he went catatonic.

Now, one of his former colleagues is dead, severely beaten. And he's probably not going to be the last. 

There is a lot of focus on relationships outside the crime in this book. I think the mystery could have been better developed and it certainly ends in a different way than many of Robb's previous books in the series.

Three and a half stars

In Death #62

Follows Stolen in Death

Followed by Perfect in Death

This book comes out September 8, 2026

Ebook ARC kindly provided by St. Martin's Press and Edelweiss

Opinions are my own

The Manor of Dreams by Christina Li

After two catastrophic events, Vivian Yin sent her daughters to a boarding school and their family was never the same. Now the first Chinese actor to win an Oscar is dead. Her family is shocked to learn that she changed her will two weeks before she died to benefit someone unexpected. Now, there are five people in a house that has deep secrets, some of which may still be hanging around. 

Four stars

This book came out May 6, 2025

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Sabotage at Willow Woods by Carolyn Keene, narrator: Jorjeana Marie

George's cousin is running for city council based on her promise to build a new sports stadium. As with most towns, Bayview is very proud of its football team. Not just football though because George's cousin was a tennis champion and she is also beloved. But not everyone wants the stadium built since it would take out a wood which has been around for hundreds of years. That is playing out with someone sabotaging the campaign.

This is a fast read with a fun story and a little bit of a moral story. 

Three and a half stars

Nancy Drew Diaries #5

This book came out September 22, 2015

Follows Once Upon a Thriller

Followed by Secret at Mystic Lake

Audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

168 Hours by Laura Vanderkam, narrator: Elizabeth London

As with many of the nonfiction books I read, this doesn't have any especially groundbreaking material. But the hook is interesting, even a decade and a half after the book was written.  One of the things that happens in our lives is that we fritter away time. But if we track our time, pay attention to what we do, we might actually get more done. This is always a good reminder, especially when we have more things than ever to distract us.

There are a surprising number of references to Bel Canto, though it was a hit at the time this book was written.

Four stars

This book came out May 26, 2010

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Mind Magic Audiobook by James R. Doty

I normally love reading books about scientific discoveries, even if I can't always understand all of it. This book, however, reminded me of some of the healing frauds that were so prevalent in the late 80s/early 90s. I also have to say that the "Manifesting" language also reminded me of some really bad churches. So, most of this book I listened to with great skepticism, even knowing that it came from the mind of a neurosurgeon. I did like how he mentioned that it could be the fact that you are concentrating on a goal that leads to to achieving it - not just manifesting it

Three stars

This book came out May 7 2024

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own