The thirty-eighth book in the Nancy Drew Files series is The Final Scene. Released in August of 1989, this story (and series) modernizes Nancy in the 1980s, adding teen heartthrobs and more dangerous mysteries that is a kidnapping amidst the demolition of the building.
Story Synopsis:
When a handsome teen idol comes to Nancy’s hometown, crime grabs the spotlight.
Film star Brady Armstrong is in River Heights for the premiere of his newest movie at the grand old Century Cinema. When Nancy’s friend Bess decides to go backstage to see her heartthrob, she stumbles into a kidnapping meant for the movie star.
But the kidnapper doesn’t want ransom money. He demands that the planned demolition of the Century Cinema theater be halted – or Bess will be destroyed with it. Unable to prevent the wreckers from tearing down the building, Nancy races against time to discover where Bess is hidden – and unmask the mysterious figure who is dead set on on stealing the show.
Review:
Nancy, Bess and George arrive at the River Heights Century Cinema theater to see the premiere of a movie, Night of the Venus Moon, which is the third in a series of sci-fi adventures. The leading man, Brady Armstrong, grew up in River Heights and went to River Heights high school, where he was two grades ahead of the girls. Bess had a crush on Brady back then, and now wants to have some quick alone time with Brady just to see if he remembers her from high school.
To avoid the screaming fans waiting outside for the opening, Bess leads her friends to the side of the building where she knows of a side entrance from her summer of working at the theater. The three girls sneak in, make their way to the dressing rooms, and while Nancy and George hide in the women’s dressing room, Bess knocks, then steps into the men’s dressing room. Instead of meeting Brady, she is met by a panicking kidnapper, who ties her up instead.
The prime suspects are Brady Armstrong, Nicholas Falcone the activist, Simon Mueller who manages Brady and his leading lady co-star Deirdre McCullough, Bart Anderson the owner of the theater, and Louis Falcone, the grandfather of Nicholas.
While Nancy is certain that Bess is still being held in the building, it’s up to her to find the evidence that she is still present in order to stop the demolition from taking place before they find her. A series of threats aimed towards Nancy motivates Nancy to try stopping the theater demolition. The kidnapper wants this more than money, and Nancy investigates as much as she can to try finding the clues she needs.
The story is a quick read, even when it bounces back and forth from questioning people to searching the theater repeatedly. Some exciting occurrences happen to keep the story moving with lots of dangerous moments, including a moment where Nancy ends up in the hospital.
Nancy Drew Canon Observations:
George develops a crush on Nicholas Falcone, which is most obvious to Nancy after Nicholas rescues George from falling off of the catwalk backstage.
Brenda Carlton is in the book, but only briefly. She is seen with the rest of the reporters at the press conference at the hotel for Brady and Deirdre, hosted by their agent, Simon.
Extra Notes:
An Archway paperback
Published by Pocket Books, a division of Simon & Schuster
Cover art by James Mathewuse
HeR Interactive, Inc. created their fifth game The Final Scene by the same name, based off of this book.
