Without a Trace is the 1st book in the Nancy Drew Girl Detective series. It was published March 1, 2004, for Aladdin Paperbacks.
Back of the Book Summary:
Hi, I’m Nancy Drew, and I’ve got a case to crack. Actually, make that two cases. First, a gorgeous Fabergé egg has been stolen. Who would have the heart to snatch such a precious family heirloom from someone new to town? Some housewarming that is!
And if this isn’t enough to keep me busy, someone’s running through gardens and stomping on all the zucchinis. Needless to say, it’s a big mess–in more ways than one. Especially for Mr. Safer, who is suspected of squishing the squash. I’m pretty sure Mr. Safer’s innocent. But who’s the real vegetable vandal?
Inside Introduction to the series:
Let me introduce myself. I’m Nancy Drew.
My friends call me Nancy. My enemies call me a lot of other things, like “that girl who cooked my goose.” They actually sometimes speak like that, but what can you expect from criminals? See, I’m a detective. Well, not really. I mean, I don’t have a license or anything. I don’t carry a badge or a gun, in part because I wouldn’t touch a gun even if I could, and also because I’m just not old enough. But I am old enough to know when something isn’t right, when somebody’s getting an unfair deal, when someone’s done something they shouldn’t do. And I know how to stop them, catch them, and get them into the hands of the law, where they belong. I take those things seriously, and I’m almost never wrong.
My best friends, Bess and George, might not totally agree with me. They tell me I’m wrong a lot, and that they have to cover for me all of the time just to make me look good. Bess would tell you I dress badly. I call it casual. George would tell you I’m not focused. By that I mean she’d once again I forgot to fill my car with gas or bring enough money to buy lunch. But they both know I’ always focused when it comes to crime. Always, Nancy Drew.
Review:
This story is written in first person by Nancy.
The story gave enough clues to the mystery of what happened to the destroyed vegetables, that I was able to solve the mystery by page 11. The mystery over the stolen egg was the key focus after the incident occurs. In this story, Nancy incurs a concussion from a fall and spends a couple days in the hospital, Hannah and Carson continuously being worried over her recovery. A few parties take place with the young adults and a lovely date scene with Ned takes place, although it was a diverted date to a restaurant since Nancy was late to meet him at the movies. A lot of flirting between the French men and with Bess occurs, and some playful teasing is shared between the three friends, Nancy, Bess and George.
The two mysteries in the book have one overlapping element, with lots of questioning of suspects, and trailing them. Otherwise, very little clues are gathered nor is anything in particular learned specially for this case. Zucchinis come into the story frequently and left me wondering what a good zucchini fritter recipe could be found in real life. Overall, this book will likely not sit in my memory for very long, as it felt generic and simple. The added character interactions, such as teasing and flirtations and all other emotions does help to add a little substance to Without a Trace.
Nancy Drew Canon Observations:
Nancy;s home town of River Heights is set in the Midwestern US. The Drew family lives in a large colonial house. There is a large oak table in the kitchen, and an antique bench in the front hallway. Nancy’s room is cheerful with yellow and white wallpaper.
Nancy volunteers one morning a month at the River Heights Animal Shelter.
Hannah Gruen is mentioned as the housekeeper and is also like part of the family. She’s been with the Drews since Nancy’s mom died.
Carson Drew is mentioned to be one of the most respected attorneys around. His main office is downtown but also sees clients in his wood-paneled home office on the first floor.
It is said in this story that Nancy’s mom died when Nancy was three years old.
Bess Marvin is described as the definition of girl: pretty, blond, and curvy in all right places, with dimples in both cheeks, with a wardrobe full of flowery dress and delicate jewelry that sets off her perfect features. However, it is also written that she “has a freakish natural ability to fix things, from a sticky toaster to a stalled car.” She is very handy with tools.
George Fayne is described as angular, athletic-looking and prefers jeans to jewelry. She keeps her dark hair short and doesn’t go by her real name, Georgia. George is excellent at knowing random facts or trivia. She is also interested in computers. It is mentioned that George has been the information systems manager for her mom’s catering service since junior high. At one point Bees’s cell phone rings with Star Wats music, which George confesses to having reprogrammed.
The story mentions Mrs. Cornelius Mahoney who has the girls for tea. Her late husband was the only descendent of Ethan Mahoney who founded the Mahoney Anvil Corporation in the early nineteenth century. Even though the business is long gone, the town still celebrates Anvil Day Celebration annually with fireworks.
Ned Nickerson is in this story. Nancy gets busy with the mystery and ends up ten minutes late to their date at the movies. He is described as having dimples, with dark hair and brown eyes. He is described as patient and understanding, and always ready to eat, even though he has a tall, lanky frame. One of their favorite places to eat is a combination bookstore and cafe called Susie’s Read & Feed, located on River Street between a clothing store and the First Bank of River Heights. Ned also loves to read.
Deirdre Shannon is in the story. She is described as being the same age, pretty, with dark curls, but cares more about clothes than people. Her father is also a successful attorney. She flirts with Ned even though her new boyfriend is standing behind her, and has had a crush on him since they were all in junior high, which could also mean Ned is closer in age to them and might have gone to a similar school. In other books, it is mentioned that Ned grew up in Mapleton. She is also described as having a temper like an overcaffeinated Chihuahua.
Extra Notes:
Published by Aladdin Paperbacks for Simon and Schuster.
Cover photograph by Michael Frost. Cover designed by Debra Sfetsios.
Length: 150 pages in the main story (more with the title page, series lists, and ads).
The cover art features super-close shots of Nancy’s face from the yellow revised edition illustration of The Secret of the Old Clock.
In the edition I had read, there was an ad at the back featuring the Nancy Drew Games The Haunted Carousel and Danger on Deception Island by HeR Interactive.
