The Secret of Shadow Ranch

The change of scene from River Heights to the American Southwest gives this entry a fresh, adventurous feel. There are horseback rides, desert storms, canyons and old ruins, and the mystery mixes a spooky legend with very practical clues. Nancy's reasoning is clear enough for young readers to follow, and the final reveal ties the threads together neatly.

This is also the book where Nancy's two best friends, cautious Bess and boyish George, become a regular part of her adventures, and their contrasting personalities add humour and warmth. Their scenes together, from nervous night watches to cheerful meals at the ranch house, are among the most enjoyable parts of the story.

As with the other early titles, the edition in print uses a revised text from the nineteen sixties, which is brisk but simplified. The villains are fairly obvious, and the dialogue can sound old-fashioned. For readers who like horses, outdoor settings and a touch of the spooky, it is one of the most appealing books in the series. About 175 pages in the Grosset & Dunlap hardcover; retail listings say 192.