Secrets Can Kill

I didn't realize Nancy Dew had so many spin-off brands. I wondered if the spin-offs were as good as the originals. The result was that they were okay.

To find out who is ruffling through school records and breaking into lockers, Nancy undercovers as a high school student. Despite Nancy's best efforts, her chief suspect turns up dead on the school's steps. She has a new mystery to solve and a murderer to catch.


If Nancy is supposed to be undercover, why is she using her real name? It states that she is already an established amateur detective. It is reasonable for her to use an alias after receiving the threatening tape before even starting the investigation.

My wish is that Jake would stay around longer. He has an interesting character; he is just a teenager and already running a blackmail ring. It is also amusing to watch him get on Nancy's nerves because he is confident and cocky.

The part where Nancy's car catches on fire, and her Dad buys her a new Mustang GT convertible, makes me roll my eyes. When Nancy says she'll repay her Dad with her allowance, I wonder if you are not receiving compensation from your case, Nancy, since you are an established amateur detective.

There was one part of the book that had me laughing out loud. This was when U.S.S.R. villains had a high-speed chase with Nancy through the streets of Bedford. I was surprised by it, especially when Nancy was shocked to discover that a red traffic light couldn't stop international supervillains who were pointing guns at her.

I found Secrets Can Kill to be an easy read. The plot was engaging, with a well-paced narrative that kept me interested. The mystery was intriguing, though somewhat predictable, and the characters were likable, adding depth to the story. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience, even if it didn't quite match the charm of the original series.