THE SECRET OF RED GATE FARM

Nancy Drew fans will enjoy meeting old chums: tomboy George and timid Bess; Nancy's supportive dad, Carson Drew; and of course, the clever sleuth, Nancy, herself. Added to the mix this time are a new friend whose grandmother is about to lose her farm, money-laundering thugs, and a mysterious cult. For those who can overlook corny clichés, annoying adverbs, and stereotypical characters, this book has a well-structured, suspenseful plot with lots of twists and turns and enough danger to keep young readers shivering. Background music, done to good effect, adds the feeling of an old-fashioned radio drama. Reader Laura Linney seems made to order. With an expressive, well-modulated voice, she keeps the pace lively and maintains just the right balance between narration and dramatization. E.S. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 03]