BOOK CLUB FRIDAY -- GUEST AUTHOR SALLY CARPENTER

Our Book Club Friday guest today is Sally Carpenter, author of The Baffled Beatlemaniac Caper, the first book in the Sandy Fairfax Teen Idol mystery series which was a finalist for the Eureka! Award for best first mystery novel. Sandy is also a playwright. The play that inspired The Baffled Beatlemaniac Caper was produced in New York City. Visit Sally on Facebook or at her website. You can also contact her at scwriter@earthlink.net.

Sally will be giving away a copy of The Baffled Beatlemaniac Caper to one of our readers who posts a comment this week. -- AP

Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys: Teen Sleuths Who Never Grow Old

By Sally Carpenter

Why do we love Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys? Even though Joe and Frank Hardy made their first book appearance in 1927, and Nancy followed in 1930—both series were created by a book packaging company that hired ghostwriters—the characters, in various revisions and reincarnations, are still popular today.

Here’s why I believe these sleuths survived.

1. Fantasy. These detectives live the life most teens only dream about. Nancy doesn’t attend school or work at a day job, is never short on funds and travels the world in stylish clothes.

Joe and Frank occasionally go to school but their studies never interfere with their daredevil sleuthing. They drive fast cars, ride motorcycles, sail a speedboat and fly a plane—what young man wouldn’t want that?

2. Action. Our sleuths have no time for romance and introspection—they’re always on the go. They never walk—they “run,” “hurry,” and “dash.” Within a short paragraph they’re in a new location. The only time Nancy/Joe/Frank stop to catch their breath is when they’re eating or sleeping.

And every chapter ends in a cliffhanger to keep the pages turning.

3. Danger. Our young sleuths are kidnapped, tied up, knocked out and locked up more times than a squad of police officers. The Hardys trade punches with the baddies. The kids ignore numerous threats to get off the case.

And they love it!

4. Friends. Nancy’s constant companions are Bess and George, the BFFs who follow her into every adventure.

The Hardys have Chet, Biff and Tony to help out (overweight Chet shows that detecting isn’t limited to just the handsome kids). 

No matter the danger, these pals are loyal to the core. Our sleuths can count on them.

5. Moral code. Emotional issues or teenage rebellion doesn’t burden our sleuths. Joe and Frank are more honest, pure, obedient and trustworthy than the Boys Scouts.  They’re so chaste they don’t even hug or kiss their girlfriends, Callie and Iola.

Nancy even stops her sleuthing on Sundays long enough to attend church! These kids are so square they’re hip. 

6. Smarts. Nancy/Joe/Frank may be young but they can outwit adult criminals. The police are stumped by a case? No problem—our kids will figure it out.

Readers throughout the years love these stories because they identify with these resourceful teens. We can’t solve mysteries daily and live exciting lives—but we wished we could!

The Drew/Hardy stories were one of the inspirations behind my debut mystery, The Baffled Beatlemaniac Caper. My book uses the same conventions of cliffhanger endings, fast pace, loyal fans and a touch of fantasy.  

Former teen idol Sandy Fairfax starred in the 1970s TV show, “Buddy Brave, Boy Sleuth,” which ran opposite the real-life “Nancy Drew-Hardy Boys Mysteries.” Now aged 38, he’s making a guest appearance at a Beatles fan convention. When a member of the tribute band is shot, Sandy unwittingly finds himself sleuthing for real.

Thanks for joining us today, Sally! I was more a Cherry Ames girl than a Nancy Drew girl, but Cherry certainly solved her share of crimes, too. What about you, readers? -- AP