TV Episode Review: Nancy Drew - The Mystery of the Ghostwriter's Cruise

Stars: 4 out of 5

Pros: Another fun story

Cons: One complication seems extraneous

The Bottom Line: 

Mysterious cruise

Can Nancy find the stalker

Before it's too late?




Famous Mystery Author Stalked on Cruise Ship

Don't you ever wish your favorite characters could take a vacation without having some major problems pop up?  While I think every so often it would be nice for them, it also means we'd have to reason to vacation vicariously through them since there would be no plot.  For example, I never could have taken the cruise with Nancy Drew in "The Mystery of the Ghostwriter's Cruise," her second to last episode in the first season of The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries.

Nancy (Pamela Sue Martin) and her friend George (Jean Rasey) are on the cruise with famous mystery author John Addams (David Wayne) and his niece Cathy (Susan Woollen) since Cathy is an old friend of Nancy's.  (Don't you just love how Nancy's old friends seem to pop up when needed for a plot?  It's just like the books!)  Mr. Addams has just announced his retirement from writing and is taking the cruise to relax.

There is a scrap book with a threat inside it waiting in his room, however.  Then a lamp in his room sparks when Nancy turns it on, the result of faulty wiring.  Mr. Addams just wants to discount these things as pranks and accidents, but even he is convinced when bad things keep happening to him.  Seems someone wants him to relive one of his books, The Mystery of the Ghostwriters' Cruise.  Who is behind it?  Is Mr. Addams' life in danger?

I did a double take at the beginning of this episode.  Jean Rasey has gotten a new haircut, and I almost didn't recognize her as George.  But as the episode continued, I could definitely tell it was the same actress.  Sadly, she isn't given much to do with the plot this time around.  Instead, she has a sub-plot of trying to avoid the attention of the cruise's event planner whose name is also George (Les Lannom).  Their scenes provide some nice comic moments.  Regulars William Schallert and George O'Hanlon, Jr. are pretty much reduced to glorified cameos here since they have three scenes.

That's okay because the case keeps Nancy very busy.  Lots of different things happen, so there is plenty to keep your attention.  The solution to the case was one I didn't see coming but immediately felt like I should have, which means it was fairly well written.  (It also means others will probably figure it out.)  There is an extended bit near the end that feels added just to make the episode the right length, but it did make for an exciting few minutes.

As always, the acting is fine.  It's definitely a 70's TV show, so keep that in mind when you sit down to watch it, but none of the performances are going to throw you out of the episode.

There's enough excitement in "The Mystery of the Ghostwriter's Cruise" to keep you entertained for the entire 48 minutes.  It's another fun Nancy Drew story.