Table Of ContentI’m a detective, not an actor, so who would think I’d be involved in a crime
both offscreen and on? A producer has come to River Heights to film a
reenactment of the heist that gave our town its name, and he thinks I’m
perfect for the part of Esther, the sister of the thieving Rackham boys. So I
figure, why not give it a try?
But once the cameras start rolling, the trouble begins. Food poisoning.
Broken generators. And worse! If I don’t sniff out some suspects soon, this
might be my final act.
Lights,
Camera . . .
Catch my next case:
Action!
ALADDIN PAPERBACKS
Simon & Schuster, New York
Cover photograph copyright © 2004 by
Michael Frost
Cover designed by Debra Sfetsios
Ages 8–12
kids.simonandschuster.com
0504
Lights . . . camera . . . cut?
“So how was Rita, Nancy?” Tripp asked as he pulled some dresses off the rack.
“Totally hyper, I bet. She acts like the only reason the computers went down was
to inconvenience her.”
“If you ask me, it’s kind of a blessing,” Julie said, pinning up my hem.
“Blessing?” I repeated. “How do you mean?”
“This whole production was a mess long before this morning,” she answered.
“It’s probably a good idea for everyone to stop and take a breath.”
“But why?” I asked. “Aren’t you just getting started? How could it be a mess
already?”
#1 Without a Trace
#2 A Race Against Time
#3 False Notes
#4 High Risk
#5 Lights, Camera . . .
Available from Aladdin Paperbacks
This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people,
or real locales are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and
incidents are the product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to
actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
First Aladdin Paperbacks edition May 2004
Copyright © 2004 by Simon & Schuster, Inc.
ALADDIN PAPERBACKS An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing
Division 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
www.SimonandSchuster.com
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any
form.
NANCY DREW and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster,
Inc.
NANCY DREW: GIRL DETECTIVE is a trademark of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Library of Congress Control Number 2003115226
ISBN-10: 0-689-86570-8
ISBN-13: 978-0-689-86570-1 (Print)
ISBN-13: 978-1-442-45944-1 (eBook)
Contents
Chapter 1: There’s Something in the Air
Chapter 2: Bugged!
Chapter 3: Stealing Thunder
Chapter 4: Lights!
Chapter 5: Camera!
Chapter 6: Cut!
Chapter 7: Stunt Double
Chapter 8: Over-the-Shoulder Shot
Chapter 9: Danger in the Dark
Chapter 10: What’s My Motivation?
Chapter 11: Take Two
Chapter 12: Action!
There’s Something in the Air
Shopping for clothes would never be my first choice of things to do on a
perfectly beautiful Saturday afternoon. My name is Nancy Drew, and although
my friend Bess Marvin might disagree, I’m not completely hopeless when it
comes to fashion. But I’m not interested in wasting a lot of time on it either. Not
when there are so many more exciting things to do.
Last Saturday was a perfect example. Bess and her cousin George Fayne—my
best friends—and I had planned something for that day, although I honestly
don’t remember what it was now. But I know George needed new running shoes
and insisted we shop for those first. So we headed to Step Up, the best sports
shoe store in River Heights.
My presence was especially important because George was a little short of
money, and I said I’d float her a loan. After all, what are best friends for?
George is a real athlete, so these shoes were important. I understood that,
because I run too. But she and Bess found about a zillion ways to debate . . .
well, argue . . . about the merits of one shoe over another! I drifted away from
my friends and stood by the front window, looking out on downtown River
Heights. Because the weather was so great, there were a lot of people strolling
through the streets, skateboarding, and shopping.
“. . . Don’t you think, Nancy?” Bess asked from the other side of the store.
“She’s not listening,” George said before I could answer. “She’s off in her
own world.”
Frankly I was beginning to feel a little caged in, and was wondering whether
we’d ever get out of there. I felt rescued when I saw Luther Eldridge scurrying
across the street. He’s an expert in the history of River Heights and always has
interesting stories to share. And he’s also a good friend—so he can be counted
on to jolt me out of a major boredom attack.
“Luther!” I called, stepping outside the store. He didn’t seem to hear me, so I
called to him again. This time he stopped abruptly and waved.
“Nancy, I’m glad to see you,” he answered as he hurried over to my side of
the street. The bright sun highlighted the worried expression on his face.
“Have you heard about the movie?” he asked. “They’re filming a movie here.”
“Yes, isn’t that great?” I answered. “Dad and I were talking about it last night.
It’s going to be a TV movie. Dad’s doing some of the legal work for the location
