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Ratings: ★★★★☆ (4.1/5)
Genre: Mystery, Children's Literature

Book Review:
''Troubled Waters'' brings Nancy Drew into the 21st century with a fresh, updated feel while maintaining the classic mystery-solving charm. In this installment, Nancy trades creepy mansions for a construction site, getting her hands dirty—literally—while helping flood victims. The setup is unique and contemporary: community service meets small-town tensions when a star basketball player becomes the target of mysterious threats.

Carolyn Keene does a nice job weaving together themes of jealousy, sports rivalry, and community spirit. The mystery is well-paced, with enough suspects to keep young readers guessing. Nancy's first-person narration (a change from the traditional third-person) makes the story feel more personal and immediate.

George's crush on the basketball star J.C. Valdez adds a fun, lighthearted subplot that balances the darker elements of vandalism and threats. The construction site setting is refreshingly different, providing a new kind of backdrop for Nancy's sleuthing. While the target audience is clearly 8-12 year olds, the book doesn't talk down to them, offering a smart, engaging mystery that encourages critical thinking. It's a solid start to the ''Girl Detective'' series and a great entry point for a new generation of Nancy Drew fans.