This was a pretty quick read but I admit that I also didn't want to put it down. I was quite anxious and this book did a good job of distracting me!

I didn't have too many thoughts while reading this, but one of the main thoughts came from the very first chapter. I think I've read too much clichéd shit because I kept waiting for Nancy to feel or act jealous every time Ned complimented Payton, which he did A LOT. I was pleasantly surprised and happy that that didn't happen.

As I was reading, I zeroed in on my own suspect pretty early on. I don't know if I just had a lucky guess or if it was obvious in the book but I ended up being right.

Overall, this is a fun and quick read for mystery fans and, of course, fans of Nancy Drew.

!! (SKIP THIS LINE TO AVOID THE SPOILER) !! - I felt like the culprit was Payton 👀) ( )

The third book in this modern version of Nancy Drew, Mystery of the Midnight Rider, is set at a horse show. When Ned introduces Nancy to one of his old friends, Payton, a talented equestrian, they don't expect to stumble across a mystery. However, Payton begins receiving threats. Nancy becomes determined to find the saboteur before the Grand Prix (the biggest competition of the weekend where an Olympic scout will be).

This was definitely predictable. I guessed who the culprit was early on but I still enjoyed this book. I learned quite a bit about horses and competing. I think if I had read this when I was younger, I would have liked it even more.

I will definitely be continuing this series. ( )

This fresh approach to the Nancy Drew series (labeled Nancy Drew Diaries) is appropriately updated and a good read/listen for upper middle-school or younger YA readers. The Mystery of the Midnight Rider (Midnight is the horse's name) holds lots of info about equestrain riding and the competitive riding circuit leading up to the Olympics. Nancy's sidekicks, Bess and George, play accompaning roles, along with some other rather well-developed characters unique to this story. What I think makes this series entry special is how it covers the issue of pressure put upon young athletes and what they themselves are willing to sacrifice during their teen years to participate in a sport of their choosing. ( )