The Message in the Hollow Oak (1935)

A group of professional detectives challenge Nancy to find a message hidden by a missionary in an oak tree in Illinois. She lives with a group of archaeologists who are excavating a nearby burial ground.

If you get a chance to read this story, do not get the newer version, get the older version with the pictures in the front of the book. This book makes me wonder why The Hardy Boys books are not as adventerous as this one. A juicy plot twist had me on edge as I absorbed every word of the book. ( )

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Nancy travels to Illinois to find someone (later two people) who was kidnapped, find a treasure, and help out with an archaeological dig. Naturally she manages all those things while dragging Bess, George, and Ned along. Though she puts the whole dig in danger, the director insists that she has to stay and solve her mystery. Nancy rides around in a tow boat, chases off a potential love interest, and foils thieves on her way to discovering a treasure from a French missionary. ( )

A group of professional deceives challenge Nancy to tackle a mystery that they have failed to solve: find an invaluable massage hidden by a missionary centuries ago in a hallow oak tree in Illinois.
While searching in the woods for the ancient tree, Nancy and her friends live with a group of young archaeologists whoa re excavations prehistoric Indian burial mounds and on nearby farm. A shadowy enemy stalks Nancy and harasses everyone at the dig. The young investigator pursues her dangerous adversary to an outlaws’ cave, and is threatened when she discovers an unusual treasure.
How Nancy, with few clues to go on solves this complex mystery with thrill all readers. ( )