I was first struck by the slow, deliberate pace of the story-there’s a long build-up to Nancy traveling out the mansion to help out the elderly Turnbull sisters, and there’s an equally long build-up to her discovery of the titular hidden staircase. This was my first time reading the original text, authored by Mildred Wirt Benson, and I deeply enjoyed it. Also contributing to Nancy Drew's prolific existence were Leslie McFarlane, James Duncan Lawrence, Nancy Axelrod, Priscilla Doll, Charles Strong, Alma Sasse, Wilhelmina Rankin, George Waller Jr., and Margaret Scherf.1930 Edition, illustrated by Russell Tandy The role of the writer of 'Carolyn Keene' passed temporarily to Walter Karig who wrote three novels during the Great Depression. Other writers of Nancy Drew volumes include Harriet herself, she wrote most of the series after Mildred quit writing for the Syndicate and in 1959 began a revision of the first 34 texts. In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten. The Nancy Drew books were condensed, racial stereotypes were removed, and the language was updated.

In 1959, Harriet, along with several writers, began a 25-year project to revise the earlier Carolyn Keene novels. The Stratemeyer Syndicate's devotion to the series over the years under the reins of Harriet Stratemeyer Adams helped to keep the series alive and on store shelves for each succeeding generation of girls and boys. It was her characterization that helped make Nancy an instant hit.

Mildred wrote 23 of the original 30 Nancy Drew Mystery Stories®, including the first three. Wirt), who breathed such a feisty spirit into Nancy's character. Edna contributed 10 plot outlines before passing the reins to her sister Harriet. For Nancy Drew, the writers used the pseudonym Carolyn Keene to assure anonymity of the creator.Įdna and Harriet Stratemeyer inherited the company from their father Edward Stratemeyer. The company that was the creator of the Nancy Drew series, the Stratemeyer Syndicate, hired a variety of writers. Carolyn Keene is a writer pen name that was used by many different people- both men and women- over the years.

The hidden staircase by carolyn keene