The Timeless Appeal of Nancy Drew

Detective Series Is Still Popular After Decades on the Shelves

Aug 6, 2008

Young amateur sleuth Nancy Drew's adventures have been a favorite read for girls since the series made its first appearance in the 1930s, and continue to be so today.

With an impeccable wardrobe, a cool-as-a-cucumber demeanor, heart of gold, and superior mystery-solving skills, it's no wonder the eternally eighteen-year-old Nancy Drew is so well-liked by both her fellow characters and the books' readers. But what is it about the stories, written by various authors under the pseudonym Carolyn Keene, that has made them just as popular with girls today as with girls decades ago?

Nancy Drew's Immutable Character: Sophistication, Intelligence, and Nerve

Nancy herself is, of course, one of the reasons for the books' continuous success. Though perpetually unemployed and in a sort of post-high school summer limbo, Nancy manages to keep herself occupied by taking on cases either pitched to her by her lawyer father, Carson Drew, or cases she's stumbled across on her own (or perhaps "encountered" is a better word than "stumbled," as Nancy is far too poised to do the latter). She is always prepared, whether it's by keeping an overnight bag in her blue Mustang convertible, or through thinking quickly to get herself out of a difficult situation.

Nancy dares to sneak into run-down old buildings at night, go undercover, and tiptoe into secret passageways, often while wearing a skirt and pumps. What is so refreshing about her practically-perfect character, though, is that she is not invincible. As a result of her daring efforts, Nancy is injured, captured, and/or knocked unconscious in just about every one of her adventures, but, of course, she always finds her own way out or gets lucky with a rescue just in time. Naturally, she's already figured out the solution to the mystery by that point, or has at least skillfully managed to work a confession out of the culprit.

The Mysteries: Not Your Average Whodunits

After reading stories such as The Secret of the Old Clock and The Hidden Staircase, which are the first two books in the series, it becomes clear that there is, like Nancy's character, an air of sophistication about the mysteries. The Secret of the Old Clock deals with restoring an inheritance to its rightful heir, and The Hidden Staircase is a mystery surrounding property ownership, complete with a creaky old house, shady characters, and, of course, a secret passageway or two.

These mysteries typically contain several possible suspects, journeys to exciting destinations, and dramatic catastrophes, and the solution to each of the puzzles Nancy must solve often has a clever twist that only she can spot.

Publications and Where to Get Them

If you're just getting started reading Nancy Drew or want to read the series from the beginning, here is a list of the first ten books:

The early books are available from Grosset & Dunlap, and are distinguishable by a yellow hardcover with blue print. These editions, which are complete with cover art featuring a 1960s-style Nancy, have a classic appeal, and are only USD 6.99 per book.

Whether you're looking to start reading a mystery series or want to get back into reading about your favorite amateur detective, the Nancy Drew books are fun, quick reads that will leave you wanting to head to the bookstore to pick up the next story.

The copyright of the article The Timeless Appeal of Nancy Drew in Mystery/Crime Fiction is owned by Suzanne Swartz. Permission to republish The Timeless Appeal of Nancy Drew in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.