The Hidden Staircase by Carolyn Keene
Published by Grosset and Dunlap
Publication Date February 19, 2009
Source: Library
Genres: Young Adult
Goodreads
Nancy resolves to help Helen Corning's relatives solve the mystery of the ghost haunting their old mansion. A mysterious man appears at the Drew home to warn Nancy that her father, Carson Drew is in danger. This warning prompts a search for the missing Willie Wharton, a land owner, who can prove he signed away his land to the railroad and save the railroad from a lawsuit. Meanwhile, the disappearance of Mr. Drew, thefts and mysterious goings on at Twin Elms, and the discovery of a hidden staircase lead Nancy to solve these baffling mysteries.
Is it just me or does Nancy get overly excited when learning about a new mystery which usually comes around containing other people’s misfortune? She is described as becoming giddy, sitting on the edge of her seat her eyes becoming wider and wider. Yes, she would make the perfect girl scout sell hundreds of Thin Mints, but sometimes she is almost too keen to solve a mystery and isn’t very becoming. Maybe I’m being too hard on Miss Drew as she is still a wonderful role model for girls.Now on to the book, The Hidden Staircase was not my favorite Nancy Drew Mystery; I didn’t think the plot was as strong as others in the series such as The Clue In The Old Album and half of the book consisted of one or another female characters fainting. Despite her faults I still love Nancy but wasn’t crazy about The Hidden Staircase.
The Hidden Staircase was my first Nancy Drew, so I'm sentimentally attached to it. I remember Nancy fainted or got knocked out when a ceiling fell in on her at that old house, and she got up, brushed off the plaster and went right back to sleuthing. I thought that was pretty plucky when I was eight or nine and resolved to do the same if I ever got knocked out.
Nancy was (or is ) resilient. I know what you mean about being sentimental with The Hidden Staircase because I feel the same way about The Secret In The Old Clock which was my first Nancy Drew.
I need some Nancy Drew in my life. I'm thinking I should start when she's older though.