The Hidden Staircase is the second novel in Carolyn Keene’s Nancy Drew Mystery Stories series, originally published in 1930. It features the teenage sleuth Nancy Drew investigating the strange happenings at Twin Elms, the ancestral home of her friends, the Turnbull family. Mysterious noises, a disappearing will, and a secret passage all contribute to the suspenseful atmosphere.
This classic children’s literature title represents an early example of a strong female protagonist in popular fiction. It fostered a love of reading and problem-solving for generations of readers, and its enduring popularity speaks to the timeless appeal of the mystery genre. The book’s place within a larger series also helped establish the concept of serialized fiction for younger audiences.
