The Hidden Staircase

by Keene, Carolyn

(1987) ISBN 044809570X

Based on the success of her first case, Nancy Drew has acquired a following amongst her circle of friends and in fact has become too popular.  She must decide whether to come to the aid of a friend and that friend’s family or concentrate on the well-being of her own father, Carson Drew towards who there has been a veiled threat made.  Her fears about her father temporarily allayed, Nancy focuses on the case pertaining to the friend’s family and it is a case that seems to take some time to solve because the person being sought by Nancy has done a good job of covering all obvious tracks.  Nothing however keeps Nancy away from her endeavors in the interest of justice.  Even when the situation seems completely and finally lost, with Nancy Drew around there is always hope.  Actually Nancy in this case is assisted by the over kill methods of the person she is pursuing.  There are many new girl detectives including David A. Adler’s Cam Jensen, Betsy Byars’ Herculeah Jones, Zodiac P.I., and Hazel Green.  The list of this popular genre is almost without end.