Author · United States · 1930
Carolyn Keene
The name on every Nancy Drew cover — one pen, many hands, and a girl detective who outlived them all.
Carolyn Keene is the collective pen name used by several writers behind the popular Nancy Drew Mystery Stories. The pseudonym has been in continuous use since 1930, when the first books in the series were published. Mildred Wirt Benson wrote many of the earliest novels and helped establish the series’ adventurous and independent young detective.
Readers who enjoy classic mysteries, secret passages, hidden treasures, and fast-moving investigations will find the Nancy Drew books an accessible introduction to detective fiction. The stories can generally be enjoyed individually, although reading them in order allows readers to follow the development of the series.
Nancy Drew's opening cases in 2026
Carolyn Keene is a house name shared by several writers, with Mildred Wirt Benson behind many of the earliest books. These 1930 mysteries introduce Nancy Drew: old clocks, hidden staircases, and secrets untangled by a capable, independent young detective. Read them today for fast, clean mystery plotting — and the origin of a remarkably durable heroine.
