This structure created a safe space for readers. You knew Nancy would win, but the joy was in watching how . In an era where girls were expected to play with dolls, taught millions that being clever was cool and that danger was just a puzzle waiting to be solved.

But who is Nancy Drew, really? Is she merely a plot device moving from one stolen necklace to another, or is she a radical symbol of independence? To understand the staying power of this titian-haired sleuth, we have to crack the case of the century: How did a fictional teenager from River Heights become a global phenomenon for over ninety years?

: A series of four B-movies starring Bonita Granville as Nancy Drew were released between 1938 and 1939, including Nancy Drew... Detective and Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase .

Critics have long debated the feminist credentials of . On one hand, she is a high school student who doesn't go to school. She pays no bills, relies on her lawyer father’s wealth, and her adventures conveniently pause for the occasional escort to a dance by Ned. She exists in a world without menstruation, maternal conflict (her mother died when she was young), or financial anxiety.

The primary architect of Nancy’s personality, Benson wrote 23 of the first 30 books, imbuing Nancy with the bold, independent spirit that defines her to this day.

Historically, Nancy often began her adventures by writing to her boyfriend, Ned Nickerson, or her best friends, Bess and George.

To make your draft feel authentic, use these common tropes and stylistic choices: