An asterisk is next to The Thirteenth Pearl below to mark the change. That’s because following the 56th book, The Thirteenth Pearl, the publisher changed from Grosset & Dunlap to Simon & Schuster. The original publisher for the Nancy Drew books in order was Grosset & Dunlap, and many devout fans view only the first 56 books as the proper classics. The books were also shortened from 25 chapters to 20 chapters. That’s because these books were later revised to update the language and remove any negative stereotypes.

The first 34 books in this original series have two publication years. These were the very first books to feature the young amateur detective and capture the hearts of millions. This is where the Nancy Drew books in order begins. Mildred Wirt Benson was one of the first authors to pick up the mantle of Carolyn Keene, and many other authors have carried the pseudonym with reverence throughout the years.

The Nancy Drew books were first conceived by Edward Stratemeyer in the 1920s through his company The Stratemeyer Syndicate. While each book is attributed to Carolyn Keene, it may not be a surprise that no such one person exists, or ever did. Since its humble beginnings, the Nancy Drew books have collectively sold more than 70 million copies around the world. Each different series and version of Nancy Drew collectively makes up this massive franchise. Throughout the years there have been a dozen reiterations of Nancy Drew and her friends to appeal to a new generation. This guide will walk you through the phases of the Nancy Drew books in order.

It can even be overwhelming to know which book belongs to which series. With a series that has grown into such a large franchise as Nancy Drew, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. Many readers have fond memories of their younger selves cracking open a yellow spine for the first time. The Nancy Drew books in order have been an entry point for millions of mystery fans since the 1930s.

Double crossing carolyn keene