This retelling of the Nancy Drew mystery, The Hidden Staircase, originally published in 1930, is the fourth book in the Mini Mysteries series of interactive picture book mysteries for children.

The Hidden Staircase is the second volume in the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories. The original book, published in 1930, joined the first story, The Secret of the Old Clock, and a series was established about the escapades of a teenage sleuth in a cozy mystery (no violence or gore). The story has Nancy solving the case of what seems to be a haunted house with mysterious footsteps, unexplained screams, and other scary noises that are terrifying Rosemary and Floretta Turnbull, the elderly sisters who own the mansion. Nancy discovers a hidden staircase, and following the clues, she uncovers a plan involving criminals trying to scare the sisters away in order to gain control of their property.

Monson’s retelling of the original book captures the plot and distills it in a way that is fun for children, gently ushering them into the literary world of Nancy Drew mysteries. Along with the story, there are activities, games, and puzzles throughout to help with children’s engagement, and might just foster a few budding detectives.

There is also a glossary of mystery-related terms.