Date published: 2/21/2004

ADRIAN, Texas-- Sleuthing for clues in old spooky mansions, tailing sinister suspects, and uncovering long lost secrets might seem daunting--unless of course you're Nancy Drew.

Debuting in March is a new incarnation of America's favorite teenage sleuth--Nancy Drew, girl detective. "Girl Detective" is built upon the Stratemeyer Syndicate's classic Nancy Drew mystery formula that has enthralled many generations of fans since 1930.

Nearly 75 years ago, the original "Carolyn Keene," Mildred Wirt Benson, strove to give Nancy Drew a little spice--a departure from the more "namby-pamby" style of girls' series books that existed before the 1930s. An almost overnight success, Nancy Drew has gone through quite a few changes throughout the years and more recently had become a tad one-dimensional and not quite like her old self.

With more than 175 mysteries solved and more than a few spin-off series to boot, this tired old sleuth needed a little re-energizing. With the help of publisher Simon & Schuster, Nancy Drew has got a clue and has been given a much-needed makeover. In an expanding Nancy Drew franchise, aside from reading the new books, you can play interactive Nancy Drew computer games, investigate the Gumshoe Girls' comfy Nancy Drew loungewear and bags, and listen along to audio cassettes of classic Nancy Drew mysteries brought to life.

Curious as to what this new incarnation of Nancy Drew has in store for today's generation of fans? Slip into some Nancy Drew pajamas, grab your magnifying glass and read on for a few clues to this puzzler.

Written in the first person, with a dose of realism, a dash of richness, naturally flowing humor, and a whole lot of fleshing out of the setting and characters, it's no mystery! Nancy Drew is back on the case!

"We're just trying to make these very realistic, and also to make Nancy more realisticfor the modern reader," notes an editor at Simon & Schuster. In trying to make the tales more modern, the publisher has succeeded in not trying to make Nancy too hip--she's still tried and true.

In a nod to the originals, Nancy Drew, bolder than ever, has a lot more spunk and a new attitude. Not to mention a new car. Her pals Bess Marvin and George Fayne and boyfriend Ned Nickerson have also undergone much-needed transformations.

Preferring to call eavesdropping "staying informed" in "Without a Trace," Nancy Drew can't help herself--she loves a mystery. When that sixth sense of hers begins tingling, she knows she's on the right trail. Never one to be infallible, Nancy herself admits in "A Race Against Time," "Sometimes a detective digs and probes and studies and researches. And sometimes she just lucks out."

Date published: 2/21/2004