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The Secret of the Old Clock (Nancy Drew,…
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The Secret of the Old Clock (Nancy Drew, Book 1) (edition 1930)

by Carolyn Keene

Series: Nancy Drew (1)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
6,9401121,324 (3.76)115
Nancy Drew's keen mind is tested when she searches for a missing will.
Member:Shared_System
Title:The Secret of the Old Clock (Nancy Drew, Book 1)
Authors:Carolyn Keene
Info:Grosset & Dunlap (1930), Hardcover, 192 pages
Collections:Your library
Rating:
Tags:John Wolf, "Fiction: Classic and Contemporary", "2-3"

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The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene

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» See also 115 mentions

English (110)  Swedish (1)  All languages (111)
Showing 1-5 of 110 (next | show all)
Original Review

The Secret of the Old Clock is the first book in the hardcover Nancy Drew series (flashlight editions). I read the Nancy Drew books as a young girl and through them, fell in love with reading. That they are still in print and parents are still buying them for their children makes my heart so happy.

This year, I’m attempting to reread all of the original 56 books - about one per week, with some weeks doubled up. I’ve started with book one and it was such a delight to read it again. These mysteries carry so much nostalgia for me, and reading them again feels so comforting - like drinking a hot cup of tea, wrapped up in a cozy blanket on a cushioned window seat listening to the rhythm of the rain; a warm hug for my soul.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Secret of the Old Clock again. I love how the story is set in the 1930’s and carries with it that decade’s unique atmosphere, yet is still so timeless.

My sister once told me she didn’t like Nancy Drew much when she was younger because Nancy is too perfect in the books and I think that is a fair criticism (she is unrealistically perfect and very privileged; some of the circumstances are a bit too tidy as well), but I also think that is one of the things I liked about her stories. Reading them allowed for a bit of escapism and stoked my imagination, and that was still true for me as an adult reading this installment again.

There’s a scene in the story that made me want to find a 1930’s recipe similar to Hannah’s cinnamon cake to bake up and serve with hot applesauce. Why is this not a popular pairing anymore? It sounds delicious!

I’d recommend Nancy’s mysteries for anyone who is interested in a fast-paced, lighthearted middle grade book, for reluctant readers, or for anyone who read them when they were younger and is looking for a serving of nostalgia. ( )
  erindarlyn | Jan 25, 2024 |
After reading and comparing the 1930 original with the 1959 revision, it’s clear that much of the original charm was lost in the update. The original version featured a boisterously independent Nancy and a raucous cast of characters and events, but also some horrifyingly racist caricatures. In cleaning up the latter, the revision also cleaned up Nancy and the book’s events and settings to a syrupy sweet Nancy and ruthlessly G-rated mystery that is pretty dull in comparison. 4 Stars for the 1930 original, written by Mildred A Wirt Benson, and 2 Stars for the 1959 revision, written by Harriet Stratemeyer Adams, averaging to 3 stars overall. ( )
  Doodlebug34 | Jan 1, 2024 |
4.25/5 The story that turned me into a fanatic lover of detective fiction. Nancy Drew embodies the kind of girl we all wanted to be: beautiful, beyond clever, adventurous, inquisitive, friendly, I mean she even drives a convertible at 18! The story holds up well, though I found I was quite nostalgic while reading it. The puzzle is easier to solve as an adult (esp. with the title), but it doesn't make it any less fun. ( )
  crabbyabbe | Nov 13, 2023 |
I devoured these books as a middle-school student. It was always a competition between the Amish boys and myself to see who could read the most Nancy Drew and/or Hardy Boys (depending on what was in at the library) per day.
  libraryofemma | Oct 20, 2023 |
The Secret of the Old Clock is the mystery that began it all for America's favorite teenaged sleuth. The accidental rescue of a little girl who lives with her two great-aunts leads to an adventurous search for a missing will.
  PlumfieldCH | Sep 22, 2023 |
Showing 1-5 of 110 (next | show all)
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» Add other authors (9 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Carolyn Keeneprimary authorall editionscalculated
Benson, Mildred Wirtsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Paretsky, SaraIntroductionsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Tandy, Russell H.Illustratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed

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Epigraph
Dedication
First words
[1930 edition] "It would be a shame if all that money went to the Tophams!"
[1959 edition] Nancy Drew, an attractive girl of eighteen, was driving home along a country road in her new, dark-blue convertible.
Quotations
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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
Disambiguation notice
ISBN 044809570X is for The Hidden Staircase.
ISBN 0448416735 is for the Nancy Drew Starter Set, books 1-6.
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Nancy Drew's keen mind is tested when she searches for a missing will.

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Book description
Nancy Drew searches for an old mantel clock hoping that it contains clues to find a missing will.
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Average: (3.76)
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1 11
1.5 4
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3.5 33
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