Carolyn Keene
Author of The Secret of the Old Clock
About the Author
Carolyn Keene was the pseudonym that Mildred Wirt Benson and Walter Karig used to write Nancy Drew books. The idea of Nancy Drew came from Edward Stratemeyer in 1929. He also had other series, that included the Hardy Boys, but he died in 1930 before the Nancy Drew series became famous. His show more daughters, Harriet and Edna, inherited his company and maintained Nancy Drew having Mildred Wirt Benson, the original Carolyn Keene, as the principal ghostwriter. During the Depression, they asked Benson to take a pay cut and she refused, which is when Karig wrote the books. Karig's Nancy Drew books were Nancy's Mysterious Letter, The Sign of the Twisted Candles, and Password to Larkspur Lane. He was fired from writing more books because of his refusal to honor the request that he keep his work as Carolyn Keene a secret. He allowed the Library of Congress to learn of his authorship and his name appeared on their catalog cards. Afterwards, they rehired Benson and she wrote until her last Nancy Drew book (#30) was written in 1953, Clue of the Velvet Mask. Harriet and Edna Stratemeyer also contributed to the Nancy Drew series. Edna wrote plot outlines for several of the early books and Harriet, who claimed to be the sole author, had actually outlined and edited nearly all the volumes written by Benson. The Stratemeyer Syndicate had begun to make its writers sign contracts that prohibited them from claiming any credit for their works, but Benson never denied her writing books for the series. After Harriet's death in 1982, Simon and Schuster became the owners of the Stratemeyer Syndicate properties and in 1994, publicly recognized Benson for her work at a Nancy Drew conference at her alma mater, the University of Iowa. Now, Nancy Drew has several ghostwriters and artists that have contributed to her more recent incarnations. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Disambiguation Notice:
Do NOT combine this page with that of "C. Keene", as there are other authors on LT who share that surname and intial. Thank you.
This author is a nom de plume of the several authors of the Nancy Drew and The Dana Girls series. It is a pseudonym owned originally by the Stratemeyer Syndicate (now a name used by Simon and Schuster). Authors of books in the former series include Mildred Wirt Benson, Harriet Adams, James Duncan Lawrence, Walter Karig, Nancy Axelrad, Priscilla Doll, Charles Strong, Alma Sasse, Wilhelmina Rankin, George Waller, Jr., Margaret Scherf, and Susan Wittig Albert. Authors of books in the latter series include Leslie McFarlane, Mildred Wirt Benson, and Harriet Adams.
Note that Caroline Quine is the Dutch and French name of this author.
Please do not combine the individual authors with Carolyn Keene; They may have written under the name Carolyn Keene, but many of them also wrote other books under their own name.
As "Carolyn Keene" is an artificial corporate entity, it has no gender, which should be designated "n/a".
Image credit: Mildred Wirt Benson, the first of many to write under the name Carolyn Keene. University Archives. Dept. of Special Collections. University of Iowa Libraries.
Series
Works by Carolyn Keene
Nancy Drew: The Secret of the Old Clock / The Hidden Staircase / The Bungalow Mystery / The Mystery at Lilac Inn / The Secret of Shadow Ranch / The Secret of Red Gate Farm (2000) 241 copies, 4 reviews
Nancy Drew: The Secret of the Old Clock / The Bungalow Mystery / The Mystery of the 99 Steps (2004) 170 copies, 2 reviews
Nancy Drew: The Secret of the Old Clock / The Hidden Staircase / The Bungalow Mystery / The Mystery at Lilac Inn (2015) 144 copies
Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew: Sleepover Sleuths / Scream for Ice Cream / Pony Problems / The Cinderella Ballet Mystery (2020) 141 copies
Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew: Sleepover Sleuths / Scream for Ice Cream / Pony Problems / The Cinderella Ballet Mystery / Case of the Sneaky Snowman (2009) 78 copies
Nancy Drew: The Secret of the Old Clock / The Hidden Staircase / The Bungalow Mystery / The Mystery at Lilac Inn / The Secret of Shadow Ranch (2012) 72 copies
Nancy Drew: The Hidden Staircase / The Ghost of Blackwood Hall / The Thirteenth Pearl (2004) 65 copies
Nancy Drew: The Secret of the Old Clock / The Hidden Staircase / The Bungalow Mystery (1999) 63 copies, 1 review
Nancy Drew Girl Detective: Without a Trace / A Race Against Time / False Notes / High Risk (2004) 62 copies, 1 review
Nancy Drew: The Bike Tour Mystery / The Riding Club Crime / Werewolf in a Winter Wonderland (2003) 62 copies
Nancy Drew: The Clue of the Dancing Puppet / The Moonstone Castle Mystery (1962) 53 copies, 1 review
Nancy Drew Clue Book: Pool Party Puzzler / Last Lemonade Standing / A Star Witness / Big Top Flop (2016) 33 copies
Nancy Drew: The Secret of the Old Clock / The Hidden Staircase / The Mystery of the 99 Steps 29 copies
Nancy Drew: Mystery of the Glowing Eye / The Secret of the Forgotten City (1975) 26 copies, 1 review
Nancy Drew: The Triple Hoax / The Flying Saucer Mystery / The Secret in the Old Lace (1981) 18 copies
Nancy Drew Diaries: Curse of the Arctic Star / Strangers on a Train / Mystery of the Midnight Rider / Once Upon a Thriller (2013) 18 copies
Nancy Drew: The Elusive Heiress / The Clue in the Ancient Disguise / The Broken Anchor (1994) 17 copies
Nancy Drew: The Clue of the Tapping Heels / The Mystery of the Tolling Bell / The Phantom of Pine Hill (1984) 14 copies
Nancy Drew Diaries: Curse of the Arctic Star / Strangers on a Train / Mystery of the Midnight Rider (2016) 14 copies
Nancy Drew 14 copies
Nancy Drew: The Hidden Window Mystery / The Clue of the Whistling Bagpipes / The Mysterious Mannequin (1993) 12 copies
Nancy Drew: The Secret of the Forgotten City / The Strange Message in the Parchment (1992) 10 copies
Nancy Drew: The Clue of the Dancing Puppet / The Clue in the Crumbling Wall / The Ringmaster's Secret (1983) 9 copies
Nancy Drew: The Clue of the Black Keys / The Clue of the Leaning Chimney / The Scarlet Slipper Mystery (1994) 9 copies
Nancy Drew: The Secret of the Old Clock / The Mystery at Lilac Inn / The Clue in the Diary (1993) 8 copies
Nancy Drew: The Sign of the Twisted Candles / The Haunted Bridge / The Clue in the Jewel Box (1993) 8 copies
NANCY DREW 22: DRESSED TO ST 7 copies
Nancy Drew: The Hidden Staircase / The Mystery of the Ivory Charm / The Mystery of the Brass-Bound Trunk (1990) 7 copies
Nancy Drew: The Scarlet Slipper Mystery / The Secret of the Golden Pavilion / The Secret in the Old Attic (1994) 5 copies
Nancy Drew: The Clue of the Dancing Puppet / The Clue of the Black Keys / Nancy's Mysterious Letter (1985) 5 copies
Nancy Drew: The Phantom of Pine Hill / The Mystery of the Fire Dragon / The Mystery of the Moss-Covered Mansion (1988) 5 copies
Nancy Drew: The Mystery of the Brass-Bound Trunk / The Clue of the Velvet Mask (1995) 4 copies, 1 review
Nancy Drew Mystery Stories 4 copies
Nancy Drew Files: Secrets Can Kill / Deadly Intent / Murder on Ice / Smile and Say Murder / Hit and Run Holiday (1972) 4 copies
Nancy Drew: The Secret of the Golden Pavilion / The Secret in the Old Attic / The Clue in the Old Album (1993) 4 copies
Nancy Drew Mystery At The Ski Jump 3 copies
Nancy Drew Diaries Collection, Volume 2: Mystery of the Midnight Rider, Once upon a Thriller 3 copies
Nancy Drew: Girl Detective, Graphic Novels: Writ in Stone / Global Warning / The Fake Heir (2007) 3 copies
Nancy Drew: The Secret of Shadow Ranch / The Message in the Hollow Oak / The Mystery at the Ski Jump (1973) 3 copies
The Secret of the Vanishing Pyramid 2 copies
Nancy Drew: The Password to Larkspur Lane / The Clue of the Broken Locket / The Clue of the Leaning Chimney (1982) 2 copies
Nancy Drew: The Suspect in the Smoke / Trouble at Lake Tahoe / The Clue on the Silver Screen / The Secret of the Scarlet Hand (1994) 2 copies
Nancy Drew: The Invisible Intruder / The Mysterious Mannequin / The Crooked Bannister / The Secret of Mirror Bay / The Double Jinx Mystery (1997) 2 copies
Nancy Drew: The Mystery of the Moss-Covered Mansion / The Ghost of Blackwood Hall / The Kachina Doll Mystery (1998) 2 copies
Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew 1 copy
Nancy Drew Short Stories 1 copy
Nancy Drew Files: Last Dance / The Final Scene / The Suspect Next Door / Shadow of a Doubt / Something to Hide (1987) 1 copy
The Hardy Boys 1 copy
ALICE DANS L'ILE AU TRESOR 1 copy
Ghost Stories 2 1 copy
Model Mystery 1 copy
Nancy Drew: Clue Book 1 copy
Nancy Drew - Girl Detective 1 copy
Nancy A Drew And Hardy Boys 1 copy
Dead on Target/Evil Incorporated/Cult of Crime/Lazarus Plot (Hardy Boys Casefiles, Case 1-4) and Shock Waves (Nancy Drew (1992) 1 copy
Dark Quartet 1 copy
Nancy Drew: The Hidden Window Mystery / The Sign of the Twisted Candles / The Secret of the Old Clock (1935) 1 copy
Nancy Drew Collection 1 copy
Associated Works
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Other names
- Keene, Carolyn (publisher's house name, English)
Quine, Caroline (publishers house name, francophone) - Gender
- n/a
- Occupations
- publisher's house name
- Nationality
- USA
- Disambiguation notice
- Do NOT combine this page with that of "C. Keene", as there are other authors on LT who share that surname and intial. Thank you.
This author is a nom de plume of the several authors of the Nancy Drew and The Dana Girls series. It is a pseudonym owned originally by the Stratemeyer Syndicate (now a name used by Simon and Schuster). Authors of books in the former series include Mildred Wirt Benson, Harriet Adams, James Duncan Lawrence, Walter Karig, Nancy Axelrad, Priscilla Doll, Charles Strong, Alma Sasse, Wilhelmina Rankin, George Waller, Jr., Margaret Scherf, and Susan Wittig Albert. Authors of books in the latter series include Leslie McFarlane, Mildred Wirt Benson, and Harriet Adams.
Note that Caroline Quine is the Dutch and French name of this author.
Please do not combine the individual authors with Carolyn Keene; They may have written under the name Carolyn Keene, but many of them also wrote other books under their own name.
As "Carolyn Keene" is an artificial corporate entity, it has no gender, which should be designated "n/a". - Associated Place (for map)
- USA
Members
Discussions
Found: Nancy Drew book set in a beach town in Name that Book (January 2024)
YA mystery with girl detectives in Name that Book (November 2017)
Reviews
It's hard to find good help in River Heights in this fourth mystery featuring that teenage girl sleuth, Nancy Drew. As she struggles to figure out who stole her friend Emily Crandall's inheritance - $40,000 worth of jewels, carelessly left by Emily's guardian on a cafe table - Nancy must also find a new housekeeper, when faithful family servant Hannah Gruen must unexpectedly leave the Drew household to care for her injured sister. The two challenges intertwine in the form of Mary Mason, an show more insolent girl who briefly applied for the position of Drew housekeeper, before being frightened off by the information that her employer would be Carson Drew, famed criminal lawyer and investigator. When Nancy discovers that Mary has inexplicably come into some money, shortly after the theft of the Crandall jewels, her suspicions are aroused...
The racial, ethnic and class prejudices often found in the original Nancy Drew books are on full display here, in The Mystery at Lilac Inn. The succession of maids that Nancy interviews, to fill Hannah's post, include a "dirty and slovenly" looking "Negress" who shuffles, an unreasonable Irish woman, an inexperienced Scotch lassie, and sullen farm girl Mary Mason. None of them fit the bill, and Nancy, after much searching, is relieved to find an elderly WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant) woman to take the position. The mystery feels similarly structured, with Nancy considering one unsuitable candidate for the role of villain after another, until settling on Mary, who arouses her suspicions by frequenting a very exclusive dress shop. The remainder of the story is devoted to Nancy pursuing this clue, and leads our heroine into a dangerous spy mission, and an involuntary boat trip.
Although there were elements of the story here that I enjoyed - as always, I appreciate the vintage vocabulary and period details in these original editions from the 1930s - others bothered me. In addition to the more overt prejudice mentioned above, there is a lot of unconscious assumption of privilege on Nancy's part, such as when she persuades her father to use his contacts at the River Heights department stores to gather information on what Mary has purchased. When Carson Drew expresses hesitation, mentioning that his manager friend may balk at the idea of handing over confidential information, due to the store policy, Nancy brushes this aside almost impatiently, arguing that these people owe her father a favor. Apparently she doesn't believe in work ethics! There's this feeling throughout, when speaking of such retail works, or of the police, that they should just accept what their "betters" - i.e.: Nancy and her kind - want done, because it is for the best. I understand that the 1950s revision of this one has a significantly altered plot, and a girl masquerading as Nancy herself. A side-by-side read of these would be fascinating, I think, but I don't have time for such an involved project. Recommended to those who enjoy vintage girls' fare, and to fans of Nancy Drew.
Addendum: this Applewood Books edition, which presented a facsimile reprint of the original 1930 first edition, might also be of particular interest to fans, as it contains an introduction by Mildred Benson, one of the primary early authors behind "Carolyn Keene." show less
The racial, ethnic and class prejudices often found in the original Nancy Drew books are on full display here, in The Mystery at Lilac Inn. The succession of maids that Nancy interviews, to fill Hannah's post, include a "dirty and slovenly" looking "Negress" who shuffles, an unreasonable Irish woman, an inexperienced Scotch lassie, and sullen farm girl Mary Mason. None of them fit the bill, and Nancy, after much searching, is relieved to find an elderly WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant) woman to take the position. The mystery feels similarly structured, with Nancy considering one unsuitable candidate for the role of villain after another, until settling on Mary, who arouses her suspicions by frequenting a very exclusive dress shop. The remainder of the story is devoted to Nancy pursuing this clue, and leads our heroine into a dangerous spy mission, and an involuntary boat trip.
Although there were elements of the story here that I enjoyed - as always, I appreciate the vintage vocabulary and period details in these original editions from the 1930s - others bothered me. In addition to the more overt prejudice mentioned above, there is a lot of unconscious assumption of privilege on Nancy's part, such as when she persuades her father to use his contacts at the River Heights department stores to gather information on what Mary has purchased. When Carson Drew expresses hesitation, mentioning that his manager friend may balk at the idea of handing over confidential information, due to the store policy, Nancy brushes this aside almost impatiently, arguing that these people owe her father a favor. Apparently she doesn't believe in work ethics! There's this feeling throughout, when speaking of such retail works, or of the police, that they should just accept what their "betters" - i.e.: Nancy and her kind - want done, because it is for the best. I understand that the 1950s revision of this one has a significantly altered plot, and a girl masquerading as Nancy herself. A side-by-side read of these would be fascinating, I think, but I don't have time for such an involved project. Recommended to those who enjoy vintage girls' fare, and to fans of Nancy Drew.
Addendum: this Applewood Books edition, which presented a facsimile reprint of the original 1930 first edition, might also be of particular interest to fans, as it contains an introduction by Mildred Benson, one of the primary early authors behind "Carolyn Keene." show less
More quick and easy entertainment for me as I'm revisiting The Nancy Drew Files series. Appropriately, this third '80s YA mystery in the series has some heaps of harrowing danger that could only take place on a mountain.
There's also a case of insta-love that leads to an insta-grudge identical to a love/grudge situation in the previous book: One of Nancy's best friends turns her back on Nancy over a guy. Only this time it's the other of Nancy's two besties.
Hey. Maybe the lasting show more friendship-and-mysteries thing the trio has wouldn't work for them without one or another of them rushing straight to emotional extremes sometimes. Heh heh. It's more interesting to see Nancy's boyfriend Ned's hint of disappointment at yet another mystery popping up and taking her attention, since he'd prefer to have a normal vacation with his girlfriend. Although he wraps his disappointment in humor this time and helps her out as always, I don't doubt this kind of thing will eventually put a strain on their relationship.
As for the mystery, again, it's also interesting but with a couple of glaringly contrived traps. Just about anyone with a teaspoon of common sense would know not to walk right into some of the deadly trouble Nancy ends up in, here. Her clear lack of judgment in those moments is unbelievable for an experienced detective of reported international fame.
But then, it isn't like I expect all the believability in the world from these mysteries. And at least Nancy realizes her, well...stupidity after the second of the traps, literally telling herself, "I've been so stupid." She then launches into hardcore (but not cruel) action to defend herself when she must.
On that score: Go, Nance! show less
There's also a case of insta-love that leads to an insta-grudge identical to a love/grudge situation in the previous book: One of Nancy's best friends turns her back on Nancy over a guy. Only this time it's the other of Nancy's two besties.
Hey. Maybe the lasting show more friendship-and-mysteries thing the trio has wouldn't work for them without one or another of them rushing straight to emotional extremes sometimes. Heh heh. It's more interesting to see Nancy's boyfriend Ned's hint of disappointment at yet another mystery popping up and taking her attention, since he'd prefer to have a normal vacation with his girlfriend. Although he wraps his disappointment in humor this time and helps her out as always, I don't doubt this kind of thing will eventually put a strain on their relationship.
As for the mystery, again, it's also interesting but with a couple of glaringly contrived traps. Just about anyone with a teaspoon of common sense would know not to walk right into some of the deadly trouble Nancy ends up in, here. Her clear lack of judgment in those moments is unbelievable for an experienced detective of reported international fame.
But then, it isn't like I expect all the believability in the world from these mysteries. And at least Nancy realizes her, well...stupidity after the second of the traps, literally telling herself, "I've been so stupid." She then launches into hardcore (but not cruel) action to defend herself when she must.
On that score: Go, Nance! show less
More really old-school Nancy Drew. Nancy’s hankering for a new mystery after tracking down a missing will in [The Mystery of the Old Clock], and gets two—one in the form of a referral for a couple of old ladies experiencing “haunting” events in their ancient house, and the other in the form of a creepy scammer out to get money out of Carson Drew, whatever it takes.
Nancy is decidedly skeptical about the idea of ghosts, but investigates anyway. Meanwhile, Carson fails to make it home show more from a trip to Chicago. As the old ladies get more and more nervous, Nancy puts herself worries about her father aside and puts herself in danger (again) to get evidence, allowing her to discover the truth behind the hauntings, summon the police, and lead a couple of sketchy police raids to get justice; accidentally solving Carson’s disappearance along the way.
Nancy drops the ball a couple of times along the way; she fails to follow up on a couple of hints that might have made things a bit easier for her, and, gee-whiz, given that the mysterious hauntings take place at night, maybe she should have stayed up late a bit sooner than she does. She also comes pretty close to getting caught or even dying a couple of times. (Hey, kids, maybe be careful around secret passages, and take some extra batteries.) Another highlight is Carson being perfectly comfortable giving his teenage daughter his revolver to protect herself, even if she doesn’t actually engage in a serious gun battle, even if she comes pretty close a couple of times. (Presumably, an updated edition taking place in modern America will improve the book’s realism by featuring significant gunplay.)
We also have another good ol’-fashioned racist portrayal; this time of a black woman who works for/with the crim. It’s not meant to be offensive, I’m sure, just a poor black woman speaking with a broad Southern accent, but I guess you could read it that way if you choose. show less
Nancy is decidedly skeptical about the idea of ghosts, but investigates anyway. Meanwhile, Carson fails to make it home show more from a trip to Chicago. As the old ladies get more and more nervous, Nancy puts herself worries about her father aside and puts herself in danger (again) to get evidence, allowing her to discover the truth behind the hauntings, summon the police, and lead a couple of sketchy police raids to get justice; accidentally solving Carson’s disappearance along the way.
Nancy drops the ball a couple of times along the way; she fails to follow up on a couple of hints that might have made things a bit easier for her, and, gee-whiz, given that the mysterious hauntings take place at night, maybe she should have stayed up late a bit sooner than she does. She also comes pretty close to getting caught or even dying a couple of times. (Hey, kids, maybe be careful around secret passages, and take some extra batteries.) Another highlight is Carson being perfectly comfortable giving his teenage daughter his revolver to protect herself, even if she doesn’t actually engage in a serious gun battle, even if she comes pretty close a couple of times. (Presumably, an updated edition taking place in modern America will improve the book’s realism by featuring significant gunplay.)
We also have another good ol’-fashioned racist portrayal; this time of a black woman who works for/with the crim. It’s not meant to be offensive, I’m sure, just a poor black woman speaking with a broad Southern accent, but I guess you could read it that way if you choose. show less
This was one of my very favorites as a kid, and I still enjoyed the mystery and travel narrative very much. However, we need to get real about the Native American cultural appropriation that happens here. Nancy and friends dress up in women's regalia (cringe) and refer to their outfits as costumes (cringe). I realize that the books today would likely treat this scene VERY differently, and that's good. It's still vital to point out what is no longer accepted and how we can do better.
Lists
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1940s (1)
Which house? (1)
Books with Twins (1)
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4th Grade Books (1)
Best Spy Fiction (1)
Nancy Drew List (35)
Books Read in 2021 (10)
1970s (6)
Girl Detectives (6)
Childhood Favorites (11)
Books Read in 2023 (14)
1930s (24)
Books Read in 2015 (32)
Overdue Podcast (2)
Ocean Setting (1)
Guilty Pleasures (2)
Awards
You May Also Like
Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 924
- Also by
- 8
- Members
- 200,856
- Popularity
- #20
- Rating
- 3.7
- Reviews
- 1,322
- ISBNs
- 4,826
- Languages
- 21
- Favorited
- 75
