The Secret of the Old Clock #1 (Nancy Drew) Hardcover – Illustrated, May 1, 2014

The Secret of The Old Clock, the first installment in the Nancy Drew Mystery series, is a unique and captivating read. Its exceptional writing and timeless appeal make it a pleasure to read. As a seasoned reader of various genres, I can confidently say this book stands out among the best of the young adult mystery genre, even though it was written in 1930. Much like Agatha Christie, author Mildred Wirt Benson (aka Carolyn Keene) has a firm grasp of human nature. That's probably why the story doesn't seem dated, despite the use of old-school landline telephones and names written on mailboxes.The Secret of the Old Clock introduces us to Nancy Drew, a remarkable 18-year-old amateur detective. Her father, Carson Drew, a respected local attorney, not only supports Nancy's sleuthing but also occasionally aids her in her investigations. Nancy and her father come across as honorable, hard-working, and authentic, adding depth to the story.The book's plot revolves around Nancy's quest to uncover a possible hidden will from a deceased individual named Josiah Crowley, which could invalidate an existing will that unjustly bequeaths a substantial estate to a conniving, unlikeable family. The Old Clock, while seemingly insignificant, plays a crucial role in the unfolding mystery.Although it's possible I read a couple of Nancy Drew books back in the 1960s and 1970s, along with some Hardy Boys, I'm looking forward to getting into this series, book by book, in numerical order, especially those written by Mildred Wirt Benson.Note: Mildred Wirt Benson was a prolific author who wrote 23 of the original 30 Nancy Drew books for the Stratemeyer Syndicate under the pen name of Carolyn Keene. She also wrote numerous other books and series, including the Penny Parker Mysteries, which she favored over Nancy Drew.

Walk down memory lane for this senior citizen. Always enjoyed Nancy's helpfulness and determination. Good lessons still for young people but settings may not be popular with younger set.

As a fan of children's book, I took it upon myself to get a full collection of Nancy Drew - the series that were started in the 30's and are still a pleasure to read now. There have been already several generations of people who can call it their "childhood books" - I was born only in 1988, and I am proud to be one. These are the first two Nancy Drew stories ("Mystery of the old clock" and "Mystery of the Hidden staircase") and they are written wonderfully and extremely easy to read - just a few hours and both mysteries are solved; time to move on to the next one! Written for children, the world in the books might seem just a bit simplistic for adult, yet once you pass the realization that it is a children's book - you become very accustomed to always helpful Nancy, or very "goody" friends and very "dangerous" wrong-doers. I like how you can see some interesting historic details in the mysteries that were written so long ago - from they way Nancy dresses to the way she speaks.It is very entertaining read for kids and adults who like children's books alike. These particular book might also be fun for kids to read because of its design - two books in one: you read the first mystery, then turn the book upside down and have a different mystery to read with its own separate cover! I, myself, couldn't help a smile turning it upside down ;) Grab your kids and read it with the flashlight under the blanket, or enjoy it yourself on a weekend afternoon or right before the bed time - you'll be reminded of your childhood and finish reading with a somewhat mischievous feeling and a smile.

I decided to read some Nancy Drew books as part of my research into my own latest book that I am currently working on. I knew about Nancy Drew as a child, but strangely enough, I have never read any of them! What immediately struck me about the writing is how different it is from the "young reader" books today. I hate to say that books now are "dumbed down", but I'm afraid that is the best description. I would have probably read this book in third grade, but I was more into books like The Amityville Horror and all of Stephen King's books at that time (I guess I was an advanced reader). That said, I am impressed with the eloquence of the language used in The Secret of the Old Clock. I've even started reading it to my own children, to show them that reading is fun and much better than watching movies! I've yet to convince them of this, but I will keep trying. I also noticed how classy the characters appear to be. Now, I know this is fiction, but you can just see the difference in the people of the time of the book's publication (1930s) and now. Anyway, this one is a great story, it kept my interest, and I look forward to reading #2!

Nice book and as expected. Love that these stories are still available and I can find them for my granddaughter and goddaughter. Great buy!

This book is a fantastic first book in the series. I'm definitely wanting to buy more of them.

Love the series

The media could not be loaded.  Couldn't keep it down once started reading

This book reminded me a lot of my childhood, when I used to read Tiny books. However Tiny is more a children's book and Nancy Drew is more YA. The book starts with "Nancy Drew, an attractive girl of eighteen, was driving home along a country in her new, dark-blue convertible." I know when it was written, they were living in different and older times, so the writing style is much different than now. Nancy drew is a perfect girl of eighteen years old. She can do everything, and everything happens directly.For example: "I must figure out a way!" Nancy said with determination. "I want to help little Judy." She awoke the next morning thinking about the mystery.I completely missed the part were she got into bed, and now it's already morning?? This happens a lot in the book. There are parts missing that complete the book more. However, it reads very fast.Nancy Drew's character is a fun character, she is curious to everything and wants to solve things. Her dad is eager curious as her and together they solve things. It's very fun to read their bond and how he supports his daughter. But nobody is that perfect at eighteen (or any age). She really likes to help others without getting rewarded and that's something I admire about her!Anyhow, I solved the mystery myself when I finished page 7. The mystery was pretty predictable. I think this book is a fun book to read aloud before your kids bedtime (depending on their age). You can ask them some questions during the reading, like "What do you think will happen next?" But if your an adult, this book will be fun as well because it's a true classic one. The book contains beautiful images.Nancy Drew are classic books, and I really enjoy them. The mystery is predictable but still fun. Will I read more books of Nancy Drew? Yes, I probably will. I have a thing for old and classic books/stories.

Mi hija no deja de leerlo, está muy contenta

I use to read the old mystery books when I was younger. I can remember the warm summer evenings spent in the garden with this book and the other titles from the author. Nancy's character and her way of solving mysteries stay with you for a very long time and you are hooked from the very first chapter. Highly recommend for nostalgic reason and for any young person this is brilliant.