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The Secret of the Old Clock (Nancy Drew, Book 1) Hardcover – Audiobook, May 1, 1930

by Carolyn Keene (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 5,124 ratings
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Read the original Nancy Drew mystery!

The Secret of the Old Clock is the mystery that began it all for America's favorite teenaged slueth. The accidental rescue of a little girl who lives with her two great-aunts leads to an adventurous search for a missing will.
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    8 - 11 years, from customers
  2. Book 1 of 163
    Nancy Drew Mysteries
  3. Print length
    192 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Grade level
    3 - 7
  6. Lexile measure
    760L
  7. Dimensions
    7.63 x 4.88 x 0.46 inches
  8. Publisher
    Grosset & Dunlap
  9. Publication date
    May 1, 1930
  10. ISBN-10
    9780448095011
  11. ISBN-13
    978-0448095011
  12. See all details
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Popular Highlights in this book
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  1. From the lawn of a house just ahead of her a little girl about five years of age had darted into the roadway.
    Highlighted by 435 Kindle readers
  2. His wife had died during an influenza epidemic and after that he had made his home with various relatives.
    Highlighted by 415 Kindle readers
  3. Becomingly dressed in a tan cotton suit, Nancy set off in her convertible for the shopping district.
    Highlighted by 315 Kindle readers
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From the Publisher

ND

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Carolyn Keene is a pen name used by a variety of authors for the classic Nancy Drew Mystery series. The first author to use the pseudonym was Mildred Wirt Benson, who wrote 23 of the original 30 books. Other writers who have adapted the "Carolyn Keene" moniker include Leslie McFarlane, James Duncan Lawrence, Walter Karig, and Nancy Axelrod.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0448095017
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Grosset & Dunlap (May 1, 1930)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780448095011
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0448095011
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 11 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 760L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.63 x 4.88 x 0.46 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 5,124 ratings

About the author

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Carolyn Keene

Carolyn Keene

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Carolyn Keene and Franklin W. Dixon are the pseudonyms under which many ghostwriters penned the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series, respectively. Both series were created by Edward Stratemeyer, founder of the Stratemeyer Syndicate book packaging firm, in the late 1920s and early 1930s.

Stratemeyer's daughter, Harriet, and syndicate writer Mildred Wirt Benson were the two people primarily responsible for bringing the iconic character of Nancy Drew to life in the minds and hearts of millions of readers around the world.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
5,124 global ratings
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Top reviews from the United States

Donna S.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story
Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2024
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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.
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Rachel W. White
5.0 out of 5 stars Going Back in Time
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2024
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When I was very young Nancy Drew mysteries were my favorite... Now I am 67 years old and I just had to go down memory lane once again. They are still good simple stories and fun to read.
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Darkxy
4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful adventure!
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2013
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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.
3 people found this helpful
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Jeanne Rusciano
5.0 out of 5 stars The Nancy I grew up with
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2024
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This story is exciting and fast-paced. I do recommend this book to anyone who is not afraid to return to the 1930s-40s-50s
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Shelly Mateer, former CIA officer. Author of Single in the CIA, Mission: Stand Down, the Mingling in the CIA series, Mommy Thinks She's a Monster, The Lemon Seed and The Adventures of Shelly Beach series. Creator of the BurpMitt® product line. Developer of the Cooking in the CIA app and Mommy's Gone Mad! music album.
5.0 out of 5 stars Charming Book From A Classier Time!
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2023
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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!
6 people found this helpful
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EmmaRose
5.0 out of 5 stars I Enjoy Nancy Drew
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2024
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I read a few Nancy Drew books when I was young - though not all of them. It's kind of fun to revisit them from time to time or to read the books I didn't read back in the day. I may read some more of them from time to time. I think girls would enjoy reading these books again. I'm sure these books may be thought of as tame nowadays - but they were written 1959 - at least this one was and perhaps many in that time period. I think they're kind of neat.
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Lori Alden Holuta
3.0 out of 5 stars You Never Forget Your First Mystery!
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2023
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When I was eight, I discovered a secret at my Gramma’s house. Behind her huge console television, there was a bookcase built into the living room wall. I had to squeeze my way back there – the TV was on an angle, thus leaving a small triangle of space to sit in – but it was worth the hassle. Those shelves were filled with first edition hardback books from the 1920s and 1930s. “The Secret of the Old Clock” was one of a dozen or so Nancy Drew mysteries I found back there. With Gramma’s permission, and after promising to treat the ancient books kindly, I read them all.

When I ran out of Nancy Drews on Gramma’s shelf, my parents let me purchase the next book in the series on our twice-a-month excursions to Sears. I can’t begin to express how excited I’d get, anxious to get home and devour my newest book.

All these decades later, I’m still an avid reader, and I have Nancy Drew to thank for being one of my influences. A few days ago, I decided on a whim to re-read the first book in the series. Was it as exciting as the first time around?

Well, to be honest, no. As an author and a professional editor myself these days, I found the writing to be clumsy, and the storyline in dire need of some reorganizing. And please, less mentioning of a ‘second will’. We get hammered repeatedly over the head with reminders of what’s being hunted!

Nancy herself is a charming young girl, who has every advantage in life. She drives her own roadster, has more leisure time than there are actual hours in a day, lives in a home with her successful lawyer father and a doting housekeeper. Her mother, we’re told, died years ago. Luckily her status hasn’t gone to her head. She has a big heart and sincerely enjoys helping people.

The mystery IS interesting, and I found myself rooting for the jerks to get what was coming to them, and for the nice people to be rewarded for being lovely.

Younger me accepted the story at her own level, and loved it dearly. Older me still loves the book, but with reservations. I know the series gets better, so I may dabble with a few more from up the timeline.

The fact that I’m writing my own mystery story is all thanks to Nancy Drew. My lifelong love of mysteries, secrets, hidden passages, codes, treasures… it all started with this book. How can I not love it after what it’s done for me?
15 people found this helpful
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Terri Borkgren
5.0 out of 5 stars The Secret of the Old Clock 80th Anniversary Limited Edition Book 1
Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2024
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As a avid reader, I remember these books and now in my 60*s I am wanting to read them again. A young sleuth, a few people in need and determination Nancy solves the mystery of the disappearance of a last will.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Karen
5.0 out of 5 stars Great price
Reviewed in Canada on November 29, 2023
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Love the series
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BADSHAH
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb
Reviewed in India on February 19, 2024
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Mindblowing
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DarkBlue
3.0 out of 5 stars DarkBlue's Review
Reviewed in the Netherlands on November 1, 2022
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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.
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DarkBlue
3.0 out of 5 stars DarkBlue's Review
Reviewed in the Netherlands on November 1, 2022
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.
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Nadia JG
5.0 out of 5 stars Buena compra
Reviewed in Mexico on October 7, 2019
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Mi hija no deja de leerlo, está muy contenta
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Tina
5.0 out of 5 stars Brought back good memories
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 28, 2020
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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.
8 people found this helpful
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