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1.44k reviews for:
THE SECRET OF THE OLD CLOCK. Nancy Drew Mystery Stories No. 1.
Carolyn Keene, Carolyn Keene
3.75 AVERAGE
1.44k reviews for:
THE SECRET OF THE OLD CLOCK. Nancy Drew Mystery Stories No. 1.
Carolyn Keene, Carolyn Keene
3.75 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Mystery of the Old Clock introduces readers and listeners to the iconic teen detective, Nancy Drew, as she investigates a missing will that could change the fate of a kind but struggling family. The story is engaging, with classic sleuthing, hidden clues, and a determined heroine.
While the mystery at times is straightforward and entertaining, the plot of the story feels predictable at times, and the characters lack some depth to them.
However this book is a great introduction to Nancy Drew’s world, making it an enjoyable, if not particularly complex, read.
The Mystery of the Old Clock introduces readers and listeners to the iconic teen detective, Nancy Drew, as she investigates a missing will that could change the fate of a kind but struggling family. The story is engaging, with classic sleuthing, hidden clues, and a determined heroine.
While the mystery at times is straightforward and entertaining, the plot of the story feels predictable at times, and the characters lack some depth to them.
However this book is a great introduction to Nancy Drew’s world, making it an enjoyable, if not particularly complex, read.
Read this aloud to my daughter. I enjoyed it for nostalgic reasons but find the prose clunky and awkward - especially to read out loud. My daughter (7); however, was completely absorbed so I'm sure we'll keep working our way through the series
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is an original rendering of the 1930 text and features a racist caricature heavily in the second half of the text.
Rereading after... wow probably over a decade. And it's just as good as it was the first time.
I remember loving these books so much as a kid, passed down by my mom who also read them. I had saved mine for my own daughters. I was excited to read them again with my youngest daughters.
We started (and stopped) with the Secret of the Old Clock. My girls weren't super engaged and it was a bit embarrassing to read aloud about how attractive Nancy is. The language is super genderized, Nancy is constantly praised for being a good "girl" sleuth. Basically she's special because it's a traditional male profession that women aren't typically equipped to do. UGH. Not the message I want to send to my kids. Just because it was good enough for us doesn't mean that we can't do better for future generations.
I'm still super nostalgic about the cover art. I sold the books and bought this game to play with the girls instead. Win, win.
https://www.amazon.ca/Nancy-Drew-Collector-Card-Game/dp/B08P3XLV3K
We started (and stopped) with the Secret of the Old Clock. My girls weren't super engaged and it was a bit embarrassing to read aloud about how attractive Nancy is. The language is super genderized, Nancy is constantly praised for being a good "girl" sleuth. Basically she's special because it's a traditional male profession that women aren't typically equipped to do. UGH. Not the message I want to send to my kids. Just because it was good enough for us doesn't mean that we can't do better for future generations.
I'm still super nostalgic about the cover art. I sold the books and bought this game to play with the girls instead. Win, win.
https://www.amazon.ca/Nancy-Drew-Collector-Card-Game/dp/B08P3XLV3K
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A classic book, perfect for a rainy day, just a good book all around. Nancy Drew has and always will be a wonderful mystery series
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
I'd never read a Nancy Drew by the first author, and I did not like her writing style. So repetitive, obvious and cringey. I hated having the most simple conclussions explained as some grandiose-deduction.
I was going to force myself to finish it, because it's very short and it's the 1st Nancy Drew book, but I was hating every second.
I was going to force myself to finish it, because it's very short and it's the 1st Nancy Drew book, but I was hating every second.
This was exactly what I needed! Was this a little dated? Slightly, but pleasantly in writing style and not any problematic representations. I forgot how much I adored these books, and it was fun to revisit the first one. Thoughts while reading:
- Yup. Still love the illustrations.
- I forgot Nancy had a midnight-blue convertible! What a badass.
- I bet I would have loved Nancy even more if I'd realized earlier that "titan-haired" meant she was a redhead and NOT a blonde. (Also, bring back that description for redheads!)
- Okay, I need about every single outfit described in this book...
- lolololololol I WISH $100K was still "a great fortune" that set multiple people up for life.
- Yup. Still love the illustrations.
- I forgot Nancy had a midnight-blue convertible! What a badass.
- I bet I would have loved Nancy even more if I'd realized earlier that "titan-haired" meant she was a redhead and NOT a blonde. (Also, bring back that description for redheads!)
- Okay, I need about every single outfit described in this book...
- lolololololol I WISH $100K was still "a great fortune" that set multiple people up for life.