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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
It's hard to rate a Nancy Drew book because these were so instrumental to my childhood, but it's true that the detective genre has evolved since 1930. Our cultural portrait of a "cool teen" has also changed dramatically. On re-read, there isn't much of a mystery in this one - everyone seems to know that there is a second will, it's just a question of where it is. The characters are pretty one-note, too. But...River Heights is as charming as always, and one thing about Nancy Drew is that good is always going to triumph over evil, so I'm still here for this as a feel-good quick comfort read.
This is a great book about an eighteen year old girl detective!☺☺☺
i read this for grad school…i cannot believe i was so obsessed with these books.
granted, i was fully in elementary school when i started this series. however, as an adult, they’re kind of hard to get into. nancy isn’t really a detective as much as she just kind of stumbles into things, overhearing people at *just* the right time, or bumping into people who can get her to just the right place at the right time.
it almost became way too annoying at times, but i did enjoy her perkiness and willingness to help others, even at the sake of her own life, which is sorta aspirational??
she does read like a silly 18 year old which i gotta give the author props for, but please, let her do some actual detective work…
i’m not reading these other books.
granted, i was fully in elementary school when i started this series. however, as an adult, they’re kind of hard to get into. nancy isn’t really a detective as much as she just kind of stumbles into things, overhearing people at *just* the right time, or bumping into people who can get her to just the right place at the right time.
it almost became way too annoying at times, but i did enjoy her perkiness and willingness to help others, even at the sake of her own life, which is sorta aspirational??
she does read like a silly 18 year old which i gotta give the author props for, but please, let her do some actual detective work…
i’m not reading these other books.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Rereading Nancy Drew as an adult is so interesting. You realize how simplistic it, how tropey, how morality-focused. But also, it's still good? Something about Nancy driving around on her own, doing her thing, and being respected by everyone just still hits.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Written a little clunky but incredibly captivating
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
These books will always have a special place in my heart, and I will recommend them to any girl (or guy) who likes a quick read with a satisfying ending. These always wrap up cleanly, and Nancy Drew is a fabulous role model to the independant-minded teen, tween or pre-teen.