Friday 21 February 2020

The Secret of the Old Clock (Nancy Drew #1) by: Carolyn Keene

Genre: Children's Fiction, Mystery
Published: September 1, 1991 by: Applewood Books
Pages: 210
Rating: 4/5 stars



Nancy is the daughter of Carson Drew, a famed lawyer in town. When Nancy learns that the old Josiah Crowley has died, and left his fortune to the greedy Topham family, Nancy is compelled to help the number of people who really needed the money, and who were promised the money from Crowley. Nancy discovers that Josiah's true will was left hidden in an old clock, and she uses her sleuthing skills to try and uncover the clock, and help those who are in need of her help.

I had to read this book for my children's literature class, and I thought that I wouldn't find it to be anything special. However, I was pleasantly surprised! This book was quick, easy to get through, and reminded me of the detective books I used to read when I was younger. I can definitely see myself reading more from this series.

I really enjoy the tone of old-timey books like these. They're just so wholesome and cute. They remind me of classic movies by the way these people talk. There's something that is kind of endearing about it all. I can't say you would go for this book if you're looking for some diversity, as Nancy is the epitome of white privilege, but I guess she really did help those who are less fortunate.

These old detective children's books can often be the cure for my anxiety. I used to be a huge fan of the Famous Five series, and this book took me way back to the nostalgia I felt through that series. These books are just easy reads, not heavy in subject matter at all, and always end happily. If you really need to be exposed to some light-hearted entertainment, what's not to love?

Have you read Nancy Drew? What did you think?

Emily @ Paperback Princess

8 comments:

  1. Nancy Drew's never really been a *thing* in the UK, so I can't say I've ever come across any of these books. Glad you enjoyed it though!

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    1. Thanks Cee! I assume the Famous Five series would have been more popular? I remember reading those books and wishing I lived in the English countryside lol.

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    2. Yeah, Famous Five, Secret Seven, etc. were standard childhood reading! Lol. (Tbh, I was always worried by the lack of parental supervision in those books! Like, you're going camping for *how long* on your own?! Lol.)

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    3. I always thought that too! I would say to my mom: how come I can’t go camping at ten years old by myself and solve a potentially dangerous mystery along the way?! Lol.

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  2. I remember when I read this a couple years ago, I really liked it!!

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  3. I remember reading a handful of Nancy Drew (and Hardy Boys) books when I was very young. That's the extent of it LOL - I don't remember anything else about them. So, they're considered classic enough for you to get to read them for school? That's kind of cool, though I hope your teachers expose their students to some modern MG/YA books as well (mainly to atone for the lack of diversity you were mentioning). I get what you're saying about those books being a cure for anxiety. Even more mature, but still vintage (well, far more vintage 😉) mystery novels like Agatha Christie's have that effect...

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    1. We are reading some more modern books, such as Harry Potter and a few Canadian picture books, so I do enjoy that there is a bit of variety on that reading list!

      I have read a few of Agatha Christie’s novels and I totally agree that they are very easy to get through. I wish I could read more!

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