Leafing Through Pages – The Secret of the Old Clock (Nancy Drew #1)

For review of all books about Nancy Drew, go here; about Hardy Boys go here; about Tarzan go here.

Stars: 3 / 5

Recommendation: A solid start for the revised series keeping it to the time and period of its printing, certainly a fun to revisit the stories that I grew up reading. Brings back a lot of memories from my childhood.

The Secret of the Old Clock is the first book in the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories, a series written by a plethora of authors collectively using the pseudonym Carolyn Keene. It was originally published in April of 1930, but the book I read was rewritten by  Harriet Stratemeyer Adams in 1959.

Nany Drew Mystery Stories revolve around 16-year old high school graduate who works along side her father, Carson Drew, a well-known criminal defense lawyer in solving cases and mysteries. They live in River Heights with a housekeeper Hannah Gruen whose role evolves over a period of time from a mere servant to a family member.

I haven’t read the 1930 version, but the 1959 version of book was considerably changed to reflect the time and period it was written in. Most distinct being Nancy Drew is 18-years old instead of 16-yrs in this version. Her character also is subtly changed to be more humble, less impulsive, less headstrong and also less of rubbing the noses of the culprits. She is shown to be more pleased at getting justice to the underdog and hurt rather than gloat against the culprits who lose at the end.

There may be other changes in the revised version, but I can only comment on after I read the original one. However, we get to see illustration of two girls at the girls camp in Chapter 10 “Following a Clue”. They resemble very close to Bess and George, two compatriots who join Nancy Drew on her exploits in the later series.

All in all this seemed more refined that what I remember from other Nancy Drew books I had read as a child. Surprisingly I didn’t remember her to be  such an American golden doll. 😛 One of the favorite sleuths I read as a kid, I am pleased that the book still charmed me. Other sleuths I had followed were Hardy Boys, Secret Seven and Famous Five.

A solid start for the revised series keeping it to the time and period of its printing, certainly a fun to revisit the stories that I grew up reading. Brings back a lot of memories from my childhood.