The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene (April 1930, revised 1959, 1987) Part 1

My earliest recollection of reading books as a child, I believe this was one of the very first mystery books that my mother read to me. We typically read one or two chapters a night for a bedtime story. Majority of the books in the original Nancy Drew Mystery Stories were about twenty chapters long. To this day I still own all that I have collected since I was a child. I have yet to purchase all of them, but I find more joy in finding one at a time usually in used book stores or antique shops. Last year visiting family in Sisters, Oregon I bought a 1st edition published in 1930. Depending on the condition of the book, these can sell for over $1,000 on Ebay. I paid nowhere near that price but this one is priceless to me and I would not trade it for the world.

In chapter one we are introduced to the main character, 18 year old Nancy Drew. She is described as an attractive blonde hair, blue eyed young woman. The interpretation of how Nancy's hair has changed over the years from blonde to red, strawberry blonde or even brunette depending on the adaptation of her from book to movies or even television shows. I personally feel like she is a red head based on the later printed copies of the books in the late 1980's and the television series The Hardy Boys/ Nancy Drew Mysteries from 1977 to 1979 starring Pamela Sue Martin as Nancy. Not only has her hair changed, but her style of clothing has changed through the decades as well. From the Lost Files of Nancy Drew they have great representation of how this has changed over the years. From the 1930's being shorter hair holding close to the face and flowing gowns made of satin on into the 70's there were long dresses of natural fabrics to bright jumpsuits and hair was straight and natural.

Even though the image of Nancy has changed through the decades, her basic origins have stayed fairly true to this first book published about her. She is an only child and her mother died when she was a young girl. Her father, Carson Drew is a lawyer in their small town of River Heights. Through most of Keene's writing and other adaptations Nancy helps her father with his work from time to time, which is what she is doing in the start of this book. While delivering papers for him, she sees a little girl almost get hit by a moving truck. The girl moves out of the way of the truck but falls from a bridge. Nancy goes to her rescue and is greeted by the young girl's great aunt's whom are raising her since her parents died in a boat explosion.

After talking with them Nancy learns they are both seamstresses trying to make ends meet to be able to raise little Judy. They were expecting to inherit some money after a family member, Josiah Crowley passed away but all the money and estate went to a man and his family that was not related to Josiah in any way. Talking with the aunt's more, Nancy went to school with the two girls of the family that received the inheritance, the Topham's. Before leaving the aunt's notice that some silver is missing in the home. The moving truck that almost hit the girl was just coming from their place, two men knocked on their door to see if they had any old furniture to sell. They were not invited, just showed up out of the blue. They determined that the men must have stole their silver. Nancy attempted to follow them, but loses their trail and heads back into River Heights.

When she arrived in town she reported the stolen silver for the women and went to go see her father about the will. He told her it was unfortunate that had happened to them, but little could be done. Even if another will was found the Topham's would fight it strongly in court making it difficult to win. Carson knew of other family members that were also written out of the will. His old colleague was actually the attorney that worked with Josiah Crowley. Nancy pushes her father to contact him to try and find out more. Not being able to say no, he sets up a time to meet with him over lunch.

While meeting with the attorney Mr.Rolsted he explained to Nancy and her father that Josiah had indeed spoken with him about a second will before his death. But he never ended up seeing Mr.Rolsted again to certify the new will. Carson was able to locate the names and address of some other family members affected by the outcome. Nancy decides to go and visit them.

While driving there a storm hits while she has the top down on her convertible. Unable to close it the storm gets worse. Lightning hits nearby and Nancy hears a scream. Thankfully she didn't hit anyone but a woman was startled by the lightning. After talking with her she discovers this was one family member she was trying to find, Allison Hoover. She invites Nancy in to get dry until the storm settles, but Nancy has yet to tell the family why she is there to see them.

When entering the home she meets Grace, Allison's sister. They've lived there alone after their parents passed away few years ago. It just so happened to be Allison's birthday, and they let Nancy stay for the celebration with cake and singing. She notices a picture on the wall and the girl's explain it was from Josiah Crowley. Nancy reveals her true intentions with Allison and Grace and they are very appreciative for the help. They are excited to find out if there was another will. They we very fond of Josiah and could not imagine him forgetting about them.

Upon returning to see her father she goes to see a retired singer that moved to their town a while back. Hearing one of the girl's sing, she saw great potential in her. The man agrees to hear her when he has the chance to, and if she is as good as Nancy described he would tutor her to become a well known artist. After going to see her father, he agrees to meet the two young ladies tomorrow about the will. After meeting with them, Nancy takes them to go see the famous singer Signor Mascagni to have him hear Allison sing. He is highly impressed with her voice and wants to give her lessons as soon as she would like to start.

After talking with her father, he encourages her to get her mind off the will and family affairs for a while. So she goes to a rose park near their home. Walking there she spots Isabel and Ada Topham. Even though she might risk being seen by one of them she still wants to see what they are talking about. Earlier it is mentioned that they never got along in school. Nancy eave drops on them finding out they are talking about a will. Perhaps Josiah's will.

It has been several years since I have read some of the earlier books in this series, brings back great memories for me. This is never quite what I remembered the story starting out with because over the years there are a few other adaptations of this book especially in the video games series by Her Interactive. It has similar characters but includes the lilac inn which is from the fourth book released by Carolyn Keene. The game story evolves around Emily Crandall whom runs the lilac inn and Josiah Crowley was their neighbor and he promised to leave something for her and her mother after he passed away. Still a great interpretation but certainly confusing if someone played the game before reading the book. I always feel the book or origin best tells and describes things. Nothing replaces the images like the words the author gives you in a book that develop a small imaginary world for you. Television, movies and games can't do that. They only give the direct image on how they want you to perceive it through their vision, which is not always the best because they choose how you view it. One of the many reasons why I do not care to watch the newest Nancy Drew series that was released last year. Their image of Nancy is not how I view her, others may enjoy that interpretation but she is one classic character that does not need a modernization as they chose. Nancy is a role model for many young girls, as she was for me. Learning to develop confidence, growing into a respected woman, be intelligent and someone to admire. When you lose the characteristics that make a person who they are you lack their true identity.