The Secret of the Old Clock
1930
When taking shelter from a storm, sixteen-year-old Nancy Drew meets the family of a wealthy, recently deceased man. While the man had told his family that his will would take care of them, the will that finally emerged leaves everything to a well-off—and disliked—relative. Everyone expects there's a second will hidden somewhere, but can Nancy find it? The first book in the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories series, originally published in 1930.
About The Secret of the Old Clock
Chapter Summaries
- 1
- Nancy Drew learns about Josiah Crowley's suspicious will that left everything to the undeserving Tophams. Her father explains the case and Nancy becomes determined to investigate.
- 2
- Nancy encounters the rude Topham sisters while shopping and overhears them discussing the will, confirming her suspicions that a second will exists.
- 3
- While running an errand for her father, Nancy gets caught in a storm and takes shelter in a barn, where she meets the Horner sisters.
Key Themes
- Justice vs. Greed
- The story contrasts the Tophams' greed and manipulation with the genuine need and deserving nature of Crowley's true friends. Nancy's quest ensures justice prevails over selfish ambition.
- Intelligence and Perseverance
- Nancy's success comes from her logical thinking, careful observation, and refusal to give up despite numerous setbacks. Her detective skills triumph over seemingly impossible odds.
- Class and Social Status
- The novel explores how wealth affects behavior, contrasting the Tophams' snobbery and entitlement with the dignity and kindness of the poor but deserving characters.
Characters
- Nancy Drew(protagonist)
- A sixteen-year-old amateur detective with golden curly hair and keen intelligence. She manages her father's household and has a natural talent for solving mysteries.
- Carson Drew(major)
- Nancy's father, a noted criminal and mystery-case lawyer and former district attorney. He is widowed and very supportive of Nancy's detective instincts.
- Grace Horner(major)
- The older of two sisters living in poverty on River Road. She works as a dressmaker and manages the household responsibly.
- Allie Horner(major)
- Grace's younger sister who raises chickens and prefers outdoor work. She is more impulsive than Grace but equally deserving.
- Josiah Crowley(major)
- A deceased elderly man whose missing will drives the plot. He was eccentric but kind, and made two wills before his death.
- Richard Topham(antagonist)
- A wealthy but unscrupulous man who took in Josiah Crowley hoping to inherit his fortune. He is known for his dishonesty and gambling.
