Nancy Drew Mysteries

155 books in series
Not rated yet

The Secret of the Old Clock Publisher's Summary

The Secret of the Old Clock, published in 1930, marked the debut of the classic line of Nancy Drew mysteries. It led to an initial series of 64 novels in all, in which the ever-teenage Nancy solves over 500 mysteries.

In this book, sixteen-year-old Nancy, the daughter of prominent attorney Carson Drew, is drawn into the case of a disputed will by the late Josiah Crowley, a well-to-do but eccentric old man. The will grants all of Crowley’s wealth to the grasping and arrogant Topham family, but there are other claimants.

Nancy is drawn into the case when she rescues a small girl, Judy, from a near-miss by a suspicious moving van. Nancy meets Judy’s caretakers, the elderly Turner sisters, who are relatives of Josiah Crowley. Crowley led them to believe that he remembered him in his will, but that is not the will that was found.

Other Crowley relatives surface: the Hoover sisters, the Mathews brothers, the invalid Abby Rowen. All of them are severely needy, and all had been told that they were remembered in Crowley’s will.

Nancy’s sleuthing reveals that the clue to the true will lies in an old clock of Josiah Crowley’s, now in the possession of the Tophams. Nancy’s search for the clock leads her into further revelations—and danger.

The Nancy Drew mysteries debuted in a fast-changing America, where women were rapidly discarding traditional roles and asserting themselves. Nancy models this new American woman: strong-willed, intelligent, indomitable, as well as educated and sophisticated.

In the nearly 100 years since their premiere, the Nancy Drew mysteries have become an integral part of the American feminine mythos.

The Secret of the Old Clock, like the others in the series, is attributed to the pseudonymous Carolyn Keene. In fact Nancy was the creation of publisher Edward Stratemeyer, who engaged a number of ghostwriters to develop the books. Mildred Wirt Benson is credited with writing The Secret of the Old Clock.

The evergreen popularity of the Nancy Drew series led to many film and television adaptations. Today, nearly 100 years after their launch, the Nancy Drew books remain classics of young adult fiction.

Public Domain (P)2026 Maple Spring Publishing
Show More Show Less

See a series you like?

Book one is on us
Try Standard free
Automatically renews at AUD $8.99/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Product list

  • Book 21

    The Secret in the Old Attic cover art
    Not Available on Audible.com.au
    Why not?

  • Book 22

    The Clue in the Crumbling Wall cover art
    Not Available on Audible.com.au
    Why not?

  • Book 23

    The Mystery of the Tolling Bell cover art
    Not Available on Audible.com.au
    Why not?

  • Book 24

    The Clue in the Old Album cover art
    Not Available on Audible.com.au
    Why not?

  • Book 25

    The Ghost of Blackwood Hall cover art
    Not Available on Audible.com.au
    Why not?

  • Book 26

    The Clue of the Leaning Chimney cover art
    Not Available on Audible.com.au
    Why not?

  • Book 27

    The Secret of the Wooden Lady cover art
    Not Available on Audible.com.au
    Why not?

  • Book 28

    The Clue of the Black Keys cover art
    Not Available on Audible.com.au
    Why not?

  • Book 29

    The Mystery at the Ski Jump cover art
    Not Available on Audible.com.au
    Why not?

  • Book 30

    The Clue of the Velvet Mask cover art
    Not Available on Audible.com.au
    Why not?

  • Book 31

    The Ringmaster's Secret cover art
    Not Available on Audible.com.au
    Why not?

  • Book 32

    The Scarlet Slipper Mystery cover art
    Not Available on Audible.com.au
    Why not?

  • Book 33

    The Witch Tree Symbol cover art
    Not Available on Audible.com.au
    Why not?

  • Book 34

    The Hidden Window Mystery cover art
    Not Available on Audible.com.au
    Why not?

  • Book 35

    The Haunted Showboat cover art
    Not Available on Audible.com.au
    Why not?

  • Book 36

    The Secret of the Golden Pavilion cover art
    Not Available on Audible.com.au
    Why not?

  • Book 37

    The Clue in the Old Stagecoach cover art
    Not Available on Audible.com.au
    Why not?

  • Book 38

    The Mystery of the Fire Dragon cover art
    Not Available on Audible.com.au
    Why not?

  • Book 39

    The Clue of the Dancing Puppet cover art
    Not Available on Audible.com.au
    Why not?

  • Book 40

    The Moonstone Castle Mystery cover art
    Not Available on Audible.com.au
    Why not?

Show items per page

There’s a series for
everyone on Audible.

From fascinating sci-fi and fantasy to binge-worthy thrillers,
find your next book series to love.

Explore series