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jennifermreads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
** Book Riot 2025 Read Harder Challenge: Re-read a childhood favorite.
The Book Riot Challenge prompt should have continued “re-read…so you can see that your favorites from childhood do not hold up well with the passage of time.” If one is reading the 1959 revision of The Secret of the Old Clock for the first time today, the sexism, with so many words spent on what she wore and how she looked, is glaring. I can only imagine how poorly the original 1930 edition would look in light of our growth as a society in regards to gender and race.
In addition, I feel like I know Nancy Drew so well and I guess the reason I have that feeling is because, as a youth, I read 62-70 volumes of the original series. Because, if I had been relying on this first book to tell me all about Nancy, I would be left wondering. The character development in the first volume is weak at best and, with the housekeeper, it is tedious as she was referred to by her first and last name almost exclusively throughout the story. Why? Why couldn’t she just be “Hannah”? But, then, we only know the housekeeper’s name; readers are left to wonder what role she plays in Nancy’s life and have no clue what the poor woman looks like.
Regardless, I give this book four-stars. I fully admit it is a reminiscence-rating. While growing up, I loved the Nancy Drew series and inhaled these books so fast. I credit Nancy as the reason I so enjoy mystery novels today. And, yes, I will be keeping my copies of books one through five on my bookshelf. They are treasures to me—and, if my TBR wasn’t miles and miles long, I’d be re-reading the entire set of 175 volumes of the original series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Death of parent
cursed_to_read's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Really good. Pretty fun, thought it was a little dry at first but enjoyed it more as it went on.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Racism, Sexism, Violence, and Classism
mreadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Ableism, Racism, Sexism, and Kidnapping
Minor: Death of parent
tyfbmh's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
I’ve never read any Nancy drew books til now and this was a nice cozy mystery and I’ll be checking out the rest. Though, since it was written in 1930s, there is at least 3 moments of racist language (see trigger warnings)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Racism, and Sexism
lupitabaeyongo's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Sexism
libraryghost's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Racism, and Sexism
trips's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I think this must have been such a great book for girls growing up in this time. Now, it is quite dated (especially since I read the original version!), but I have to imagine it inspired many girls. While I of course didn't appreciate the many comments of "Wow, you're smart for a girl!" comments (among other very dated remarks), Nancy's determination to help out those in need and bravery are very nice to see in a book written in 1930.
It was fun reading the origin story of the Nancy I know and love today.
It was fun reading the origin story of the Nancy I know and love today.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexism