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Nancy Drew: Girl Detective #12
Stop the Clock
Just as I'm gearing up to help plan the Mahoney Library's seventy-fifth anniversary celebration, the beautiful old clock, the very centerpiece of the library, is stolen. There's nothing like a good theft to stop a party!
Naturally, I throw down the streamers and get to work. Turns out lots of people wanted that clock -- and what's inside. If I don't hustle, this might become two crimes instead of one....
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
15 people are currently reading
440 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
992 books3,863 followersCarolyn Keene is a writer pen name that was used by many different people- both men and women- over the years. The company that was the creator of the Nancy Drew series, the Stratemeyer Syndicate, hired a variety of writers. For Nancy Drew, the writers used the pseudonym Carolyn Keene to assure anonymity of the creator.
Edna and Harriet Stratemeyer inherited the company from their father Edward Stratemeyer. Edna contributed 10 plot outlines before passing the reins to her sister Harriet. It was Mildred Benson (aka: Mildred A. Wirt), who breathed such a feisty spirit into Nancy's character. Mildred wrote 23 of the original 30 Nancy Drew Mystery Stories®, including the first three. It was her characterization that helped make Nancy an instant hit. The Stratemeyer Syndicate's devotion to the series over the years under the reins of Harriet Stratemeyer Adams helped to keep the series alive and on store shelves for each succeeding generation of girls and boys. In 1959, Harriet, along with several writers, began a 25-year project to revise the earlier Carolyn Keene novels. The Nancy Drew books were condensed, racial stereotypes were removed, and the language was updated. In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.
Other writers of Nancy Drew volumes include Harriet herself, she wrote most of the series after Mildred quit writing for the Syndicate and in 1959 began a revision of the first 34 texts. The role of the writer of "Carolyn Keene" passed temporarily to Walter Karig who wrote three novels during the Great Depression. Also contributing to Nancy Drew's prolific existence were Leslie McFarlane, James Duncan Lawrence, Nancy Axelrod, Priscilla Doll, Charles Strong, Alma Sasse, Wilhelmina Rankin, George Waller Jr., and Margaret Scherf.
Edna and Harriet Stratemeyer inherited the company from their father Edward Stratemeyer. Edna contributed 10 plot outlines before passing the reins to her sister Harriet. It was Mildred Benson (aka: Mildred A. Wirt), who breathed such a feisty spirit into Nancy's character. Mildred wrote 23 of the original 30 Nancy Drew Mystery Stories®, including the first three. It was her characterization that helped make Nancy an instant hit. The Stratemeyer Syndicate's devotion to the series over the years under the reins of Harriet Stratemeyer Adams helped to keep the series alive and on store shelves for each succeeding generation of girls and boys. In 1959, Harriet, along with several writers, began a 25-year project to revise the earlier Carolyn Keene novels. The Nancy Drew books were condensed, racial stereotypes were removed, and the language was updated. In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.
Other writers of Nancy Drew volumes include Harriet herself, she wrote most of the series after Mildred quit writing for the Syndicate and in 1959 began a revision of the first 34 texts. The role of the writer of "Carolyn Keene" passed temporarily to Walter Karig who wrote three novels during the Great Depression. Also contributing to Nancy Drew's prolific existence were Leslie McFarlane, James Duncan Lawrence, Nancy Axelrod, Priscilla Doll, Charles Strong, Alma Sasse, Wilhelmina Rankin, George Waller Jr., and Margaret Scherf.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 24, 2023
As a longtime library employee, I can tell you that my job isn't just shelving books. Between preparing items to be shipped to other systems, shredding papers, finding requested items, answering questions about random media, attending meetings, and plenty more, I've done all kinds of things at work...and I'm not even technically a librarian; I'm a library assistant!
So, when I saw that this whodunit took place at a 'berry, I knew it was right up my alley...and it was! As usual, the plot had plenty of twists and turns, and it kept me guessing. It's proof of why Nancy Drew continues to be a popular literary character...several decades since her debut.
So, when I saw that this whodunit took place at a 'berry, I knew it was right up my alley...and it was! As usual, the plot had plenty of twists and turns, and it kept me guessing. It's proof of why Nancy Drew continues to be a popular literary character...several decades since her debut.
April 26, 2017
A lovely easy read. I always enjoy a good Nancy Drew story.
There are always the little moments in these books that seem too convenient - for example when Nancy has a 'hunch' or idea and it turns out right first time - a little too often. This is not so surprising, since Keene isn't writing a deep, complicated, long marathon of a novel; they are almost short stories. So I don't wish to be critical, as the reason I like them is that they're quick, light-hearted mysteries.
Having said that though, Stop The Clock had a few interesting twists and turns that made it a bit more believable than some other Nancy Drew stories I've read. Nancy runs into a few red herrings along the way and there are several shady characters who could have 'dun-it'.
In this story, Nancy's reputation as a fine upstanding citizen of River Heights as well as a sleuth is being tempered with and seeing her frustration at things always going wrong, and seeing her close friends having to encourage her back into the game, made for an interesting read.
There are always the little moments in these books that seem too convenient - for example when Nancy has a 'hunch' or idea and it turns out right first time - a little too often. This is not so surprising, since Keene isn't writing a deep, complicated, long marathon of a novel; they are almost short stories. So I don't wish to be critical, as the reason I like them is that they're quick, light-hearted mysteries.
Having said that though, Stop The Clock had a few interesting twists and turns that made it a bit more believable than some other Nancy Drew stories I've read. Nancy runs into a few red herrings along the way and there are several shady characters who could have 'dun-it'.
In this story, Nancy's reputation as a fine upstanding citizen of River Heights as well as a sleuth is being tempered with and seeing her frustration at things always going wrong, and seeing her close friends having to encourage her back into the game, made for an interesting read.
April 26, 2019
I have a friend who loves Nancy Drew and I picked up this book for her. Of course I had to read it first. The mystery was ok but nothing really exciting. The story involves lots of running around and tons of suspicious people and many mysterious events. I admit I had no idea who the criminal was but then I really did not try to guess either (and normally I would try). I guess I just find the other books I'm reading right now more interesting plot wise. Or maybe something is lacking in this one? The story is about a stolen clock from a library. I hope my friend likes it better than I did.
July 3, 2017
Meir drama enn detektiving
May 27, 2018
ellis was my first suspect and i have no idea why i took him off.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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September 16, 2016Summary-
At the beginning of the book someone steals the library clock which is the whole purpose of the library celebration. Nancy is very suspicious of the custodian and a former owner of the clock who sold it to the library. Then she investigates her suspects and finds some very interesting facts. When the Smally’s plan to move back to river heights Nancy’s suspicion switches to them. About half way through the book Nancy has almost all the pieces of the puzzle together. After she lowers her thoughts about the Smally’s she switches Ellis the new librarian, as it turns out she was right about Ellis and partly about the Smally’s. Ellis had stolen the clock. During all of this she has someone playing dirty tricks on her. It turns out that the head librarian had done that. In the end everybody is happy.
Characters-
The main character is Nancy. How Nancy changes is at the beginning of the book she has one piece of the puzzle. By the end she solves the mystery. When Nancy has suspicions she goes on them. Not only does she go on them she attacks them. Sometimes she gets herself in trouble by doing that but she still does it. This is how Nancy changes throughout the book.
What I liked/disliked about the book-
What I liked about the book is that it’s mystery and that is my favorite genre. What I also liked about the book is that it keeps you turning the pages. It also keeps you intrigued and interested in the words that you read. What I disliked about the book is that these things keep happening to her that make me so mad. This is why I liked/disliked the book
At the beginning of the book someone steals the library clock which is the whole purpose of the library celebration. Nancy is very suspicious of the custodian and a former owner of the clock who sold it to the library. Then she investigates her suspects and finds some very interesting facts. When the Smally’s plan to move back to river heights Nancy’s suspicion switches to them. About half way through the book Nancy has almost all the pieces of the puzzle together. After she lowers her thoughts about the Smally’s she switches Ellis the new librarian, as it turns out she was right about Ellis and partly about the Smally’s. Ellis had stolen the clock. During all of this she has someone playing dirty tricks on her. It turns out that the head librarian had done that. In the end everybody is happy.
Characters-
The main character is Nancy. How Nancy changes is at the beginning of the book she has one piece of the puzzle. By the end she solves the mystery. When Nancy has suspicions she goes on them. Not only does she go on them she attacks them. Sometimes she gets herself in trouble by doing that but she still does it. This is how Nancy changes throughout the book.
What I liked/disliked about the book-
What I liked about the book is that it’s mystery and that is my favorite genre. What I also liked about the book is that it keeps you turning the pages. It also keeps you intrigued and interested in the words that you read. What I disliked about the book is that these things keep happening to her that make me so mad. This is why I liked/disliked the book
May 3, 2022
In this book, Nancy is the head of the committee in charge of the celebrations for the Mahoney Library's seventy-fifty anniversary, but then its famous clock gets stolen; on top of that Nancy's preparations are being sabotaged by someone. I couldn't stop reading this because there's so much going on and each of the characters felt alive to me.
August 19, 2017
Been a while since I've picked up a Nancy Drew book, and I'm glad I read this one. It was great.
The first five chapters were a bit boring, and after a while it started getting intense. I loved it! I think all ND fans should read it.
The first five chapters were a bit boring, and after a while it started getting intense. I loved it! I think all ND fans should read it.
December 5, 2019
It was really nice to see Helen Corning referenced again, but wow... Mrs. Corning needs some help!
October 23, 2023
It was kinda confusing which Era this book was set in. Everybody talks like they're from a period drama imo
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October 5, 2024A book I found at a Little Library. I like reading a variety of books.
January 11, 2016
At first this one reminded me a lot ofThe Secret of the Old Clock because both had clocks... which held secrets. But I thought that was where the similarities would end, boy was I wrong. This one played up the nostalgia a lot, which I personally didn't mind and only added to me enjoyment. Not only does Nancy have to find the missing clock, organise the celebration for the library there's a dispute with a will and like Trade Wind Danger there are a few names which popped up which I recognised but this time from The Secret of the Old Clock as well as a scene to do with a vase.
March 26, 2010
So I forgot to bring the book I'm currently reading to the girl's piano lessons today (where I waited for an hour). Luckily the girls had brought along a pile of Nancy Drew books, which they're devouring right now! This was a cute story - I haven't read Nancy Drew in a long time. I loved that it was totally clean and appropriate - even though Nancy and friends are in high school, these books seem to be perfect for my 8 and 10 year old daughters.
February 27, 2008
Good mystery one of my faves
November 4, 2011
I guess I already knew it from the beginning. But it had all the *nancy drew* fun in it which made me turn the pages.
July 9, 2012
COOL BOOK.
July 17, 2015
this was a very confusing mystery. there were two culprits doing seperate things. Mrs.Corning ruining Nancy's hard work for the celebration,Ellis Lamsley stealing the clock.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews