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The Boxcar Children #84
The Haunted Clock Tower Mystery
The Boxcar Children are spending a weekend at Goldwin University for Grandfather's college reunion. They are immediately fascinated by the tall, mysterious clock tower that overshadows the campus. Does it hold the key to a secret from the past?
144 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2001
About the author
Gertrude Chandler Warner
598 books806 followersGertrude Chandler Warner was born in Putnam, Connecticut, on April 16, 1890, to Edgar and Jane Warner. Her family included a sister, Frances, and a brother, John. From the age of five, she dreamed of becoming an author. She wrote stories for her Grandfather Carpenter, and each Christmas she gave him one of these stories as a gift. Today, Ms. Warner is best remembered as the author of THE BOXCAR CHILDREN MYSTERIES.
As a child, Gertrude enjoyed many of the things that girls enjoy today. She loved furnishing a dollhouse with handmade furniture and she liked to read. Her favorite book was ALICE IN WONDERLAND. Often on Sundays after church, Gertrude enjoyed trips to visit her grandparents' farm. Along the way, she and Frances would stop to pick the wildflowers they both loved. Gertrude's favorite flower was the violet.
Her family was a very musical one. They were able to have a family orchestra, and Gertrude enjoyed playing the cello. Her father had brought her one from New York ---a cello, a bow, a case and an instruction book. All together, he paid $14. Later, as an adult, she began playing the pipe organ and sometimes substituted for the church organist.
Due to ill health, Ms. Warner never finished high school. She left in the middle of her second year and studied with a tutor. Then, in 1918, when teachers were called to serve in World War I, the school board asked her to teach first grade. She had forty children in the morning and forty more in the afternoon. Ms. Warner wrote, "I was asked or begged to take this job because I taught Sunday School. But believe me, day school is nothing like Sunday School, and I sure learned by doing --- I taught in that same room for 32 years, retiring at 60 to have more time to write." Eventually, Ms. Warner attended Yale, where she took several teacher training courses.
Once when she was sick and had to stay home from teaching, she thought up the story about the Boxcar Children. It was inspired by her childhood dreams. As a child, she had spent hours watching the trains go by near her family's home. Sometimes she could look through the window of a caboose and see a small stove, a little table, cracked cups with no saucers, and a tin coffee pot boiling away on the stove. The sight had fascinated her and made her dream about how much fun it would be to live and keep house in a boxcar or caboose. She read the story to her classes and rewrote it many times so the words were easy to understand. Some of her pupils spoke other languages at home and were just learning English. THE BOXCAR CHILDREN gave them a fun story that was easy to read.
Ms. Warner once wrote for her fans, "Perhaps you know that the original BOXCAR CHILDREN. . . raised a storm of protest from librarians who thought the children were having too good a time without any parental control! That is exactly why children like it! Most of my own childhood exploits, such as living in a freight car, received very little cooperation from my parents."
Though the story of THE BOXCAR CHILDREN went through some changes after it was first written, the version that we are familiar with today was originally published in 1942 by Scott Foresman. Today, Albert Whitman & Company publishes this first classic story as well as the next eighteen Alden children adventures that were written by Ms. Warner.
Gertrude Chandler Warner died in 1979 at the age of 89 after a full life as a teacher, author, and volunteer for the American Red Cross and other charitable organizations. After her death, Albert Whitman & Company continued to receive mail from children across the country asking for more adventures about Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny Alden. In 1991, Albert Whitman added to THE BOXCAR CHILDREN MYSTERIES so that today's children can enjoy many more adventures about this independent and caring group of children.
Books about Gertrude: https://www.goodreads.com/characters/...
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 3, 2020
My book + Scribd audio. Not so thrilling but entertaining. Blurb: "The Boxcar Children are spending a weekend at Goldwin University for Grandfather's college reunion. They are immediately fascinated by the tall, mysterious clock tower that overshadows the campus. Does it hold the key to a secret from the past?"
November 6, 2019
One of my favorite Boxcar children books.
August 30, 2026
"The Haunted Clock Tower Mystery," Gertrude Chandler Warner returns to the classic formula that made the Boxcar Children series a staple of juvenile mystery. The narrative kicks off when the Alden siblings accompany their grandfather to his alma mater, Goldwin University. The atmosphere is immediately thick with academic nostalgia, yet the looming, silent clock tower introduces an unsettling Gothic element that contrasts sharply with the sunny reunion festivities. The tone balances the comfort of the siblings' close-knit bond with the suspense of an architectural enigma, as the children move from passive observers of university life to active investigators of a century-old secret.
The heart of the story lies in the distinct roles each sibling plays, driven by their established personality traits. Henry, the eldest, acts as the moral compass and physical protector, often providing the logistical strength needed to explore the tower's upper reaches. Jessie, the meticulous organizer, uses her keen observation skills to catalog clues that others might overlook, while Violet, the most sensitive and intuitive, often picks up on the emotional weight of the mystery, noticing subtle irregularities in the environment. Benny, the youngest, serves as the wildcard; his innocence and literal-minded approach often cut through complex distractions, leading the group to discover evidence that the more focused older siblings might ignore. Their collective flaw is a tendency to rush into danger without informing their grandfather, though this is balanced by their asset of absolute, unshakable trust in one another.
The secondary characters, particularly the eccentric university archivist and a disgruntled former student, serve as essential catalysts for the plot. The archivist provides the necessary historical context, acting as a gatekeeper of secrets, while the disgruntled student introduces red herrings that force the children to refine their deductive reasoning. The subplots involving the university’s preservation efforts add a layer of environmental conflict, highlighting the tension between progress and the preservation of history. These elements culminate in a series of clever twists regarding the tower’s "haunting," which ultimately turns out to be a cleverly engineered mechanical distraction used to hide a forgotten stash of university records.
The theme of historical preservation is central to the narrative. Warner posits that history is not merely a collection of dusty artifacts, but a living component of the present that requires active engagement to understand. By solving the mystery of the clock tower, the Alden children demonstrate that valuing the past is essential for grounding one's identity, suggesting that when we lose track of our origins, we become susceptible to the "ghosts" of misunderstanding and misinformation.
Another significant theme is the importance of teamwork and intergenerational respect. Unlike many contemporary mysteries where children act in total isolation, the Aldens constantly bridge the gap between their own youthful ingenuity and the wisdom of their grandfather. The book argues that true problem-solving requires a synthesis of perspectives; the children’s curiosity provides the energy to uncover truths, while Grandfather’s experience provides the framework to interpret them. This dynamic reinforces the idea that no individual is an island, and the most enduring solutions are found through collaborative effort.
Finally, the novel explores the concept of perception versus reality. The "haunting" of the clock tower serves as a metaphor for how fear and superstition can obscure logic. Warner effectively illustrates that what appears supernatural or frightening is often simply a misunderstood mechanism or a human-made puzzle. By peeling back the layers of local legend, the characters learn to look past the surface of things, a skill that serves them well beyond the confines of the mystery itself.
"The Haunted Clock Tower Mystery" is a delightful, brisk read that manages to sustain tension while remaining accessible to its audience. If you enjoyed this mystery, you might also like "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin or the "Nancy Drew" series by Carolyn Keene.
The heart of the story lies in the distinct roles each sibling plays, driven by their established personality traits. Henry, the eldest, acts as the moral compass and physical protector, often providing the logistical strength needed to explore the tower's upper reaches. Jessie, the meticulous organizer, uses her keen observation skills to catalog clues that others might overlook, while Violet, the most sensitive and intuitive, often picks up on the emotional weight of the mystery, noticing subtle irregularities in the environment. Benny, the youngest, serves as the wildcard; his innocence and literal-minded approach often cut through complex distractions, leading the group to discover evidence that the more focused older siblings might ignore. Their collective flaw is a tendency to rush into danger without informing their grandfather, though this is balanced by their asset of absolute, unshakable trust in one another.
The secondary characters, particularly the eccentric university archivist and a disgruntled former student, serve as essential catalysts for the plot. The archivist provides the necessary historical context, acting as a gatekeeper of secrets, while the disgruntled student introduces red herrings that force the children to refine their deductive reasoning. The subplots involving the university’s preservation efforts add a layer of environmental conflict, highlighting the tension between progress and the preservation of history. These elements culminate in a series of clever twists regarding the tower’s "haunting," which ultimately turns out to be a cleverly engineered mechanical distraction used to hide a forgotten stash of university records.
The theme of historical preservation is central to the narrative. Warner posits that history is not merely a collection of dusty artifacts, but a living component of the present that requires active engagement to understand. By solving the mystery of the clock tower, the Alden children demonstrate that valuing the past is essential for grounding one's identity, suggesting that when we lose track of our origins, we become susceptible to the "ghosts" of misunderstanding and misinformation.
Another significant theme is the importance of teamwork and intergenerational respect. Unlike many contemporary mysteries where children act in total isolation, the Aldens constantly bridge the gap between their own youthful ingenuity and the wisdom of their grandfather. The book argues that true problem-solving requires a synthesis of perspectives; the children’s curiosity provides the energy to uncover truths, while Grandfather’s experience provides the framework to interpret them. This dynamic reinforces the idea that no individual is an island, and the most enduring solutions are found through collaborative effort.
Finally, the novel explores the concept of perception versus reality. The "haunting" of the clock tower serves as a metaphor for how fear and superstition can obscure logic. Warner effectively illustrates that what appears supernatural or frightening is often simply a misunderstood mechanism or a human-made puzzle. By peeling back the layers of local legend, the characters learn to look past the surface of things, a skill that serves them well beyond the confines of the mystery itself.
"The Haunted Clock Tower Mystery" is a delightful, brisk read that manages to sustain tension while remaining accessible to its audience. If you enjoyed this mystery, you might also like "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin or the "Nancy Drew" series by Carolyn Keene.
July 7, 2023
Book 84 of the Boxcar Children. This mystery is more of a treasure hunt, but there are strange things a foot. There are a couple of things that make it hard on this one, such as them being there at exactly the right time of year with an ancient clue showing up at exactly the right time. This is one of the less believable in the series and I feel relies heavily on a substantial suspension of disbelief. Aside from that it is a nice read and I did enjoy it.
Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
August 4, 2025
I love the Boxcar Children books. They remind me alot of scooby doo mysteries but they are simple and wholesome. They seem like books written way before their time, which I like. I was a little confused when looking up information about this story. It says it was first published in 2012 but the author died in 1979. Makes it a very interesting story a ghost story written by a ghost...I would say this was more of a treasure hunt than a mystery, but that is just a personal preference of logistics. These are great wholesome books for either boys or girls just beginning to read.
October 19, 2024
(4☆ Would recommend)
I loved these books as a kid & I'm really enjoying reading through the series again. I liked the mystery & the suspense. I like how there is more than one possible suspect, who each have reasonable motive. Would recommend.
I loved these books as a kid & I'm really enjoying reading through the series again. I liked the mystery & the suspense. I like how there is more than one possible suspect, who each have reasonable motive. Would recommend.
October 11, 2022
This was so cute!
December 31, 2022
Okay so the kids are young again and this was published in 2001 and they mention Compact Discs but no cell phones? Very confusing timeline.
May 18, 2023
All these books could be much shorter if they didn’t talk about all the food they eat 😂
June 14, 2023
30%
Dumb, who organizes a multi step treasure hunt for valuables for a descendent?
Dumb, who organizes a multi step treasure hunt for valuables for a descendent?
May 9, 2024
Grandpa why
July 8, 2024
Until reading this, I hadn't touched a volume in this series in a while. Maybe I should seek out some more.
January 1, 2025
Another great addition to the series.
Read
April 5, 2025Fun nostalgic read
December 22, 2025
☆☆
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Basic book ! I hit my goal though !!!
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Basic book ! I hit my goal though !!!
December 18, 2014
Haven't read any of the Boxcar Children in about....** years now, since I have no real reason to as they're quite juvenile even by children's book standards, i.e. little for adults to enjoy, even those that do read other juvenile fiction, but my online library has a number of these available, so I decided what the hey.
The audiobook is rather neat in that it includes sound effects, something most audiobooks do not, so it felt a bit more like a radio play or something rather than an audiobook.
As for the mystery...seriously critiquing a mystery designed for seven year olds is fairly pointless, but I doubt this is anyone's favorite Boxcar Children mystery. Everything is neat and clean and gets wrapped up likewise. Nancy Drew stories contain more excitement.
The audiobook is rather neat in that it includes sound effects, something most audiobooks do not, so it felt a bit more like a radio play or something rather than an audiobook.
As for the mystery...seriously critiquing a mystery designed for seven year olds is fairly pointless, but I doubt this is anyone's favorite Boxcar Children mystery. Everything is neat and clean and gets wrapped up likewise. Nancy Drew stories contain more excitement.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2012
There is a mystery.There is something in the tower.Some kids try to figure out what it is.But it is not there in the day.Once I saw figures in my old house.Once I saw a shadow going to the laundry.Once I heard voices.Once I heard voices. The house creeped me out.I would recommend this book to Damien. He likes mysteries.Since this book is a mystery he will like it.He would be the best person to recommend it to.
August 21, 2009
great when ur little
February 4, 2015
One of our favorites in the whole series!
February 6, 2015
One of the best in the whole series! The audiobooks are hard to get used to due to the number of characters/voices but we still enjoyed it.
November 5, 2016
The kids get to visit Grandpa's former college, conveniently while they are there someone is messing with the bell tower and looking for an old civil war era treasure.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews