The Secret of the Old Clock is the originating volume in the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories. The book, published in 1930, first introduced the teenage sleuth in a cozy mystery (no violence or gore). The story has Nancy solving the case of a missing will, hidden in an old clock, and helping the struggling relatives and friends of Josiah Crowley receive the promised money from his estate. Of course there are robbers, greedy will-altering heirs, suspense, and resolution. Monson's retelling of the original book captures the plot and distills it in a way that is fun for children, gently ushering them into the literary world of Nancy Drew mysteries. Along with the story, there are activities, games, and puzzles throughout to help with children's engagement, and might just foster a few budding detectives.