"I think being a woman is like being Irish." — Iris Murdoch

A few years ago, I asked a lot of relatives and friends for recommendations for books to read to Emma, and my sister Celeste mentioned the Nancy Drew stories, so I bought one and got another from the library.  After the second book, Emma had two observations:

1. "I don't want to read any more of these.  They're boring!"
2. "These are not really stories.  They just go on for a while and then stop."

That was a few years ago.

Yesterday, I wanted to see how it all began, and picked up the very first of the titian-haired detective's adventures: The Secret of the Old Clock.  It was so crazy I was laughing out loud.  The plot is composed of improbable coincidences, and events that are implausible to the point of being ridiculous.  YOU SHOULD READ IT.

I had to ask myself whether the author or editor thinks that children are stupid...

Oh, here's the promised spoiler: Nancy finds the missing will in the old clock!