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'''''The Ringmaster's Secret''''' is the thirty-first volume in the [[Nancy Drew Mystery Stories]] series. It was first published in 1953 under the pseudonym [[Carolyn Keene]]. The actual author was ghostwriter [[Harriet Adams|Harriet Stratemeyer Adams]].
'''''The Ringmaster's Secret''''' is the thirty-first volume in the [[Nancy Drew Mystery Stories]] series. It was first published in late 1953 under the pseudonym [[Carolyn Keene]]. The actual author was ghostwriter [[Harriet Adams|Harriet Stratemeyer Adams]].


== Plot ==
== Plot ==


1953 Edition: Nancy's Aunt Eloise, aware of her niece's current interest in learning horseback riding stunts, sends her a second-hand golden bracelet bearing charms of horses in all five gaits; a sixth charm is missing. Coincidentally, the Sims Circus, former employer of Nancy's equestrian instructor, is coming to town. Nancy investigates the link between the unhappy circus star, young aerialist, Lolita, and her bracelet. Lolita is the adopted daughter of the acting manager, Ringmaster Kroon, and his wife. Pietro, the young, handsome clown, tells Nancy Lolita has the missing charm from her bracelet. Nancy's regular appearances at the circus, and her detective reputation brings the ire of Kroon. When a bareback rider is injured, Nancy is asked to join the show as her replacement. Bess Marvin stands in at an interview with Kroon, and agrees to audition later, while Nancy lightens her hair and cuts it to resemble her friend. Nancy's travels with the circus come to an abrupt end when she and George are kidnapped and left aboard the car of a freight train. After their escape, Nancy continues following up on clues, including a mysterious woman in England linked to both the bracelet and Lolita! In the climax of the story, Nancy is rescued from Ned when Kroon tries to imprison her in the lion's cage, and all is revealed!
Nancy is given a golden bracelet and discovers one of its horse charms is missing. When she learns the unusual story about the bracelet, she sets out to solve a fascinating mystery. Clues lead Nancy to a circus where she meets an unhappy young aerialist who has a horse charm just like the one Nancy is missing. Nancy joins the circus to uncover the significance of the horse charm and ends up reuniting a mother and daughter.

1974 Edition: the story is a shortened and abridged version of the original, lacking detail in the subplots, and quickening the pace. Nancy uses a wig to resemble Bess, as well, since her hair is titian in the revision. The story is basically a simplified version of the original.


{{Nancy Drew}}
{{Nancy Drew}}

Revision as of 06:57, 19 December 2012

The Ringmaster's Secret
AuthorHarriet Stratemeyer Adams ]]
LanguageEnglish
SeriesNancy Drew Mystery Stories
GenreJuvenile literature
PublisherGrosset & Dunlap
Publication date
1953
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (Hardback & Paperback)
ISBNNA Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character
Preceded byThe Clue of the Velvet Mask 
Followed byThe Scarlet Slipper Mystery 

The Ringmaster's Secret is the thirty-first volume in the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories series. It was first published in late 1953 under the pseudonym Carolyn Keene. The actual author was ghostwriter Harriet Stratemeyer Adams.

Plot

1953 Edition: Nancy's Aunt Eloise, aware of her niece's current interest in learning horseback riding stunts, sends her a second-hand golden bracelet bearing charms of horses in all five gaits; a sixth charm is missing. Coincidentally, the Sims Circus, former employer of Nancy's equestrian instructor, is coming to town. Nancy investigates the link between the unhappy circus star, young aerialist, Lolita, and her bracelet. Lolita is the adopted daughter of the acting manager, Ringmaster Kroon, and his wife. Pietro, the young, handsome clown, tells Nancy Lolita has the missing charm from her bracelet. Nancy's regular appearances at the circus, and her detective reputation brings the ire of Kroon. When a bareback rider is injured, Nancy is asked to join the show as her replacement. Bess Marvin stands in at an interview with Kroon, and agrees to audition later, while Nancy lightens her hair and cuts it to resemble her friend. Nancy's travels with the circus come to an abrupt end when she and George are kidnapped and left aboard the car of a freight train. After their escape, Nancy continues following up on clues, including a mysterious woman in England linked to both the bracelet and Lolita! In the climax of the story, Nancy is rescued from Ned when Kroon tries to imprison her in the lion's cage, and all is revealed!

1974 Edition: the story is a shortened and abridged version of the original, lacking detail in the subplots, and quickening the pace. Nancy uses a wig to resemble Bess, as well, since her hair is titian in the revision. The story is basically a simplified version of the original.