Revised 1974 book cover art.
The Ringmaster's Secret is the thirty-first volume in the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories series.
Plot summary[]
1953[]
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. On one of her visits to the circus, someone pulls a cord tight around Nancy's neck, causing Nancy to faint. However losing consciousness once doesn't deter Nancy and when a bareback rider is injured, Nancy is asked to join the show as her replacement but Nancy is soon knocked unconscious again when thrown from her horse. 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 chloroformed and 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 by Ned when Kroon tries to imprison her in the lion's cage, and all is revealed
1974[]
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 titan in the revision. The story is basically a simplified version of the original.
Trivia[]
- As of this book, Harriet Adams replaces Mildred A. Wirt and writes the rest of the volumes in the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories series.