The Secret of the Old Clock · Character

Grace Horner

A Horner relative drawn into the Crowley search, whose connection to the family gives Nancy another thread to pull when the will seems hopelessly lost.

supporting

Also known as Grace, the Horner

First appearance: ii a chance meeting

As a supporting figure in The Secret of the Old Clock, Grace Horner is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Grace Horner is one of the poor relatives who were pets of Crowley and might deserve a portion of the fortune.

In the storyThe Lost WillOpen this moment free

See Grace Horner in The Lost Will Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

With Nancy Drew (friendship): Grace is a close friend and ally of Nancy, frequently involved in her sleuthing adventures. With Allie Horner (family): Allie is Grace's younger sister, and they share a close, supportive…

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The fuller portrait of Grace Horner sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Grace Horner in ii a chance meeting

Character Web

14 connections

A slice of how Grace Horner sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Family
Social
Other

Character groups

Primary will mystery characters
Supporting and secondary characters
Protagonist

+9 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Nancy reaches her emotional and psychological peak of terror and hopelessness here, as she shifts from frantic…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Nancy Drew
friendship · positive
Grace is a close friend and ally of Nancy, frequently involved in her sleuthing… How this plays out →
Allie Horner
family · positive
Carson Drew
social · positive
Richard Topham
social · negative
Josiah Crowley
social · positive
Nancy Drew
friendship · positive
Grace is a close friend and ally of Nancy, frequently involved in her sleuthing… How this plays out →
Nancy Drew
friendship · positive
Grace is a close friend and ally of Nancy, frequently involved in her sleuthing… How this plays out →
Josiah Crowley
social · positive
Allie Horner
family · positive
Allie Horner
family · positive
Richard Topham
social · negative
Carson Drew
social · positive

Nancy Drew
Grace is a close friend and ally of Nancy, frequently involved in her sleuthing adventures.
Allie Horner
Allie is Grace's younger sister, and they share a close, supportive sibling bond.
Carson Drew
Carson knows Grace as his daughter's friend and a respectable young woman in the community.
Richard Topham
Grace knows Richard as a local resident but is wary of his dishonest character.
Josiah Crowley
Grace knew Josiah as a kind old man in the community, but not intimately.
Nancy Drew
Grace is a close friend and ally of Nancy, frequently involved in her sleuthing adventures.
Nancy Drew
Grace is a close friend and ally of Nancy, frequently involved in her sleuthing adventures.
Josiah Crowley
Grace knew Josiah as a kind old man in the community, but not intimately.
Allie Horner
Allie is Grace's younger sister, and they share a close, supportive sibling bond.
Allie Horner
Allie is Grace's younger sister, and they share a close, supportive sibling bond.
Richard Topham
Grace knows Richard as a local resident but is wary of his dishonest character.
Carson Drew
Carson knows Grace as his daughter's friend and a respectable young woman in the community.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Grace Horner in ii a chance meeting

In the story

Grace Horner appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Lost Will
Grace Horner is one of the poor relatives who were pets of Crowley and might deserve a portion of the fortune.
III: Racing the Storm
The girl Nancy meets in the barn; she speaks with a cultured voice, is neatly dressed, and lives in isolation with her sister, rarely seeing visitors.
An Interesting Story
The older Horner sister who manages the household and expresses bitterness about the Tophams inheriting Crowley's fortune.
V: A Conference
Recalls Josiah Crowley's remark about making another will and hiding it in a safe place.
VI: An Unpleasant Encounter
Mentioned as one of the Horner sisters Nancy is trying to help regarding the Crowley inheritance.
VII: Nancy Turns Sleuth
Mentioned as one of the Horner sisters Nancy plans to visit for information about other relatives.
VIII: A Discouraging Day
Welcomes Nancy; shares her dressmaking struggles; tearfully accepts Nancy's offer of work.
XII: Following a Clue
Along with Allie, is distressed over dying chickens and financial troubles; refuses Nancy's offer of a loan or advance payment for dressmaking.
XXII: What the Notebook Revealed
Mentioned as a deserving relative who may benefit from the will.
Looking for the Will
Mentioned in the will as one of the beneficiaries.
The Coup de Grâce
Receives $75,000 from the will; expresses gratitude to Nancy and suggests Mr. Drew as administrator.
A Reward
Welcomes Nancy and gives her the Crowley clock as a reward.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Grace Horner unlock in the free preview.

See Grace Horner in ii a chance meeting

See Grace Horner in The Lost Will