# Helen Corning — The Secret of the Old Clock character guide

> Helen Corning in The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Helen

**First appearance:** 0001-ii-a-chance-meeting

## Snapshot

Nancy's trusted friend whose invitation to a Moon Lake girls' camp becomes the perfect cover for a secret trip to hunt the Crowley clock.

## Who they are

Helen Corning is the kind of friend whose ordinary summer plans accidentally hand Nancy Drew the excuse she needs, since her camp sits on Moon Lake, right where the Tophams banished the old Crowley timepiece. She belongs to Nancy's everyday world of roadsters and dinners with Carson Drew, a life Nancy deliberately keeps her in the dark about while chasing clues. Her easy presence reminds readers that Nancy is a girl with friendships and a social calendar, not just a detective, and her camp invitation quietly sets the middle of the mystery in motion.

## Relationships

### [Nancy Drew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_clock_se/characters/nancy_drew)

_friendship_

Helen is Nancy's loyal friend and confidante, often accompanying her on cases.

### [Nancy Drew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_clock_se/characters/nancy_drew)

_friendship_

Helen is Nancy's loyal friend and confidante, often accompanying her on cases.

### [Nancy Drew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_clock_se/characters/nancy_drew)

_friendship_

Helen is Nancy's loyal friend and confidante, often accompanying her on cases.

## In the story

### [X: Abigail's Disclosure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_clock_se/chapters/x-abigail-s-disclosure)

Meets Nancy on the street, sells her charity tickets, and mentions she is going to Moon Lake.

### [XII: Following a Clue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_clock_se/chapters/xii-following-a-clue)

Greets Nancy at Camp Avondale; arranges for her to stay; takes her on a launch ride around Moon Lake and points out the Topham bungalow.

### [An Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_clock_se/chapters/xiii-an-adventure)

Helen organizes activities for Nancy and reluctantly allows her to stay behind, later expressing surprise at Nancy's sunburn and greasy appearance.

### [An Exciting Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_clock_se/chapters/xiv-an-exciting-discovery)

Surprised by Nancy's sudden departure from camp.

### [Left to Starve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_clock_se/chapters/xvi-left-to-starve)

Mentioned as someone Nancy wishes she had told about her whereabouts.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_clock_se/characters/helen_corning
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_clock_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_clock_se/characters