The Secret of the Old Clock · Character

Richard Topham

Matriarch of the Tophams, smug in her claim to Josiah Crowley's fortune and careless enough to reveal where the family clock went.

supporting

Also known as Mrs. Topham, Richard, Topham, this Mrs. Topham, Mrs. Richard Topham, Mr. Topham

First appearance: Visiting the Tophams

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

Richard Topham is described as shrewd and dishonest, likely to destroy any second will that might surface.

In the storyThe Lost WillOpen this moment free

Mrs. Richard Topham rules the household that took Josiah Crowley in and now enjoys the estate his missing will would overturn. She cannot resist belittling the old Crowley clock to Nancy, boasting that it was too out of place for her modern home and was sent to the bungalow at Moon Lake. That vanity is precisely what Nancy came for, and it makes the Tophams the story's chief obstacles: wealthy, hostile, and confident that no one will ever trace the fortune back to a discarded heirloom.

See Richard Topham 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.

Character Web

15 connections

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

Relationship types

Rivalry
Family
Professional
Social

Character groups

Primary will mystery characters
Protagonist

+10 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

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.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Nancy Drew
rivalry · negative
Richard is a suspicious and antagonistic figure who opposes Nancy's investigation into… How this plays out →
Josiah Crowley
family · negative
Carson Drew
professional · ambivalent
Grace Horner
social · negative
Ada Topham
family · negative
Nancy Drew
rivalry · negative
Richard is a suspicious and antagonistic figure who opposes Nancy's investigation into… How this plays out →
Carson Drew
professional · ambivalent
Grace Horner
social · negative
Ada Topham
family · negative
Nancy Drew
rivalry · negative
Richard is a suspicious and antagonistic figure who opposes Nancy's investigation into… How this plays out →
Josiah Crowley
family · negative
Carson Drew
professional · ambivalent

Nancy Drew
Richard is a suspicious and antagonistic figure who opposes Nancy's investigation into the Crowley inheritance.
Josiah Crowley
Richard Topham is a relative of Josiah Crowley, but their relationship is strained due to Richard's greed over the inheritance.
Carson Drew
Carson, as a lawyer, interacts with Richard Topham regarding legal matters of the Crowley estate.
Grace Horner
Grace knows Richard as a local resident but is wary of his dishonest character.
Ada Topham
Ada is Richard's wife, and they share a greedy, scheming partnership to secure the Crowley fortune.
Nancy Drew
Richard is a suspicious and antagonistic figure who opposes Nancy's investigation into the Crowley inheritance.
Carson Drew
Carson, as a lawyer, interacts with Richard Topham regarding legal matters of the Crowley estate.
Grace Horner
Grace knows Richard as a local resident but is wary of his dishonest character.
Ada Topham
Ada is Richard's wife, and they share a greedy, scheming partnership to secure the Crowley fortune.
Nancy Drew
Richard is a suspicious and antagonistic figure who opposes Nancy's investigation into the Crowley inheritance.
Josiah Crowley
Richard Topham is a relative of Josiah Crowley, but their relationship is strained due to Richard's greed over the inheritance.
Carson Drew
Carson, as a lawyer, interacts with Richard Topham regarding legal matters of the Crowley estate.

Relationship notes

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

See Richard Topham in Visiting the Tophams

In the story

Richard Topham appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Lost Will
Richard Topham is described as shrewd and dishonest, likely to destroy any second will that might surface.
VII: Nancy Turns Sleuth
Referenced as a potentially dangerous adversary who would fight to keep the fortune.
Visiting the Tophams
Buys all four charity tickets from Nancy, hoping to gain social recognition.
Notifying the Police
Referenced as the owner of the bungalow that was robbed.
Capturing the Robbers
Mrs. Topham's household goods are among the stolen items; Nancy asks the marshal not to mention her name to Mrs. Topham.
XXII: What the Notebook Revealed
Rumored to be losing heavily in the stock market and depending on the inheritance.
The Coup de Grâce
Looks pale and disbelieving upon learning he is cut off; admits he needs the money.
A Reward
Mentioned as having lost money in the stock market and forced to give up the family home.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Richard Topham unlock in the free preview.

See Richard Topham in Visiting the Tophams

See Richard Topham in The Lost Will