The Clock Strikes Thirteen


Read by Cheryl Adam

(4.7 stars; 270 reviews)

Penny Parker is a teen-aged sleuth and amateur reporter who has an uncanny knack for uncovering and solving unusual, sometimes bizarre mysteries. The only daughter of widower Anthony Parker, publisher of the "Riverview Star," Penny has been raised to be self-sufficient, outspoken, innovative, and extraordinarily tenacious. Her cheerful, chatty manner belies a shrewd and keenly observant mind. Penny was the creation of Mildred A. Wirt, who was also the author of the original Nancy Drew series (under the pseudonym Carolyn Keene). Wirt became frustrated when she was pushed to "tone down" Nancy Drew and make her less independent and daring. With Penny Parker, Wirt had a freer hand and received full credit. Wirt once said, " 'I always thought Penny Parker was a better Nancy Drew than Nancy is." In "The Clock Strikes Thirteen," Penny is confronted by two mysteries that ultimately converge. First there is the odd extra chime from the Hubell Clock Tower at midnight and the inexplicable replacement of the dedicated old clock tower caretaker by a shiftless friend of a real estate developer. Then there is a series of terrorizing attacks of local farmers, including a barn burning. The attacks appear to be the work of a band of thugs known as the "Night Riders." With the help of her friend Louise, Penny works to solve the dual mystery before an another attack and to save an innocent man from jail. - Summary by Cheryl Adam (4 hr 33 min)

Chapters

Sandwiches for Two 13:36 Read by Cheryl Adam
Night Riders 11:36 Read by Cheryl Adam
A Black Hood 9:51 Read by Cheryl Adam
A New Caretaker 13:04 Read by Cheryl Adam
Old Seth 14:22 Read by Cheryl Adam
Tall Corn 8:49 Read by Cheryl Adam
Mr. Blake's Donation 10:30 Read by Cheryl Adam
Publicity by Penny 11:33 Read by Cheryl Adam
Jerry's Party 9:13 Read by Cheryl Adam
In the Melon Patch 14:28 Read by Cheryl Adam
Penny's Clue 9:54 Read by Cheryl Adam
Adelle's Disappearance 11:13 Read by Cheryl Adam
An Extra Stroke 12:35 Read by Cheryl Adam
Through the Window 9:37 Read by Cheryl Adam
Tracing Ben Bowman 9:29 Read by Cheryl Adam
A Familiar Name 8:31 Read by Cheryl Adam
False Records 13:52 Read by Cheryl Adam
Adelle's Accusation 10:20 Read by Cheryl Adam
Trailing a Fugitive 10:22 Read by Cheryl Adam
Clem Davis' Disclosure 8:52 Read by Cheryl Adam
A Broken Promise 9:50 Read by Cheryl Adam
The Man in Gray 10:11 Read by Cheryl Adam
A Trap Set 10:14 Read by Cheryl Adam
Timely Help 14:03 Read by Cheryl Adam
Special Edition 7:13 Read by Cheryl Adam

Reviews

This series keeps getting better and better!


(5 stars)

This Penny Parker series keeps getting better and better, and this one is outstanding. The plot line is well thought out -- intricate yet logical. I don't know why Penny's father ever doubts her investigative skills or reporter's intuition -- she's always spot on. In fact, at the rate she's going, Penny will be winning a coveted Pulitzer Prize for Journalism before we know it. I'm not being facetious; she really is that good. And this Librivox volunteer reader is excellent; she's matured Penny's voice in this one so it's now age appropriate. Kudos to author and reader!!

great for tweens


(5 stars)

a cute little mystery that would be great for young adults. the reader is excellent but I wish she wouldn't give penny such a whiney voice


(5 stars)

Best story teller ever. I enjoyed the reader so much. It made this story fun to listen to.


(5 stars)

Great Reader! Interesting plot, similar to Nancy Drew. Overall, fantastic book!

One of the best


(5 stars)

My kids and I love the Penny Parker mysteries, and this is one of our favorites. Lots of plot threads that finally converge in a satisfying way. As always, the reader does a great job portraying the many different characters.

Just as delightful second time around


(5 stars)

I listened to this series some years ago and have now come back for a second listen. They're just as good as I remember, and the reader is phenomenal.

Great Book!


(5 stars)

What a fun book and wonderful reader. I really enjoyed Penny Parker's adventure. These are delightful books and I'm having fun listening to them all. Thank you Cheryl Adam and LibriVox!


(4.5 stars)

very well read my 8 yr old daughter and I loved listening to this while on our commute in the morning