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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2057 KP) rated The Secret of the Old Mill in Books
May 20, 2018
The Hardys Take on Counterfeiters
Fenton Hardy is hard at work on a top secret case. When Frank and Joe go to pick him up from the train station, their friend Chet is passed a counterfeit bill. Can the brothers find the counterfeiters? What is their father working on? And what is happening at the old mill outside of town?
While the big picture of the plot may be obvious to adults early on, I remember enjoying this one as a kid, and I got caught up in the action again. It does help that the details still need to be filled in and there is plenty of action along the way to the climax. The characters are shallow, but I didn’t mind as a kid, and I’m sure today’s kids won’t mind either.
While the big picture of the plot may be obvious to adults early on, I remember enjoying this one as a kid, and I got caught up in the action again. It does help that the details still need to be filled in and there is plenty of action along the way to the climax. The characters are shallow, but I didn’t mind as a kid, and I’m sure today’s kids won’t mind either.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2057 KP) rated Hunting for Hidden Gold in Books
Apr 25, 2020
Thieves and Gold Out West
When their dad requests their help, Frank and Joe Hardy are only too happy to jump on a plane to Montana. Fenton Hardy is on the trail of a gang of thieves, but before they leave, Frank and Joe also hear about some gold that’s been lost in the area for years. With danger attacking even before they land in Montana, the brothers have to figure out who the mole in town in, where the gang is hiding, and possibly find time for a treasure hunt. Can they do it?
It’s fun to revisit these characters even as an adult. The action starts almost immediately and never really lets up, not that I’m complaining. There was even one part of the plot that the Hardys couldn’t figure out right away, which was a nice change. The characters are thin, and we don’t see much of the usual supporting players. There are definitely some dated references, but as long as kids know the book is older, they should be fine with it. I know I had fun revisiting these characters.
It’s fun to revisit these characters even as an adult. The action starts almost immediately and never really lets up, not that I’m complaining. There was even one part of the plot that the Hardys couldn’t figure out right away, which was a nice change. The characters are thin, and we don’t see much of the usual supporting players. There are definitely some dated references, but as long as kids know the book is older, they should be fine with it. I know I had fun revisiting these characters.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2057 KP) rated The House on the Cliff (Hardy Boys, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Frank and Joe Hardy are thrilled when their father, Fenton, gives them an assignment as part of his latest case. He asks them to go up on the cliff and watch the bay for smugglers. They find the perfect spot near an abandoned house. Yet, they soon hear a cry for help from inside, have part of the telescope stolen, and witness an attempted murder. What’s going on?
This book is a perfect example of some of the weaknesses of the series – characters always making the perfect deduction right away and the thin characters. But even rereading it, I found it very fun. It helps that there is plenty of action. Kids today will get caught up in the story just as I did as a kid and rereading it as an adult.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/08/book-review-house-on-cliff-by-franklin.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This book is a perfect example of some of the weaknesses of the series – characters always making the perfect deduction right away and the thin characters. But even rereading it, I found it very fun. It helps that there is plenty of action. Kids today will get caught up in the story just as I did as a kid and rereading it as an adult.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/08/book-review-house-on-cliff-by-franklin.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2057 KP) rated What Happened at Midnight in Books
Aug 27, 2020
Nighttime Crime
Frank and Joe Hardy are shocked when they get the new request from their father, famed detective Fenton Hardy. He wants them to break into a house and steal something. Of course, it is to keep an invention for his client safe. However, doing that puts the boys on the radar of a gang of smugglers. Will they be able to protect the invention and round up the smugglers?
I remember as a kid the title really intriguing me. Yes, several scenes take place at midnight, but the title isn’t as relevant to the story as it might be. That hardly matters since the story is so action packed that it is hard to put it down. Coincidence rules quite a bit, and the characters are thin. Elements are also very dated today. So in other words, it’s a typical Hardy Boys book. Still, I take that into account when I pick up one of these books, and I enjoy the nostalgia I get from revisiting these old friends.
I remember as a kid the title really intriguing me. Yes, several scenes take place at midnight, but the title isn’t as relevant to the story as it might be. That hardly matters since the story is so action packed that it is hard to put it down. Coincidence rules quite a bit, and the characters are thin. Elements are also very dated today. So in other words, it’s a typical Hardy Boys book. Still, I take that into account when I pick up one of these books, and I enjoy the nostalgia I get from revisiting these old friends.