Winner Take All

The Hardy Boys Casefiles #85

by Franklin W. Dixon

When the sister of their friend Ben Martin, a recent lottery winner, is kidnapped, Frank and Joe Hardy find numerous shady suspects as they try to rescue Ben's sister before tragedy strikes.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult

152 pages

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Franklin W. Dixon is the pen name used by a variety of different authors who were part of a team that wrote The Hardy Boys novels for the Stratemeyer Syndicate (now owned by Simon & Schuster). Dixon was also the writer attributed for the Ted Scott Flying Stories series, published by Grosset & Dunlap.
Canadian author Leslie McFarlane is believed to have written the first sixteen Hardy Boys books, but worked to a detailed plot and character outline for each story. The outlines are believed to have originated with Edward Stratemeyer, with later books outlined by his daughters Edna C. Squier and Harriet Stratemeyer Adams. Edward and Harriet also edited all books in the series through the mid-1960s. Other writers of the original books include MacFarlane's wife Amy, John Button, Andrew E. Svenson, and Adams herself; most of the outlines were done by Adams and Svenson. A number of other writers and editors were recruited to revise the outlines and update the texts in line with a more modern sensibility, starting in the late 1950s.
The principal author for the Ted Scott books was John W. Duffield.

Reviews

[Bookish Indulgenges with b00k r3vi3ws · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first read Hardy Boys, I think I was in class 5, I had such a crush on Frank Hardy. I liked the brainy one over the brawny one and that sums up my first impression of Hardy Boys.
In their late teens, Frank and Joe Hardy take after their detective father Fenton Hardy. Frank is the older of the two and has more breakthroughs in the cases because he is the brainy one. Joe is the younger brother who more often than not is useful when things get hot and they need to fight their way out.
Like Nancy Drew, the books in the The Hardy Boys series re written by ghostwriters under the collective pseudonym Franklin W. Dixon. And yes, the earlier books were better than the latter ones.

[Mr. Ethan Mingerink · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. 5 Stars. It really built the suspense through the story by making the reader almost positive who the kidnapper was but in the end it turned out to be their friend who was the last person you would expect it to be. Also the book incorporated some danger as well as some intelligence. WARNINGS: It uses no profane language and is very clean. (Dylan M)

[Dannuel Delizo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always remember that when crime is on the rise, danger is sure to come down. Ben Martin must be so delightful of his lottery jackpot prize: a cool five million dollars' worth of pure danger! HAHA. I mean, being an instant millionaire really is a pain in the ass. I knew some "instant millionaires" and trust me, they almost killed themselves. Silly situations, i must say. At least there are people like Frank and Joe, not to mention my father, who are always willing to solve other people's predicaments.

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Frank and Joe are excited to learn that their friend Ben has recently won the lottery - but when his sister ends up kidnapped, the brothers must allude dangers and round up suspects fast, before her life is lost! Dixon offers fans another bland adventure that will fade in the memories of fans. What will it take to save their friend's sister?

[Alice Baldemoro · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is a thrilling story about two brothers that are very helpful to their friend ben.they are detective by themselves. Ben was a winner in lottery after winning his sister where being kidnnaped.