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The Hardy Boys Casefiles #2
Evil, Inc.
Death is business as usual
When Frank and Joe grab one of the Network's cases, the secret government agency tells them they're on their own. Then they hustle themselves a one-way ticket to France, expecting a little action. But after they penetrate the shady world of Reynard and Company, the largest organized crime ring on earth, the Hardys begin to expect something more - murder. Maybe their own.
Posing as gun dealers, Frank and Joe immediately run into trouble with the French police. Soon they're fugitives with no one to turn to but the criminals they've sworn to expose. Caught in a deadly web of enemies and betrayed by a beautiful girl, Frank and Joe must use every ounce of cunning they possess to defeat a foe whose icy fingers slowly tighten over the entire world.
When Frank and Joe grab one of the Network's cases, the secret government agency tells them they're on their own. Then they hustle themselves a one-way ticket to France, expecting a little action. But after they penetrate the shady world of Reynard and Company, the largest organized crime ring on earth, the Hardys begin to expect something more - murder. Maybe their own.
Posing as gun dealers, Frank and Joe immediately run into trouble with the French police. Soon they're fugitives with no one to turn to but the criminals they've sworn to expose. Caught in a deadly web of enemies and betrayed by a beautiful girl, Frank and Joe must use every ounce of cunning they possess to defeat a foe whose icy fingers slowly tighten over the entire world.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
8 people are currently reading
354 people want to read
About the author
Franklin W. Dixon
760 books995 followersFranklin 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 20, 2021
Kind of unrealistic but an entertaining mystery.
December 24, 2020
Hardy boys, ooo! They don't give you a full relaxed breath until the very end! Can never disappoint a mystery lover. Up to the brim with suspense! :) loved it! 4.5 tbh!
January 4, 2026
'Evil, Inc.' (The Hardy Boys Casefiles #2) by Franklin W. Dixon.
Rating: 4.0/5.
Review:
Filled with nostalgic fervour, fresh after finishing the first book in the Hardy Boys Casefiles series, I had no other thoughts in my mind other than picking up the second book, 'Evil, Inc.', next. Fortunately, I had two copies of this book. One of which was too battered (yet cherished!) that I had procured from a local thrift shop a couple of years ago, and the other was in a slightly better condition (though not excellent) that I had acquired quite recently. I eventually decided to pick up the latter and jump into the next adventure of the Hardy Boys.
'Evil, Inc.' sets off a few weeks after the events of 'Dead on Target' when the two young sleuths, while on a mini-vacation in New York, stumble upon the Gray Man being assaulted by two young thugs in a dark alley. The Hardys are quick to his rescue and soon learn about the shady dealings of the 'Reynard and Company' who provide arms and ammunition to miscreants and international terrorist rings. This sets off a series of events where the two brothers find themselves working undercover for 'Reynard and Company' as misguided young punks on the wrong side of the law, all on their own, and without any backup far away from their home in the country of France. Caught in a deadly web of lies, enemies, and betrayals, Frank and Joe must use every ounce of cunning they possess to defeat their foe in the direst of situations they find themselves in!
Let me break down the aspects of the books into the things that I liked and those that I disliked. Let me be clear from the start: I won't be reviewing these in comparison to other adult mystery or thriller books, as these books were written in a different era and intended for a younger audience. I would rather compare these books to other books in the series with an open mind and my adult expectations set aside. Well, let us begin with the strengths first.
(A) Strengths:
1) High Stakes:
'Evil, Inc.' delivers on the promise of being a fast-paced story with high stakes that differentiates the Casefiles series from the regular Hardy Boys Digests. In this story, the boys have to battle all the odds since they are on their own, stuck in a foreign country, with no reliance on external support from the Network. The boys find themselves working undercover for an evil organisation and are later framed for being cop-killers and ruthless abductors. The book has everything that keeps the readers on their toes—right from the Hardys being unlawfully captured by the French secret police, to their thrilling escapades that involve being chased by a helicopter, and being pursued by the antagonists through the countryside with the risk of being gunned down! The two young sleuths find themselves in the direst of predicaments, most often in a do-or-die situation with no hopes of getting out of the mess they find themselves in, and yet, they manage to somehow beat all odds. All of this, and much more, makes this story a thrilling read right from the first page to the last one.
2) Twists and Turns:
When the Hardy Boys books were first conceptualised, it was stressed greatly to make every chapter end on a cliffhanger so that readers would want to turn the page and read more. 'Evil, Inc.' follows the same formula but takes it to another level with its insane plot twists. Right when you think that you have foreseen a twist coming, the book hits you with another twist. These aspects kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last page.
3) Characters:
Throughout the entirety of this book, the Hardys are on their own with no support from their usual friends, the Gray Man, or the rest of the Network. Although there isn't much of a supporting cast, the story is enhanced by an interesting (and somewhat well-rounded) cast of antagonists. The Reynard Brothers, their evil corporation, and the main boss are truly malicious and leave no stone unturned to achieve their goals. This book really makes you wish for their downfall to such an extent that for a second you forget that it is against the Hardy code to kill people (and yet you wish for the Hardys to somehow snatch a gun and shoot them down!). Denise, another employee of the evil corporation, and someone with whom the Hardy brothers spent a significant time in this book was also well-developed as a character. There are times when you, just like Joe, end up wondering why such a beautiful street-smart lady would be mixed up in the evil doings of the Reynard and Company organisation! The more you read, the more you shall get to know about Denise, and I don't want to spoil all the fun for you all!
4) References:
To call the references in this book one of its great strengths would be an exaggeration, but I really appreciate the efforts put into the story to link it with the previous book. We get a short, sweet recap of the events of the previous book and how the Hardy brothers get acquainted with the Network just within the first few pages. Previously, I also forgot to mention it in my review of the first book ('Dead on Target'), but it contains a thrilling chase sequence through a theatre when the Hardys reference a dark, gritty reboot of the James Bond movie that was featuring in the theaters (I do believe the author wanted to reference the gritty Hardy Boys reboot that was taking place with the first book). Similarly, in this book, the Hardys who are disguised as the rowdy, punk rock kids sporting biker jackets, colored hair, and a mohawk (a style that was prevalent in the era this book was written in) decide to first go watch a movie based on similar punk teens. It ain't much, but it's just a minor aspect of the book that I found amusing and worth mentioning in my review.
(B) Weaknesses:
1) The Ending:
The book offered a stellar climax—filled with amazing plot twists, a thrilling chase sequence involving horses and helicopters, and an intense finale at the site of the historic D-Day landings. What would have been an otherwise stellar book was somewhat ruined by its weak resolution involving the land mines. That resolution felt like a last-minute cop-out, with neither any hints dropped earlier nor any clever planning on behalf of the Hardys, and I found it greatly disappointing. It simply diluted the overall enjoyment of an otherwise riveting read.
Overall, despite the somewhat cop-out resolution to the storyline, I had a great time revisiting this story. It had been almost seventeen years since I last read it, and I had forgotten almost every aspect of the story, so it felt almost akin to reading it for the very first time. If you are a fan of the Hardy Boys and are looking for a gripping adventure filled with plentiful action, insane twists, and a hell of a plot, look no further than 'Evil, Inc.'.
Frank glanced at himself and his brother in the rear-view mirror. “She did a good job,” he said. “But it does feel funny, disguising ourselves as ourselves.”
“Yeah, it makes me wonder who we really are,” said Joe. “Two ordinary young Americans or a high-risk international crime-fighting team.”
“I guess we’re both,” replied Frank.
“And I guess I like that combination just fine,” said Joe, already looking forward to the future and their next adventure.
Rating: 4.0/5.
Review:
Filled with nostalgic fervour, fresh after finishing the first book in the Hardy Boys Casefiles series, I had no other thoughts in my mind other than picking up the second book, 'Evil, Inc.', next. Fortunately, I had two copies of this book. One of which was too battered (yet cherished!) that I had procured from a local thrift shop a couple of years ago, and the other was in a slightly better condition (though not excellent) that I had acquired quite recently. I eventually decided to pick up the latter and jump into the next adventure of the Hardy Boys.
'Evil, Inc.' sets off a few weeks after the events of 'Dead on Target' when the two young sleuths, while on a mini-vacation in New York, stumble upon the Gray Man being assaulted by two young thugs in a dark alley. The Hardys are quick to his rescue and soon learn about the shady dealings of the 'Reynard and Company' who provide arms and ammunition to miscreants and international terrorist rings. This sets off a series of events where the two brothers find themselves working undercover for 'Reynard and Company' as misguided young punks on the wrong side of the law, all on their own, and without any backup far away from their home in the country of France. Caught in a deadly web of lies, enemies, and betrayals, Frank and Joe must use every ounce of cunning they possess to defeat their foe in the direst of situations they find themselves in!
Let me break down the aspects of the books into the things that I liked and those that I disliked. Let me be clear from the start: I won't be reviewing these in comparison to other adult mystery or thriller books, as these books were written in a different era and intended for a younger audience. I would rather compare these books to other books in the series with an open mind and my adult expectations set aside. Well, let us begin with the strengths first.
(A) Strengths:
1) High Stakes:
'Evil, Inc.' delivers on the promise of being a fast-paced story with high stakes that differentiates the Casefiles series from the regular Hardy Boys Digests. In this story, the boys have to battle all the odds since they are on their own, stuck in a foreign country, with no reliance on external support from the Network. The boys find themselves working undercover for an evil organisation and are later framed for being cop-killers and ruthless abductors. The book has everything that keeps the readers on their toes—right from the Hardys being unlawfully captured by the French secret police, to their thrilling escapades that involve being chased by a helicopter, and being pursued by the antagonists through the countryside with the risk of being gunned down! The two young sleuths find themselves in the direst of predicaments, most often in a do-or-die situation with no hopes of getting out of the mess they find themselves in, and yet, they manage to somehow beat all odds. All of this, and much more, makes this story a thrilling read right from the first page to the last one.
2) Twists and Turns:
When the Hardy Boys books were first conceptualised, it was stressed greatly to make every chapter end on a cliffhanger so that readers would want to turn the page and read more. 'Evil, Inc.' follows the same formula but takes it to another level with its insane plot twists. Right when you think that you have foreseen a twist coming, the book hits you with another twist. These aspects kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last page.
3) Characters:
Throughout the entirety of this book, the Hardys are on their own with no support from their usual friends, the Gray Man, or the rest of the Network. Although there isn't much of a supporting cast, the story is enhanced by an interesting (and somewhat well-rounded) cast of antagonists. The Reynard Brothers, their evil corporation, and the main boss are truly malicious and leave no stone unturned to achieve their goals. This book really makes you wish for their downfall to such an extent that for a second you forget that it is against the Hardy code to kill people (and yet you wish for the Hardys to somehow snatch a gun and shoot them down!). Denise, another employee of the evil corporation, and someone with whom the Hardy brothers spent a significant time in this book was also well-developed as a character. There are times when you, just like Joe, end up wondering why such a beautiful street-smart lady would be mixed up in the evil doings of the Reynard and Company organisation! The more you read, the more you shall get to know about Denise, and I don't want to spoil all the fun for you all!
4) References:
To call the references in this book one of its great strengths would be an exaggeration, but I really appreciate the efforts put into the story to link it with the previous book. We get a short, sweet recap of the events of the previous book and how the Hardy brothers get acquainted with the Network just within the first few pages. Previously, I also forgot to mention it in my review of the first book ('Dead on Target'), but it contains a thrilling chase sequence through a theatre when the Hardys reference a dark, gritty reboot of the James Bond movie that was featuring in the theaters (I do believe the author wanted to reference the gritty Hardy Boys reboot that was taking place with the first book). Similarly, in this book, the Hardys who are disguised as the rowdy, punk rock kids sporting biker jackets, colored hair, and a mohawk (a style that was prevalent in the era this book was written in) decide to first go watch a movie based on similar punk teens. It ain't much, but it's just a minor aspect of the book that I found amusing and worth mentioning in my review.
(B) Weaknesses:
1) The Ending:
The book offered a stellar climax—filled with amazing plot twists, a thrilling chase sequence involving horses and helicopters, and an intense finale at the site of the historic D-Day landings. What would have been an otherwise stellar book was somewhat ruined by its weak resolution involving the land mines. That resolution felt like a last-minute cop-out, with neither any hints dropped earlier nor any clever planning on behalf of the Hardys, and I found it greatly disappointing. It simply diluted the overall enjoyment of an otherwise riveting read.
Overall, despite the somewhat cop-out resolution to the storyline, I had a great time revisiting this story. It had been almost seventeen years since I last read it, and I had forgotten almost every aspect of the story, so it felt almost akin to reading it for the very first time. If you are a fan of the Hardy Boys and are looking for a gripping adventure filled with plentiful action, insane twists, and a hell of a plot, look no further than 'Evil, Inc.'.
July 18, 2019
Hice book.
February 18, 2023
another great Hardy Boys story.
December 20, 2014
Hi readers ,
I read The Hardy Boys Evil Inc. a few days ago. It is a nice book for teenagers who are looking for a suspense genre book. STORY - The story revolves around two brothers-Frank and Joe Hardy. They act like gun dealers for Reynard & Company. MY REVIEW - This book has good suspense and thrill but it loses that one star because of the kiddish action sequences, otherwise it is a nice book.
That was my review about the book.
I hope it helps you!:D
I read The Hardy Boys Evil Inc. a few days ago. It is a nice book for teenagers who are looking for a suspense genre book. STORY - The story revolves around two brothers-Frank and Joe Hardy. They act like gun dealers for Reynard & Company. MY REVIEW - This book has good suspense and thrill but it loses that one star because of the kiddish action sequences, otherwise it is a nice book.
That was my review about the book.
I hope it helps you!:D
January 20, 2022
I had this book as a kid, but I don't think I ever read it. It's a good thing the Hardy brothers know how to karate chop, and that the villains are super incompetent, otherwise this book would have been very short. It was fun to read though, and it was written for teens, not adults, so I'll give it a break.
June 20, 2018
It's the Hardy Boys. But I still enjoyed it. ^_^ Nostalgia is fun sometimes.
July 27, 2024
These books would never pass muster nowadays, for content or for writing quality. I love them nostalgically though, as a product of the 80s and a fixture of my aughts childhood.
But seriously, let me just show you...
PLEASE. WHAT is happening here??? Do you really think a French teenager in 1987 has never heard of a high-five? Do you really think people talk like this?? WHAT IS GOING ON?!
These books are not funny when they mean to be, and funny when they don't mean to be, but I still love them anyway. They're just not......... goood................
But anyway, another Hardy Brothers case is solved, with globe-trotting, law-breaking, guns around everychapter break corner, and lots of well-placed singular karate chops and punches that take out the bad guys for good, apparently. Good stuff! Well, if not good, at least classic Casefiles stuff. Frank and Joe win the day again!
Also, nice to see Joe has recovered so thoroughly from his girlfriend's traumatic and bloody murder in the previous book, that he can be back to flirting with anything female and breathing. It seems Iola's death has only affected him in that his third defining character trait is now "hates terrorists". (Character traits 1 and 2 being "likes girls" and "does sports", of course.)
But seriously, let me just show you...
They looked at each other solemnly for a moment.
Then Joe said to Denise, "Let me show you an American custom. We use it in basketball. It's called giving a high five."
"Right," said Frank, as he and his brother slapped each other's palms high in the air.
"I see!" said Denise, and the three of them did it together. "Now I will show you a French custom," she said. Denise kissed Frank and Joe on both cheeks.
"Good luck," the three of them said at the same time.
PLEASE. WHAT is happening here??? Do you really think a French teenager in 1987 has never heard of a high-five? Do you really think people talk like this?? WHAT IS GOING ON?!
These books are not funny when they mean to be, and funny when they don't mean to be, but I still love them anyway. They're just not......... goood................
But anyway, another Hardy Brothers case is solved, with globe-trotting, law-breaking, guns around every
Also, nice to see Joe has recovered so thoroughly from his girlfriend's traumatic and bloody murder in the previous book, that he can be back to flirting with anything female and breathing. It seems Iola's death has only affected him in that his third defining character trait is now "hates terrorists". (Character traits 1 and 2 being "likes girls" and "does sports", of course.)
July 2, 2023
Two and a half stars, for the clarity of writing. Very uninteresting plot for readers of the original 58 books. Obviously crafted to appeal to the Post-Babyboomers (aka "The Unparented Generation"), there's no pesky grown-up family members (Fenton, their nondescript mother, Aunt Gertrude) crampin' their style, no chums (Chet, Biff, Tony, etc.) to worry about. Only their cool new terrorist and anti-terrorist aquaintances.
If Franklin W. Dixon was about 17 writing the first book, then he was about 70 writing this one. The kids nowadays are reading stuff written by an old geezer. Time to retire, Frankie.
Seriously, if the Syndicate wants to start a new series then it needs to think up new characters.
If Franklin W. Dixon was about 17 writing the first book, then he was about 70 writing this one. The kids nowadays are reading stuff written by an old geezer. Time to retire, Frankie.
Seriously, if the Syndicate wants to start a new series then it needs to think up new characters.
March 18, 2025
I know some loyal Hardy Boys golden era fans dislike the casefiles, but because this series was part of my childhood, i have a natural nostalgia and appreciation for it. If you are looking for the wholesome Leave-it-to-Beaver style antics in this series, you will not find it. And that’s what seems to bother some? What you find in this series is pure action, espionage, cults, unrealistic scenarios and terrorism. Pure 80s/90s cheese that took from the hugely popular action movies of that time and i love it!
November 30, 2025
I’m pretty sure Frank and Joe spent 75% of this book being held at gunpoint or threatened with torture. And they had dyed hair and punk clothing on the whole time. This was insane and borderline stupid but I kind of loved it??? But I will never forgive Frank for referring to himself as Frankie boy. No. Just no. I think I died of cringe.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2017
It was alright. The uncle twist was good. It had some good jokes here and then.
Currently reading
November 6, 2022Ok
Read
January 30, 2025Was this cover done by the same person as the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys Super Mysteries
June 6, 2019
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.
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.
September 7, 2016
Entertaining read.
And, amazingly enough, I didn't predict some of the plot twists.
I also could picture the actors who portrayed the Hardy Boys in the TV series.
And, amazingly enough, I didn't predict some of the plot twists.
I also could picture the actors who portrayed the Hardy Boys in the TV series.
April 11, 2011
When I was still schooling, I tried to read all of the Hardy Boys books. I didn't come close to finishing the whole series, and by now I had already forgot most of the content of those that I had read. But I do recall how much I loved reading each and every one of them.
September 26, 2014
The first Hardy Boys book I've ever read! These two are so much fun, even if the plot was pretty far-fetched. It's a kids book, though, so that's forgiven.
Can't wait to read more, as they seem like the perfect little books to distract myself for a while.
Can't wait to read more, as they seem like the perfect little books to distract myself for a while.
May 8, 2020
Bleh. Can't believe I ever thought these books were high-action and really cool. More like a ton of unrealistic coincidences and a major dose of phenomenal luck, with no skills and no reasons for anything. Three stars is really high- only bc I used to enjoy reading them. XD
Read
January 21, 2009JMAR5-Dix
June 19, 2009
The 2nd volume in the Hardy Boys Casefiles
April 12, 2012
It was GREAT!!!
July 18, 2014
Mais oui! Merde, super cliche. I just liked it because the setting was in France. LOL.
October 23, 2014
A slow burner which winds a maze of will they survive?!
February 23, 2020
Flawless in every manner. Simply marvelous. Quite possibly the greatest Hardy Boys book ever written.
Read
September 20, 2007Dixon, Franklin W.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews