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The Hardy Boys #52
The Shattered Helmet
The Hardy brothers' visiting Greek pen pal enlists their help in searching for a priceless ancient Greek helmet loaned to and lost by a Hollywood movie company years before.
180 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1973
46 people are currently reading
711 people want to read
About the author
Franklin W. Dixon
760 books994 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 - 30 of 45 reviews
November 25, 2022
A different sort of mystery for Frank and Joe...but a great one!
April 6, 2016
I've been trying to decide for a long time which is worse - George Fayne's fat girl jokes at the expense of her cousin Bess Marvin in the Nancy Drew novels, or all the jokes about Chet Morton's expansive appetite and waistline in the Hardy Boys novels. In both cases, the teasing is presented as nothing malicious and even somewhat affectionate at times, which in my opinion makes the fat jokes even more insidious. And both poor Bess and poor Chet are always at least mildly distressed by their friends' supposedly "good natured" ribbing. What was the point of including that type of thing as a running gag in both series? For that matter, why was it necessary for the protagonists of both of these series to have a token fat friend at all? Although in some ways, it's not all that surprising, given the racism and other completely non-PC elements in both series - especially before, but even after the revisions done in the 1960s.
But the Hardy Boys novel The Shattered Helmet stoops to a new and sickening low. This novel introduces Thelma, a fat girl who has a crush on Chet. She is described as having "large hips" and a more than healthy appetite. She plies Chet with food to win his favor - their typical dates involve hearty picnic lunches. Chet is impressed by the fact that Thelma can "keep up with him" and "pack away" as many milk shakes as he manages to consume when the two visit the local soda shop. So first of all, the narrative describes Thelma in very different terms than the typical descriptions of Frank and Joe's girlfriends Callie Shaw and Iola Morton. Callie and Iola are always depicted as pretty girls with sparkling eyes, and their body types are never mentioned in unflattering terms.
But the author of The Shattered Helmet goes even further:
"I would say she looks well-fed," said Joe. "Does she play tackle or guard on the high school team?"
"Cut it out," said Chet. "She may be big, but she sure has personality! Besides, she likes me!"
Banter about Chet's new girl friend continued through the dinner hour.
There are so many offensive things about that passage. First of all, Joe isn't usually so ungentlemanly, or mean. As a rule, both the Hardy Boys are polite, kind and solicitous. They're church-goers who have been taught to observe the golden rule. You can be sure that if Aunt Gertrude heard Joe's comment, she would have boxed his ears. Frank, Joe and all their pals are the kind of stereotypical good boys that are bred in small-town middle America, so while you expect some dated racism to pop up, you don't really expect that the boys would be sitting around making fun of a fat girl. But here they are, doing just that. No more of "the banter about Chet's new girl friend" is transcribed, though, so at least we don't have to try to stomach any more thinly veiled insults about Thelma's weight at this juncture, thank God.
And Chet's defense of Thelma? Shut up, guys. She might be fat, but at least she likes me! What a hero.
There are more comments about Thelma's weight and eating habits quickly dropped into the text throughout the novel, until a horrified Chet realizes that the girl wants to get engaged and promptly breaks up with her. Apparently he was willing to defend his new girlfriend to his friends because he enjoyed having someone with whom he could share his excessive consumption, but the attraction wasn't deep enough to last long. I wasn't sad to see the character go, though, because I wouldn't want to continue reading about the Hardy Boys making uncharacteristically ungentlemanly and downright mean fat girl jokes on a regular basis. I hope that the editors at the Stratemeyer Syndicate never hired this particular author to ghostwrite another novel.
Additional note: the passive voice is rampant in this novel. Much more so than in other Hardy Boys novels, at least among those that I've reread recently.
But the Hardy Boys novel The Shattered Helmet stoops to a new and sickening low. This novel introduces Thelma, a fat girl who has a crush on Chet. She is described as having "large hips" and a more than healthy appetite. She plies Chet with food to win his favor - their typical dates involve hearty picnic lunches. Chet is impressed by the fact that Thelma can "keep up with him" and "pack away" as many milk shakes as he manages to consume when the two visit the local soda shop. So first of all, the narrative describes Thelma in very different terms than the typical descriptions of Frank and Joe's girlfriends Callie Shaw and Iola Morton. Callie and Iola are always depicted as pretty girls with sparkling eyes, and their body types are never mentioned in unflattering terms.
But the author of The Shattered Helmet goes even further:
"I would say she looks well-fed," said Joe. "Does she play tackle or guard on the high school team?"
"Cut it out," said Chet. "She may be big, but she sure has personality! Besides, she likes me!"
Banter about Chet's new girl friend continued through the dinner hour.
There are so many offensive things about that passage. First of all, Joe isn't usually so ungentlemanly, or mean. As a rule, both the Hardy Boys are polite, kind and solicitous. They're church-goers who have been taught to observe the golden rule. You can be sure that if Aunt Gertrude heard Joe's comment, she would have boxed his ears. Frank, Joe and all their pals are the kind of stereotypical good boys that are bred in small-town middle America, so while you expect some dated racism to pop up, you don't really expect that the boys would be sitting around making fun of a fat girl. But here they are, doing just that. No more of "the banter about Chet's new girl friend" is transcribed, though, so at least we don't have to try to stomach any more thinly veiled insults about Thelma's weight at this juncture, thank God.
And Chet's defense of Thelma? Shut up, guys. She might be fat, but at least she likes me! What a hero.
There are more comments about Thelma's weight and eating habits quickly dropped into the text throughout the novel, until a horrified Chet realizes that the girl wants to get engaged and promptly breaks up with her. Apparently he was willing to defend his new girlfriend to his friends because he enjoyed having someone with whom he could share his excessive consumption, but the attraction wasn't deep enough to last long. I wasn't sad to see the character go, though, because I wouldn't want to continue reading about the Hardy Boys making uncharacteristically ungentlemanly and downright mean fat girl jokes on a regular basis. I hope that the editors at the Stratemeyer Syndicate never hired this particular author to ghostwrite another novel.
Additional note: the passive voice is rampant in this novel. Much more so than in other Hardy Boys novels, at least among those that I've reread recently.
December 29, 2025
The Hardy Boys return to form in the Shattered Helmet. (apparently #51 was an aberration). A summer course in film leads to a friendship with a young Greek boy, travels across the US and to Greece all in search of a helmet that had been used in an early film. Dangerous situations ensue.
March 23, 2025
A fun entry into the series, but parents of younger kids should read it first.
In this adventure, the Hardy brothers have made friends with a young Greek man, Evan, who is coming to America to take a film class at a college near Bayport that Frank and Joe have signed up for already. Their buddy, Chet Morton is attending as well.
The three quickly dive into a mystery that Evan brought with him from Greece; trying to find and recover the titled helmet which had been lost by a member of Evan's family many years earlier. Before long, all four find themselves in the thick of it and, of course, there is a tie-in with a case being investigated by the brothers' father, Fenton Hardy.
The book moves along quickly with a lot of travel and a satisfactory conclusion. I recommend that parents read it first since the boys are placed in more danger than usual and it might be a bit much for some kids.
Recommended for fans of the Hardys, juvenile detective stories, and young men's adventure tales.
Find it! Buy it! Read it!
In this adventure, the Hardy brothers have made friends with a young Greek man, Evan, who is coming to America to take a film class at a college near Bayport that Frank and Joe have signed up for already. Their buddy, Chet Morton is attending as well.
The three quickly dive into a mystery that Evan brought with him from Greece; trying to find and recover the titled helmet which had been lost by a member of Evan's family many years earlier. Before long, all four find themselves in the thick of it and, of course, there is a tie-in with a case being investigated by the brothers' father, Fenton Hardy.
The book moves along quickly with a lot of travel and a satisfactory conclusion. I recommend that parents read it first since the boys are placed in more danger than usual and it might be a bit much for some kids.
Recommended for fans of the Hardys, juvenile detective stories, and young men's adventure tales.
Find it! Buy it! Read it!
May 12, 2018
I love The Hardy Boys, especially the classic mystery stories. After finding this one in a bargain book store in Hawaii, I sucked it up and decided I needed a break from the fairy tale mania I've been on. In this adventure, Frank and Joe house an exchange student from Greece. With Chet along for the ride, the group takes a film course which quickly turns into a race across the country and even overseas to find a priceless Greek artifact. I love the simplicity of the time, and the final setting in Greece was absolutely stunning! I almost always learn at least one new word when reading these. The mystery was fun and just when I began to feel slightly disappointed that something had been left out, that last line made me grin. I will always recommend this series! They provide clean, entertaining fiction that can educate and challenge young readers. The stories take place in so many different locations, provide fun facts, and truly grow young readers in my opinion.
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July 2, 2017I thought Frank and Joe kind of looked teasing in the cover :p but I gave it a go anyway as I thought it sounded interesting. Sadly though, it didn't turn out to be the best HB I've ever read. The beginning didn't seem hooking. Also, I missed the rest of the Hardys' gang, Biff, Tony, and Phil. Chet was the only one who appeared.
It wasn't an 'I hate it' book. But, like I said, not the best HB I've ever read. I didn't really like it. The ending was confusing, which was disappointing. I had to go back a couple of pages to see who that guy was again for it to make sense. Sadly, it didn't. If you want to curl up with a good HB mystery, this is not the book for you.
It wasn't an 'I hate it' book. But, like I said, not the best HB I've ever read. I didn't really like it. The ending was confusing, which was disappointing. I had to go back a couple of pages to see who that guy was again for it to make sense. Sadly, it didn't. If you want to curl up with a good HB mystery, this is not the book for you.
December 26, 2019
Book #: 55
Title: The Shattered Helmet (Hardy Boys #52)
Author: Franklin W. Dixon
Popsugar Category: Basic: A book that makes you nostalgic
Dagonell Category: A book you can read in a day
A-Z Title: S for Shattered
A-Z Author: D for Dixon
Format: Hardcover, Local Library
Rating: *** three out of five stars
I used to read this series back in grammar school. I may have most of my collection in a box in the attic somewhere. :) None of the titles past #40 sounded familiar so I chose a later number to read a new-to-me book, rather than re-read an old one. Being in the SCA, a book with a Greek helmet on the cover was my choice.
The books were written for young boys, so lots of non-stop action with very little suspense build up. Frank and Joe Hardy, the heroes, cross most of the states between Colorado and California and even a round trip to Greece, in less than 180 pages, in search of Agamemnon's helmet, which of course, they find. As well as break up a smuggling ring and catch a dangerous criminal for their detective father.
Alas, I have outgrown my love for the Hardy Boys, so while this was a brief trip down memory lane, I won't be bothering with further novels. This also means I was probably right to decide never to re-read "Catcher in the Rye". At one time, I thought that book was the greatest book ever written, but then I was a teen-aged male in the 60's and 70's. I'm afraid it would no longer resonate with me the way it once did and I don't want to spoil the memories.
Title: The Shattered Helmet (Hardy Boys #52)
Author: Franklin W. Dixon
Popsugar Category: Basic: A book that makes you nostalgic
Dagonell Category: A book you can read in a day
A-Z Title: S for Shattered
A-Z Author: D for Dixon
Format: Hardcover, Local Library
Rating: *** three out of five stars
I used to read this series back in grammar school. I may have most of my collection in a box in the attic somewhere. :) None of the titles past #40 sounded familiar so I chose a later number to read a new-to-me book, rather than re-read an old one. Being in the SCA, a book with a Greek helmet on the cover was my choice.
The books were written for young boys, so lots of non-stop action with very little suspense build up. Frank and Joe Hardy, the heroes, cross most of the states between Colorado and California and even a round trip to Greece, in less than 180 pages, in search of Agamemnon's helmet, which of course, they find. As well as break up a smuggling ring and catch a dangerous criminal for their detective father.
Alas, I have outgrown my love for the Hardy Boys, so while this was a brief trip down memory lane, I won't be bothering with further novels. This also means I was probably right to decide never to re-read "Catcher in the Rye". At one time, I thought that book was the greatest book ever written, but then I was a teen-aged male in the 60's and 70's. I'm afraid it would no longer resonate with me the way it once did and I don't want to spoil the memories.
April 29, 2024
Like in most Hardy boys' books, there were two intertwined mysteries. But these didn't really make sense together. Even though an explanation was given in the end, the story didn't really have a head or tail!
First of all, just for the Agememnon helmet, Dimitri was ready to murder. He even procured dynamite and blasted an area. Yet, all it was, was a collector's piece. So, why such significance?
Secondly, the part where Buster Buckles becomes involved. A man who is not ready to entertain people, is suddenly chasing goons around the city, willingly, with the Hardy boys.
Betty Love, doesn't reveal the important clue about the whereabouts of the helmet initially, but later chooses to reveal it.
Thirdly, the goons are actually trying to get Mr. Hardy off his case. What case? Generally, even if in brief, it is revealed, what it is that Mr. Hardy is working on, and how that affects the thieves and criminals.
And lastly, Evan and Thelma as characters seemed quite expendable (quite literally true for Thelma), and hence, not very relatable and interesting.
First of all, just for the Agememnon helmet, Dimitri was ready to murder. He even procured dynamite and blasted an area. Yet, all it was, was a collector's piece. So, why such significance?
Secondly, the part where Buster Buckles becomes involved. A man who is not ready to entertain people, is suddenly chasing goons around the city, willingly, with the Hardy boys.
Betty Love, doesn't reveal the important clue about the whereabouts of the helmet initially, but later chooses to reveal it.
Thirdly, the goons are actually trying to get Mr. Hardy off his case. What case? Generally, even if in brief, it is revealed, what it is that Mr. Hardy is working on, and how that affects the thieves and criminals.
And lastly, Evan and Thelma as characters seemed quite expendable (quite literally true for Thelma), and hence, not very relatable and interesting.
March 5, 2019
Meh. It is no Nancy Drew...
The storyline and writing are not bad, especially accounting for the times. But, so much of it felt totally contrived. Plus, they regularly just hop on planes and fly around the US and later to Greek without any consideration for the cost - really how much does a PI make? And, really, there is a gangster that police have been after for many years but while researching a movie the boys' father is suddenly getting all the evidence needed that the police could not get for years? And finally, the fat jokes. What was up with the horrible fat jokes?
Overall, it is a quick, not too painful read. I got a lot of Crazy Challenge Connection challenge tasks done with it. This one was my first Hardy Boys book. Unless another one helps with many more CCC tasks, then this will likely be my last one.
The storyline and writing are not bad, especially accounting for the times. But, so much of it felt totally contrived. Plus, they regularly just hop on planes and fly around the US and later to Greek without any consideration for the cost - really how much does a PI make? And, really, there is a gangster that police have been after for many years but while researching a movie the boys' father is suddenly getting all the evidence needed that the police could not get for years? And finally, the fat jokes. What was up with the horrible fat jokes?
Overall, it is a quick, not too painful read. I got a lot of Crazy Challenge Connection challenge tasks done with it. This one was my first Hardy Boys book. Unless another one helps with many more CCC tasks, then this will likely be my last one.
November 4, 2021
The Hardy boys and Chet are taking a film course at a college and their pen pal friend from Greece, Evan Pandropolos, is joining them. Trouble starts right away at the airport when Evan arrives and Leon Safflel tried to take his suitcase. Saffel seems to have a thing against the boys as he keeps showing up and harassing them. Evan's uncle Nick loaned a Greek helmet for use in a movie years ago and unfortunately it was lost. Nick has always felt guilty and wanted to get the helmet back. It's historical significance weighed heavy on the man. Hearing that story the Hardy's were ready to solve the mystery of the lost helmet and return it. It seems as though they aren't the only ones looking for the helmet as they are thwarted over and over again when searching for clues.
August 18, 2020
" ... Non dirmi che hai un mistero da risolvere - lo stuzzicò Joe. Proprio: ed è un mistero quasi impossibile. - disse Evan ... "
La parola impossibile non esiste nel vocabolario degli Hardy!
Questa è una avventura che inizia subito dalla prima pagina e si evolve con un continuo di colpi di scena, con spostamenti non solo in giro per gli USA ma che li porta anche in Europa, certo non ci si annoia in loro compagnia.
La parola impossibile non esiste nel vocabolario degli Hardy!
Questa è una avventura che inizia subito dalla prima pagina e si evolve con un continuo di colpi di scena, con spostamenti non solo in giro per gli USA ma che li porta anche in Europa, certo non ci si annoia in loro compagnia.
November 28, 2021
It's been ages since I read Nancy Drew and I never read a Hardy Boy book before, so time will tell if this stays a three-star, but it was an adequate read. I didn't find it engaging despite the many dangers the boys face but I didn't dislike it.
Maybe my tastes have changed too much to go back to thise childhood days of following Nancy on her mysteries or maybe the Hardy Boys aren't my cup of tea. But they'll have plenty more chances to prove me wrong.
Maybe my tastes have changed too much to go back to thise childhood days of following Nancy on her mysteries or maybe the Hardy Boys aren't my cup of tea. But they'll have plenty more chances to prove me wrong.
July 2, 2023
This is one of the more believable stories in the series. I thought that the book had an interesting story. It was nice to see Chet get some more attention. Ironically, in the few pages it mentions his almost girlfriend Thelma, it covers more details than we have learned about Iola Morton or Callie Shawn in over 50 volumes.
I think a young reader may enjoy this story.
I think a young reader may enjoy this story.
February 16, 2018
Pretty good! I'm enjoying the "traveling" books and love how they show off parts of countries around the world to young boys and girls reading these at home. The mystery in this one was decent enough too.
October 20, 2025
This was horrible. Who was writing this in the '70s (I know "Franklin W. Dixon" was a conglomerate of writers.") And what was with all the "fat kid" references towards Chet and Thelma? For this, and other reasons, this one did not age well.
August 31, 2018
very good.
September 10, 2018
I think it had great details about the mystery and described all the clues the boys used to find the suspect and close the case.
July 22, 2019
Great book for mystery lovers. Many plot twists and very inspiring to go out and take risks
September 27, 2021
This one was actually pretty good for a kiddie mystery.
April 18, 2024
This is one of the better books in this stretch. The adventure never flagged and was highly varied. A satisfying book.
August 2, 2024
Renewing my connection to the books I loved as a boy.
August 1, 2025
Honestly this book was so insignificant that I barely remember the plot.
December 7, 2008
Finally my boys are old enough to get to know the Hardy Boys. Joe and Frank couldn't be more cool. They have motorcycles, go to college, nearly get blown up, and travel the world while they solve mysteries. Of course, reading about Joe and Frank conjurs up lovely memories of Shawn Cassidy and Parker Stevenson trying to do the book series justice. They were my first real crushes... and I was eleven. Dixon uses challenging vocabulary... and we have to stop regularly to discuss what something means... almost always a measure of a great children's book. The other thing I like is that they face real danger, but it's not over the top in description, and the Hardy's always use great sense and morals to solve their problems. Besides, my boys want a little more meat to their adventure/mystery books than Magic Tree House has to offer.
September 28, 2015
How would you feel if you thought an ancient Greek helmet could be in the antique store near where your having a film class. The Shattered Helmet by Franklin W Dixon is a action packed and eventful story. It would be like learning of a film that may contain the secret to where an Ancient Greek helmet may have ended up. It also has a lot of traveling around. How about having a pen pal all the way from Greece come to the US to take a film class with you or meeting an old movie director in LA. It also has lots of filming. They have lots of little movie shorts in the story( and I'm pretty sure my film club teacher would like this book). In conclusion if you like action, adventure, and film making well this may be the book for you.
May 21, 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.
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December 8, 2014The book The shattered helmet was really good and full of of suspense.This is the fifty second book in The Hardy boys series. The hardy boys in this book try to find a Greek helmet that Evan's uncle sent to Hollywood and never got it back.The hardy boys will have to find the helmet before the other boys,who plan on selling it. Will the hardy boys find the helmet.
On a scale of one to ten I would give this book a seven. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes action adventure novels and is in middle school.
On a scale of one to ten I would give this book a seven. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes action adventure novels and is in middle school.
April 13, 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.
November 4, 2012
Overall the hunt down of a helmet that may have a changing impact on the country of greece. Following a wild goose chase all over the United States and then finally back to Greece leads them to capture the bad guys find the helmet and save the day.
May 1, 2020
Frank and Joe end up in greater danger than ever before when they agree to help their pen pal from Greece locate an ancient helmet that will drag them into countless risks! Dixon takes readers on a big adventure with this entry!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews