Secret of the Red Arrow

Hardy Boys Adventures #1

by Franklin W. Dixon

The Hardy brothers must dismantle a dangerous crime gang in this first book of a fresh approach to a classic series.

Teenagers Frank and Joe Hardy are supposedly “retired” from their detective work. But there is a new mystery in Bayport that needs their investigative expertise—and fast!

Starting with a bank heist, a series of alarming pranks have popped up around Bayport. Ultimately harmless, the pranks turn out to be the work of Seth Diller, an amateur filmmaker who plans to make “zillions” from his reality-horror flick, which he’ll use to help out his brother, a wounded Marine.

But after the Hardy brothers put a stop to the Panic Project, there is a new outbreak of Seth-like pranks—only these have definite victims. All signs point to evidence of a crime gang in Bayport, and Frank and Joe undertake the most dangerous investigation they’ve ever encountered. It’s up to them to save their town—and themselves—before the Red Arrow gets to them first.

Genres: Mystery, Middle Grade, Fiction, Audiobook, Adventure, Young Adult, Detective

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 2, 2013

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

[Bill Riggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new Hardy Boys series! I grew up on the original adventures and had to pick these up when I saw them. Obviously they are updated to modern times, so far the original cast of friends have not been included, hopefully this changes. It seems that there may be an overarching plot line that may be running through the series the one this one ended. Overall I think they did a great job bringing the series back to life and am looking forward to reading the next book.

[Janete on hiatus due health issues · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read until page 108, hoping something really important or thrilling would happen since the plot has two teens males sleuths. As nothing interesting has happened so far, I decided to give up this reading. As far, this book wasn't action-packed, it only has chit-chat and insignificant events about a mysterious "Red Arrow". Scribd.com English text, and translation for Portuguese + audio in English from Google Translate.

[Steven Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it a lot. Fast paced, short chapters, for anyone who is looking for a cool mystery story that’s in the form of an afternoon sitcom

This series in updated for the 21st century, but still keeps the wholesome small town feel from the original Hardy Boys series.

[Gilbert Stack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel launches a new Hardy Boys series. While growing up, I read the original “blue hardback” series and was surprised and pleased by many of the changes in this new book. First, in the original series, Frank and Joe are all American boys. They play every sport, are loved and respected by all of their classmates, the chief of the Bayport police respects them, and so on. The only problems they have come from criminals. In this novel, Frank and Joe are not clones of each other. Frank is more of a geek, Joe somewhat more athletic. Neither is in the running for most popular kid in their school and the police find them annoying. In fact, their propensity for investigating mysteries has gotten them into a lot of trouble in the past resulting in the “deal” in which they stop all investigations or go to reform school. They don’t stop, of course, but this is a very different setup than that of the original series.

There is also a new cast of friends and classmates in this book. Chet, Tony, Biff, and the girlfriends, Callie and Iola, are gone. There are new friends and classmates in their place, but it made me wonder why they needed to get rid of all the trappings of the original series.

The book opens with a bang with Joe Hardy helping to rob a bank. And while, no, it is not what it appears, it is a great opening and the first chapters of the book are involved in figuring out what was really going on at the bank. Then they get pulled into helping a school bully who has a truly disturbing problem, and they slowly uncover a Bayport urban legend, the Red Arrow. The Red Arrow appears to be a master criminal involved in extortion and blackmail. It was unrealistic that Frank and Joe had never heard of this urban legend, but it was fun to watch everyone clam up when they started asking about it. Clearly there was truth to the legend, and no one wanted to deal with it.

The resolution of the mystery was way too quick and easy. I think the Red Arrow should have been much smarter and not given himself away. The way I think of it, this was more of an “establish the basics” book, putting the basic pieces in place for a new series. I enjoyed it, but much of the enjoyment came from comparing the new series to the old.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am the type of girl that STILL watches Camp Rock, High School Musical, Winx Club, and things like that OVER AND OVER again because it takes me back to my childhood. Although the Hardy Boys is middle grade, I enjoy reading them. This newer series is not the best. I understand that yes, it is middle grade, but even then, the writing could use some improvement. The story felt SO rushed, and the mystery was good, but the way it was solved was a little bit disappointing. It just kind of came from nowhere with no build up to it whatsoever. A tad annoying!

[E2KevinChoi]

I recommend this book to those who like mysteries and when there is a person who is helping you on the other team. I liked this book because the main character trait was similar to me. Another thing that is good about this book is that the main character is creative because he is only a teen but he is trying to figure out who robbed the bank.

[Sonja Bradley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't understand how this book got a 3.6 overall rating. I must have read a different book than everyone else, because this thing was total trash. It has all the worst aspects of the Undercover Brothers series shoved into it, and none of the good things about any of the series. The premise is ludicrous - remember, these are the same characters who can fly a plane, SCUBA dive, and have worked with the FBI, CIA, and NASA, all while still in high school - the characters are all annoying and stupid, the twist ending comes right the freak out of nowhere, and the cover (one of the few good things about the book) is a total, lying, shameless tease. If you want to read the Hardy Boys, check out the earlier series like the Casefiles. They're not perfect and they are a little dated (okay, maybe a lot), but they're a billion times better than this junk.

[Jay Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very nostalgic for me so I still enjoyed it but it was definitely a bit choppy and rushed, and it took me a bit to get used to the first person dialogue. It certainly didn’t feel Casefile quality but maybe I should go back and read a Casefile to be fair, though.

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 stars- English Ebook

Something is not right in Bayport. After a series of unfortunate (yet harmless) pranks, it looks like Frank and Joe have caught their suspect surprisingly early.

Their classmate, Seth Diller, has taken his love of filmmaking a bit too far. But shortly after Frank and Joe confront Seth, there are fresh outbreaks of Seth-like pranks. Except these aren't as harmless.

After a bit of investigating, the Hardy Boys uncover evidence of the Red Arrow - a group that will stop at nothing to bring chaos and crime to Bayport's peaceful existence.

In the most dangerous case they have ever taken on, it's up to Frank and Joe to find the Red Arrow - before it finds them first.


It definitely has a different tone than the Undercover Brothers. I just wish it had more jokes and the brothers teasing each other.
They're boys, right?

That said, read the Hardy Boys book "Wanted". It is definitely one of my all-time favorites.

My daughters like the adventures off the Boys aswell, they love this series.

[Lizzie J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a lot of the Hardy Boy books. Not so many of the originals, but I have read all of some of the newer series like the Undercover Brothers. I picked this one up since I thought it would have a more modern twist on the classic mysteries, like the Undercover Brothers series.

Overall, I thought that the story and mystery was good. There was a nice creepy factor (which is enjoyable in a mystery), and I wasn't really expecting the culprit to be who he was (Maybe it was a little too unexpected... There could have been some more hints for the reader to catch on a little instead of the "BAM" method.)

I didn't have a problem with having the chapters switch between Frank and Joe as two first-person narrators.

There are two cons to the book, though...

I didn't really understand the whole thing with "the Deal" and the prospect of the boys having to go to some reforming school. I assume that it was something that was unpacked in another book...? But since this is marked as the first book of this series, I'm not sure. If not, I think it could definitely be explained more and be the conflict of its own book. Besides the point, the idea of them having to "retire" and sneak around to solve mysteries wasn't totally amazing. If you're going to solve mysteries, why retire?

Second, there seemed to be a lot of unnecessary lying from the Hardy boys. I mean, I get that a detective's gotta be secretive to uncover the crime...especially when it comes to staying out of the way of grumpy policemen, but some of the lies seemed pretty trivial, especially when it was in conversation with their dad. I might not be remembering correctly, but I always remembered them being pretty open with their father since he was also in the detective business. I might be wrong about that, though, but I'd just be interested to see a little more honesty... I mean, they are fighting for justice and truth, right?


Swearing: None

Sexual content: None

Violence: There are two fist fights, one boy got hit by a car (on purpose) and was hospitalized, and the villain tries to drown the Hardy Boys.

Religious/spiritual content: None

Who I would recommend this story to: Probably younger kids (10-15) who'll be better able to look past the story flaws. Boys would probably be more interested, but I don't see why a girl wouldn't like a good mystery either.

[Duckyard Swan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having been a Hardy Boys nut since I was about eight years old, I naturally had to read this latest incarnation.
I’ve read a few of the more recent books, so I had a fair idea of what to expect from this and I wasn’t wrong. It’s fast-paced adventure lite, with the focus on doing instead of deducting and a strong element of technology (smartphones, etc.), all clearly meant to make the books -- and the boys -- relatable to the modern young reader. Strange how series books like the Hardys were considered a poor reading choice for kids when they were first launched in the 1920s but the old books almost seem like good literature compared to their modern counterparts.
Some of the plot elements in this book were a bit weird (the whole thing about the J’Adoube School was just bizarre) and the language was repetitive in places. Some things that ought to have been explained more fully weren’t (I think the events leading up to The Deal would make a fascinating Hardy Boys book, for instance) and at other times there were lengthy descriptions of minor things that seemed completely unnecessary.
One thing that’s always bothered me about the more recent books, too, is the first-person narration, which to me simply doesn’t make sense when you have two central characters. Up until now, though, it’s been managed fairly successfully by dedicating alternating chapters to Frank and Joe. In this book, however, the writer(s) seemed to forget whose head they were supposed to be in and actually switched viewpoints in the middle of chapters several times.
All that said, however, if you just let go and accept this book for what it is, it’s actually a lot of fun. Frank and Joe are realistic (except for the fact that they still gallivant -- how’s that for an old Aunt Gertrude word? -- all over town in the middle of the night without ever having to bother with nosy parents) and there’s less toilet humor than there was in the Undercover Brothers series. And if nothing else, it’s quick, easy reading (I finished it in under an hour).
No matter what form they take, it’s great to see that the Hardys still live, and are still read, 86 years after the genius of Edward Stratemeyer first brought them to life.

[Shreyas · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolutely disappointing. No buildup whatsoever. The entire plot was a mess from the beginning to the end.

Note that I'm not saying this because it is a modernised take on the Hardy Boys. Hell, even the Undercover Brothers series was a modernised take and didn't disappoint. The new series fails to live up to the soul of the Hardy Boys books. It simply carried forward the story for story's sake with a rushed up ending.

Read the Classics, Casefiles and the Undercover Brothers series instead. Even the Graphic Novels. Thousand folds better than this pile of shit.

[Susan Forsgren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish that the ending was longer and explained more about why the Red Arrow did the things they did.

[Amy (I'd Rather Be Sleeping) · Rating 2 out of 5]

… Is any of this supposed to be taken seriously?

The set up for the new Hardy Boys Adventures:

Frank and Joe, though still high school students, have 'retired' from detective work. While sleuthing, they had neither a detectives license or insurance and, as such, kept getting sued. Last year, they were finally issued an ultimatum to either 'retire' from all detective work, or go to a 'reform school' that is described as basically a cross between Arkham and Alcatraz. (Student die each year trying to escape from the island to get away from the mysteriously named correctional programs.) (And apparently going there ruins your life as you cannot get a job or get married if this is on your record. (I'm assuming not literally, but that no one wants to hire or marry a 'reform' student.))

Needless to say, they are only paying lip service to the 'retire' aspect and are still happily meddling. (All while woe is me-ing over how terrible their life would be if they get caught sleuthing.) One of their co-students describe them as 'Sherlock squared' and assume they are 'packing heat'.

…

This is not rhetorical. Is any of this actually supposed to be taken seriously? Because this is not an adventure book. It's a farce. It would make an amusing screwball comedy from the 40's.

Considering the fact that the name of the local coffee shop and teen hangout/study spot is 'the Meat Locker' - the actual legal name - I have my doubt that any of this is supposed to be taken seriously.

(I have many remarks that I could make here, and NONE of them are PG. Although, there is actual cursing in this book (and I do mean real cursing, not the people that think 'sucks' is a bad word) so I'm not sure this book would disapprove.)

And that's not even getting into the case du jour. And how it's all based around a local urban legend that the brothers, who have lived there their whole lives, have never even heard about.

'Neil was basically telling me about a criminal organization that had been operating right under our noses for our entire lives. Was it possible that the Red Arrow had always been part of Bayport and somehow escaped Frank's and my notice?'

And, later…

'It's impossible to keep a secret in a town like Bayport where everybody knows everybody's business.'

(Except for the League of Assassins the Red Arrow that has been operating there for decades and our two super sleuths never even noticed. Even though now they notice the symbol on half a dozen houses and businesses and bicycles when they walk around town.)

It's just silly. Plain silly.

Was it enjoyable? Sort of, as long as you don't try to take it seriously.

I, however, am also disappointed at the ending. Besides the fact that, even before the case actually started, I had a strong suspicion as to who the 'bad guy' would be (and was, unfortunately, right) our intrepid duo had to be rescued. I did like the fact that they were not infallible and made a stupid choice and then couldn't macho themselves out of it - HOWEVER, them having to be rescued is as sad as Nancy stumbling across the mystery solution in her new books and these are things that are just watering down the competency of the characters.

Finally, I grabbed a two pack audio download from my library with this book and the sequel. So I will be listening to it right quick. (Probably at work later this week.) Though I will admit, if the story doesn't change - pretty drastically - I will be stopping the series there.

(Side note: I'm slightly upset that while the new Nancy Drew series allows Nancy to keep her friends, Frank and Joe are breaking in a new set of pals and crushes.)

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a few Hardy boys books back in the day since my school library offered a few. I decided to pick this book up since my library had the audiobooks for this series.
I think this book is a solid mystery with an intriguing plot and the dual POVs are interesting to read. But if you’re asking me if these books are just like the original books, I’d say no. I think you can pick up this book as just a normal middle grade/YA book and enjoy it.
Now on to the book: The plot was actually pretty creepy once we got into the thick of things. Teens are being watched and live-streamed and they’re getting beat up and coerced into doing bad things. Also how unrealistic is it that the boys didn’t notice the red arrow presence in their hometown— make that small hometown— until the events of this book. Literally everyone knew what the symbol was but them. I mean, I do understand that as humans, when we see something so much, we can forget the actual small details like how you’ve seen a penny like a million times in your life but can’t remember If the head is facing right or left. But still, they should have heard about stories or legends about the red arrow but they didn’t. Any small community has gossip spreading no matter what. Another thing that was annoying was the reveal of the villain. It was their principal which I honestly did not see coming because there was not enough clues to figure out it was him. Literally the ONLY clue was that his cane, which looks like an umbrella handle, was in the burned remains of the restaurant. Like how is the audience supposed to guess that? We can’t see the scene so we can’t be like ‘oh, that umbrella handle is so random.. I wonder who else has an umbrella like that?” The writing could use some work too, it was kinda cringe at times and for sure the last 3 chapters were super rushed because it included the villain reveal and the climax and falling action which should have been spread out over more chapters. instead of all the random events in the middle of the book we got, like how they went to the woods and got beat up then arrested or the stupid speech problem, there could have been more actual plot that moves everything forward. OH— also they kept on talking about “THE DEAL” as If we knew what that was but they didn’t really tell us what the deal was so idk… also, the writer kept the red arrow thing pretty vague even at the end. Like we don’t know If it really is just one person at a time or if it’s a big gang that all use the identity of the red arrow. Basically, it seems like this whole red arrow mystery thing is going to play out for a couple more books at Least. They better make the red arrow mystery good though because the idea really has a lot of potential.

[Britney Dillon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first entry in this new iteration of The Hardy Boys series fell a little flat for me. I can appreciate the authors wanting to bring the story into the current times, but I feel like they tried a little too hard with all the pop culture references. I have been reading the new comparable Nancy Drew series, as well, The Nancy Drew Diaries, and I believe those authors did a better job of updating the character.

In this book, we learn the boys are banned from solving mysteries under threat of being shipped off to reform school (insert eye roll) because they've been sued by so many people they put in jail. I think it's meant to add a layer of conflict for the boys, but instead it just turns into an annoyance. Additionally, Fenton Hardy has retired and is now a writer. I think this annoyed my most. For one thing, the boys don't want to talk to him about their case because of "the deal" (with law enforcement not to solve mysteries anymore). Then, when they do decide they have to talk to him, he won't tell them anything; instead, he hustles them out of his study like they're a nuisance. This is NOT the Fenton Hardy of old. One of the best things about the original series is the relationship that the boys have with their father, that sense of respect and mutual admiration and confidence they all have in each other. It's completely gone here.

Finally, the Hardy Boys have always been smart, capable, and talented. They SCUBA dive; they fly planes; they build boats; they break codes; they work hand-in-hand with law enforcement. THESE Hardy Boys would be lucky if they could change their own oil.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: The Secret of the Red Arrow
Author: Franklin W. Dixon
Series: Hardy Boys Adventures, 1
Format: ebook
Length: N/A
Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis: The Hardy brothers must dismantle a dangerous crime gang in this first book of a fresh approach to a classic series. Teenagers Frank and Joe Hardy are supposedly retired from their detective work. But there is a new mystery in Bayport that needs their investigative expertiseand fast!
Starting with a bank heist, a series of alarming pranks have popped up around Bayport. Ultimately harmless, the pranks turn out to be the work of Seth Diller, an amateur filmmaker who plans to make zillions from his reality-horror flick, which hell use to help out his brother, a wounded Marine.
But after the Hardy brothers put a stop to the Panic Project, there is a new outbreak of Seth-like pranksonly these have definite victims. All signs point to evidence of a crime gang in Bayport, and Frank and Joe undertake the most dangerous investigation theyve ever encountered. Its up to them to save their town and themselves before the Red Arrow gets to them first.

Mini-review: Good. There was a Marvel reference at the end, which was a nod to Hydra. The mysteries are getting weaker, although the secret society gang type angle was a nice change.

Fan Cast:
Frank Hardy - Timothée Chalamet
Joe Hardy - Skyler Gisondo
Fenton Hardy - John Corbett
Officer Olaf - Jason Sudekis
Chief Gomez - Joaquin Phoenix
Laura Hardy - Diane Lane
Gertrude "Trudy" Hardy - Leslie Mann
Neal "Neanderthal" Bunyon - Austin North
Shanelle Bunyon - Willow Shields
Seth Diller - Owen Campbell
Principal Simon Gorse - Kevin Durand

[Bridgette · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ — Audiobook
Fun modern story featuring straight-laced Frank and free-for-all Joe.

Joe gets coerced into assisting a bank robbery. Frank dreads having to prepare and give a speech on civil liberties. Both of them trying to stick to "The Deal" — in the classic Hardy Boys sort of way, which is not much at all — where they are to refrain from investigating any and all mysteries, or else off to reform school they go. But what does one do when strange things are afoot when people are being videotaped while they sleep, oddball little "triangle with legs" markings are popping up all around town, and everyone adamantly refusing to discuss
them? Investigate, of course!

Nice, clean Hardy Boys adventure by Franklin W. Dixon, read — with often hilariously accurate narration — by Tim Gregory.

Would recommend.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook with my children while cleaning the house. I wanted something that they could enjoy as well as myself, and since I had read the Hardy Boys when I was young, I thought it might be fun to see what was new in their adventures.

This book was more certainly updated as compared to the older ones. For example, Joe Hardy's ringtone is Britney Spears "classic" (as he calls it) ...Baby One More Time. However the same basic premise was there. There is a mystery to solve, they face live and death situations, and it's all wrapped up at the end.

Overall a fun, updated nostalgia trip.

[Zachary Fifelski · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really weird narrative structure shifting between two first persons. Consistently out of nowhere attempts to reference pop culture but it comes off forced.

It presents the hardy boys as overly confident and generally socially awkward.

It resolved the mystery somewhat but seems to have forgotten some major plot points (what was the point of the fake bank robbery and rabbit trail? Who actually planted the cameras in “Neanderthals” house?)

If I didn’t know this book was written in 2013 I would say this book was written by chatgpt and chatgpt forgot the plot halfway through.

Fine to read with kids. It’s just not something that any of us found satisfying. Brain rot material.

[Delanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not good and the cover didn't even happen. That's specifically what I was waiting for.

There are simple mistakes in the book like Joe saying, "the walls have ears" and then 2 pages later Seth saying, "that's what I told you Joe, the walls have ears".

The chapter titles are written vertically on the page, which ended up being hard to read and annoying. The print work is also very cheap and the thickness of the font and words changes with every page.

This feels like it was written for a younger audience than the original series but contains violence that isn't appropriate for them. It really feels like they couldn't decide who to write it for.

[Justin]

A sentimental read due to my childhood love of the original series, this reboot seems have a ton of background ("The Deal" to stop investigating) for a entry #1, but maybe it ties into some sort of other reboot? But it still has the rollicking feel and fraternal banter as the Hardys careen through capers, mishaps, and close calls.

Really frustrating to me that the titular mystery isn't actually resolved. I wonder if it's meant to be a background Big Bad that will crop up in future books? Alas, I'll never know.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first in the Hardy boys adventure series, and it was a good start. I wasn’t to thrilled with ‘the deal’ but I appreciated how it was otherwise a throwback to the original series. Best of all, it’s still told in first person and with the Hardy’s using updated technology, much like the undercover brothers series. It’s almost like this book took the best of both worlds. I was disappointed that the Hardy’s entourage wasn’t in this one, but they ( at least Chet) will be appearing in future books.

[Aurora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty interesting start to a reboot of the Hardy boys, definite page turner. However, I do find it a bit unrealistic that the Hardys did not know about the Red Arrow until this very moment. Did any of their other friends know about it too? I mean, I guess Fenton made sure that his sons wouldn't have heard of it, but when you live in a small town, you're going to hear all the ghost stories and legends. So while this has great thrills, some of it seems a little too contrived.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good light audiobook from our public library while walking on a pretty day. The villain was a complete sleeper with few hints and no real character development prior to the reveal. Obviously had an extended network of thugs and helpers implement the bad deeds but surprising that so many of them were lower IQs and did not spill the beans around town. Also surprising that the police were so antagonistic to our heroes when clearly there was escalating bad stuff going on in this town.

[Rob · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely not the Hardy Boys that I grew up reading. Understandably modernized since the original series, this story still brought back a bit of nostalgia since I grew up reading and loving The Hardy Boys Series. However, this book also fell a bit flat with the choppy and disjointed story that mainly served as an introduction to a larger sinister plot in the town of Bayport in an attempt to publish more books. However, I'll still check out those other stories...

[WKPL Children's/YA Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miss Lori read the 1st book in this Hardy Boys series and enjoyed it. The teen-aged sleuths have been warned by police and their dad to stop investigating "crimes". They try, but their classmates bring their attention to a strange drawing and strange things that happen when the drawing appears.

They, of course, feel the need to figure out the mystery at the expense of getting in trouble.

This is a middle grade read.

[Joy ;) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apparently I have entered my Hardy Boys phase. That is not surprising as both of my sisters also had this phase at my age lol. I mean, I’m loving it. I grew up with the Hardy Boys so I am very fond of them already, but my affection for the dorks is only growing. I love how they’re just totally chill with everything that happens. No panic. No going crazy. It’s iconic.
Anyway, I’m having a great time.
8/10 I am thriving on Frank and Joe’s relationship. 100% iconic

[Chrysanthemum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish this book had actually contained the scene depicted on the cover (I know they say "don't judge a book by its cover," but it would have been nice). I mean, it kinda did in the second to last chapter, but you get my point. All of the scenes occurred within one town, and while I would have preferred it to be a bit wider of a landscape, it was alright. Sometimes I thought the action scenes were rushed, but other than that I liked it. Great book for mystery lovers with fast-paced action.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hardy Boys have been around, in one form or another, for close to 100 years. I read the 1st 6 books in the original series back in 2021-2022. Hardy Boys Adventures in the latest series to feature Frank and Joe. It began publishing in 2013, and is still ongoing to this day. I recently found a 20-book boxed set in Ollie's. Secret of the Red Arrow is the 1st book. I thought it was very interesting.