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Hardy Boys Adventures #2
Mystery of the Phantom Heist
In this second book of a fresh approach to a classic series, Frank and Joe track down violent pranksters.
Rich girl Lindsay Peyton is throwing the biggest and best Sweet Sixteen bash that Bayport has ever seen. But her party planning is off to a bad start when Frank and Joe discover that someone has keyed her very expensive car—an early birthday present—and has put the mean prank up on YouView.
Soon after the prank goes viral, a group calling themselves the Scaredevils begin to film themselves committing acts of violent vandalism around town. Broken windows, Dumpster fires, and more threaten the security of Lindsay’s party—and of Lindsay herself.
Frank and Joe are determined to figure out who is the mastermind behind the videos before Lindsay’s Sweet Sixteen turns into a party she will never forget…for all the wrong reasons.
Rich girl Lindsay Peyton is throwing the biggest and best Sweet Sixteen bash that Bayport has ever seen. But her party planning is off to a bad start when Frank and Joe discover that someone has keyed her very expensive car—an early birthday present—and has put the mean prank up on YouView.
Soon after the prank goes viral, a group calling themselves the Scaredevils begin to film themselves committing acts of violent vandalism around town. Broken windows, Dumpster fires, and more threaten the security of Lindsay’s party—and of Lindsay herself.
Frank and Joe are determined to figure out who is the mastermind behind the videos before Lindsay’s Sweet Sixteen turns into a party she will never forget…for all the wrong reasons.
137 pages, Paperback
First published February 5, 2013
66 people are currently reading
258 people want to read
About the author
Franklin W. Dixon
736 books992 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 63 reviews
May 8, 2025
Not as interesting as the first book but still a decent Hardy mystery and adventure. The outcome becomes very obvious halfway through the story to the reader even though the brothers fail to see the clues. On a positive note their longtime friend Chet is back.
January 2, 2023
Some of the old gang from the original series is back in this second book in the Hardy Boys Adventures. Chet returns as the overweight best friend. Also, Tony and Chet’s sister, Iola, make appearances, although Iola is no longer Joe’s girlfriend. I think that the girlfriends were “dropped” in this series so that Frank and Joe can angst over girls who appear in the story—something that couldn’t happen if they were “going steady”.
The author tries very hard to make the plot for this adventure something that could realistically involve a couple of high school boy detectives. Someone is playing pranks around Bayport like dropping eggs into the book return at the library and the pranks are becoming an increasing nuisance for the city. The culprits hide their faces with bandanas and call themselves the Scare Devils. And it turns out that the Scare Devils don’t like Frank and Joe trying to figure out who they are. (In fact, it was super easy to figure out who they are. They post their videos online and their leader is not very secretive, but the police are contradictorily interested in ending the pranks and not interested in considering that the son of one of the most influential men in town could be behind them.
While all of this is happening, a sweet sixteen party is about to be thrown for the richest girl in town and Frank, Joe, and Chet are not invited. This gives the author the chance to play the rich kid versus everyone else card. The rich kids go to Bayport Academy and are snobs. Everyone else goes to Bayport High. It starts out looking a little two dimensional, but that picture improves as the book develops.
The climax of the tale is nicely put together as Frank and Joe figure out the connection between the party and the Scare Devils and hurry to avert catastrophe one foot ahead of the police.
The author tries very hard to make the plot for this adventure something that could realistically involve a couple of high school boy detectives. Someone is playing pranks around Bayport like dropping eggs into the book return at the library and the pranks are becoming an increasing nuisance for the city. The culprits hide their faces with bandanas and call themselves the Scare Devils. And it turns out that the Scare Devils don’t like Frank and Joe trying to figure out who they are. (In fact, it was super easy to figure out who they are. They post their videos online and their leader is not very secretive, but the police are contradictorily interested in ending the pranks and not interested in considering that the son of one of the most influential men in town could be behind them.
While all of this is happening, a sweet sixteen party is about to be thrown for the richest girl in town and Frank, Joe, and Chet are not invited. This gives the author the chance to play the rich kid versus everyone else card. The rich kids go to Bayport Academy and are snobs. Everyone else goes to Bayport High. It starts out looking a little two dimensional, but that picture improves as the book develops.
The climax of the tale is nicely put together as Frank and Joe figure out the connection between the party and the Scare Devils and hurry to avert catastrophe one foot ahead of the police.
Read
April 7, 2024Audiobook version on a road trip with 3 boys ages 13, 12, and 11. They all loved it.
October 24, 2024
I'm going to be bluntly, cruelly honest: I did not enjoy this book at all. There was one single good thing about this book and the rest was a high school mess and I do not read the Hardy Boys books for that.
The Good
We have the return of Chet and Iola! Yes! Two of the original friends of our boys are back. Of course, there is no explanation as to why they weren't in the first in the series - nor are any of the other school kids that were in the first book in this one. But I would have forgiven a lot for Chet and Iola. (Just not this book.)
The Bad
I do not like the mystery here at all. Look, I don't remember the Hardy Boys books that I used to read very well, but never remember them going up against other high school student. Honestly, this was...peril-less. I NEVER felt any real danger. Even the first book in this series had some slight peril and danger. This one has none.
The Ugly
...The usage of crush-at-first-sight. Frank meets a girl that he is immediately drawn to. Okay. Not fine, but I can deal with it. She makes a few possibly suspicious actions. Joe calls her out on that to Frank. Frank literally will not listen to Joe, doesn't want to hear it and puts blinders on. Also the reasoning behind the 'case' they were solving. (HUGE spoiler!)
Look, there are plenty of YA high school drama llama books. I know. I have, unfortunately, read some of them. I did not expect it here. I also did not want it here.
(It seems unbelievable, but, so far, this series is even worse than the Nancy Drew Diaries.)
The Good
We have the return of Chet and Iola! Yes! Two of the original friends of our boys are back. Of course, there is no explanation as to why they weren't in the first in the series - nor are any of the other school kids that were in the first book in this one. But I would have forgiven a lot for Chet and Iola. (Just not this book.)
The Bad
I do not like the mystery here at all. Look, I don't remember the Hardy Boys books that I used to read very well, but never remember them going up against other high school student. Honestly, this was...peril-less. I NEVER felt any real danger. Even the first book in this series had some slight peril and danger. This one has none.
The Ugly
...The usage of crush-at-first-sight. Frank meets a girl that he is immediately drawn to. Okay. Not fine, but I can deal with it. She makes a few possibly suspicious actions. Joe calls her out on that to Frank. Frank literally will not listen to Joe, doesn't want to hear it and puts blinders on. Also the reasoning behind the 'case' they were solving. (HUGE spoiler!)
Look, there are plenty of YA high school drama llama books. I know. I have, unfortunately, read some of them. I did not expect it here. I also did not want it here.
(It seems unbelievable, but, so far, this series is even worse than the Nancy Drew Diaries.)
November 10, 2019
This is an updated Hardy Boys series and should appeal to kids who like mystery and crime solving. I have found that many kids don't identify with the 50s culture of the earlier books, so this update is a welcome addition to the Hardy Boys series.
Brothers Frank and Joe Hardy are interviewing for role-playing positions for the hottest Sweet Sixteen party of the year. Upon leaving, they notice that Lindsay Peyton's car has been keyed. Since they are accused of doing it, they get into detective mode to find the real culprit. They believe it is related to other acts of vandalism around town. It's possible that it's also related to a mysterious gang at their high school called the Scaredevils. By studying YouView videos of the pranks they see a clue that helps them identify one of the members. From there they are able to figure out who the ringleader is. Turns out, an uninvited guest is going to great lengths to ruin Lindsay's party. It's up to the Hardy boys to figure it all out before it's too late.
The Hardy boys are still just as nice and clean-cut as they were in the 50s. They are high schoolers, driving and thinking about girls, but these are the guys you want your daughter to date. Hard to place the age for this one, but my guess is 10-12.
Brothers Frank and Joe Hardy are interviewing for role-playing positions for the hottest Sweet Sixteen party of the year. Upon leaving, they notice that Lindsay Peyton's car has been keyed. Since they are accused of doing it, they get into detective mode to find the real culprit. They believe it is related to other acts of vandalism around town. It's possible that it's also related to a mysterious gang at their high school called the Scaredevils. By studying YouView videos of the pranks they see a clue that helps them identify one of the members. From there they are able to figure out who the ringleader is. Turns out, an uninvited guest is going to great lengths to ruin Lindsay's party. It's up to the Hardy boys to figure it all out before it's too late.
The Hardy boys are still just as nice and clean-cut as they were in the 50s. They are high schoolers, driving and thinking about girls, but these are the guys you want your daughter to date. Hard to place the age for this one, but my guess is 10-12.
August 15, 2024
Overall, this was a pretty good book.
"Mystery of the Phantom Heist" follows two teen brothers as they work together to solve a mystery involving some pranksters running amok around town and planning to sabotage an exclusive sweet sixteen party.
It's a very plot-driven book. The mystery was good, and I liked Joe and Frank as the main characters. I figured out the mystery pretty fast, but I still had fun reading this.
I technically listened to it, since I borrowed the audiobook. (Yay for the Libby app, I love that thing!) The narrator did a great job and I especially liked how he voiced Chett, one of the Hardy Boys friends.
I think my main complaint about the story was the title. I felt like "Mystery of the Phantom Heist" just didn't really fit the book. I'm not sure why, it was just the sort of vibe I got. I spent about a third of the book thinking that something like "The Sweet Sixteen Mystery" would have made a better title. But, hey, what do I know?
I'd recommend this one to fans of the Hardy Boys and middle grade mystery stories.
"Mystery of the Phantom Heist" follows two teen brothers as they work together to solve a mystery involving some pranksters running amok around town and planning to sabotage an exclusive sweet sixteen party.
It's a very plot-driven book. The mystery was good, and I liked Joe and Frank as the main characters. I figured out the mystery pretty fast, but I still had fun reading this.
I technically listened to it, since I borrowed the audiobook. (Yay for the Libby app, I love that thing!) The narrator did a great job and I especially liked how he voiced Chett, one of the Hardy Boys friends.
I think my main complaint about the story was the title. I felt like "Mystery of the Phantom Heist" just didn't really fit the book. I'm not sure why, it was just the sort of vibe I got. I spent about a third of the book thinking that something like "The Sweet Sixteen Mystery" would have made a better title. But, hey, what do I know?
I'd recommend this one to fans of the Hardy Boys and middle grade mystery stories.
April 10, 2020
I was originally attracted by the title of the book. The Mystery of the Phantom Heist sounds scary to me. However it was not, it really hooked me. I couldn't stop reading it. Now that I have completed the book, I can say that this book is really interesting. I like how those boys are managing their trouble. Plus you get really attached to them. It also show an actual situation such as the trust in children. Sometimes adults don't believe children and don't take them seriously. In the book Chief Olaf doesn't believe the kids who were totally right at the end of the book. I would totally recommend that book to a friend because it's easy to read and to understand the English used in the book.
August 7, 2023
Listened to this on a road trip. A fun mystery! The climax had some LOL-style action sequences. () sigh...gotta love the squeaky clean boundaries on this + nancy drew-type serieses 😏
March 16, 2025
This book was good, but I was disappointed the entire "big phantom heist" went down in the last 10 pages. I am not sure where the phantom in the heist is supposed to come from, unless it is being used to describe the gang (Scaredevils) trashing Bayport. I liked the fast paced action, but I also knew who the accomplice villain (Sierra) was 38 pages before it was revealed. Maybe that means I'm a good detective, but I like it when the book keeps you guessing for longer. Overall a good story and mystery for a quick read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2020
My son would give this 4 stars and I’d probably give it 2, so I’ll split the difference. This was his first Hardy Boys mystery and he really felt the cliffhangers at the end of each chapter. There’s a prankster in bayside whose pranks get increasingly serious. The Hardy Boys must crack the case.
December 7, 2020
It's a very classic detective story and can very easily fit into a trope.
1. There's a gang
2. Rich girl party
3. Inter-school rivalries
4. Authority Figure doesn't like the main characters
5. Creepy guy who likes girl
6. "Oh, you saved us. Now instead of hating you, we all love you!"
It was a fairly good story, but it was very much catering to the "cis-het middle/primary schoolboy" group.
1. There's a gang
2. Rich girl party
3. Inter-school rivalries
4. Authority Figure doesn't like the main characters
5. Creepy guy who likes girl
6. "Oh, you saved us. Now instead of hating you, we all love you!"
It was a fairly good story, but it was very much catering to the "cis-het middle/primary schoolboy" group.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2021
The mystery in this one is actually pretty good, with some interesting twists and lots of clues for readalong detectives to follow, but the ending is a bit too silly for my taste. I have a pretty high tolerance for ridiculous shenanigans in these books, but all the karate-chopping was a bit much even for me. I think my little brother probably would have liked it, though.
August 30, 2021
Two strikes for this series from me. As abysmal as the first book was, this one also: sees Frank act like a complete fool because of a girl; the bits do something completely irresponsible and out of character that could have gotten someone killed; and, among other things, Chet Morton presented as an absolute meat head. Stop. Just stop.
September 24, 2017
It was too dragging at first.. then ended shortly
I’m not that impressed yet. maybe the story didn’t reached my expectations considering I have read the original hardy boys mystery before. Nevertheless, I cant wait to read the next book.
I’m not that impressed yet. maybe the story didn’t reached my expectations considering I have read the original hardy boys mystery before. Nevertheless, I cant wait to read the next book.
April 13, 2020
Disappointing. On par with the first one, and riddled with the same issues - poor plotting, no lead up and a hasty conclusion.
I'll go back to the earlier versions of the Hardy Boys (Classics, Casefiles, Undercover Brothers, Graphic Novels) than read this version.
I'll go back to the earlier versions of the Hardy Boys (Classics, Casefiles, Undercover Brothers, Graphic Novels) than read this version.
August 3, 2020
A great refresher to a classic series. The Hardy Boys now live in the present!
As a person who reads them growing up, this new series is great for the young and young at heart!
Looking forward to more modern adaptations.
4/5
As a person who reads them growing up, this new series is great for the young and young at heart!
Looking forward to more modern adaptations.
4/5
June 27, 2021
The Hardy Boys are at it again! I think they're a little slow to pick up on some details, that or I'm a little quick to! But this was a fun book as they try to figure out who's doing pranks all around town.
December 16, 2023
I love the Hardy boys and I have since I was a kid. I love these adventures with more modern settings. Bayport is just as dangerous as ever and the boys need to solve a mystery before someone gets seriously hurt.
June 19, 2025
Boring. I enjoyed the first book in the new updated Hardy Boys series, but this 2nd book was so insanely boring and odd. The boys end up at a toga party with hazing. Didn't connect with it at all. DNF after maybe 3 chapters.
September 29, 2017
A rich girl named Lindsay Peyton is hosting the biggest sweet sixteen that Bayport has ever seen but it is in danger..
December 1, 2017
This was an interesting updating of a final series.
January 27, 2018
Liam enjoyed it, I thought it fell flat but I also didn’t expect much more than that.
June 5, 2019
I liked the book because it was an adventure to Frank and Joe to find out who had keyed her car. But I think the book could have more tension.
November 3, 2019
The surprise here is the commentary this book makes on "My Super Sweet Sixteen"-like parties.
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April 2, 2020
My 7 year old loved this. I prefer the originals.
February 23, 2021
Well written and kept the attention of my 7 year for a very long day.
February 24, 2021
I really enjoyed this book! Even though I finished it in three days, it kept my attention through the whole thing, and was bummed when I had to put it down. Very good ride of a book!
May 1, 2021
Was ok, but they didn’t seem as clever as in all their other books!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews