Sky Blue Frame

The Hardy Boys #89

by Franklin W. Dixon

Frank and Joe are asked to plan a fake crime and plant the clues for a mystery weekend party, but when a real crime is committed the Hardys must solve the case or take the blame

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult, Adventure, Thriller, Classics

154 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1988

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

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Hardy Boys novel I liked best because it included Chet, who is in all of the better Hardy Boys adventures.

The Hardy Boys are hired to run a murder mystery party. They are supposed to fake a crime, and then the guests are supposed to guess the culprit. Then real crimes start to happen, and the Hardys are suspects. They have to solve a real crime to clear their names.

Fairly diverting.

[old account (rl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best Hardy Boys mysteries I have read in a long time. It had everything it needed - a intriguing mystery, great characters, great action, plenty of suspense and some humorous banter. I loved the idea of having a "fake mystery" and I loved how it got all mixed up with the real mystery - it made the plot a lot more edgier. A good addition to the series.

[Ethan Hulbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh I liked this one. Great premise. Enjoyable setting. Good mystery. This was a very good Hardy Boys Digest.

[Hanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a fun read!
more development than a lot of hardy boys (that I remember, haven't read one in a while)
also plot twists, which doesn't usually happen
yay

[skai_booksandbracelets · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is an action-packed mystery with an interesting twist, but the writing is sloppy. The early original books are much better.

[Bookish Indulgenges with b00k r3vi3ws · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Daftfader · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of fun. I first read this in morning ddle s hool and really loved the premise and did not see the twist.

When I first read it I was expecting a blue climbing frame.

Still a lot of fun to work out who is doing it.
-1 star due to a random kidnapping which is never mentioned again

[for-much-deliberation ... · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst spending a weekend at the Sky Blue Inn the hotel's safe is robbed.