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The Hardy Boys #72
The Voodoo Plot
Frank and Joe get involved in a deadly voodoo cult during the Mardi Gras festival while trying to uncover the secret behind a rash of burglaries in their hometown
Hardcover
First published June 18, 1982
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419 people want to read
About the author
Franklin W. Dixon
738 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 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 30, 2023
'The Voodoo Plot' (The Hardy Boys Mystery Stories #72) by Franklin W. Dixon.
Rating: 4.0/5.
Disclaimer:
I have, probably, read the first 63 Hardy Boys books multiple times, but the same can not be said for the subsequent books in the series. It isn't because I'm partial to the Originals, but more so because the latter books were hard to find growing up. However, with the advent of digital books in recent times, I'm eager to pursue my childhood ambition of reading all 190 Hardy Boys books at least once.
The Hardy Boys books are a nostalgic affair. Had it not been for these books, it would have been difficult for me to cultivate my interest in reading and to later expand my reading preferences to include the fantasy and sci-fi genres. So, yeah, that's the main reason why you would rarely find me giving a rating of fewer than 3.5 stars (out of 5) to these Hardy Boys books.
Review:
When I picked up the earlier books, namely 'The Four-Headed Dragon' and 'Track of the Zombie', I went ahead, assuming I had never read those books, but was pleasantly surprised when I started recalling scenes as I read further into these stories. I had the opposite experience with this book. I knew I possessed an old copy of this book (a thrift store copy bought many years ago), so I had assumed I would have read it multiple times enough to remember every single detail.
Going into the book, I realized I had forgotten almost the entire story. The only things that I could vaguely remember reading were Chet's crush on Sadie, parts of the Rattlesnake Roundup, the Mardi Gras festivities, and something to do with the swamps and King George the Third. Everything else, including the core mystery, I had no recollection of from my previous reading of this book. All in all, this provided me with a unique opportunity to enjoy this book for the first time... again!
This book was a major improvement over the previous entry in the Hardy Boys' original continuity. I was left disappointed with the ending of its predecessor, but 'The Voodoo Plot' helped to redeem these books in my eyes. It was a fun adventure, as one would come to expect from the Hardy Boys' mysteries. Chet has always been my favorite Hardy pal, and his presence in the book greatly elevated my reading experience. The book suffers from the same problem as many of its predecessors. The ending seems rushed. I would have preferred if the author would have expanded upon the ending rather than hastily resolving the conflict and the underlying mysteries in such a frantic manner.
However, I did enjoy the overall story, and the book made me feel confident enough to pursue my goal of reading all 190 books in the original Hardy Boys' continuity. I'm certain that I have never read the next twenty-odd books in this series, so I'm excited to venture into the unknown. On to the next book, then!
"It's like being in another century," Chet said as they walked down the old city's streets to the bus station.
Frank smiled. "This whole case seems like it's from another century. So we're in the right place."
Rating: 4.0/5.
Disclaimer:
I have, probably, read the first 63 Hardy Boys books multiple times, but the same can not be said for the subsequent books in the series. It isn't because I'm partial to the Originals, but more so because the latter books were hard to find growing up. However, with the advent of digital books in recent times, I'm eager to pursue my childhood ambition of reading all 190 Hardy Boys books at least once.
The Hardy Boys books are a nostalgic affair. Had it not been for these books, it would have been difficult for me to cultivate my interest in reading and to later expand my reading preferences to include the fantasy and sci-fi genres. So, yeah, that's the main reason why you would rarely find me giving a rating of fewer than 3.5 stars (out of 5) to these Hardy Boys books.
Review:
When I picked up the earlier books, namely 'The Four-Headed Dragon' and 'Track of the Zombie', I went ahead, assuming I had never read those books, but was pleasantly surprised when I started recalling scenes as I read further into these stories. I had the opposite experience with this book. I knew I possessed an old copy of this book (a thrift store copy bought many years ago), so I had assumed I would have read it multiple times enough to remember every single detail.
Going into the book, I realized I had forgotten almost the entire story. The only things that I could vaguely remember reading were Chet's crush on Sadie, parts of the Rattlesnake Roundup, the Mardi Gras festivities, and something to do with the swamps and King George the Third. Everything else, including the core mystery, I had no recollection of from my previous reading of this book. All in all, this provided me with a unique opportunity to enjoy this book for the first time... again!
This book was a major improvement over the previous entry in the Hardy Boys' original continuity. I was left disappointed with the ending of its predecessor, but 'The Voodoo Plot' helped to redeem these books in my eyes. It was a fun adventure, as one would come to expect from the Hardy Boys' mysteries. Chet has always been my favorite Hardy pal, and his presence in the book greatly elevated my reading experience. The book suffers from the same problem as many of its predecessors. The ending seems rushed. I would have preferred if the author would have expanded upon the ending rather than hastily resolving the conflict and the underlying mysteries in such a frantic manner.
However, I did enjoy the overall story, and the book made me feel confident enough to pursue my goal of reading all 190 books in the original Hardy Boys' continuity. I'm certain that I have never read the next twenty-odd books in this series, so I'm excited to venture into the unknown. On to the next book, then!
As soon as he woke up the next day, he reached for the phone and dialed the Hardy number. Aunt Gertrude answered, and after telling her what had happened so far, Frank asked to talk to his father.
"It's bad enough that you go off and risk your own lives," Aunt Gertrude said sternly before turning the phone over to Mr. Hardy. "But don't make your friend Chet the victim of your shenanigans. Poor boy!"
January 2, 2024
When I see a Hardy Boys book I have a certain expectation. I know there's going to be some danger, lost of clues, and a very twisty tale. This book doesn't disappoint on many of those elements...it does on others.
Don't get me wrong, I really love the Hardy Boys. But this book is a little disjointed. We have Chet along for the mystery...who's only role it seems is to 'stay back at the hotel' while the Hardys do all the stuff. Some of the links were very nebulous, and the idea of someone stealing a sock from their father made me laugh outright. It just...didn't work.
I was sorry to see this book written in such a haphazard way. Maybe it was the era in which it was written, but I kept thinking it could have been so much better. Thankfully there's other really great Hardy Boys mysteries to love so I can forget this particular story and read one of those instead.
Don't get me wrong, I really love the Hardy Boys. But this book is a little disjointed. We have Chet along for the mystery...who's only role it seems is to 'stay back at the hotel' while the Hardys do all the stuff. Some of the links were very nebulous, and the idea of someone stealing a sock from their father made me laugh outright. It just...didn't work.
I was sorry to see this book written in such a haphazard way. Maybe it was the era in which it was written, but I kept thinking it could have been so much better. Thankfully there's other really great Hardy Boys mysteries to love so I can forget this particular story and read one of those instead.
April 5, 2019
3 1/2 stars. Snakes, gators and leeches are just some of the dangers the Hardy Boys face on their Spring break vacation through Georgia and New Orleans. Two cases: tracking the antiques thieves and checking on a friend's grandfather twine together on a thrilling trail through the bayous and streets of New Orleans. This story is appropriate for this time of the year when many people are taking spring break.
I enjoyed it. It didn't seem as improbable as some of the stories but still filled with action. There was a good senses of place in Georgia and New Orleans. Definitely a fun and exciting afternoon read.
I enjoyed it. It didn't seem as improbable as some of the stories but still filled with action. There was a good senses of place in Georgia and New Orleans. Definitely a fun and exciting afternoon read.
February 16, 2018
Voodoo! King George III! A guy named "Rattlesnake Clem"! Extra star just for that. This book was the strongest digest of the last few, a little out there still but more interesting at least.
May 24, 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.
May 23, 2012
read when I was 10 through 13
July 5, 2020
Sudah lupa jalan ceritanya, tapi orang-orang setempat mukanya tidak ramah!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews