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The Hardy Boys #76
Game Plan for Disaster
Frank and Joe Hardy are drawn into a tangled web of danger when they are called in to investigate mysterious accidents plaguing a college football star
Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
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About the author
Franklin W. Dixon
784 books1,001 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 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 8, 2020
I think it is exhilarating ❤️❤️❤️❤️👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🤩🤩🤩🤩😁😁😁😁😆😀😍😍
May 12, 2024
'Game Plan for Disaster' (The Hardy Boys Mystery Stories #76) by Franklin W. Dixon.
Rating: 4.5/5.
Disclaimer:
It was my first time reading this book. 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:
After 'Trapped At Sea' turned out to be a mediocre entry in the Hardy Boys canon, I was greatly dissuaded from continuing my childhood ambition of a chronological read of the Hardy Boys series. It led to a short hiatus of a couple of months, and after much deliberation, I finally resumed my journey by picking up the next book in the series – Game Plan for Disaster. And, oh boy, how glad am I that I didn't give up on my chronological read!
Game Plan for Disaster was one hell of an exhilarating journey from the start to the finish. In this book, the Hardy Boys are tasked with a mission to protect Ace Harrington, the star quarterback of the State University, who has an unnatural amount of accidents befall him just before the big game coming up in a week. The mission isn't as straightforward as it seems, and the Hardys get enmeshed in multiple life-threatening plots that keep them engaged for the course of this book. Overall, the entire story was an action-packed affair that kept me at the edge of my seat for most of this book.
At first, it was hard for me to care about Ace Harrington because of his standoffish and uncooperative attitude towards the Hardys at the start of the book. But as the story unfolds, we get to learn about the reasons for his behaviour, and we slowly warm up to him. He felt like an integral and likeable part of the story a few chapters in, and as a result, I was heavily invested in his well-being throughout the book. With a perfect mixture of suspense, intrigue, sports, academia, and incessant action, this mystery hits the sweet spot of nostalgia that I was craving for. Oh, and my favourite Hardy Boys chum, Chet Morton, features in the book – a bit way towards the end, but it was a pleasant surprise to see him make an appearance in this case! I'm a bit partial towards him, and it is hard for me not to enjoy a Hardy Boys book that features him.
I was able to guess who was behind the attempts on Ace Harrington's life way before the final reveal. I think it was pretty easy to guess who it might be once you look closely, but the writer did a fine job of adding as many twists and turns as possible with the addition of the two rival gambler gangs thrown in the mix. The blizzard manhunt sequence was finely executed as well and ramped up the tension that had been quickly building up to it. Oh, and the entire 'Gold Bug' subplot was so cleverly done that I was hardly able to make deductions until the book hit me with the reveal.
All in all, Game Plan for Disaster was a fast-paced, action-packed adventure that I unexpectedly enjoyed a lot. My paperback copy of this book had some wonderful illustrations included as well, which further strengthens my resolution to complete my collection of physical copies of Hardy Boys books (which is a difficult task, but much more rewarding for me rather than simply getting the digital copies of these Hardy Boys books). On to the next thrilling Hardy adventure, then!
Approaching the dormitory, he bumped into Pops Walzak. "You don't look too well, lad," the head of the campus police said. "What happened?"
Frank told him the events of the seemingly endless day — the flight to New York and then to New Hampshire, capturing Weller and his gang, the blizzard, the rush to the hospital, Meeb and Scrabby, the rat-infested basement, and his subsequent rescue.
"You had more adventures in a day than most people have in a lifetime," Walzak commented.
Rating: 4.5/5.
Disclaimer:
It was my first time reading this book. 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:
After 'Trapped At Sea' turned out to be a mediocre entry in the Hardy Boys canon, I was greatly dissuaded from continuing my childhood ambition of a chronological read of the Hardy Boys series. It led to a short hiatus of a couple of months, and after much deliberation, I finally resumed my journey by picking up the next book in the series – Game Plan for Disaster. And, oh boy, how glad am I that I didn't give up on my chronological read!
Game Plan for Disaster was one hell of an exhilarating journey from the start to the finish. In this book, the Hardy Boys are tasked with a mission to protect Ace Harrington, the star quarterback of the State University, who has an unnatural amount of accidents befall him just before the big game coming up in a week. The mission isn't as straightforward as it seems, and the Hardys get enmeshed in multiple life-threatening plots that keep them engaged for the course of this book. Overall, the entire story was an action-packed affair that kept me at the edge of my seat for most of this book.
At first, it was hard for me to care about Ace Harrington because of his standoffish and uncooperative attitude towards the Hardys at the start of the book. But as the story unfolds, we get to learn about the reasons for his behaviour, and we slowly warm up to him. He felt like an integral and likeable part of the story a few chapters in, and as a result, I was heavily invested in his well-being throughout the book. With a perfect mixture of suspense, intrigue, sports, academia, and incessant action, this mystery hits the sweet spot of nostalgia that I was craving for. Oh, and my favourite Hardy Boys chum, Chet Morton, features in the book – a bit way towards the end, but it was a pleasant surprise to see him make an appearance in this case! I'm a bit partial towards him, and it is hard for me not to enjoy a Hardy Boys book that features him.
I was able to guess who was behind the attempts on Ace Harrington's life way before the final reveal. I think it was pretty easy to guess who it might be once you look closely, but the writer did a fine job of adding as many twists and turns as possible with the addition of the two rival gambler gangs thrown in the mix. The blizzard manhunt sequence was finely executed as well and ramped up the tension that had been quickly building up to it. Oh, and the entire 'Gold Bug' subplot was so cleverly done that I was hardly able to make deductions until the book hit me with the reveal.
All in all, Game Plan for Disaster was a fast-paced, action-packed adventure that I unexpectedly enjoyed a lot. My paperback copy of this book had some wonderful illustrations included as well, which further strengthens my resolution to complete my collection of physical copies of Hardy Boys books (which is a difficult task, but much more rewarding for me rather than simply getting the digital copies of these Hardy Boys books). On to the next thrilling Hardy adventure, then!
November 25, 2012
A fully action packed book I enjoyed it and spent 3 continuous hrs. from 11 to 2 at night.Simply couldnot put it down.
February 16, 2018
The Hardy Boys, just off of saving the entire world from a nuclear holocaust, are hired to protect a college football player. ..................................... ok
February 29, 2020
This was a good mystery, I enjoyed reading it. There was a lot of details that were included making the whole story come together in the end.
September 24, 2021
It’s a waste of good talent and the final end game as to what happens to a football player? Na not hardy boy material !
March 16, 2025
Good mystery. It did seem a bit scattered and too busy at times but overall I enjoyed this one.
December 11, 2014
The Hardy Boys Game Plan for Disaster was a pretty good book I thought. The Hardy Boys are sent on a mission to protect a star quarterback before the big game coming up in a week. The boys are faced with many obstacles. The quarterback ends up being kidnapped, they find out he is hiding his brother in his dorm room, and many other details in the book. He gets kidnapped and is taken to a far away place and the Hardy's then loose their job as the President of the school fired them more or less. The Hardy Boys did not give up although and ended up cracking the case and getting the quarterback ready and healthy for his big game.
I really liked this book. I found it neat that the book was about sports this time which I love sports so this gave me more of an interest in the book. Also, I thought the detail in this book was pretty good all around and some scenes you could almost imagine the scene in your head from the description. I like as well the suspense in the book with all of the different obstacles that the quarterback and the Hardy Boys faced. I would recommend this book to anybody who likes mystery/ suspense books. Also, I think that people who like sports books would like this book as well. Overall I really liked this book.
I really liked this book. I found it neat that the book was about sports this time which I love sports so this gave me more of an interest in the book. Also, I thought the detail in this book was pretty good all around and some scenes you could almost imagine the scene in your head from the description. I like as well the suspense in the book with all of the different obstacles that the quarterback and the Hardy Boys faced. I would recommend this book to anybody who likes mystery/ suspense books. Also, I think that people who like sports books would like this book as well. Overall I really liked this book.
June 6, 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.
Read
January 21, 2009JMAR5-Dix
May 23, 2012
read when I was 10 through 13
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews