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The Hardy Boys #71
Track of the Zombie
The Hardy boys travel to Vermont to investigate a mysterious fire and to help a circus owner who is plagued with accidents.
185 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
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412 people want to read
About the author
Franklin W. Dixon
740 books993 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 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 24, 2008
This was my favorite Hardy Boy book growing up. When I wasn't reading patriotic military garbage I was reading this.
July 27, 2023
'Track of the Zombie' (The Hardy Boys Mystery Stories #71) by Franklin W. Dixon.
Rating: 3.25/5.
Disclaimer:
It was (probably) 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:
When I began reading this book, I was absolutely sure I hadn't read it earlier. However, reading about the arson, the forest fires, and the circus antics – these story elements felt too familiar that it made me doubt myself. Even after finishing the book, I'm not sure if I had read this story previously. The forest fire and circus elements were common features present in multiple adventure and mystery stories that I read during my school days, and I might be associating those memories with this story. Anyway, there was a large chunk of the story that I had no previous memory of, so I'm quite sure I was imagining reading this book earlier.
'Track of the Zombie' offered a decent story; not surely the best of the Hardy Boys that I have read recently. The story had so much potential, but I felt the author failed to capitalize on it. The sabotage of the circus acts and the mysterious appearance of the zombie, even thinking about these two things, makes one wonder about the infinite possibilities that would have made this a fascinating read. Alas, there's not much effort put into achieving this goal.
I was able to guess who were the main culprits of these two cases well in advance. I won't count it a point against the story, though; I love to see my deductions come true in the story. However, the way these two cases were tied together at the end made it seem as if it was a last-minute decision by the writing team. The reveal of the main boss felt forced, especially with no hints thrown in earlier. The way the story ended was an absolute downer, too. Imagine ending an interesting book (even a Hardy Boys book) with the protagonists just watching the villains talking and then calling the police – and then it is all over. Bye-bye. Meh.
Overall, while I did breeze through 'Track of the Zombie' within a few hours, the story failed to captivate my mind like its predecessors did. I do appreciate how it tried to maintain the continuity, though, by mentioning the previous case and hinting at the next one. I do hope the next book lives up to my expectations!
Instantly, the Hardys ran down the stairs and across the yard. But once in the woods, they realized pursuit was hopeless in the darkness and the rain. They returned to the house for the rest of the night. In the morning, when the rain had stopped, they went out into the woods again.
Frank pointed to a set of footprints in the mud. "That's the way he went!"
Joe shivered. "It's the track of the zombie!"
Rating: 3.25/5.
Disclaimer:
It was (probably) 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:
When I began reading this book, I was absolutely sure I hadn't read it earlier. However, reading about the arson, the forest fires, and the circus antics – these story elements felt too familiar that it made me doubt myself. Even after finishing the book, I'm not sure if I had read this story previously. The forest fire and circus elements were common features present in multiple adventure and mystery stories that I read during my school days, and I might be associating those memories with this story. Anyway, there was a large chunk of the story that I had no previous memory of, so I'm quite sure I was imagining reading this book earlier.
'Track of the Zombie' offered a decent story; not surely the best of the Hardy Boys that I have read recently. The story had so much potential, but I felt the author failed to capitalize on it. The sabotage of the circus acts and the mysterious appearance of the zombie, even thinking about these two things, makes one wonder about the infinite possibilities that would have made this a fascinating read. Alas, there's not much effort put into achieving this goal.
I was able to guess who were the main culprits of these two cases well in advance. I won't count it a point against the story, though; I love to see my deductions come true in the story. However, the way these two cases were tied together at the end made it seem as if it was a last-minute decision by the writing team. The reveal of the main boss felt forced, especially with no hints thrown in earlier. The way the story ended was an absolute downer, too. Imagine ending an interesting book (even a Hardy Boys book) with the protagonists just watching the villains talking and then calling the police – and then it is all over. Bye-bye. Meh.
Overall, while I did breeze through 'Track of the Zombie' within a few hours, the story failed to captivate my mind like its predecessors did. I do appreciate how it tried to maintain the continuity, though, by mentioning the previous case and hinting at the next one. I do hope the next book lives up to my expectations!
Joe stared out of the window, then sighed. "Well, that's it. The end of the trail."
"Correction. The end of the track," Frank said.
"What do you mean?"
Frank chuckled. "The track of the zombie!"
February 16, 2018
Yet another circus/carnival mystery, combined with zombie crap. A very weak entry in the series for me.
October 26, 2017
I was challenged to read a book published in the year I was born, and I wanted to try a story I had “missed out on” as a kid. The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew passed beneath my radar because the mystery story was never one of my favorites. I found those kinds of stories boring, muddy, and unsatisfying.
This book was a HUGE surprise to me! I thoroughly enjoyed the fast paced plot (which begins right at the jump, on page one) and the charming bygone era boys (who somehow always manage to escape every sticky situation) and their antics. The mystery was also clever enough to keep me guessing for while. I understand why the Hardy Boys captivated, and continues to draw in, readers.
My only complaint was the weaving of two mysteries into one; it felt too forced and unnecessary to have to separate plots hooked together by frayed threads. This story had enough drama wrapped up in the zombie chase and could’ve left the circus caper out.
This book was a HUGE surprise to me! I thoroughly enjoyed the fast paced plot (which begins right at the jump, on page one) and the charming bygone era boys (who somehow always manage to escape every sticky situation) and their antics. The mystery was also clever enough to keep me guessing for while. I understand why the Hardy Boys captivated, and continues to draw in, readers.
My only complaint was the weaving of two mysteries into one; it felt too forced and unnecessary to have to separate plots hooked together by frayed threads. This story had enough drama wrapped up in the zombie chase and could’ve left the circus caper out.
October 13, 2017
El peor que he leído de los hermanos Hardy. Muy previsible. Además, por otro lado, creo que el escrito no es el mismo, pues su lenguaje y el uso que hace de éste es mucho más simple, repitiendo muchas palabras y construcciones.
August 16, 2019
It was kind of easy to solve near the beginning but I still couldn't put it down. So, I think that's some good writing if I already knew what was going to happen and kept reading and enjoying the book!
Also Chet was by far my favourite character!
Also Chet was by far my favourite character!
September 1, 2023
ceritanya ttg 2 detektif yg berusaha nyari pelaku pembakaran hutan yg dibilang masyarakat sekitar itu zombie!
seru sih tapi alurnya terlalu loncat-loncat & tiap perpindahan scene kureng smooth
seru sih tapi alurnya terlalu loncat-loncat & tiap perpindahan scene kureng smooth
June 14, 2009
Another exciting Hardy Boys mystery, this one takes place in Vermont
October 12, 2011
Seri detektif remaja yang mengasyikan. Cocok untuk anak2 kita nanti nih... saya membaca ini sekitar tahun 1997-an.
May 23, 2012
read when I was 10 through 13
January 27, 2023
Read when I was 9 or 10, and absolutely loved it.
July 19, 2020
I certainly had read this book but why couldn't I remember anything?
November 27, 2020
Joe dan Frank Hardy memang luar biasa!
Bayangkan jika mereka ada di sekitar kita, tak ada kejahatan yang luput dari pengamatan keduanya. Artinya, kita bisa hidup dengan lebih aman he he he.
Bayangkan jika mereka ada di sekitar kita, tak ada kejahatan yang luput dari pengamatan keduanya. Artinya, kita bisa hidup dengan lebih aman he he he.
Read
January 21, 2009JMAR5-Dix
November 21, 2012
i'm ok with this one :)
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews