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The Hardy Boys Ghost Stories
The Hardy brothers are confronted with the supernatural in these six ghost stories which include "The Walking Scarecrow" and "The Haunted Castle."
154 pages, Paperback
First published October 11, 1984
About the author
Franklin W. Dixon
865 books1,008 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 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 31, 2015
For years growing up The Hardy Boys were my favourite books to read, and over the years I couldn't say how many of these books I've read. And now, years later, they are still great. Joe as always was my fave.
This was a series of short, ghost stories, which was fun and entertaining to read. The best story was the last one about a little boy haunting an old hotel.
Overall it was a fun read and I quite enjoyed going back to a piece of my childhood.
This was a series of short, ghost stories, which was fun and entertaining to read. The best story was the last one about a little boy haunting an old hotel.
Overall it was a fun read and I quite enjoyed going back to a piece of my childhood.
May 21, 2015
SPOOKY!!!!!!!!!!!
June 2, 2021
2.87☆
Wherever danger leads, the ghost-hunting Hardy Boys are sure to follow...
This book is a collection of short stories, where the Hardy Boys encounter many eerie and mysterious cases, of ghosts and other Ominous figures.
The Hardy Boys, are a name that I'm surely familiar with. Growing up as a kid, I spent many afternoons, with my nose buried in a Hardy Boys mystery novel. This was my first Hardy boys novel in what seems to be years, as I had always wished to read the ghost stories edition.
Coming to the review of this book, the stories of this book weren't as great as I thought they would be. The stories weren't really horrifying and scary, I guess I would have enjoyed them more if I was younger, though they were good enough for a children's book. The walking Scarecrow and The Haunted Castle, were definitely exciting to read. The writing in this book is of an intermediate level, suitable for beginners, and surely worth reading for children.
Wherever danger leads, the ghost-hunting Hardy Boys are sure to follow...
This book is a collection of short stories, where the Hardy Boys encounter many eerie and mysterious cases, of ghosts and other Ominous figures.
The Hardy Boys, are a name that I'm surely familiar with. Growing up as a kid, I spent many afternoons, with my nose buried in a Hardy Boys mystery novel. This was my first Hardy boys novel in what seems to be years, as I had always wished to read the ghost stories edition.
Coming to the review of this book, the stories of this book weren't as great as I thought they would be. The stories weren't really horrifying and scary, I guess I would have enjoyed them more if I was younger, though they were good enough for a children's book. The walking Scarecrow and The Haunted Castle, were definitely exciting to read. The writing in this book is of an intermediate level, suitable for beginners, and surely worth reading for children.
February 16, 2021
All the stories are well written but some are too absurd and questions are left unanswered
October 9, 2017
I haven't read any of the Hardy Boy books, but this one sure was awesome for a first time reading of their stories.
5 star = The Walking Scarecrow
The boys car breaks down and if not for a scarecrow warning them they would have burned to death in the farm house they took refuge in for the night. In my opinion that Scarecrow was ghost of the previous owner who died helping them.
5 Star = The Mystery of the Voodoo Gold
The boys are in Atlanta and get fortune told by woman who tells them to beware of a man with one blue eye and a white car. Their dad knows the guy and tells them that he's dealt with him before and he's bad news. They end up finding this dead guy's gold, but when go back to get it a month later a new highway is over where the gold was so the man with blue eye didn't get it like he'd wanted and no one else will either.
5 star = The disappearance of Flaming Rock
A town disappeared hundreds of years ago and when Frank and Joe are headed to LA they stumble upon it too. Joe meets a native american spirit telling him that unlike all the others that if Frank and him tell others about what happened to his people then they won't met the same fate of death too. They do tell and get the headband that Joe was given tested and it is revealed to be ink used in 1880's.
4 Star = The Phantom Ship
Frank and Joe are out on their boat The Sleuth and a storm stars rolling in. They have no way out of it until this ship shows up. It happens to be a phantom ship because it is a Whaler ship from the 1850's. I was so glad when they got off that horrible ship. They were only saved because of a zombie sailor they called him showed them the way off.
5 Star = The Haunted Castle
Frank and Joe go to London to help a friend of their dad's deal with the ghost of his pirate ancestor who is haunting the castle. Turns out he's haunting because of a witch's curse that was put on him and a rhyme from a Wizard at his funeral sets the guys ghost free and makes the witch lose her power when the Hardy boys show up to keep guard at night.
5 Star = The Mystery of Room 12
The whole Hardy family takes a vacation to the Presidents Inn. Named so because two presidents stayed there. That is not who is haunting the place though. It is a little boy who's dad died of Malaria out at sea. He wants the flute from his dad's chest and when Joe helps him get it the little boy vanishes for good.
5 star = The Walking Scarecrow
The boys car breaks down and if not for a scarecrow warning them they would have burned to death in the farm house they took refuge in for the night. In my opinion that Scarecrow was ghost of the previous owner who died helping them.
5 Star = The Mystery of the Voodoo Gold
The boys are in Atlanta and get fortune told by woman who tells them to beware of a man with one blue eye and a white car. Their dad knows the guy and tells them that he's dealt with him before and he's bad news. They end up finding this dead guy's gold, but when go back to get it a month later a new highway is over where the gold was so the man with blue eye didn't get it like he'd wanted and no one else will either.
5 star = The disappearance of Flaming Rock
A town disappeared hundreds of years ago and when Frank and Joe are headed to LA they stumble upon it too. Joe meets a native american spirit telling him that unlike all the others that if Frank and him tell others about what happened to his people then they won't met the same fate of death too. They do tell and get the headband that Joe was given tested and it is revealed to be ink used in 1880's.
4 Star = The Phantom Ship
Frank and Joe are out on their boat The Sleuth and a storm stars rolling in. They have no way out of it until this ship shows up. It happens to be a phantom ship because it is a Whaler ship from the 1850's. I was so glad when they got off that horrible ship. They were only saved because of a zombie sailor they called him showed them the way off.
5 Star = The Haunted Castle
Frank and Joe go to London to help a friend of their dad's deal with the ghost of his pirate ancestor who is haunting the castle. Turns out he's haunting because of a witch's curse that was put on him and a rhyme from a Wizard at his funeral sets the guys ghost free and makes the witch lose her power when the Hardy boys show up to keep guard at night.
5 Star = The Mystery of Room 12
The whole Hardy family takes a vacation to the Presidents Inn. Named so because two presidents stayed there. That is not who is haunting the place though. It is a little boy who's dad died of Malaria out at sea. He wants the flute from his dad's chest and when Joe helps him get it the little boy vanishes for good.
January 17, 2020
This was written in the 80s so I read it out of order with the other books, but whatever, these are all out of time non-canon anyway. The Hardy Boys experience some supernatural events! And somehow are totally un-mystified almost the entire way through, which at first took me out of it, but halfway through I realized in some ways I would probably (hopefully) relate.
Wow, just confirmed that ghosts are real? Okay! Anyway what's next! Move on. Kind of bizarre but funny.
There were six stories, no connections between them:
THE WALKING SCARECROW
Utterly ridiculous. The Hardy Boys encounter a supernatural living scarecrow that warns them not to sleep in a spooky abandoned house. Then they go into the house and decide to sleep there. Not in spite of him, but just ... because. "Don't sleep in the house, you'll die!" "Wow, look, a talking scarecrow!" "Don't go in the house!" "Gosh, look, it talks!" DON'T GO IN THE HOUSE YOU IDIOTS
THE MYSTERY OF THE VOODOO GOLD
By far the most inexplicable. Characters and plot points were introduced that were completely unnecessary. The psychic as a framing device was also completely unnecessary. There was like... some gentleman thief rival of Fenton's? Who did nothing? And then I'm not even really sure what was supernatural in this story other than the psychic (which had nothing to do with the actual course of events)? And then in the end it just gets paved over???? what
THE DISAPPEARANCE OF FLAMING ROCK
Not much to say on this one. Flaming Rock disappears.
THE PHANTOM SHIP
This was bizarre, the Hardy Boys take to being prisoners on an 1850s pirate ship REALLY fast, once again they just go with it. I actually really liked this one though, there was a zombie ghost that the regular ghosts couldn't see, which inspired all sorts of spooky questions... this one was actually pretty fun.
THE HAUNTED CASTLE
"Who would have ever guessed that suspicious Mrs. Crone is a witch?" come on COME ON. This story showed a witches circle but wimped out on having them all be naked as is customary for witches circles. I liked this one but some parts were so arbitrary... like oh btw there was a wizard at my funeral and he said 'the curse is over when the hardy boys show up in five hundred years,' aight bye. What? What??
THE MYSTERY OF ROOM 12
Cute, and the only one that actually sort of creeped me out since it isolated Joe and stuck him in a room with a ghost child.
Overall a pretty fun read.
Wow, just confirmed that ghosts are real? Okay! Anyway what's next! Move on. Kind of bizarre but funny.
There were six stories, no connections between them:
THE WALKING SCARECROW
Utterly ridiculous. The Hardy Boys encounter a supernatural living scarecrow that warns them not to sleep in a spooky abandoned house. Then they go into the house and decide to sleep there. Not in spite of him, but just ... because. "Don't sleep in the house, you'll die!" "Wow, look, a talking scarecrow!" "Don't go in the house!" "Gosh, look, it talks!" DON'T GO IN THE HOUSE YOU IDIOTS
THE MYSTERY OF THE VOODOO GOLD
By far the most inexplicable. Characters and plot points were introduced that were completely unnecessary. The psychic as a framing device was also completely unnecessary. There was like... some gentleman thief rival of Fenton's? Who did nothing? And then I'm not even really sure what was supernatural in this story other than the psychic (which had nothing to do with the actual course of events)? And then in the end it just gets paved over???? what
THE DISAPPEARANCE OF FLAMING ROCK
Not much to say on this one. Flaming Rock disappears.
THE PHANTOM SHIP
This was bizarre, the Hardy Boys take to being prisoners on an 1850s pirate ship REALLY fast, once again they just go with it. I actually really liked this one though, there was a zombie ghost that the regular ghosts couldn't see, which inspired all sorts of spooky questions... this one was actually pretty fun.
THE HAUNTED CASTLE
"Who would have ever guessed that suspicious Mrs. Crone is a witch?" come on COME ON. This story showed a witches circle but wimped out on having them all be naked as is customary for witches circles. I liked this one but some parts were so arbitrary... like oh btw there was a wizard at my funeral and he said 'the curse is over when the hardy boys show up in five hundred years,' aight bye. What? What??
THE MYSTERY OF ROOM 12
Cute, and the only one that actually sort of creeped me out since it isolated Joe and stuck him in a room with a ghost child.
Overall a pretty fun read.
March 10, 2025
Full review here (even if I do feel silly writing a review of this.)
https://jamesgenrebooks.blogspot.com/...
Now, while all of this is really really improbable, not the least of which is how two high school kids can be all over the globe for this stuff to happen (a problem with the entire series, that you don't particularly think about when you're in the age range), it's still fun reading, with more than a little learning hidden in the bare bones stories. (You get an age appropriate lesson in whaling, information on Widow's Walks, exactly how poorly settlers treated Native Americans, why you listen to the gypsy lady with the crystal ball.) Even nearing 50 though, this scratched a nostalgia itch I was unaware I had, and brought back some childhood wonder that the series of this era inspired in me.
https://jamesgenrebooks.blogspot.com/...
Now, while all of this is really really improbable, not the least of which is how two high school kids can be all over the globe for this stuff to happen (a problem with the entire series, that you don't particularly think about when you're in the age range), it's still fun reading, with more than a little learning hidden in the bare bones stories. (You get an age appropriate lesson in whaling, information on Widow's Walks, exactly how poorly settlers treated Native Americans, why you listen to the gypsy lady with the crystal ball.) Even nearing 50 though, this scratched a nostalgia itch I was unaware I had, and brought back some childhood wonder that the series of this era inspired in me.
September 5, 2019
Meh, just, meh, not exactly strong Hardy boys material, though I did like the last two short stories. The first one of those two involved an actual mystery with a clear-cut culprit, and the last one I thought was kinda cute and it reminded me of a dream I had where I kinda did the same as Joe (except it was a girl and it was crazier than Joe's dream! The ghost wasn't the crazy part, lol), but the others? Eh, no, not really. But I own it now, and you never know where inspiration will come from for fanfic (speaking of, one of them sounds like it could become a Scooby-Doo like mystery . . . hmm . . . I might like that one after all, lol). ;P XD
September 19, 2020
2016
There was a time, early early high school, where I read every Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys story I could get my hands on. This was one of those novels.
This was a short story collection of several ghost stories. They were quick and entertaining reads, but I rated it lower because I liked their mysteries more. I liked reading and figuring out the mystery right along side of the boys. But this was still an enjoyable quick read. And filled me with nostalgia for when I was about 13 and devoured all of their stories whenever I could.
There was a time, early early high school, where I read every Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys story I could get my hands on. This was one of those novels.
This was a short story collection of several ghost stories. They were quick and entertaining reads, but I rated it lower because I liked their mysteries more. I liked reading and figuring out the mystery right along side of the boys. But this was still an enjoyable quick read. And filled me with nostalgia for when I was about 13 and devoured all of their stories whenever I could.
September 1, 2020
Such a different take on the ghost story genre than Nancy Drew Ghost Stories. Frank and Joe encounter real ghosts but do little sleuthing while the the opposite is true for Nancy. The stories and settings are fun, especially for kids.
January 30, 2018
A guilty pleasure. Of course I'm too old for this, but it's cozy and nostalgic. Best combination with a blanket and anxiety. Giving three stars because I was transported to class 6 for a couple of hours with these boys who have always been 18 years old.
March 5, 2021
I really enjoyed these six intriguing well written short stories featuring the more mature Hardy Boys compared to a book of theirs I read last year.
Here's a fun quick read for any kid who enjoys things spooky.
Here's a fun quick read for any kid who enjoys things spooky.
October 21, 2014
Finished in one day and is quite nice
October 19, 2021
My first book in hardy boys.
Mystery+Horror loved the combo... best book to start with hardy boys...
Mystery+Horror loved the combo... best book to start with hardy boys...
June 20, 2025
Having read many of the reviews, I have discovered that I share many of the opinions already given. The flaws in the book lead me to give it a three-star review. However, the positive aspects of the book prevent it from falling past that point. I shall review each story and attempt to avoid spoilers.
1) The Walking Scarecrow 4/5
This story is fairly spooky and mostly wraps with the mystery being answered either by the logic given by a friendly neighbor or by the spooky supernatural element.
I have two great complaints. 1) The story is highly Frank-centric almost to the point of reducing Joe to a plot device for jump scares or sounding board. He deserved more time to shine, which leads to my next problem. 2) At twenty-one pages, this short story was far too short. This was a story that could have been an entire mystery novel without removing the horror element from it. I am put in mind of the Hardy Boys' Undercover Brothers novel Haunted, The Black Stallion's Ghost, and Frank Peretti's Hangman's Curse.
2) The Mystery of the Voodoo Gold 2/5
This had the bones of a good story, however, it never got beyond the bones. The intro with the fortune teller is the strongest scene, but nothing in the rest of the story ever rises to that level of creativity. Worse the plot with the gold, the idol and its curse, and the antiques dealer do not have the time to coalesce into a functional story. Unlike some of the other stories coming up, this at least had a coherent beginning, middle, and end. This also suffers from being the second Frank-centric story to the point that Joe might as well have not even been present.
3) The Disappearance of Flaming Rock 3/5
There is a more even split between the characters of Frank and Joe, perhaps almost bordering on becoming Joe-centric, which was good. The problem was not so much the idea behind the story as it was the sloppy execution of the solution. The curse was so pathetically worded as to be a near insult to the average intellect as was the inciting incident that made Flaming Rock disappear. In the end, 9/10 of the mystery is just exposition dumped and the story closes.
4) The Phantom Ship 2/5
This just does not work at all unless they merely fell asleep and had synchronized dreams. There are phantoms, ships, and phantom ships, but there is no mystery, investigation, or explanation. Of these six stories, this is decidedly the weakest. There were some interesting ideas, unfortunately, they seem to have been left on the editor's desk.
5) The Haunted Castle 4/5
This story is not too bad, but sadly it fails in its resolution. It is Hound of the Baskervilles without the horror, or it might have been The Canterville Ghost with some adaptive work for modernization and customization. Once again the curse is pathetically weak and the ending too easy.
6) Mystery of Room 12 3.5/5
This is a charming vignette focused exclusively on Joe Hardy. While it is a well executed story, it suffers from being cut short, though greater length might have damaged the premise by stretching it too far.
1) The Walking Scarecrow 4/5
This story is fairly spooky and mostly wraps with the mystery being answered either by the logic given by a friendly neighbor or by the spooky supernatural element.
I have two great complaints. 1) The story is highly Frank-centric almost to the point of reducing Joe to a plot device for jump scares or sounding board. He deserved more time to shine, which leads to my next problem. 2) At twenty-one pages, this short story was far too short. This was a story that could have been an entire mystery novel without removing the horror element from it. I am put in mind of the Hardy Boys' Undercover Brothers novel Haunted, The Black Stallion's Ghost, and Frank Peretti's Hangman's Curse.
2) The Mystery of the Voodoo Gold 2/5
This had the bones of a good story, however, it never got beyond the bones. The intro with the fortune teller is the strongest scene, but nothing in the rest of the story ever rises to that level of creativity. Worse the plot with the gold, the idol and its curse, and the antiques dealer do not have the time to coalesce into a functional story. Unlike some of the other stories coming up, this at least had a coherent beginning, middle, and end. This also suffers from being the second Frank-centric story to the point that Joe might as well have not even been present.
3) The Disappearance of Flaming Rock 3/5
There is a more even split between the characters of Frank and Joe, perhaps almost bordering on becoming Joe-centric, which was good. The problem was not so much the idea behind the story as it was the sloppy execution of the solution. The curse was so pathetically worded as to be a near insult to the average intellect as was the inciting incident that made Flaming Rock disappear. In the end, 9/10 of the mystery is just exposition dumped and the story closes.
4) The Phantom Ship 2/5
This just does not work at all unless they merely fell asleep and had synchronized dreams. There are phantoms, ships, and phantom ships, but there is no mystery, investigation, or explanation. Of these six stories, this is decidedly the weakest. There were some interesting ideas, unfortunately, they seem to have been left on the editor's desk.
5) The Haunted Castle 4/5
This story is not too bad, but sadly it fails in its resolution. It is Hound of the Baskervilles without the horror, or it might have been The Canterville Ghost with some adaptive work for modernization and customization. Once again the curse is pathetically weak and the ending too easy.
6) Mystery of Room 12 3.5/5
This is a charming vignette focused exclusively on Joe Hardy. While it is a well executed story, it suffers from being cut short, though greater length might have damaged the premise by stretching it too far.
October 30, 2023
I mean, it is what it is. Ha ha. Some not-very-scary ghost stories for young readers written in a pretty bland and straightforward way. I did not like that there is no real resolution on any of the stories. I understand there's intended to be that "unsettled" feeling at the end of each, but where the Hardy Boys usually solve mysteries, these just kind of felt like unfinished stories that the author(s) never managed to find enough resolution for to turn them into full-fledged books. Also, the first story was hands down the scariest one, so I think it should have been placed more near the end. Having the scariest story first meant there was absolutely no build of intensity or "scare" level as you progress through the read. But, y'know. A fun, silly, one-time seasonal read!
October 18, 2025
This is a fun, nostalgic collection that perfectly blends the classic, clue-driven Hardy Boys mysteries with some genuinely spooky, atmospheric tales. A quick and satisfying read for fans who enjoy their detective work with a side of supernatural thrills!
September 24, 2025
You would think by the 6th ghost story, the Hardy boys would less skeptical of the paranormal. Too scary for me personally, readers beware!
March 2, 2017
The Hardy Boys are good I like there books and I like books that you don't know a lot of.The Hardy Boys are my 2nd favorite so I read there books and this book is my last one so i took my time on it.In this book there is some times that I got scared and I did not like that part that's what I kinda don't like about these books.In some of there books there are some funny parts and some different parts.They have a lot of books and they are all good.
The book that I was reading it was a good book.The Begging was scary but when I got in the middle of the book it was not that scary.In the middle of the book it was talking about ghost and people were driving past and they saw something come up to them.Then they saw them again and then they went to a house and they went into it and it was not a house anymore.Then at the end of the book it was fine in tell they went back were they were and there car broke down and they had to get a ride from a guy in his car.
I want people to read this book because it is a really good book. If people like the Hardy boys they should read there books.If you like there books you should read them.People should read there books because they are good and they are not that long and not that short.So reed this book and I liked it and it was a really good book.
The book that I was reading it was a good book.The Begging was scary but when I got in the middle of the book it was not that scary.In the middle of the book it was talking about ghost and people were driving past and they saw something come up to them.Then they saw them again and then they went to a house and they went into it and it was not a house anymore.Then at the end of the book it was fine in tell they went back were they were and there car broke down and they had to get a ride from a guy in his car.
I want people to read this book because it is a really good book. If people like the Hardy boys they should read there books.If you like there books you should read them.People should read there books because they are good and they are not that long and not that short.So reed this book and I liked it and it was a really good book.
May 18, 2012
ハーディ兄弟のホラー短編集。相手が人間ではないせいか、いつもと勝手が違うらしく、意外な一面が見られる。
March 31, 2015
Lame af
August 4, 2016
Loved it!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews