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Hardy Boys Adventures #20
Return to Black Bear Mountain
Brother detectives Frank and Joe face the dangers of Black Bear Mountain once again in the twentieth book in the thrilling Hardy Boys Adventures series.
Frank and Joe are back on Black Bear Mountain, the scene of a previous wilderness adventure and mind-bending mystery. This time, the brothers are checking in on Dr. K, a friend they made during their first trip. Dr. K is a fan of living off the grid, but he’s been MIA long enough to cause worry in the small mountain town. And so the teenage detectives Black Bear Mountain relied on before have been called in to help once again.
It’s not a good start to the investigation when Frank and Joe’s ATV is put out of commission by a falling tree. Then their camp, including their radio—their only way to contact the outside world—is destroyed by wildlife searching for food. And when they finally reach Dr. K’s research station, they find his cabin has been cleaned out and abandoned—the only current resident is an angry skunk.
Frank and Joe may have been better prepared for their second Black Bear Mountain adventure, but they’re not having any more luck this time around. In fact, they’ve been downright unlucky. Is someone trying to sabotage their mission? And if they are, how can the brothers stop this invisible foe?
Frank and Joe are back on Black Bear Mountain, the scene of a previous wilderness adventure and mind-bending mystery. This time, the brothers are checking in on Dr. K, a friend they made during their first trip. Dr. K is a fan of living off the grid, but he’s been MIA long enough to cause worry in the small mountain town. And so the teenage detectives Black Bear Mountain relied on before have been called in to help once again.
It’s not a good start to the investigation when Frank and Joe’s ATV is put out of commission by a falling tree. Then their camp, including their radio—their only way to contact the outside world—is destroyed by wildlife searching for food. And when they finally reach Dr. K’s research station, they find his cabin has been cleaned out and abandoned—the only current resident is an angry skunk.
Frank and Joe may have been better prepared for their second Black Bear Mountain adventure, but they’re not having any more luck this time around. In fact, they’ve been downright unlucky. Is someone trying to sabotage their mission? And if they are, how can the brothers stop this invisible foe?
144 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 18, 2020
33 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Franklin W. Dixon
780 books997 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 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 11, 2020
The Hardy brothers' RETURN TO BLACK BEAR MOUNTAIN, where a previous mystery, THE MADMAN OF BLACK BEAR MOUNTAIN, took place, is filled with the usual danger and adventure that fans of the Hardy Boys have come to enjoy. For me, it is also reminiscent of another detective who found mystery in a different locale.
Beginning in the 1940s, detective Ellery Queen found mystery in the New England town of Wrightsville. It was a place where Queen would later return time and again to rest and relax, though he inevitably got involved in a mystery of some sort. I could see Black Bear Mountain and the town of Last Chance being that for Frank and Joe. A place where they could reconnect with Dr. Max Kroopnik and Alexsei Orlov (when Orlov is released from prison) but always find a mystery to solve as well. Since longtime friends Chet Morton and Biff Hooper and Callie Shaw and others from the original series are no longer a part of the Hardys' circle of friends, maybe it's time to bring in other recurring characters, even if they are older.
Beginning in the 1940s, detective Ellery Queen found mystery in the New England town of Wrightsville. It was a place where Queen would later return time and again to rest and relax, though he inevitably got involved in a mystery of some sort. I could see Black Bear Mountain and the town of Last Chance being that for Frank and Joe. A place where they could reconnect with Dr. Max Kroopnik and Alexsei Orlov (when Orlov is released from prison) but always find a mystery to solve as well. Since longtime friends Chet Morton and Biff Hooper and Callie Shaw and others from the original series are no longer a part of the Hardys' circle of friends, maybe it's time to bring in other recurring characters, even if they are older.
September 12, 2025
Book 12 of the Hardy Boys Adventures series was called Hardy Boys Adventures, Book 12: The Madman of Black Bear Mountain. This book is called Hardy Boys Adventures, Book 20: Return to Black Bear Mountain. As the title implies, Frank and Joe go back to that mountain. In fact, it take place a year after previous time they were there. The Hardy Boys 2nd Black Bear Mountain adventure was just as interesting as their 1st. I really liked this book. Also, not only is this the 20th book in the series, it's also the final book in the 20-book Hardy Boys Adventures boxed set that I got at Ollie's back in July. Now is the perfect time to be done with all those books, because my birthday is 3 days away, when I will get many more books. And I know, several more Hardy Boys Adventures books were published since this one came out in 2020. Maybe I will get to read them eventually. But as of right now, I'm just happy I completed this set.
June 14, 2023
The book is good overall, however, lower review as there are many missing words/incomplete sentences (5 so far through page 93) and one instance of 2 words being repeated to make an incoherent sentence. Someone needs to proofread before printing!
July 17, 2024
Too obvious with the Last chance general store employees and the raccoon who showed some thievery at the start to be suspects, Gonzo was a surprise but expected since he was missing on some charter mission
September 15, 2025
interesting that their previous paris adventure flying car moment was remembered, and not their helicopter flight from the basket ball team one I don't remember the title, because frank also played a helicopter flight simulator game in that one 🤔
March 1, 2020
Another book where the Hardy Boys play second fiddle to
a girl who seems to outsmart them at every turn. Another book where Frank and Joe are dumber than a box of rocks.
a girl who seems to outsmart them at every turn. Another book where Frank and Joe are dumber than a box of rocks.
November 5, 2020
One of the better books in this Hardy Boys series.
March 20, 2022
Fun return to Black Bear Mountain. Really enjoyed this one.
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January 3, 2024Return to Black Bear Mountain
April 24, 2024
The only Hardy Boys book I have read but it seemed enjoyable enough.
July 6, 2025
Another search for a crazy criminal through the woods, this one was good, but I figured out who the killer was 3/4 of the way.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews