Return to Black Bear Mountain

Hardy Boys Adventures #20

by Franklin W. Dixon

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?

Genres: Mystery, Middle Grade, Adventure, Audiobook, Childrens

144 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 18, 2020

About the author

Franklin 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.

Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Joe Johns · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!

[Anish Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Raine · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 🤔

[Steve Leonard · Rating 1 out of 5]

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.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better books in this Hardy Boys series.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun return to Black Bear Mountain. Really enjoyed this one.

[Cindy]

Return to Black Bear Mountain

[Ruth Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only Hardy Boys book I have read but it seemed enjoyable enough.

[Isaiah (aka Isaiah Ward) Herrero · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.