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Hardy Boys Adventures #22
Trouble Island
Brother detectives Frank and Joe cook up a new case as a series of accidents threatens a remote island in the twenty-second book in the thrilling Hardy Boys Adventures series.
When Aunt Trudy wins a competition to intern with celebrity chef Colton Spark, she invites Frank and Joe to join her on her trip to the remote Rubble Island off the coast of Maine, where she’ll be helping Colton cook for the prestigious Golden Claw Awards. They’ll be staying at the island’s beautiful Seaspray Inn where the event is being hosted, and though it’s the off-season, the boys will be free to check out the rocky beaches, learn about lobstering, and take in all the close-knit community has to offer.
Still, even before the Hardys reach the island, it becomes clear that the locals are not big fans of Colton. As the big day approaches, the Seaspray Inn encounters a series of mishaps. Is it bad luck, or is someone trying to scare Colton off? And then, the night before the awards, the Golden Claw goes missing!
But before the police can make it over from the mainland to investigate, a huge storm blows in. Cut off from the world, tensions on the island are higher than ever. Will Frank and Joe be able to figure out who’s behind the crimes before someone gets hurt? Or is this troubled island more than they can handle?
When Aunt Trudy wins a competition to intern with celebrity chef Colton Spark, she invites Frank and Joe to join her on her trip to the remote Rubble Island off the coast of Maine, where she’ll be helping Colton cook for the prestigious Golden Claw Awards. They’ll be staying at the island’s beautiful Seaspray Inn where the event is being hosted, and though it’s the off-season, the boys will be free to check out the rocky beaches, learn about lobstering, and take in all the close-knit community has to offer.
Still, even before the Hardys reach the island, it becomes clear that the locals are not big fans of Colton. As the big day approaches, the Seaspray Inn encounters a series of mishaps. Is it bad luck, or is someone trying to scare Colton off? And then, the night before the awards, the Golden Claw goes missing!
But before the police can make it over from the mainland to investigate, a huge storm blows in. Cut off from the world, tensions on the island are higher than ever. Will Frank and Joe be able to figure out who’s behind the crimes before someone gets hurt? Or is this troubled island more than they can handle?
173 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 16, 2021
20 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Franklin W. Dixon
730 books991 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.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 9, 2022
Good storyline and ending. Liked this one.
July 3, 2024
This is a fun, cool brother mystery with humor and action! It has a definite Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers (HBUB) feel to it (the good volumes in that particular series) and my Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew book reading sib agrees. I know there are a number of my friends who like the good HBUB books, so I wanted to let you know that!
We really enjoyed the book ~ the whole Hardy fam at the beginning, great brother team, the humor, adventure, action, intense, twists, literal cliffhanger, and the islanders win. My HBND book reading buddy sib had it figured out early on, which is very impressive. Several suspects, but picked up on the right clues. Love reading together.
Most of the book is great, except for ~ one use of an abbreviation that is sometimes used as profanity – I’ll assume it wasn’t meant as profanity in the book. Also, two uses of the word “freaking”. My sib has never liked that word – I’m not crazy about it either, but I can ignore it more – it’s just so unnecessary to use it. One lie (although humorous) in order to gain a clue – could have been done without the lie to obtain a suspect’s phone. A silly chapter title. This next thing just isn’t accurate and made me laugh…the author had Trudy squeal…Aunt Trudy doesn’t squeal. Like ever. Laughing at the thought of it. SPOILER
The action is really good in the mystery. Plenty of excitement going on with the storm! Cool cover art!
It has an intriguing mystery, cool brother team, family, helping people, humor, danger, sleuthing and cheering for the people who live there over those who would mess up nature for fake. Always go for the real instead of fake.
Check out my complete review on my Hardy and Drew Mysteries blog
We really enjoyed the book ~ the whole Hardy fam at the beginning, great brother team, the humor, adventure, action, intense, twists, literal cliffhanger, and the islanders win. My HBND book reading buddy sib had it figured out early on, which is very impressive. Several suspects, but picked up on the right clues. Love reading together.
Most of the book is great, except for ~ one use of an abbreviation that is sometimes used as profanity – I’ll assume it wasn’t meant as profanity in the book. Also, two uses of the word “freaking”. My sib has never liked that word – I’m not crazy about it either, but I can ignore it more – it’s just so unnecessary to use it. One lie (although humorous) in order to gain a clue – could have been done without the lie to obtain a suspect’s phone. A silly chapter title. This next thing just isn’t accurate and made me laugh…the author had Trudy squeal…Aunt Trudy doesn’t squeal. Like ever. Laughing at the thought of it. SPOILER
The action is really good in the mystery. Plenty of excitement going on with the storm! Cool cover art!
It has an intriguing mystery, cool brother team, family, helping people, humor, danger, sleuthing and cheering for the people who live there over those who would mess up nature for fake. Always go for the real instead of fake.
Check out my complete review on my Hardy and Drew Mysteries blog
September 29, 2025
A classic case of multiple books with the same title, but sent me back to my YA years and my love of mysteries with Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew. Never had much interest in the Hardy Boys until the tv show with Shaun Cassidy as Joe Hardy. Enjoyed this quick read.
"When Aunt Trudy wins a competition to intern with celebrity chef Colton Spark, she invites Frank and Joe to join her on her trip to the remote Rubble Island off the coast of Maine, where she’ll be helping Colton cook for the prestigious Golden Claw Awards. They’ll be staying at the island’s beautiful Seaspray Inn where the event is being hosted, and though it’s the off-season, the boys will be free to check out the rocky beaches, learn about lobstering, and take in all the close-knit community has to offer. Still, even before the Hardys reach the island, it becomes clear that the locals are not big fans of Colton. As the big day approaches, the Seaspray Inn encounters a series of mishaps. Is it bad luck, or is someone trying to scare Colton off? And then, the night before the awards, the Golden Claw goes missing! But before the police can make it over from the mainland to investigate, a huge storm blows in. Cut off from the world, tensions on the island are higher than ever. Will Frank and Joe be able to figure out who’s behind the crimes before someone gets hurt? Or is this troubled island more than they can handle?"
"When Aunt Trudy wins a competition to intern with celebrity chef Colton Spark, she invites Frank and Joe to join her on her trip to the remote Rubble Island off the coast of Maine, where she’ll be helping Colton cook for the prestigious Golden Claw Awards. They’ll be staying at the island’s beautiful Seaspray Inn where the event is being hosted, and though it’s the off-season, the boys will be free to check out the rocky beaches, learn about lobstering, and take in all the close-knit community has to offer. Still, even before the Hardys reach the island, it becomes clear that the locals are not big fans of Colton. As the big day approaches, the Seaspray Inn encounters a series of mishaps. Is it bad luck, or is someone trying to scare Colton off? And then, the night before the awards, the Golden Claw goes missing! But before the police can make it over from the mainland to investigate, a huge storm blows in. Cut off from the world, tensions on the island are higher than ever. Will Frank and Joe be able to figure out who’s behind the crimes before someone gets hurt? Or is this troubled island more than they can handle?"
February 23, 2021
This is another of those books that should have earned five stars from me. The premise is so good, as is the mystery itself, but the resolution left a lot to be desired.
Maybe it's because I figured out who the culprit was almost from the beginning. Or because the two sides at war over the fate of Rubble Island settled a lot of their differences so quickly at the end. Or maybe it was the whole celebrity chef thing. I don't like so-called "reality" shows because they are overly dramatic, and TROUBLE ISLAND's celebrity chef, Colton Sparks, is no different in the drama department.
Still, there's a lot to recommend here and it makes for an interesting couple of hours reading.
Maybe it's because I figured out who the culprit was almost from the beginning. Or because the two sides at war over the fate of Rubble Island settled a lot of their differences so quickly at the end. Or maybe it was the whole celebrity chef thing. I don't like so-called "reality" shows because they are overly dramatic, and TROUBLE ISLAND's celebrity chef, Colton Sparks, is no different in the drama department.
Still, there's a lot to recommend here and it makes for an interesting couple of hours reading.
June 8, 2023
Just embarrassingly sub-standard.
No mystery. No cliffhangers at the chapter's end. Like nothing happens at all. It's truly boring. I read these to my son, and we both wanted to just end the misery as soon as possible.
Glad it's over.
No mystery. No cliffhangers at the chapter's end. Like nothing happens at all. It's truly boring. I read these to my son, and we both wanted to just end the misery as soon as possible.
Glad it's over.
March 15, 2021
There was a good premise for this book, but it just fell flat. Although targeted towards a younger (middle school) audience, it seemed too obvious about what was happening.
July 29, 2021
Aunt Trudy wins the chance to work with Coulton Sparks, a celebrity chef, on Trouble Island. The Hardy Boys come along and all sorts of adventure ensues. A fun mystery!
August 4, 2022
A description of one character is very sus: a kid with "medium brown" skin. Sounds kinda racist & I'm really frustrated & disappointed about it.
July 6, 2025
This one was about a boating trip and it actually surprised me who the criminal was i did not expect it at all. Finally one where it's not the first person they meet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2025
loved seeing the lobster fishing life.. but i don't like the fact that the only person of colour character was the bad guy of the story... hm. and he was like 15. give him a break😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews