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The Hardy Boys #49
The Bombay Boomerang
Frank and Joe Hardy become involved in a case affecting national security when Joe dials a wrong telephone number and gets the Pentagon. Two words-- "Bombay Boomerang"-- that the boys hear before the line goes dead plunge them into a whirlpool of danger and intrigue. At the same time, Frank and Joe must save their father from a murderous gang stealing mercury shipments in the Baltimore harbor. With clues linking the mercury thefts to the top secret Super S missile mysteriously stolen from a government arsenal. In a race against time, the three Hardys foil a diabolical scheme to create widespread havoc in the United States.
180 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1970
63 people are currently reading
814 people want to read
About the author
Franklin W. Dixon
740 books992 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 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 10, 2017
As usual, this mystery was great fun.
March 8, 2017
The "Bombay Boomerang," by Franklin W. Dixon, is a mystery book that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Frank and Joe are two young detectives trying to follow in the footsteps of their father, Fenton Hardy. When mercury flasks are smuggled and stolen, its up to Frank, Joe and their father to solve the mystery. They meet friends and foes on their journey to catch the crooks and save the towns from possible threats.
This book was a great "page-turner'' that kept me in suspence throughout the whole book. I suggest this book to anyone who wants a good, classic mystery book!
This book was a great "page-turner'' that kept me in suspence throughout the whole book. I suggest this book to anyone who wants a good, classic mystery book!
January 31, 2025
Chet throws some cheap ass boomerang at the plane and that stops the planes engine??? Unrealistic but it was still good I guess.
November 25, 2025
This one was really dumb, especially the last few chapters. Too many convenient occurrences, and I think the author was trying to be too clever. But it made us laugh a few times.
January 1, 2025
This one was a little slow for me. A bit convoluted and jumbled at the end, and the ending and wrap-up were to quick. Some points strained credibility which took me out of the story briefly.
March 28, 2021
The Bombay Boomerang is a book by Franklin W. Dixon this is my third book of his and it starts off that the characters, Frank, Joe, Mr. Hardy and Chet are on a boat when Chet mentions something about boomerangs when it reminds them about the mystery of the Bombay Boomerang. They also know it has to do something with mercury. They find out where the mercury gets dropped off at so they stay at a hotel near it to keep an eye on it. In the middle of the night Frank hears the people next door rustling around with something and he thinks it might be someone in there and so Frank wakes up Joe to investigate. They follow the thieves to a lake where they empty a casket and soon after they are shocked to find their dad Mr. Hardy in the casket and they save his life. The thieves eventually find out. The Hardy’s find out that the Bombay boomerang is actually a code word for them to bomb bayport (where the Hardy’s live) and have it come back on the U.S. The thieves get arrested and so they get a limousine to ride to the airport, but wait they are actually getting kidnapped right at the moment! So Joe hurts the driver and the car goes spinning into a ditch and they are safe.
The author did a good job at creating more suspense than the other book of his I have read. There are way more times where someone could have got hurt and having to sit out of it which I liked more than the others. One thing about the book I didn’t like too much is the plot because it wasn’t the “intense” cool story and it was this boring chasing after them and slowly but surely getting to them so it was just this slow pace, but overall it was a good effort by Franklin.
I would recommend this book to someone who likes a slow steady book with some action happening every once in a while. Someone who likes lets say peaceful wouldn’t enjoy it or someone who likes big action packed books wouldn’t enjoy it either.
The author did a good job at creating more suspense than the other book of his I have read. There are way more times where someone could have got hurt and having to sit out of it which I liked more than the others. One thing about the book I didn’t like too much is the plot because it wasn’t the “intense” cool story and it was this boring chasing after them and slowly but surely getting to them so it was just this slow pace, but overall it was a good effort by Franklin.
I would recommend this book to someone who likes a slow steady book with some action happening every once in a while. Someone who likes lets say peaceful wouldn’t enjoy it or someone who likes big action packed books wouldn’t enjoy it either.
March 6, 2019
I chose to do The Bombay boomerang Hardy Boys for my book review, the author is Franklin W. Dixon. The book was about the two hardy boys brothers, as you know they are always up to something. They need to stop a group of bad guys or terrorist that are trying to make a plan to destroy all of America. They go to Baltimore where the gang is planning the attack to try to learn more about the gang. They board the Bombay Boomerang, which is one of the bad guys ship, they fight off the gang and arrest the gang's leader. The lexile level for the book Hardy Boys is 730.
The setting in the book is Bayport, like most of the books, but they actually go to Washington D.C. and Baltimore. The book is mostly just going place to place trying to find clues about the gang. The story has a lot of excitements and mystery in it, there is a lot of action and there is never a dull moment. Like when Joe and Frank have to figure out where the gang is, but the gang keeps moving from place to place so they can’t really pinpoint the exact place where they are. And when the boys get captured the only thing you are thinking is how in the world are they going to get out when the gang is right near you, but they boys are so good and have done it so many times that they know exactly what to do so they don’t stay in captivity or too long or even die.
I recommend this book. I recommend it because there's so much excitement and action in it. It was an easy book and fun book. There were a few spots in the book where there were so many things going on that I got lost, and when I take breaks from reading it is hard for me to pick up where I left off. My favorite part about the book is when Joe and Frank get captured and they have to fight themselves to get free and to safety that was a good part. So overall this book deserves 4 stars and I am happy I grabbed it off the shelf!
The setting in the book is Bayport, like most of the books, but they actually go to Washington D.C. and Baltimore. The book is mostly just going place to place trying to find clues about the gang. The story has a lot of excitements and mystery in it, there is a lot of action and there is never a dull moment. Like when Joe and Frank have to figure out where the gang is, but the gang keeps moving from place to place so they can’t really pinpoint the exact place where they are. And when the boys get captured the only thing you are thinking is how in the world are they going to get out when the gang is right near you, but they boys are so good and have done it so many times that they know exactly what to do so they don’t stay in captivity or too long or even die.
I recommend this book. I recommend it because there's so much excitement and action in it. It was an easy book and fun book. There were a few spots in the book where there were so many things going on that I got lost, and when I take breaks from reading it is hard for me to pick up where I left off. My favorite part about the book is when Joe and Frank get captured and they have to fight themselves to get free and to safety that was a good part. So overall this book deserves 4 stars and I am happy I grabbed it off the shelf!
April 5, 2024
Franklin W. Dixon being a generic pen-name for these novels, this one was written by Vincent Buranelli who tells an exciting tale of intrigue in the typical Hardy Boys style.
A misplaced telephone call by Joe Hardy, acting on instructions from his father Fenton Hardy, sets the action off as he overhears something that intrigues him and seems to relate to something else that is topical in the espionage world, that is the Super S data. And as the story develops this links in with the gang that are seemingly smuggling mercury in and out of the country.
One other link in the chain is that early on Joe and Frank discover that their good pal Chet Morgan has developed a hobby involving boomerangs and the adjective Bombay is applied to some of his collection. There are different types of boomerang, not just the ones that return to the thrower, and during their investigations they employ the occasional boomerang to get themselves out of trouble. But the word, linked with Bombay, takes on a more sinister meaning that Joe, Frank and their Dad Fenton, have to work out.
The excitement builds and all three of the Hardy's lives are threatened but they manage to survive and also to keep their investigations on track to identify and stop the mercury smugglers in another exciting Hardy Boys investigation.
A misplaced telephone call by Joe Hardy, acting on instructions from his father Fenton Hardy, sets the action off as he overhears something that intrigues him and seems to relate to something else that is topical in the espionage world, that is the Super S data. And as the story develops this links in with the gang that are seemingly smuggling mercury in and out of the country.
One other link in the chain is that early on Joe and Frank discover that their good pal Chet Morgan has developed a hobby involving boomerangs and the adjective Bombay is applied to some of his collection. There are different types of boomerang, not just the ones that return to the thrower, and during their investigations they employ the occasional boomerang to get themselves out of trouble. But the word, linked with Bombay, takes on a more sinister meaning that Joe, Frank and their Dad Fenton, have to work out.
The excitement builds and all three of the Hardy's lives are threatened but they manage to survive and also to keep their investigations on track to identify and stop the mercury smugglers in another exciting Hardy Boys investigation.
April 21, 2024
I was unaware of the use of boomerangs for anything more than toys. So, the research in the book made me look them up, and made me realize, the technology and design in ancient and traditional even.
For a change, the Hardy boys are chasing a gang that outwits and outsmarts them over and over. Mr. Hardy finds himself in perilous situations over and over, his cover blown numerous times. An invincible character in the series, is suddenly almost murdered!
Unlike other books in the series, this is a bigger plot! It targets national security. The basic science research and facts make it interesting, especially the last few chapters. It was like being embroiled in a plot of a thrilling tv series.
For a change, the Hardy boys are chasing a gang that outwits and outsmarts them over and over. Mr. Hardy finds himself in perilous situations over and over, his cover blown numerous times. An invincible character in the series, is suddenly almost murdered!
Unlike other books in the series, this is a bigger plot! It targets national security. The basic science research and facts make it interesting, especially the last few chapters. It was like being embroiled in a plot of a thrilling tv series.
November 10, 2020
This time the Hardy Boys are involved in a mystery of international intrigue. They head to Baltimore and Washington to help their father find the gang that's stealing mercury. They are chased, taunted and fight two brutes that are part of the gang who follow the boys everywhere they go. Overhearing a conversation due to a wrong number the boys hear the words Bombay Boomerang, but what does it mean? Bringing the Pentagon people into the mystery adds a deeper threat, this time the nation could be at risk. Frank, Joe, their friends and father work together trying to solve the mystery and stop the gang in an action packed tale.
August 4, 2022
This is an exciting mystery story. It is about 2 brothers and their detective father who solve a mind-boggling mystery. I liked this book because it is fast-paced and thrilling and packed with action throughout. I recommend this book to people who like to read mystery stories.
When Joe dials a wrong number, he gets directed to the Pentagon. Just before hanging up, he hears a voice cry for help on the other end. Two words are heard shortly after that. "Bombay Boomerang". The line goes dead. That is not all. The boys' father Fenton Hardy, the renowned detective, has also been reported missing.
Where is Mr. Hardy? What do the two words mean? Who is behind all this? Read the book to find out.
When Joe dials a wrong number, he gets directed to the Pentagon. Just before hanging up, he hears a voice cry for help on the other end. Two words are heard shortly after that. "Bombay Boomerang". The line goes dead. That is not all. The boys' father Fenton Hardy, the renowned detective, has also been reported missing.
Where is Mr. Hardy? What do the two words mean? Who is behind all this? Read the book to find out.
May 14, 2017
Continuing my goal of re-reading all 190 Hardy Boys books of my youth... The Bombay Boomerang is one of the better of the original hardback stories and has aged relatively well. The Hardys are on the trail of a gang smuggling and stealing mercury when an accidental phone call plunges them into a related national security mystery involving a stolen Air Force missle. This is a well-written action-packed story that any Hardy Boys fan will enjoy.
February 12, 2018
Shades of my childhood! Our days were spent reading The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew and Cherry Ames. I read this one for a fast sequel, one of the challenges on my book battle. No idea why it was on my bookshelf downstairs.
Once again Frank and Joe are helping their dad on a case. This one is about missing flasks of mercury, coming into Baltimore on ships from India. Also, there is the mystery of a missing missile
that is possibly connected to the case.
Once again Frank and Joe are helping their dad on a case. This one is about missing flasks of mercury, coming into Baltimore on ships from India. Also, there is the mystery of a missing missile
that is possibly connected to the case.
June 26, 2023
My version was published in 1970, but only had 180 pages. It would be interesting to see what was edited out to make the book shorter.
This time the Boys rescued their father from certain death. They also have a couple of near misses themselves. It is amazing how they almost die, but recover instantly and move on.
It was interesting to see a bit of 1970s cultural stuff creep into the book.
Not a bad story for young adults.
This time the Boys rescued their father from certain death. They also have a couple of near misses themselves. It is amazing how they almost die, but recover instantly and move on.
It was interesting to see a bit of 1970s cultural stuff creep into the book.
Not a bad story for young adults.
November 10, 2025
Someone is stealing shipments of mercury and a secret missile has been stolen from the Pentagon. Who would have the thought the two were related? The Hardys would!
Kind of surprised the boys can think at all. Once again the boys get roughed up, and both Frank and Joe get a full KO. The KO Count is now up to 63!
Kind of surprised the boys can think at all. Once again the boys get roughed up, and both Frank and Joe get a full KO. The KO Count is now up to 63!
June 24, 2017
A enjoyable read.
June 25, 2017
This book is definitely one of my favorite of the original Hardy Boys series. It's really engaging, fun, and full of action!
February 16, 2018
Aw yeah, another cool government-involved Hardy Boys tale. Those are always some of my favorites right off the bat, and this one really does not disappoint.
June 17, 2019
I liked the part at the end.
November 20, 2019
it was good.
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January 15, 2024An amazing book!
March 28, 2024
The boomerang aspect here is uh pretty lame. This ones a lot grittier than most Hardy Boys.
June 19, 2025
A little deeper mystery than normal for this series, involving international criminals and government secrets. A good story overall.
March 6, 2017
The book that I chose to do my Book Review on is The Bombay boomerang Hardy Boys, and the author is Franklin W. Dixon. The book was about two brother named Frank and Joe. They are detectives that like to solve crimes. They have to stop a group of terrorist that are trying to make a havoc to destroy the USA. They to Baltimore where the gang is planning the attack to try to learn more about the gang. They learn to board the Bombay Boomerang (their ship) and they fight off the gang and arrest the gang's leader and stopped the gang. The lexile level for the book Hardy Boys is 730. And there are pages 180 in the book.
The setting in the book is Bayport, Washington D.C. and Baltimore; and the book is mostly just going place to place trying to find clues about the gang. The story has a lot of Mystery in it. Like when Joe and Frank have to figure out where is the gang and how they can stop them. And when They get captured the only thing you are thinking is how in the world are they gonna get out when the gang is standing around you. The life lesson of this book is to never give up because when times are tough they always get better and you will always achieve your goal.
I recommend this book a lot. I recommend it because there's so much excitement in it just when you think that it's not gonna get as good there's always a big twist. The book just actually makes me enjoy to read; if their where more books like this one I would love to read because this book is just so fun. The only thing that I didn’t like about the book is when it said that the missile will cause nerve gas to spread in the USA I didn’t think that that was to realistic. The book was pretty easy to read their was like one word that I couldn’t pronounce but other than that is was fine. My favorite part about the book is when Joe and Frank get captured and they have to fight them selves to get free and to safety that was a good part.
The setting in the book is Bayport, Washington D.C. and Baltimore; and the book is mostly just going place to place trying to find clues about the gang. The story has a lot of Mystery in it. Like when Joe and Frank have to figure out where is the gang and how they can stop them. And when They get captured the only thing you are thinking is how in the world are they gonna get out when the gang is standing around you. The life lesson of this book is to never give up because when times are tough they always get better and you will always achieve your goal.
I recommend this book a lot. I recommend it because there's so much excitement in it just when you think that it's not gonna get as good there's always a big twist. The book just actually makes me enjoy to read; if their where more books like this one I would love to read because this book is just so fun. The only thing that I didn’t like about the book is when it said that the missile will cause nerve gas to spread in the USA I didn’t think that that was to realistic. The book was pretty easy to read their was like one word that I couldn’t pronounce but other than that is was fine. My favorite part about the book is when Joe and Frank get captured and they have to fight them selves to get free and to safety that was a good part.
June 17, 2013
In The Bombay Boomerang by Franklin W. Dixon the Hardy boys get a strange phone call that is involved in a case that will affect national security. Joe hardy accidentally dials the wrong number and he calls the Pentagon and the man on the other end of the phone says Bombay boomerang and hangs up. The boys find out that the plot is for terrorist to reach havoc on the United states using missiles. their plan is to overthrow the government of the united states at the end the Hardy boys are able to capture the head of the terrorists and prevent the attack.
My favorite character in the book is Joe Hardy because he is in charge of the investigation and at the end of the book he is the one that frees his brother Frank and Captures the head of the terrorist group. I liked him because he was the most important character in the book and the most interesting.
personally i liked this book and it was the best one that i have read for good reads this year because it was full of action, suspense, and mystery. i would recommend this book to anyone who likes suspenseful books that have a ending that looks down for the characters but they pull through at the end.
My favorite character in the book is Joe Hardy because he is in charge of the investigation and at the end of the book he is the one that frees his brother Frank and Captures the head of the terrorist group. I liked him because he was the most important character in the book and the most interesting.
personally i liked this book and it was the best one that i have read for good reads this year because it was full of action, suspense, and mystery. i would recommend this book to anyone who likes suspenseful books that have a ending that looks down for the characters but they pull through at the end.
August 30, 2016
This book was terrible probably one of the best books of the series. The descriptive language was amazing and the book made sure that I didn't put it down until it was over. It was thrilling and there were no loose ends left unexplained. Every part of the book was understandably realistic as well. The book caused me to empathize with the characters in trouble, and get incredibly angry at the villains. Especially, . At that part, I had to stop reading to go eat dinner, but I actually brought the book with me so I could finish the book. Even if you aren't a gigantic fan of mysteries, you will enjoy this book.
May 21, 2019
When I first read Hardy Boys, I think I was in class 5, I had such a crush on Frank Hardy. I liked the brainy one over the brawny one and that sums up my first impression of Hardy Boys.
In their late teens, Frank and Joe Hardy take after their detective father Fenton Hardy. Frank is the older of the two and has more breakthroughs in the cases because he is the brainy one. Joe is the younger brother who more often than not is useful when things get hot and they need to fight their way out.
Like Nancy Drew, the books in the The Hardy Boys series re written by ghostwriters under the collective pseudonym Franklin W. Dixon. And yes, the earlier books were better than the latter ones.
In their late teens, Frank and Joe Hardy take after their detective father Fenton Hardy. Frank is the older of the two and has more breakthroughs in the cases because he is the brainy one. Joe is the younger brother who more often than not is useful when things get hot and they need to fight their way out.
Like Nancy Drew, the books in the The Hardy Boys series re written by ghostwriters under the collective pseudonym Franklin W. Dixon. And yes, the earlier books were better than the latter ones.
July 26, 2012
Over hearing a phone call that seems out wack from the Pentagon the Hardy boys over hear the words "Bombay Boomerang" sending them on a wild goose chase as usaul. Finding that there father has disappeared his timely rescue, all things pointing to India and freighters bringing in the murcury that their father is also tracking seems coincidental but leads the brothers and friends Chet and Phil to once again catch the bad guys and in this case save the entire country from destruction.
November 27, 2015
I suggest this book to anyone who likes to read mysteries. It is about two boys who solve a case involving mercury. The confusing part about the book is when the word "Bombay Boomerang" is talked about. Eventually they discover that the thugs are using these words for a secret code. Towards the end they discover that a ship which was hauling mercury was being hijacked. The two boys must find the hideout of the thugs before the world becomes in danger.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews