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The Hardy Boys #39
The Mystery of the Chinese Junk
When the Hardy boys buy a Chinese junk for a money-making venture, they discover it has a serious flaw.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1959
58 people are currently reading
752 people want to read
About the author
Franklin W. Dixon
735 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
November 19, 2017
Not as good as some of the others in this series.
June 1, 2016
The Hardy Boys want something to do for the summer, so someone tells them about an old junk that is for sale. After buying the junk everyone wants to buy it from them. Why? Is there something hidden in it? They won't sell because it is turning out to be a good business for them as they boat people to and from an island to have picnics for the day.
Update: Even though I didn't think that this was one of the best Hardy Boy books, and so I was going to sell this vintage book, when we took a trip this summer to the east coast we saw an island off the keys and boats had been pulled up on the beach, and my husband said that it looked like they were picnicking. I guess I never thought to take a boat to an island and picnic, and this book came to mind. I decided to not sell it.
Note: This book was NOT written by Leslie McFarlane but by James Duncan Lawrence who also wrote most of the Tom Swift Jr. series.
Copyright: 1960
Update: Even though I didn't think that this was one of the best Hardy Boy books, and so I was going to sell this vintage book, when we took a trip this summer to the east coast we saw an island off the keys and boats had been pulled up on the beach, and my husband said that it looked like they were picnicking. I guess I never thought to take a boat to an island and picnic, and this book came to mind. I decided to not sell it.
Note: This book was NOT written by Leslie McFarlane but by James Duncan Lawrence who also wrote most of the Tom Swift Jr. series.
Copyright: 1960
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March 4, 2015During summer break, the Hardy Boys, Frank and Joe buy an old Chinese boat with their friends Biff, Chet, Tony and Jim Foy. As the Chinese watercraft was for sale in New York City, the boys run into some trouble after purchasing it. The teenagers needed a summer job to bring passengers to Rocky Isle. But, a man named Clams Dagget who is already running a ferry service of his own, tries to stop them. But the Hardys are tougher than that, as they continue to run their ferry service.
The setting takes place on the water in Bayport and if it didn’t, the story wouldn’t make any sense. If the boys had the boat on land, the whole story would be out of order. Time and time again, mysterious people keep wanting the boat, but the Hardys’ don’t understand why. Soon they find out that there are hidden treasures in the boat and the Chinese men want it. The title, “Mystery of the Chinese Junk” impacts the reader’s understanding because no one would have wanted to buy a piece of junk like that, but it was actually very valuable. The value of the boat is what throws the reader off when the title says, “ Chinese Junk.”
The point of view of the book is told in third person. This is the best perspective that impacts the reader because you can see the thoughts and feelings of each and every character. For example on page 91, “ The Hardys were more mystified than ever. Also, they were tempted by chance to realize a large profit.” This shows how both the Hardys feel about the price offered to them for the boat. Where in first person point of view, you wouldn’t be able to see all of the characters thoughts and reactions.
Throughout the book, the mood is mysterious. There are many clues given that hint to later on in the book showing foreshadowing. For example, “ Something very important is missing, he said. Our junk has no short wave radio, and we might need one to get in touch with the coastguard.” This sentence shows how the Hardy’s are missing something important, but it may affect them later on if they don’t have it. These mini clues that are being given out create a mood of mysteriousness and anxiety that keeps you wanting to read.
I would recommend this book to any age group because there is nothing violent and everybody can enjoy a good mystery book. This book is a great book to read because it shows how even a piece of junk like that boat the Hardy’s purchased can turn into a mystery. As the Hardys keep getting confronted by strangers on wanting to purchase the boat, you will find out what will happen in yet another great Hardy Boys mystery.
The setting takes place on the water in Bayport and if it didn’t, the story wouldn’t make any sense. If the boys had the boat on land, the whole story would be out of order. Time and time again, mysterious people keep wanting the boat, but the Hardys’ don’t understand why. Soon they find out that there are hidden treasures in the boat and the Chinese men want it. The title, “Mystery of the Chinese Junk” impacts the reader’s understanding because no one would have wanted to buy a piece of junk like that, but it was actually very valuable. The value of the boat is what throws the reader off when the title says, “ Chinese Junk.”
The point of view of the book is told in third person. This is the best perspective that impacts the reader because you can see the thoughts and feelings of each and every character. For example on page 91, “ The Hardys were more mystified than ever. Also, they were tempted by chance to realize a large profit.” This shows how both the Hardys feel about the price offered to them for the boat. Where in first person point of view, you wouldn’t be able to see all of the characters thoughts and reactions.
Throughout the book, the mood is mysterious. There are many clues given that hint to later on in the book showing foreshadowing. For example, “ Something very important is missing, he said. Our junk has no short wave radio, and we might need one to get in touch with the coastguard.” This sentence shows how the Hardy’s are missing something important, but it may affect them later on if they don’t have it. These mini clues that are being given out create a mood of mysteriousness and anxiety that keeps you wanting to read.
I would recommend this book to any age group because there is nothing violent and everybody can enjoy a good mystery book. This book is a great book to read because it shows how even a piece of junk like that boat the Hardy’s purchased can turn into a mystery. As the Hardys keep getting confronted by strangers on wanting to purchase the boat, you will find out what will happen in yet another great Hardy Boys mystery.
September 30, 2011
The Hardy Boys return in another thrilling addition to the classic book series.
February 16, 2018
Don't you miss the days when you could go out and buy an old Chinese junk just to make some extra money over the summer? Good story.
January 12, 2020
a very good book , I recommend all kids who like detectives to read this book.
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August 25, 2022I really enjoyed reading this book. This was one of the hardcover Hardy Boys I read very rarely. I am happy to read it now.
March 28, 2025
Good book
October 31, 2019
Found this book and discovered the same magic I experienced as a child
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May 2, 2017I really like this book. It involves a lot of sabotage and attacks on the Hardys. The brothers played it safe while pursuing the crooks that were trying to ruin their friends business. I really liked this book because the Hardy boys are looking for a jewel that is on their own ship that they bought. It's right under their noses but can't seem to find it. It is a race can the brothers find it before the crooks do is just the suspense that I like to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2020
Joe, Frank and the boys, along with their new friend Jim, purchase a Chinese Junk to make money by providing customers rides around Bayport shores - only to end up dealing with smugglers looking to find something board their ship, and willing to take out anyone standing in their way! Dixon provides fans another heart-stopping, fast-paced mystery, sure to keep readers glued to their seats. Will the Hardy Boys and their pals figure out the truth behind their ship, or will they end up at the bottom of the sea?
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September 20, 2007Dixon, Franklin W.
September 10, 2025
#Binge Reviewing My Past Reads: Hardy Boys
(Read between 1990 and 1996 in M.P. Birla School library and punctiliously collected and read thereafter.)
The Mystery of the Chinese Junk by Franklin W. Dixon felt like an unusual, almost exotic detour in my Hardy Boys reading journey.
When I first picked it up in the M.P. Birla School library, I was struck by the title itself—foreign, mysterious, and full of possibility. The Hardy Boys on a Chinese junk? It sounded like a departure from the usual rhythm of Bayport-based sleuthing, and in many ways, it was.
The story centres on Frank and Joe Hardy’s investigation into a strange vessel—a Chinese junk—that shows up under suspicious circumstances. From the very start, there’s a sense of cultural intrigue layered onto the standard Hardy Boys framework.
The junk itself is a marvel: an ancient-looking ship, with its curved sails and evocative design, sitting oddly in the modern waters of Bayport. It’s as though Dixon pulled a piece of maritime history into the Hardys’ world, and the effect is deeply atmospheric.
The plot blends smuggling, coded clues, and maritime mystery. Frank and Joe are pulled into the case through their innate curiosity and moral compass, facing not only clever criminals but also the challenge of navigating a ship so different from anything they’ve encountered before. Their resourcefulness shines here: the boys aren’t just detectives; they become students of culture and seafaring, absorbing knowledge quickly and applying it in critical situations.
What impressed me on revisiting the book was how effectively it used the junk as more than just a backdrop. It became a character in itself—creaking, swaying, full of hidden compartments and secrets waiting to be uncovered. The villains are international in scope, adding to the sense that the Hardys have stepped into a larger, global stage of crime-solving.
The pacing is brisk, with moments of maritime danger (storms, traps, sudden attacks) balanced against quiet stretches of deductive reasoning. There’s an undercurrent of respect in the way Dixon introduces a distinctly non-Western element to the series—perhaps simplified, but never reduced to mere stereotype. For young readers in the 1990s, like me, it opened a small window to a broader world.
Looking back, The Mystery of the Chinese Junk stands out as a transitional kind of Hardy Boys adventure. It kept the reliable detective spirit alive but widened the scope, proving that Frank and Joe could thrive even when the mystery was rooted in cultures and traditions far from Bayport. For me, it was a thrilling reminder that mystery has no borders.
(Read between 1990 and 1996 in M.P. Birla School library and punctiliously collected and read thereafter.)
The Mystery of the Chinese Junk by Franklin W. Dixon felt like an unusual, almost exotic detour in my Hardy Boys reading journey.
When I first picked it up in the M.P. Birla School library, I was struck by the title itself—foreign, mysterious, and full of possibility. The Hardy Boys on a Chinese junk? It sounded like a departure from the usual rhythm of Bayport-based sleuthing, and in many ways, it was.
The story centres on Frank and Joe Hardy’s investigation into a strange vessel—a Chinese junk—that shows up under suspicious circumstances. From the very start, there’s a sense of cultural intrigue layered onto the standard Hardy Boys framework.
The junk itself is a marvel: an ancient-looking ship, with its curved sails and evocative design, sitting oddly in the modern waters of Bayport. It’s as though Dixon pulled a piece of maritime history into the Hardys’ world, and the effect is deeply atmospheric.
The plot blends smuggling, coded clues, and maritime mystery. Frank and Joe are pulled into the case through their innate curiosity and moral compass, facing not only clever criminals but also the challenge of navigating a ship so different from anything they’ve encountered before. Their resourcefulness shines here: the boys aren’t just detectives; they become students of culture and seafaring, absorbing knowledge quickly and applying it in critical situations.
What impressed me on revisiting the book was how effectively it used the junk as more than just a backdrop. It became a character in itself—creaking, swaying, full of hidden compartments and secrets waiting to be uncovered. The villains are international in scope, adding to the sense that the Hardys have stepped into a larger, global stage of crime-solving.
The pacing is brisk, with moments of maritime danger (storms, traps, sudden attacks) balanced against quiet stretches of deductive reasoning. There’s an undercurrent of respect in the way Dixon introduces a distinctly non-Western element to the series—perhaps simplified, but never reduced to mere stereotype. For young readers in the 1990s, like me, it opened a small window to a broader world.
Looking back, The Mystery of the Chinese Junk stands out as a transitional kind of Hardy Boys adventure. It kept the reliable detective spirit alive but widened the scope, proving that Frank and Joe could thrive even when the mystery was rooted in cultures and traditions far from Bayport. For me, it was a thrilling reminder that mystery has no borders.
May 23, 2017
The book The Hardy Boys is such a good book for so many different reasons but it also has some flaws. The reason it is so good is because the author of the book doesn't just give you the answer to the mystery he gives clues over a period of time and never really tells the answer until the end. In the book Frank Joe and Chet, which are the main characters, want to make some money for the summer so they buy a Chinese Junk, which is a boat, to start a faerie business. It soon becomes clear that some other people are also very interested in the boat.
The book was very well written to fit the Genre of mystery. The main characters were detectives that have to solve the mystery. A good mystery book shows that the characters are given clues to solve a problem usually with someone trying to stop them from doing that. This book fits this description almost perfectly. In the book the hardy boys and chet are in the ship trying to find the treasure they run into some trouble with the bad guys who try to kill them. At the end of the book the detectives always solve the mystery by following the clues.
I enjoyed this book because it was a well thought out book and it always kept me on my feet. What I didn’t like about the book is that the writing was a little bit older and harder to understand but overall it was a phenomenal book. If you like a book that is really hard to put down and the people who love a good detective story will love this book because that is exactly how the author wrote it. If you are looking for a book like this to read then I highly recommend that you read The Mystery Of The Chinese Junk By Franklin W. Dixon.
The book was very well written to fit the Genre of mystery. The main characters were detectives that have to solve the mystery. A good mystery book shows that the characters are given clues to solve a problem usually with someone trying to stop them from doing that. This book fits this description almost perfectly. In the book the hardy boys and chet are in the ship trying to find the treasure they run into some trouble with the bad guys who try to kill them. At the end of the book the detectives always solve the mystery by following the clues.
I enjoyed this book because it was a well thought out book and it always kept me on my feet. What I didn’t like about the book is that the writing was a little bit older and harder to understand but overall it was a phenomenal book. If you like a book that is really hard to put down and the people who love a good detective story will love this book because that is exactly how the author wrote it. If you are looking for a book like this to read then I highly recommend that you read The Mystery Of The Chinese Junk By Franklin W. Dixon.
March 11, 2023
The Hardys, along with Chet, Biff, Tony and Jim Foy. Jim is a friend, introduced in this book, who tells the Hardys about the title boat. Jim is Chinese-American and this is his only appearance in the original series of novels.
The group of friends split the cost of buying the junk to run tourists to a nearby island. This is supposed to be their summer job where they can all hang out together while earning money. Opposed to the idea is Clams Daggett who currently has a monopoly on shuttling people out to the island.
Within minutes after buying the junk, two factions appear to try and get the boat for themselves. Outrageous amounts are offered followed by threats if the friends do not sell. Meanwhile, there is a subplot involving Aunt Gertrude which eventually folds into the main story.
While a lot of the standard tropes happen, (i.e. getting hit over the head) the writing is a step above many of the books, which moves the story along faster and provides a more exciting ending for the reader.
As a final note, Jim also made an appearance in the 1967 pilot episode of The Hardy Boys which is based on this novel. Unfortunately, the pilot did not catch on with audiences, so no more episodes were made. The not yet stars of the show included Tim Matheson playing Joe, Jan Michael Vincent as Tony Prito and Richard Anderson as Fenton Hardy.
Find it! Buy it! READ IT!
The group of friends split the cost of buying the junk to run tourists to a nearby island. This is supposed to be their summer job where they can all hang out together while earning money. Opposed to the idea is Clams Daggett who currently has a monopoly on shuttling people out to the island.
Within minutes after buying the junk, two factions appear to try and get the boat for themselves. Outrageous amounts are offered followed by threats if the friends do not sell. Meanwhile, there is a subplot involving Aunt Gertrude which eventually folds into the main story.
While a lot of the standard tropes happen, (i.e. getting hit over the head) the writing is a step above many of the books, which moves the story along faster and provides a more exciting ending for the reader.
As a final note, Jim also made an appearance in the 1967 pilot episode of The Hardy Boys which is based on this novel. Unfortunately, the pilot did not catch on with audiences, so no more episodes were made. The not yet stars of the show included Tim Matheson playing Joe, Jan Michael Vincent as Tony Prito and Richard Anderson as Fenton Hardy.
Find it! Buy it! READ IT!
August 26, 2021
When the Hardy boys and their friends pool their money to buy a Chinese Junk they did not anticipate so much trouble. The boys were just looking for a way to earn money over the summer when the deal came to their attention. They decided a ferry to Rocky Isle would be a great summer job so they bought the ship. But it seems like others want the ship and are willing to threaten the boys and cause trouble. Could there be a treasure onboard? Why is this ship so in demand? They need to solve the mystery so they can make some money using the boat as a ferry instead of running around chasing the people who are threatening them. The boys narrowly escape attempts on their lives as well as sabotage on the Chinese Junk as they work to solve the mystery.
May 22, 2023
The 39th book of the series was a fairly quick read. Once again, the Boys run into smugglers who are out to keep them from learning their secrets.
The story isn't bad, but as I said in my last review of #38, the Boys always seem to get saved at the very last minute and they take a lot of hits to the head. But it was good to see a bit more interaction between the friends than has happened previously.
Chet has been more involved in the past few books, which has brought a good dynamic to the series. However, you can only call someone fat some many ways before it gets old. But in the sketches he appears, he doesn't look fat.
This was an okay story that kids may find interesting.
The story isn't bad, but as I said in my last review of #38, the Boys always seem to get saved at the very last minute and they take a lot of hits to the head. But it was good to see a bit more interaction between the friends than has happened previously.
Chet has been more involved in the past few books, which has brought a good dynamic to the series. However, you can only call someone fat some many ways before it gets old. But in the sketches he appears, he doesn't look fat.
This was an okay story that kids may find interesting.
March 21, 2024
So, this is a novel concept for the series. Where most mysteries include Native Indians, this revolved around the Chinese gangs and Chinatown, with a touch of Chinese fortune.
The character of Jim Foy brought authenticity to the Chinese concept, while adding more components representing the Chinese culture like the fortune cookies. Tee-ming turning out to be a Chinese detective was a good twist!
The character of Jim Foy brought authenticity to the Chinese concept, while adding more components representing the Chinese culture like the fortune cookies. Tee-ming turning out to be a Chinese detective was a good twist!
July 14, 2024
The boys and their friends buy a Chinese junk to run a ferry service during their summer vacation. This junk has secrets to some kind of treasure hidden aboard. Numerous bad guys come around and threaten them, but not much more in terms of plot.
Stated off pretty tame, but in the final chapters the bad guys get medieval on Frank and Joe. Frank gets KO'ed twice and Joe once. This ups the count to 47 over 39 books.
Stated off pretty tame, but in the final chapters the bad guys get medieval on Frank and Joe. Frank gets KO'ed twice and Joe once. This ups the count to 47 over 39 books.
May 5, 2017
rereading my youth... LOVED the Hardy Boys series, also Tom Swift Jr. series--which, it turns out, were mostly written by the same writer. found it fun in retro--including how the boys always did dishes for their Aunt Gertrude...
June 5, 2018
Ate these up as a kid and usually got them as gifts for birthdays, Christmas and other events. This edition would be quite dated now and I believe they have updated the books. The author was a pseudonym for a plethora of writers who contributed to this series.
December 4, 2024
A little odd, but pretty good as far as Hardy Boys go, even if there are some inconsistencies at the end. There are some pretty good fights and hilarious descriptions - Chin Gok and his melon-shaped head, lol 😂
May 22, 2017
Quite mysterious and thrilling
September 26, 2019
These stories are short enough to tell a story, but not one that compels the reader. I think the story is somewhat interesting, but names and locations start to get confusing.
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March 2, 2020Much better than the first.
March 2, 2020
First Hardy Boys I ever read.
April 24, 2020
This book is very exciting, and I really liked all of the twists. If you're looking for an adventure mystery book and you are 8-11 years old, it is a really good book filled with action and mystery.
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August 25, 2020Nappi wrap DJ needed
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June 25, 2021This is one of the very first novels I ever read. Don't really remember it.
February 17, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved the different tech-related stuff used in the book. Considering it's written way back, I really appreciated it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews