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The Hardy Boys #6
The Shore Road Mystery
When the Hardy Boys eagerly agree to assist their friend Jack Dodd and his father in locating a family treasure, the two young detectives are unaware of the baffling complications that will arise. Deadly road traps, aerial ambush, a spider man and a suspect who carries a menacing cane harass the young detectives as they seek the triple solution to this perplexing and exciting mystery.
178 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1928
195 people are currently reading
1802 people want to read
About the author
Franklin W. Dixon
734 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 211 reviews
November 30, 2016
This 6th instalment of the Hardy Boys is an exciting story of car theft full of mystery adventure, misadventure and fun. The authors were apparently quite proud of it because in the next volume 7, The Secret of the Cave, it is mentioned on nearly every other page. It is probably in my top 3 Hardy stories and a fun, exciting read. Frank and Joe are always fun to follow and as always there are cliff-hangers aplenty. Good luck getting your son to go to bed between chapters!
March 25, 2023
The Shore Road Mystery was written by Leslie McFarlane for the Stratmeyer Syndicate and was published in 1928 by Grosset & Dunlap as the sixth novel in The Hardy Boys series. The first thirty-eight books in the series were revised under the direction of Stratemeyer's daughter, Harriet Adams, starting in 1959; some of the originals were simply edited or updated and some, including this one, were completely rewritten, which resulted in two completely different books with the same title. The newer version, written by David Grambs, is much shorter (178 pages in 20 chapters, as opposed to 212 pages with 23 chapters), and is directed to a somewhat younger reader. I read the original version as a child and have just finished re-reading both versions. I reread the original first and then immediately read the 1964 iteration, which has much less humor, character, and plausibility. In the original, Frank is 16 and Joe is 15, but they're 18 and 17 in 1964. Another change is that Frank is impetuous and Joe is cautious, but those traits are reversed. There are some interesting terms in McFarlane's book, such as "oilskins" for rain gear, "locker" for the trunk of the cars, Jack smiles "like a basket of chips" (I've never heard that one), "doesn't that beat the Dutch" (not sure what that one means), and my favorite is on page 199, where the criminal the boys have captured says: "I'd have been clear away if it wasn't for them brats of boys!" I have to wonder if that line didn't influence Scoobie scripts in the far future, substituting "meddling kids"! The vocabulary is simplified in the newer version, but I did notice the use of the word "unctuous," which was a bit jarring. The humor in the original is quite good: Chet tells a long joke about surviving a shipwreck in 1923 in which 85 people drown and 94 lives are lost, the punchline of which is that the ship's cat drowns, too, accounting for the other nine lives. At one point Frank falls asleep in class during a discussion of Caesar's assassination. The teacher notices this after the discussion has moved on to Lincoln and calls on him to answer the question of his death. He doesn't want to admit he had been asleep and the resultant image of Brutus stabbing Lincoln results in hilarity. Aunt Gertrude is, as always, amusing and entertaining, but all of these touches are lost in the new version, and we just have Chet chewing seaweed. I was surprised that the brothers carry guns in the early book, which is an entertaining mystery with some interesting twists and turns. It's about a band of criminals who traffic in stolen cars in an intriguing fashion, but the newer version involves foreign powers trading them for nerve gas and illegal weapons with the help of a spider-man and isn't too convincing. I'll give 1928 a four but only a pair for 1964.
August 24, 2024
3 Stars. A great adventure for the boys. More formulaic than some. But it's two mysteries for the price of one. Their friend Jack Dodd's family traces back to the Pilgrims who came to America to escape religious persecution in 1620. One of his distant relatives, Elias, lost his life in a storm along the Atlantic coast near what is now Bayport, but not before launching a message in a bottle about a treasure - with the position of Venus as a geographic locator. It's urgent; Venus won't be in the same place in the sky again for several years. Get the picture? Then another friend, Jerry Gilroy, has his bright-blue hardtop sedan stolen and the thieves went north, or was it south? It becomes clear that a professional ring is operating around Bayport, one not averse to kidnapping and attempted murder as well as efforts to confuse and divert the attention of the police and the Hardys. Soon Jack Dodd and his father become prime suspects! How do these books compare to adult mysteries? The level of English or writing seems just a notch lower, and they are simplistic and less descriptive or analytical. Lastly, there's constant action with danger at the end of each chapter. Enjoy. (Au2023/Au2024)
March 25, 2023
The Shore Road Mystery was written by Leslie McFarlane for the Stratmeyer Syndicate and was published in 1928 by Grosset & Dunlap as the sixth novel in The Hardy Boys series. The first thirty-eight books in the series were revised under the direction of Stratemeyer's daughter, Harriet Adams, starting in 1959; some of the originals were simply edited or updated and some, including this one, were completely rewritten, which resulted in two completely different books with the same title. The newer version, written by David Grambs, is much shorter (178 pages in 20 chapters, as opposed to 212 pages with 23 chapters), and is directed to a somewhat younger reader. I read the original version as a child and have just finished re-reading both versions. I reread the original first and then immediately read the 1964 iteration, which has much less humor, character, and plausibility. In the original, Frank is 16 and Joe is 15, but they're 18 and 17 in 1964. Another change is that Frank is impetuous and Joe is cautious, but those traits are reversed. There are some interesting terms in McFarlane's book, such as "oilskins" for rain gear, "locker" for the trunk of the cars, Jack smiles "like a basket of chips" (I've never heard that one), "doesn't that beat the Dutch" (not sure what that one means), and my favorite is on page 199, where the criminal the boys have captured says: "I'd have been clear away if it wasn't for them brats of boys!" I have to wonder if that line didn't influence Scoobie scripts in the far future, substituting "meddling kids"! The vocabulary is simplified in the newer version, but I did notice the use of the word "unctuous," which was a bit jarring. The humor in the original is quite good: Chet tells a long joke about surviving a shipwreck in 1923 in which 85 people drown and 94 lives are lost, the punchline of which is that the ship's cat drowns, too, accounting for the other nine lives. At one point Frank falls asleep in class during a discussion of Caesar's assassination. The teacher notices this after the discussion has moved on to Lincoln and calls on him to answer the question of his death. He doesn't want to admit he had been asleep and the resultant image of Brutus stabbing Lincoln results in hilarity. Aunt Gertrude is, as always, amusing and entertaining, but all of these touches are lost in the new version, and we just have Chet chewing seaweed. I was surprised that the brothers carry guns in the early book, which is an entertaining mystery with some interesting twists and turns. It's about a band of criminals who traffic in stolen cars in an intriguing fashion, but the newer version involves foreign powers trading them for nerve gas and illegal weapons with the help of a spider-man and isn't too convincing. I'll give 1928 a four but only a pair for 1964.
June 9, 2024
The Shore Road Mystery by Franklin W. Dixon is the sixth book in the Hardy Boys series.
(I learned about this late, so I am reading them out of order :))
Anyways, it is another classic Hardy Boys adventure with a combination of car thefts, hidden treasures, and a potential smuggling ring, all tackled by the resourceful brothers.
(I learned about this late, so I am reading them out of order :))
Anyways, it is another classic Hardy Boys adventure with a combination of car thefts, hidden treasures, and a potential smuggling ring, all tackled by the resourceful brothers.
January 20, 2023
My first Hardy Boys mystery, but it will not be the last! I really enjoyed this mystery featuring a stolen car ring and even arms smugglers! I listened to the audiobook (narrated by Bill Irwin) and it was very well done. Such fun!
November 4, 2022
Just go look at my other reviews of the books in this series.
June 10, 2024
That’ll take you back to a different place and a different time.
In a way it’s simpler, yet how crazy today is.
nothing what is in the media today.
What is done with a razor strop in disguise of discipline….. punishment….. or
Written
By a female author pen name Franklin W Dixon. It really Leslie McFarland a Canadian writer ✍️
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Har...
In a way it’s simpler, yet how crazy today is.
nothing what is in the media today.
What is done with a razor strop in disguise of discipline….. punishment….. or
Written
By a female author pen name Franklin W Dixon. It really Leslie McFarland a Canadian writer ✍️
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Har...
March 1, 2013
I just want to go on the record as saying that if the Hardy Boys were actually hit on the head and knocked unconscious just the number of times they are in this book, they would have significant brain damage. Seriously.
This one was extremely twisty - I didn't put together all of it until the end myself. A fun read so long as you don't take it too seriously.
This one was extremely twisty - I didn't put together all of it until the end myself. A fun read so long as you don't take it too seriously.
March 1, 2023
"My outfit is just for solving mysteries - and the cause of science!"
Chet needs his own series.
Chet needs his own series.
March 27, 2017
It was a very intriguing book. I would definitely recommend it. I took so many turns that I did not expect and it kept on surprising me. The Hardys are strategic in the way that they work and it was very interesting to read about their plans. It was in third person. I would have liked it if it was in first person. I think it would have had a nice twist to it.
May 8, 2024
I enjoyed this easy listen of a cloudy day with a lot of chose to do.
September 30, 2011
The duo detectives are off to find hidden treasure in this addition to the book series.
June 18, 2020
My 10 year old son liked this a lot more than I did.
May 17, 2024
2024 reads, #27-29. These are the latest Hardy Boys books in the public domain to be released by the excellent nonprofit organization Standard Ebooks, which exists to take the sometimes clunkily laid out files of Project Gutenberg and instead present a clean, modern, beautiful, Kindle-style design and layout. (See my review of the first three novels to learn more about who exactly the Hardy Boys are, and why they’re so important to American popular culture.) I found these latest three to be just like the first three -- that is, fun for a lark, but not particularly great novels, and certainly not the kinds of books you would hand to a contemporary teen and expect them to get a contemporary sense of enjoyment out of them -- although I will say that book #5, Hunting for Hidden Gold, officially begins the tradition of the Hardy Boys having exotic adventures in foreign lands, even if in this case it means an abandoned gold mine in rural Montana, and that you can clearly see that ghostwriter Leslie McFarland (who notoriously hated writing these books, only doing so in order to pay his family’s bills) actually enjoyed himself this time, which is likely what led to more and more of these kinds of adventures in the series as the years and then decades wore on. (Plus, of course, as this series’ critics have pointed out, you can only have so many major crimes committed in the Hardy Boys’ small Atlantic Seaboard town of Bayport before the whole thing starts becoming ridiculous; here in just the first six books, for example, we’ve had five different rings of fugitive criminals who just happened to randomly choose Bayport as their location for hiding out from the manhunt trying to find them.)
To be honest, what’s the far most interesting detail of these books now in the 2020s is simply the reminder of how amazing and science-fiction-like the entire subject of internal combustion engines still was in the 1920s when these were originally published, with the Hardy brothers along with their various “chums” absolutely obsessed with the brand-new “motorbikes” and “motorboats” that had just started getting released to the general public in these years. (Also amazing, the fact that average teens could easily afford motorcycles and speedboats in these years, yet another aspect of popular culture we’ve entirely lost in the 21st century.) Unlike the Tom Swift books from these same years, though, the Hardy Boys largely didn’t rely on technological gadgets for actually solving the crimes they always seemed to accidentally stumble into; so apart from their constant chases by boat and motorcycle, the stories primarily revolve around good old-fashioned procedural police work, greatly helped by their father supposedly being a nationally famous private investigator who to the chagrin of his wife is always quietly egging his boys on into such a life themselves. (Also interesting -- it’s this second batch of books that first make it clear that the 1970s children’s cartoon Scooby-Doo nakedly stole its most famous line from the Hardy Boys: “And I would’ve gotten away with it, too, if it wasn’t for these meddling kids!”)
These books are fun but inessential, and should be read this way, with the understanding that the crime solving is laughably clunky and basic, the stories themselves full of outdated slang (“Well, if that don’t beat the Dutch!”) and formerly innocuous words that have now taken on saucy meanings in modern times (“‘Thanks for saving me!’ Frank ejaculated”). They come recommended in this warm but limited spirit.
To be honest, what’s the far most interesting detail of these books now in the 2020s is simply the reminder of how amazing and science-fiction-like the entire subject of internal combustion engines still was in the 1920s when these were originally published, with the Hardy brothers along with their various “chums” absolutely obsessed with the brand-new “motorbikes” and “motorboats” that had just started getting released to the general public in these years. (Also amazing, the fact that average teens could easily afford motorcycles and speedboats in these years, yet another aspect of popular culture we’ve entirely lost in the 21st century.) Unlike the Tom Swift books from these same years, though, the Hardy Boys largely didn’t rely on technological gadgets for actually solving the crimes they always seemed to accidentally stumble into; so apart from their constant chases by boat and motorcycle, the stories primarily revolve around good old-fashioned procedural police work, greatly helped by their father supposedly being a nationally famous private investigator who to the chagrin of his wife is always quietly egging his boys on into such a life themselves. (Also interesting -- it’s this second batch of books that first make it clear that the 1970s children’s cartoon Scooby-Doo nakedly stole its most famous line from the Hardy Boys: “And I would’ve gotten away with it, too, if it wasn’t for these meddling kids!”)
These books are fun but inessential, and should be read this way, with the understanding that the crime solving is laughably clunky and basic, the stories themselves full of outdated slang (“Well, if that don’t beat the Dutch!”) and formerly innocuous words that have now taken on saucy meanings in modern times (“‘Thanks for saving me!’ Frank ejaculated”). They come recommended in this warm but limited spirit.
January 1, 2024
Just in time! I met my goal with less than an hour to spare.
October 23, 2024
"The Shore Road Mystery" had it all!
- Caves!
- Stolen Cars!
- Motorcycles!
- Caves!
- Children with guns!
- Bad guys who inexplicably don't kill children!
- Caves!
-Fat Shaming!
- Chums!
- Did I mention Caves?!
- Caves!
- Stolen Cars!
- Motorcycles!
- Caves!
- Children with guns!
- Bad guys who inexplicably don't kill children!
- Caves!
-Fat Shaming!
- Chums!
- Did I mention Caves?!
March 13, 2023
De cover kan bij veel spannende verhalen geplaatst worden maar spreekt toch aan. Dit keer speelt het hele verhaal zich opnieuw in Bayport af.
Enkel in het begin (maar dan voor lange tijd) spelen de familie en vrienden van de broers Hardy een rol, verder staan zij alleen tegen een hele benden. Die confrontatie is dan meteen de climax van het boek.
Het plot zit sluitend in mekaar en past echt wel bij een jongensboek uit die tijd. Maar het komt toch wel wat ongeloofwaardig over als je er dieper over nadenkt.
Een erg spannend moment is wanneer de Hardy's weer eens vastzitten in een tunnel en ze er dreigen te sterven. Enkel via een eerder verbogen zijtunnel kunnen ze ontsnappen. Dit is al de derde keer op zes boeken dat de auteur dit gegeven gebruikt. "Trop is te veel" zeggen we daarop.
De humor is plat en voor jongens op de middelbare school - de doelgroep dus.
De karakters zijn uitgekristalliseerd, tot volle tevredenheid van de auteur lijkt het, want er wordt niet verder aan gesleuteld.
Spannend en past in de reeks. Wie de vorige delen niet te pruimen vond kan dit boek best links laten liggen. Voor de anderen meer van het hetzelfde, maar meer hoeft dat ook niet te zijn...
Enkel in het begin (maar dan voor lange tijd) spelen de familie en vrienden van de broers Hardy een rol, verder staan zij alleen tegen een hele benden. Die confrontatie is dan meteen de climax van het boek.
Het plot zit sluitend in mekaar en past echt wel bij een jongensboek uit die tijd. Maar het komt toch wel wat ongeloofwaardig over als je er dieper over nadenkt.
Een erg spannend moment is wanneer de Hardy's weer eens vastzitten in een tunnel en ze er dreigen te sterven. Enkel via een eerder verbogen zijtunnel kunnen ze ontsnappen. Dit is al de derde keer op zes boeken dat de auteur dit gegeven gebruikt. "Trop is te veel" zeggen we daarop.
De humor is plat en voor jongens op de middelbare school - de doelgroep dus.
De karakters zijn uitgekristalliseerd, tot volle tevredenheid van de auteur lijkt het, want er wordt niet verder aan gesleuteld.
Spannend en past in de reeks. Wie de vorige delen niet te pruimen vond kan dit boek best links laten liggen. Voor de anderen meer van het hetzelfde, maar meer hoeft dat ook niet te zijn...
Currently reading
June 5, 2009We are 3/4 of the way through, and the Hardy's have been gassed once, almost poisoned by carbon monoxide, nearly run over by a station wagon, nearly decapitated by a wire strung up across the paths of their motorcycles, knocked out twice, nearly run over by a combine, and nearly drowned. I can't understand why Fenton still encourages his boys to be in this business, and why does Mrs. Hardy and Aunt Gertrude just smile and bake cakes? They must be on a combination of welbutrin and valium.
June 7, 2023
The older books have more depth to them than the updated versions, but the difference between these two books is not as great as some of the books. The story is very much the same.
February 16, 2023
another great Hardy Boys adventure.
February 12, 2025
Excitingb and action packed
I remember reading this when I was a teen, so I went back and read it again. It was just as good as I remembered it 40 years ago.
I remember reading this when I was a teen, so I went back and read it again. It was just as good as I remembered it 40 years ago.
January 29, 2025
Going to church in the midst of a life or death mystery is so hard
April 22, 2025
Joe lowkey died five times.
July 9, 2020
From the incredulous cover of the revised edition to the fantastic mystery,The Shore Road Mystery is the best book of the eponymous Hardy Boys Mystery series.The story,the chapters’ names,the descriptions,the characters,the humour,the drama,the slight;yet effective romance and the bad guys - all are in perfect place in this title.And it was really nice to see two plots having no means to get tied up together other than with the Dodd family.Jack Dodd,especially Martin Dodd,are one of the better characters of the entire franchise.The mysterious spider man was original.Chet and the whole gang show up while the former is as virtuous and pleasant as always.There are some remarkable humorous moments,especially with Chet and also features a genuinely laughable drama with our ladies,Aunt Gertrude and Laura Hardy.The tranquil and flamboyant descriptions of everything literally made me to get pictured myself in that tree-wooded area by the shore with exotic plants at twilight,which also happens to be the scene on the cover,thankfully.The end felt quite delightful due to its refreshing plot points.Frank’s creative mind has been really put to its best here as he makes some real flair conclusions.This was the also the first Hardy Boys book I bought on 10th August 2016 and has remained my favourite ever since.I read it two times and it is undoubtedly the finest and the most culminated book of the series.The charm of stillness which I had while reading this book will be remembered forever and be nostalgic as long as I experience that thing.
June 10, 2022
I'm not sure how long this has been on my shelf, but it's been a while. I picked this up at some point in the past few years, fondly remembering this as one of my favourite Hardy Boys books when I was young. Finally recently felt in the mood for a light read and picked this up. Definitely kind of strange reading this after a removal of so many years! And frankly, confess that I remembered almost none of it and was surprised that it really didn't feel all that familiar to me! I did remember one key plot point and eagerly awaited for it to come, but my other memories of this book had faded through the years. Was it a good book? Well, yes? But fairly simplistic and not super engrossing. If it hadn't been for the nostalgia factor, don't think I would have enjoyed reading this one. As it is, I'm glad I read it again, but probably not going to seek out any more Hardy Boys anytime soon. The best part about this book was the old-fashioned vibe and reading of a time that seems now like it was so long ago...
July 15, 2022
I remember reading this as a kid and loving it so I picked it up again 20+ years later to see if it was still any good. I’m happy to report that it was still extremely entertaining 😁
It was a very fast-paced, plot-driven story, but it did take a minute to get used to the 1960s vernacular and cadence. It was pretty funny to read things like ‘give father our regards’ or that they greeted their father with a warm handshake. Even funnier to think of a 17 and 18 year old renting a motel room, buying a car to catch criminals with, but making sure they go to church before putting their plan into action.
Charming, funny, exciting, definitely a great series for kids (and a fun stroll down memory lane for the rest of us!)
It was a very fast-paced, plot-driven story, but it did take a minute to get used to the 1960s vernacular and cadence. It was pretty funny to read things like ‘give father our regards’ or that they greeted their father with a warm handshake. Even funnier to think of a 17 and 18 year old renting a motel room, buying a car to catch criminals with, but making sure they go to church before putting their plan into action.
Charming, funny, exciting, definitely a great series for kids (and a fun stroll down memory lane for the rest of us!)
February 26, 2021
Versi lebih SMA-nya Trio Detektif, dengan bahaya lebih besar, musuh lebih banyak dan berbahaya, aksi lebih dramatis, dan intrik yang lebih rumit. Kurang detail dan adegannya cepat sekali seperti naskah film. Tapi, entah kenapa, Trio Detektif tetap yang terbaik menurut saya.
Tapi, Hardy Boys layak dicoba dibaca.
Tapi, Hardy Boys layak dicoba dibaca.
October 6, 2022
At one point, I’d decided to read all 16 of the books in this series that were ghostwritten by the original author: Leslie McFarlane. A few years ago, I stopped after book 5 because I didn’t think there was anything else to offer, but I’m glad I picked back up because this was the best of the series so far. The cliffside Atlantic location, car thieves, a treasure hunt, and McFarlane’s wonderfully paced suspenseful writing made this a lot of fun!
February 3, 2022
Another stellar, young persons mystery. My 8 year old grandson (buddy) was thoroughly pleased that there were two (not one) distinct mysteries in this novel. Great fun!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews