What do you think?
The Hardy Boys: Secret Files #3
Mystery Map
In Mystery Map, nine-year-old Frank and eight-year-old Joe Hardy get their hands on a piece of a treasure map. But they’ll need to work with their friends and hunt down the rest of the map in order to have a chance at finding the treasure. Let the sleuthing begin!
96 pages, Paperback
First published July 28, 2010
About the author
Franklin W. Dixon
950 books1,017 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
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 29, 2024
The boys find what may be a treasure map that they hope will lead them to a hidden bounty, if they can avoid the bullies along their path. Also, the mystery of the secret room their father is involved in is finally revealed!
December 30, 2010
I even liked this better than Nancy Drew!
June 9, 2023
I think I like the kid versions of the Hardy Boys more than the teen versions, somehow! Maybe because they get to play with puppies more? (I do still forget which one is which, though.)
The story proceeds at a nice pace to encourage younger readers to solve the mystery on their own, but the "main" case isn't really one that is possible to guess, since the "Why" isn't made clear until they find where the map leads and they question the reason for what they found. Though they have a little revenge on a certain bully... that's always nice.
The secondary mystery is a little easier to guess, but not by much. Again, it depends on information that isn't provided until the end.
Even so, it's a fun read, including the mini-comic at the end. Another great book for Hardy boys fans!
The story proceeds at a nice pace to encourage younger readers to solve the mystery on their own, but the "main" case isn't really one that is possible to guess, since the "Why" isn't made clear until they find where the map leads and they question the reason for what they found. Though they have a little revenge on a certain bully... that's always nice.
The secondary mystery is a little easier to guess, but not by much. Again, it depends on information that isn't provided until the end.
Even so, it's a fun read, including the mini-comic at the end. Another great book for Hardy boys fans!
November 17, 2024
third book in series and its really cool to try and help the boys discovery the 6 W's--who,why,what,where,when and how and solve it by the end of the book..it's great for kids and adults as well and if looking for a fast read it helps with that 2 :) enjoy..oh yeah it has to do in the end with 2 mysteries one is a treasure map and the 2nd is the room over the garage their father built and who it was going to go to...
August 1, 2025
3.91
Hits all the nostalgia buttons for someone who grew up reading the original series.
Intros all the favorite characters, and sets up storylines that are as familiar as an old friend.
It's clearly for grade school age, but as a true Hardy Boy fan, this worked for me even now.
Hits all the nostalgia buttons for someone who grew up reading the original series.
Intros all the favorite characters, and sets up storylines that are as familiar as an old friend.
It's clearly for grade school age, but as a true Hardy Boy fan, this worked for me even now.
March 11, 2020
Good beginner mystery series, but very formal in speaking and mannerisms. The story itself was exciting, but improbable. The dog was cute though.
November 30, 2020
Lacked the mystery of the first two in the series. My 7yo and I rank this 3/3 but are now starting the fourth.
July 20, 2021
good,bad,great.
February 27, 2023
I am reading this story with my younger son, and I am amazed at how good the writing is. It even rivals some of the adult fiction that I have been reading lately. Clever stories that he and I enjoy reading together. And they can be bought at the Dollar Tree Stores in the US (although now, books are no longer a dollar but rather $1.25 - still a bargain in my view for a chapter book for kids).
As an aside, Frank and Joe Hardy are 9 and 8 years old, respectively in this series, set in Bayport, and many of their adventures take place with their classmates at school and their friends.
As an aside, Frank and Joe Hardy are 9 and 8 years old, respectively in this series, set in Bayport, and many of their adventures take place with their classmates at school and their friends.
August 9, 2023
It’s amazing. The book is the world’s best book.
August 29, 2023
The A-story mystery is pretty forgettable, but I like how the mystery of who is getting the upper room was solved in this book.
December 3, 2023
An enjoyable little story. The kids are really cute!
February 5, 2025
Read with my son. Cute series and he's interested in reading because of books like this. Bonus is it came from the dollar store.
March 28, 2025
Read this with my son and maybe this isn't the same caliber as the OG Hardy Boys books- because this sucked. Lots of repeating and the plot sucked. Lots of filler for a disappointing read.
May 10, 2025
It was good… not bad for a modern version of a classic.
June 25, 2026
I've never read a Hardy Boys book. This one was alright. It wasn't really my age bracket so I maybe should have chosen a different one!
February 16, 2016
My love of reading started when i was young, and it gives me immense pleasure to provide books to Spread the Word Nevada, an organization that passes them on to children in the community. They are a terrific organization supporting an important cause. If your local I encourage you to check them out. For those living further a field, look in your own community, their may already be a similar program in place. And if not, you can always help start one.
http://spreadthewordnevada.org/
Myself, I go out on the weekends and
shop thrift store and bulk book lots to rescue books and donate them. Sometimes I'll find a book I remember reading when I was young and will read it again before passing it on.
I don't rate these books using my normal scale, instead I give most of them three stars. This isn't a Criticism of the book, simply my way of rating them as good for children.
Read
October 12, 2010Mystery Map was very good. I learned dogs can smell far. The story was about Frank and Joe. The problem is teenagers stealed money. Frank and Joe found the money by a tree.
August 4, 2015
I like this book because it's full of mystery
August 21, 2015
In the book I wish I was them Because the treasure is so good I bet it a 100'000'000'000'000'000' if it is real treasure!
Want to Read
February 23, 2016dbrek
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews