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manwithanagenda's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Bayport has entered the modern age: the automat has come to town! The boys are excited to have their good chum Chet Morton show them how to operate the automat, put a coin in the slot next to the desired food and presto you can open the cubbie and feast. The gang is having a great time and even start playing shovin' buddies, when Joe is pushed into a blonde man and jostles him. The man has an overblown reaction, but the boys don't think too much of it. Later, Joe is shoved into the same man, making him drop a package this time. The man, perhaps justifiably, is even more pissed off and thinks they're out to get him. Again, the situation is laughed off and the gang agrees to meet up later at Chet's for a party.
Then...at midnight...it happened.
'Midnight' has a dramatically different opening here then in the revised edition, which has the Hardy Boys breaking into a scientists house at the behest of their father to safeguard an invention. Were automats not cool anymore by the 1960s?
I'm given to understand the rest of the plot is similar with electronic gizmos replacing some of the loot being kicked around. I never read the revised edition of this, but the leisurely pace the narrative takes while Frank and Joe travel to New York City to follow a clue and then are forced to hitch-hike back home to Bayport over a couple days doesn't seem like something that would have been allowed.
I cannot stress enough how cool these early editions of the Hardy Boys are. Also, Aunt Gertrude was delightful in a crisis. Other than some basic safety concerns for two teens spending several nights out of doors and hitch-hiking, I didn't see any reason to butcher this work for 'modern' audiences. 1920s slang has more appeal to me than that of the 1950s.
Next: 'While the Clock Ticked'
Previous: 'The Great Airport Mystery'
Then...at midnight...it happened.
'Midnight' has a dramatically different opening here then in the revised edition, which has the Hardy Boys breaking into a scientists house at the behest of their father to safeguard an invention. Were automats not cool anymore by the 1960s?
I'm given to understand the rest of the plot is similar with electronic gizmos replacing some of the loot being kicked around. I never read the revised edition of this, but the leisurely pace the narrative takes while Frank and Joe travel to New York City to follow a clue and then are forced to hitch-hike back home to Bayport over a couple days doesn't seem like something that would have been allowed.
I cannot stress enough how cool these early editions of the Hardy Boys are. Also, Aunt Gertrude was delightful in a crisis. Other than some basic safety concerns for two teens spending several nights out of doors and hitch-hiking, I didn't see any reason to butcher this work for 'modern' audiences. 1920s slang has more appeal to me than that of the 1950s.
Next: 'While the Clock Ticked'
Previous: 'The Great Airport Mystery'
cheekimonkey's review
4.0
I read all the Hardy Boys my grammy had, and some of her Nancy Drew books while my mom and I were staying at her house in New Hampshire. It was over the summer between 3rd and 4th grade (so each of these will be marked as read in July 1989). As an adult, I don't remember much about them other than I was unable to put each book down until I finished it. Even in 1989, this was still a fantastic series. As an frequent reader of YA, I'm tempted to pick one of these up again to see if it holds up.
mae0524's review
4.0
Frank and Joe once again find themselves in a world of trouble when they are put in charge of protecting an invention but end up discovering a smugglers ring.
Joe gets kidnapped and both boys end up in New York all while their father is off with the inventor, poor poor Aunt Gertude and Mrs. Hardy always worried about their boys.
Joe gets kidnapped and both boys end up in New York all while their father is off with the inventor, poor poor Aunt Gertude and Mrs. Hardy always worried about their boys.
heathere6093's review
4.0
Good mystery in the series, great cover and a title that doesn't start with 'secret/mystery of...'.