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misscharlied's review
4.0
Cute mystery, and I can see why the Hardy boys were so popular. I loved the old slang.
It may have been a little too cute, but I pretty much figured that would be the case.
It may have been a little too cute, but I pretty much figured that would be the case.
aspygirlsmom_1995's review
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookworm_baggins's review against another edition
4.0
Listened to the audiobook with Emma and Will. This one had an exciting conclusion!
bdplume's review against another edition
4.0
There really were a LOT of caves and such in this series.
rosenectur's review against another edition
3.0
A fairly good Hardy Boys books that is a little out of the ordinary box of Hardy Boys adventures. Not too much, but I enjoyed the different setting and the way that for most of the book the boys were on their own, and the element of real life danger this one carried.
manwithanagenda's review against another edition
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
3.0
OK, so...nothing really happens?
That's not entirely true, but that was my feeling by the end of the book. However, the energetic writing and the very real, stupid danger the boys are allowed to get themselves into gives the rating a boost.
The boys are out having a lark in the bay when a casual boat race is interrupted by a fire on an incoming steamer. It isn't serious, but an excited passenger jumps overboard and must be saved from drowning by the Hardys. Even stranger the elderly woman, when coming out of her swoon, gasps that she must see Fenton Hardy!
The lady is looking for her brother, a professor with a penchant for saying "By jing!" and not tying his shoelaces - this is very important information say the boys AND their father. Hardy, Sr. takes off on the case and the boys plan a camping trip with Chet and Biff to take their minds off the lack of mystery in their lives.
Of course, there are rumors of an escaped convict - member of the gang that terrorized motorists in the last volume no less - and the caves they set out to explore have been the site of strange noises and gunshots and even a hermit named Captain Royal.
There is a resolution to all things, but as I've said, the real winner here is the pleasure the boys take in planning their excursion, camping, exploring the cave, cooking over fires and the like. The boys bring their trusty guns and shoot them off a few times and the cave exploring I mentioned? They immediately split up and Frank gets lost in the dark. Amazing.
'Secret of the Caves' got a serious re-write in 1965 in which the thin plot was scrapped and the hermit gets himself some serious hardware. The girls have more to do in the revision than wistfully regret having to stay home and clean house, so that's something.
Hardy Boys
Next: 'The Mystery of Cabin Island'
Previous: 'The Shore Road Mystery'
That's not entirely true, but that was my feeling by the end of the book. However, the energetic writing and the very real, stupid danger the boys are allowed to get themselves into gives the rating a boost.
The boys are out having a lark in the bay when a casual boat race is interrupted by a fire on an incoming steamer. It isn't serious, but an excited passenger jumps overboard and must be saved from drowning by the Hardys. Even stranger the elderly woman, when coming out of her swoon, gasps that she must see Fenton Hardy!
The lady is looking for her brother, a professor with a penchant for saying "By jing!" and not tying his shoelaces - this is very important information say the boys AND their father. Hardy, Sr. takes off on the case and the boys plan a camping trip with Chet and Biff to take their minds off the lack of mystery in their lives.
Of course, there are rumors of an escaped convict - member of the gang that terrorized motorists in the last volume no less - and the caves they set out to explore have been the site of strange noises and gunshots and even a hermit named Captain Royal.
There is a resolution to all things, but as I've said, the real winner here is the pleasure the boys take in planning their excursion, camping, exploring the cave, cooking over fires and the like. The boys bring their trusty guns and shoot them off a few times and the cave exploring I mentioned? They immediately split up and Frank gets lost in the dark. Amazing.
'Secret of the Caves' got a serious re-write in 1965 in which the thin plot was scrapped and the hermit gets himself some serious hardware. The girls have more to do in the revision than wistfully regret having to stay home and clean house, so that's something.
Hardy Boys
Next: 'The Mystery of Cabin Island'
Previous: 'The Shore Road Mystery'
cheekimonkey's review against another edition
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.
cheekimonkey's review against another edition
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.