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manwithanagenda's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The third Hardy Boys mystery begins with the boys being duped by a stranger at the rail station. They change a large bill for him, which turns out to be counterfeit. In the revised edition the brothers would never be so daft, so it was their chubby chum Chet who takes the fall.
Counterfeiting, the boys are informed by their father, is becoming a serious issue in Bayport, and up and down the Eastern seacoast. Mr. Hardy suspects that production may be centered near their own city! Meanwhile, the boys went on a fishing trip and discovered a disused mill is being repaired and put back into business. However, they aren't interested in Chet's father's business as their rates for milling are outrageous. A theory is floated about that they're developing a new breakfast cereal and are understandably hush-hush about it. Meanwhile they befriend the lonely young boy (after saving his life, natch) who lives tat the mill, and try to pump him for information. The biggest development is the boys finally getting a sweet motorboat for their very own, and naming it the 'Sleuth'.
There are some interesting chase scenes and additional character studies, but while the original 'Secret of the Old Mill' is superior writing, the mystery was too thin to recommend it very much. The revised book tried jazzing up the story with cleverly delivered threatening notes to the Hardy's, but also fails to gel. The original gets three and a half stars for fun slang and period details circa 1927.
Hardy Boys
Next: 'The Missing Chums'
Previous: 'The House on the Cliff'
Counterfeiting, the boys are informed by their father, is becoming a serious issue in Bayport, and up and down the Eastern seacoast. Mr. Hardy suspects that production may be centered near their own city! Meanwhile, the boys went on a fishing trip and discovered a disused mill is being repaired and put back into business. However, they aren't interested in Chet's father's business as their rates for milling are outrageous. A theory is floated about that they're developing a new breakfast cereal and are understandably hush-hush about it. Meanwhile they befriend the lonely young boy (after saving his life, natch) who lives tat the mill, and try to pump him for information. The biggest development is the boys finally getting a sweet motorboat for their very own, and naming it the 'Sleuth'.
There are some interesting chase scenes and additional character studies, but while the original 'Secret of the Old Mill' is superior writing, the mystery was too thin to recommend it very much. The revised book tried jazzing up the story with cleverly delivered threatening notes to the Hardy's, but also fails to gel. The original gets three and a half stars for fun slang and period details circa 1927.
Hardy Boys
Next: 'The Missing Chums'
Previous: 'The House on the Cliff'
mefrost's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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
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.
cricketrole's review against another edition
2.0
A classic Hardy Boys novel, always quick and enjoyable, yet this one was difficult to get through. The writing was a bit repetitive, and it didn't exactly fit the story well. Is it possible the ghost writers have switched during this novel? Most likely, but the book was still enjoyable as always. 3 stars, my friends.
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.
booknerdlyn's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
mae0524's review against another edition
4.0
Once again another amazing story and mystery that kept you guessing most the way through it. I can't wait to see what else this series brings to my reading delights.
cdcsmith's review against another edition
3.0
We read this one out of order (my 10 year old and I). The first 2 books I thought actually held up pretty well in spite of the almost 100 years between writing and reading. This one, not so much. It dealt with money too much to be able to. Of the 4 we're read together, this was our least favorite.