Not only is the local bank robbed, but two of the Hardy boys' pals mysteriously disappear after a masquerade party. Are the events related? How the Hardy boys use all their courage and skill to outwit the criminals provides an exciting climax to one of the most baffling mysteries the young detectives have ever encountered.

I absolutely loved Nancy Drew growing up. This was a series I latched on to for dear life and never let go. So after my obsession with Nancy Drew started to dwindle (mostly because I had read all the ones I could get my hands on), I moved on to The Hardy Boys because that was the natural next step, duh. Love the Hardy Boys (though they weren't quite as amazing and Nancy Drew and her friends). ( )

This was a blast from the past & well done with just a few sound effects to bring the story to life. Well read. I never read much of the Hardy Boys as a kid, but occasionally I'd get stuck some place with nothing else or better. Even as a kid, I quickly learned the formula. It was kind of fun revisiting them, though. I doubt I'll want to read another in the foreseeable future, but they are an important piece of Americana. They have a pretty interesting history of their own. Wikipedia has a pretty good write up here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hardy_Boys

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What a better way to celebrate the 4th of July weekend camping trip on the coast of Maine than with the next volume of the Hardy Boys!! This blue hardcover 2nd series book was just the ticket. Mysterious goings on in town, a bank robbery, a masquerade party, stolen boats, unusual goings on on a coastal island, and of course, the 2 missing chums!! Will the Hardy's prevail and save their friends?? Will the bank robbers be held accountable? Will they find their stolen boat, The Sleuth? Well now, what fun would it be if i ruined the story for you all! Loved it as i have always loved these. 4 down, many, many more to go! Yay! ( )

The implausibility of these books brings a smirk to my face every time. The police don't want to send their own detectives into Shantytown undercover, because they will be too easy to spot. So they call in the teenage amateur sleuth Hardy Boys to do it. Their Dad merely wishes them luck and their Mom says they'll be able to take care of themselves.

Still these are books for young boys so don't expect plausibility to get in the way of adventure. They are fun reads. ( )