What do You think about The Missing Chums (1962)?
The Missing Chums Another Hardy Boys book. This time Chet and Tony are captured by smugglers. It all started after Frank's date Callie Shaw was holding a party. After, Chet and Tony decided to walk together and talk. When the Hardy Boys leave the party, they see that Chet and Tony are missing. Yes it is true that their car was still there. And since no clues to their sudden disappearance were found the two boys and Chet Morton's sister Iola worried. Where could they have gone? The plot of this book is based on the search for their chums and the obstacles that they encounter. This was a spectacular book and I recommend it to young readers who get captivated by mystery books. If you like this one be sure to ready the many more to come. I would rate this book a 6/5 because it was better than most books.
—Coolman
The Hardy Boys do it again! This time their crime-ridden town is afflicted by smugglers... or hobos... or drunken boat pilots. Something like that. Their good friends The Fat Kid and The Non-Italian Kid are kidnapped. Gorilla, magician, skeleton, and crazy hermit costumes are involved, as well as some light bondage, bum fights, and very expensive Japanese radios. Frank and Joe, who I believe may be the same person, ala Fight Club, stop a nationwide crime wave by putting their heads together and tackling a guy done in by his addiction to soda-pop. At least their dad managed to not get caught, beaten, or starved this time, though he apparently forgot to prevent his sons' kidnapping. Again. Why does anyone hire that idiot, and how can he afford the Hardy Boys' sweet rides? Local incompetent Police Chief Cowlick (sp.?) once again sits on his ass in his office until the Hardy Boys do all the heavy lifting, while Frank and Joe's sexless girlfriends Iola and Callie do their part to show kid readers that girls are completely useless.
—Dan Kelly
Mystery, Suspense, Adventure *****Franklin W. Dixon's Hardy Boys books are appealing to a lot of young people, because Frank and Joe are always on some sleuthing mission. They look for trouble and find it. I like that Frank and Joe's parents are present in the book but don't play a very large role. Their father always entrusts cases to his boys, lending them great responsibility. I really enjoy getting deeply involved in their Hardy Boys' missions. This book is filled with boat chases, mysterious strangers, shreds of evidence, and missing friends. I think the best audience for this book would be anyone in middle school and early years of high school. Some girls may prefer the similar Nancy Drew books, but I always liked the Hardy Boys better. These books are classics that I enjoy just as much today as I did back then.
—Kirsten
