While dad struts about in suit and tie and mom makes picnic lunches in the kitchen, the Hardy brothers manage to solve their very first mystery involving stolen jewellery and a truculent millionaire. Truly written in a different era, the book's combination of adolescent curiousity and "golly gosh!" innocence was a welcome break from the darker fare I usually read. Maybe I'll try Nancy Drew next time I feel the need for some comforting brain floss.

Read this with Jonah

I read these all the time as a kid and decided to start rereading them. Originally published in 1927, this was significantly revised in 1959. Even so, it doesn't feel terribly dated. Granted, some of the dialogue sounds of the fifties as well as some outdated words (such as chums or jalopy - chums really threw me when I discovered these in the late 90s). Really the only things that majorly date this is the lack of modern technology such as cell phones and computers. The story is a fairly simple one and introduces all the main characters well.
The story starts with Frank and Joe making a delivery for their famous detective father. After nearly getting run over by a car, they soon discover that their friend Chet's car has been stolen. A robbery a short while later is soon connected to the theft and the boys are off.
With absolutely no language and little violence, this is good mystery for kids of any age. Easy for reading on their own or read aloud with parents this is one of those books that both kids and adults will enjoy. The first in a long series that will hopefully keep readers of all ages coming back for more.

Brothers Frank and Joe Hardy are two high school students from Bayport who want more than anything else to follow in the footsteps of their father Fenton Hardy, who is a famous detective. But things get a little out of hand when their best friend Chet Morton’s car is hijacked and a theft at the tower mansion puts their friend Peter Robinson on the suspect list. Will it be too much for them to handle? No! The Tower Treasure gives a colourful cast of characters such as Chet Morton, the self-absorbed and inexperienced Oscar Smuff, Hurd Applegate and the Hardy Family. It’s so wide, it’s hard to think there’s room left for any new characters in the next books. Franklin W. Dixon amazingly creates quick and smooth changes of humour from sadness to excitement to danger and seriousness to humour and back again, all when you least expect it. He describes Bayport and his main characters in depth without getting too dark. If you like Scooby-Doo, you’ll love the Hardy Boys. And this book says “where better to start than with their first stories?"
- @R2-D2 of the Teen Review Board at the Hamilton Public Library

Good Book

this book is not half bad

I remember this dimly from my childhood and reading it now it is still good. it comes from a time long ago in America, my childhood and some of the words are no longer used that much eg. chums and jalopy. in all good clean fun

This is a captivating book filled with action,adventure, and plenty of mystery!

The very first book in the Hardy Boy series. A lot of fun to read.

Me and my dad love the hardy boys before he died he gave me all the hardy boys books.