BOOK REVIEW: Hardy Boys Clue Book Fall Mysteries 3-in-1

 

HARDY BOYS CLUE BOOK FALL MYSTERIES 3-IN-1
by Franklin W. Dixon
Available now

The Hardy Boys series will be 100 years old next year, and the stories are still going strong even now. Although Frank and Joe Hardy have evolved with the times, one thing remains the same (other than the collective pseudonym of writer Franklin W. Dixon): these are very, very fun.

The new series of Hardy Boys Clue Books has been receiving 3-in-1 edition releases, with collections themed to seasons. The Fall Mysteries 3-in-1 volume contains three mysteries for young readers to solve along with the Hardy Boys: "The Bad Luck Skate," "The Pirate Ghost," and "The Great Pumpkin Smash." The final chapter of each story is preceded by a page with a list of questions, encouraging the reader to crack the case for themselves before seeing what Frank and Joe have figured out.

"The Bad Luck Skate" leans into hockey season, with a certain lucky skate doused with paint right before a big game. Signs point to everyone from rival players to the janitor, but there are other suspects hiding in plain sight.

"The Pirate Ghost" follows the boys to a pirate festival, complete with a treasure hunt! But the boys are warned of a vengeful pirate ghost who doesn't want his treasure dug up. And signs of the ghost's anger begin turning up! Could the pirate ghost be real? And if not, who would want to keep the boys from digging up the treasure?

Finally, "The Great Pumpkin Smash" takes place at a local zoo's Halloween party. Unfortunately, someone has come in and smashed all the painted pumpkins! If the culprit isn't found, Boo at the Zoo may close down for good. Fortunately, the Hardy Boys are able to spot the culprit where no one else can!

These are all quick and simple reads, each suitable for a single sitting. The mysteries are very logically solvable, and should offer kids enough of a challenge while still making sense. (The whole "logically solvable" is on my mind in the wake of a certain podcast attempting to solve Encyclopedia Brown mysteries.) "The Bad Luck Skate" hangs together the best of the three, with everything contained in a very small space and time and the solution being surprisingly wholesome. But "The Great Pumpkin Smash" has the benefit of a livelier story with unique guest characters and an unconventional solution that kids will probably get a big kick out of.

I was a Bobbsey Twins girl growing up, but I'm well aware of the power of the Hardy Boys. It's great to see them still going strong. Whoever this currently Franklin W. Dixon is, they have a huge backlog of dad jokes and a good head for kid-paced mysteries.

TEA PAIRING: Caramel Cabin
This is a fall tea I keep coming back to. It's not "Halloweenish" specifically, but the smooth caramel flavor still gives those vibes. It feels just right for reading along with a classic mystery series. Use my code KARA15 for 15% off this and more bookish teas from Chapters Tea & Co.!

FEATURED CANDLE: Pumpkin Juice
This limited-edition fall candle is really special to me because it smells exactly like a fall candle my grandmother would bring out years and years ago at Halloween. It's sweet, seasonal, and nostalgic, just right for some Hardy Boys reading. Get more book-inspired candles from Frostbeard!