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The Hardy Boys #73
The Billion Dollar Ransom
The Hardy boys help out when a magicians' tournament is threatened by mysterious happenings.
189 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1982
About the author
Franklin W. Dixon
952 books1,017 followersFranklin W. Dixon is the pen name used by a variety of different authors who were part of a team that wrote The Hardy Boys novels for the Stratemeyer Syndicate (now owned by Simon & Schuster). Dixon was also the writer attributed for the Ted Scott Flying Stories series, published by Grosset & Dunlap.
Canadian author Leslie McFarlane is believed to have written the first sixteen Hardy Boys books, but worked to a detailed plot and character outline for each story. The outlines are believed to have originated with Edward Stratemeyer, with later books outlined by his daughters Edna C. Squier and Harriet Stratemeyer Adams. Edward and Harriet also edited all books in the series through the mid-1960s. Other writers of the original books include MacFarlane's wife Amy, John Button, Andrew E. Svenson, and Adams herself; most of the outlines were done by Adams and Svenson. A number of other writers and editors were recruited to revise the outlines and update the texts in line with a more modern sensibility, starting in the late 1950s.
The principal author for the Ted Scott books was John W. Duffield.
Canadian author Leslie McFarlane is believed to have written the first sixteen Hardy Boys books, but worked to a detailed plot and character outline for each story. The outlines are believed to have originated with Edward Stratemeyer, with later books outlined by his daughters Edna C. Squier and Harriet Stratemeyer Adams. Edward and Harriet also edited all books in the series through the mid-1960s. Other writers of the original books include MacFarlane's wife Amy, John Button, Andrew E. Svenson, and Adams herself; most of the outlines were done by Adams and Svenson. A number of other writers and editors were recruited to revise the outlines and update the texts in line with a more modern sensibility, starting in the late 1950s.
The principal author for the Ted Scott books was John W. Duffield.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 28, 2008
"I thought you said we were burying the hatchet, but the hatchet's right here, what are you doing to my ass???"
July 31, 2023
'The Billion Dollar Ransom' (The Hardy Boys Mystery Stories #73) by Franklin W. Dixon.
Rating: 5/5.
Disclaimer:
I have, probably, read the first 63 Hardy Boys books multiple times, but the same can not be said for the subsequent books in the series. It isn't because I'm partial to the Originals, but more so because the latter books were hard to find growing up. However, with the advent of digital books in recent times, I'm eager to pursue my childhood ambition of reading all 190 Hardy Boys books at least once.
The Hardy Boys books are a nostalgic affair. Had it not been for these books, it would have been difficult for me to cultivate my interest in reading and to later expand my reading preferences to include the fantasy and sci-fi genres. So, yeah, that's the main reason why you would rarely find me giving a rating of fewer than 3.5 stars (out of 5) to these Hardy Boys books.
Review:
'The Billion Dollar Ransom' had everything I needed it to be. Comprising of a tournament for magicians, sabotaging of their acts, death threats, fake bombs, secret agents, otherworldly apparitions, and a high-profile abduction, this book was an absolute wet dream for longtime Hardy Boys enthusiasts. It ticked all the right boxes which ultimately made it a thoroughly compelling read.
This story, unlike earlier stories, is not much of a mystery story. Sure, there's a mystery at its core, but it takes a hard turn almost beyond the halfway mark and makes an action thriller instead. The first half, with the ghost at the opera house and the sabotage of the magicians' tournament, adds the right amount of spice to make it a mystery story. However, it is clearly evident who the main culprits might be once we are done with the first half of the book. I was worried that the story might be underwhelming once the identity of the culprits was revealed, but the author did a commendable job in turning the story into an action thriller. The inclusion of the president of the United States (IIRC, the POTUS in 1984 was Ronald Reagen) and the federal agents in the second half added the much necessary drama to this book.
And yet, the book still retains the mystery element almost towards the end. The identity of the third culprit is not revealed to maintain the suspense. While his identity is obvious to the reader as soon as the hostage drama ensues, it is a bit drawn out almost until the end. Furthermore, as a physician myself, I was greatly touched by these lines towards the end of the story: "I am a doctor first and foremost. My job is to preserve life, not destroy it!"
The book also gave us some much-needed needed background story of the famous detective Fenton Hardy. We learn about his college days and his financial struggles back then. Chet, Tony Prito, and Iola Morton are the Hardy pals that make an appearance in this book, along with a passing reference to Peter Walker – their basketball buddy who was a part of their previous case 'The Voodoo Plot'.
Overall, reading this book was a hell of an experience. It was a perfect, adrenaline-filled Hardy Boys adventure that made me fall in love with these stories once again. I do hope the next book is as engrossing as this one!
"I wish we were going along, instead of to the Palace to play nursemaid," Joe said wistfully, looking at the aircraft.
Frank started their bright yellow sports sedan and headed back towards the city. "Remember what Dad always says," he remarked. "No case is small if we do our job well."
Rating: 5/5.
Disclaimer:
I have, probably, read the first 63 Hardy Boys books multiple times, but the same can not be said for the subsequent books in the series. It isn't because I'm partial to the Originals, but more so because the latter books were hard to find growing up. However, with the advent of digital books in recent times, I'm eager to pursue my childhood ambition of reading all 190 Hardy Boys books at least once.
The Hardy Boys books are a nostalgic affair. Had it not been for these books, it would have been difficult for me to cultivate my interest in reading and to later expand my reading preferences to include the fantasy and sci-fi genres. So, yeah, that's the main reason why you would rarely find me giving a rating of fewer than 3.5 stars (out of 5) to these Hardy Boys books.
Review:
'The Billion Dollar Ransom' had everything I needed it to be. Comprising of a tournament for magicians, sabotaging of their acts, death threats, fake bombs, secret agents, otherworldly apparitions, and a high-profile abduction, this book was an absolute wet dream for longtime Hardy Boys enthusiasts. It ticked all the right boxes which ultimately made it a thoroughly compelling read.
This story, unlike earlier stories, is not much of a mystery story. Sure, there's a mystery at its core, but it takes a hard turn almost beyond the halfway mark and makes an action thriller instead. The first half, with the ghost at the opera house and the sabotage of the magicians' tournament, adds the right amount of spice to make it a mystery story. However, it is clearly evident who the main culprits might be once we are done with the first half of the book. I was worried that the story might be underwhelming once the identity of the culprits was revealed, but the author did a commendable job in turning the story into an action thriller. The inclusion of the president of the United States (IIRC, the POTUS in 1984 was Ronald Reagen) and the federal agents in the second half added the much necessary drama to this book.
And yet, the book still retains the mystery element almost towards the end. The identity of the third culprit is not revealed to maintain the suspense. While his identity is obvious to the reader as soon as the hostage drama ensues, it is a bit drawn out almost until the end. Furthermore, as a physician myself, I was greatly touched by these lines towards the end of the story: "I am a doctor first and foremost. My job is to preserve life, not destroy it!"
The book also gave us some much-needed needed background story of the famous detective Fenton Hardy. We learn about his college days and his financial struggles back then. Chet, Tony Prito, and Iola Morton are the Hardy pals that make an appearance in this book, along with a passing reference to Peter Walker – their basketball buddy who was a part of their previous case 'The Voodoo Plot'.
Overall, reading this book was a hell of an experience. It was a perfect, adrenaline-filled Hardy Boys adventure that made me fall in love with these stories once again. I do hope the next book is as engrossing as this one!
"You must be kidding!" Chet protested. "That kind of work is not my line!"
"Come on, Chet, it will be fun," Joe teased.
"You have a strange idea of fun," Chet grumbled. "I know you don't believe in ghosts, but I like to keep an open mind on the subject.'
February 16, 2018
Pretty iffy book for me. Enough with the "magic show mysteries" stuff. It's just not fun or interesting.
July 11, 2020
More of an obvious ghost story that happens to take place among magicians and an old theater. Not very magic, not very ghost. Decent treatment of people as people at least.
October 12, 2020
Just for fun reading.
April 25, 2021
It was clearly evident Zandro was enemy No 1 but there was a lot of confusing stuff in there too. Not the best Hardy Boys I’ve read so far
May 3, 2025
4.5 stars rounded to 5 for Goodreads. Really good mystery. Very enjoyable and one of the best Hardy Boys I have read. I docked a half star because it’s a bit implausible but still a really fun read.
December 22, 2014
When I first read Hardy Boys, I think I was in class 5, I had such a crush on Frank Hardy. I liked the brainy one over the brawny one and that sums up my first impression of Hardy Boys.
In their late teens, Frank and Joe Hardy take after their detective father Fenton Hardy. Frank is the older of the two and has more breakthroughs in the cases because he is the brainy one. Joe is the younger brother who more often than not is useful when things get hot and they need to fight their way out.
Like Nancy Drew, the books in the The Hardy Boys series re written by ghostwriters under the collective pseudonym Franklin W. Dixon. And yes, the earlier books were better than the latter ones.
In their late teens, Frank and Joe Hardy take after their detective father Fenton Hardy. Frank is the older of the two and has more breakthroughs in the cases because he is the brainy one. Joe is the younger brother who more often than not is useful when things get hot and they need to fight their way out.
Like Nancy Drew, the books in the The Hardy Boys series re written by ghostwriters under the collective pseudonym Franklin W. Dixon. And yes, the earlier books were better than the latter ones.
Read
January 21, 2009JMAR5-Dix
February 14, 2011
This was the first book I ever read. I wrote a blogpost about it that you might find interesting:
http://mrbramesblog.blogspot.com/2011...
http://mrbramesblog.blogspot.com/2011...
May 23, 2012
read when I was 10 through 13
May 22, 2013
Fast to read. I like this book.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews