Danger in the Fourth Dimension

The Hardy Boys #118

by Franklin W. Dixon

A call to action leads the Hardy Boys on a roller coaster ride of terror!

Frank and Joe have received an urgent message from their father: He needs their help on a case at the South Carolina sci-fi theme park, The Fourth Dimension. Soon after their arrival, however, the case takes a dark and shocking turn. Before the boys can even learn the details of their father’s investigation, they learn he’s been kidnapped!

But the Hardys enter The Forth Dimension at their own risk. The search for their missing father draws them into a fight against an elusive enemy armed with rampaging robots, hurtling hovercraft, and deadly laser guns. Their only chance to solve the mystery is to execute a far-out, futuristic battle plan of their own!

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Childrens, Adventure, Crime, Thriller, Classics

160 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1993

About the author

Franklin 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.

Reviews

[David Allen Hines]

A couple years ago I decided to re-read the 190 Hardy Boys books of my youth, a task I thought would take a few weeks that is now on its third year or so! But I have enjoyed re-reading the books very much! Danger in the Fourth Dimension is one of the paperback books later in the series. Some of these later paperbacks are not of as good of quality as the earlier books but that is not true of Danger in the Fourth Dimension, which is well-written, fast-paced and not dated at all like some of the Hardy adventures now are.

The Hardys investigate problems at a new ultra-modern amusement park called the Fourth Dimension. Their father disappears, kidnapped. As is many previous such tales the Hardys go undercover posing as park employees. The action is fast-paced, plausible and completely believeable even in today's time period. This book has not aged at all. It even includes a very plausible plot where elderly couples are potentially scammed to buy condos in a development, something that still happens today. I believe any fan of the series will enjoy this book and children of today would find it interesting and relateable.

Unfortunately, like all of the Hardy Boys paperbacks this title is no longer in print, which is sad given that it is a good story. Additionally the Hardy paperbacks of this time period were printed on poor quality paper that is now deteriorating with poor binding. It is no word of lie that I have a #3 Secret of the Old Mill printed in 1927 in far better condition than the paperbacks of the 90s! But if you are fan of the series and can find a used copy of this book you will enjoy the read!

[Lauren Miliotis]

I fiiiinally finished it, a year later! (Context: I was reading it in Russian.)

To be fair, maybe the rating is a bit harsh and I would have enjoyed it more reading it in English. But from what I can remember, very little really happened and the amusement park setting wasn't that great for me... even having the focus be on Fenton - and I love stories that do that - didn't really help.

That said, it did have all the great jokes, "danger", and cliffhangers that are to be expected from an HB book, so I can't rate it too low :D

[Ethan Hulbert]

Some classic "Fenton gets kidnapped" action reappears in this one. Pretty much his job these days. The Fourth Dimension was a cool idea for a setting but nothing really saved the plot.

[Sara]

Now this is how I remember the Hardy Boys from when I was a kid. Lots of twists and turns and very hard to put down.

[rabbitprincess]

I remember really liking this book. Very silly and fun. But hey, I was in middle school at the time.