Tricks of the Trade

The Hardy Boys #104

by Franklin W. Dixon

Frank and Joe Hardy attend a magic seminar and stumble into a mystery when valuable items begin disappearing from the hotel safe

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Childrens, Adventure, Mystery Thriller, Thriller, Young Adult

160 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1990

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

[Luis]

The Hardy Boys book #104, Tricks Of The Trade, by Franklin Dixon, is an action packed, nail biting, edge of your seat mystery novel. I give this book a four out of five. The book features the Hardy Boys, Frank and Joe, and their best friend Chet. Chet had recently found a new hobby in magic. So Chet had talked Frank and Joe into going to see Lorenzo The Magnificent perform in front of a live audience, but that’s when all the trouble starts.
During the first performance, on the ground floor of the hotel, everything was going fine. He made an audience member disappear and reappear, he pulled a bunny out of a hat, the usual cheesy stuff. Then the lights in the room shut off and it went pitch black. Everyone was startled and no one new what was going on. Then lights came back on and everything seemed to be okay. Lorenzo explained that it was just a little “mechanical issue.” Then an older looking woman screamed form across the room. The three boys ran over to her to investigate the situation. She explained that her diamond bracelet had been stolen off her wrist. This was only the first of many robberies. During the week there were many other Lorenzo shows, and many more valuables taken.
I think that this novel is very good, but it is for readers with a certain preference. If you like magic, mystery, and even comedy then this book is for you. Although there is a little bit of inappropriate talk about girls, this book can fit all age ranges. There is one or two swear words also, so I wouldn't prefer this to younger readers.
All after all I would rate this book a four. I think this book deserves no less. It is a great book but may be a little inappropriate for younger readers. It does fit a certain genre of readers though. This is a mystery novel that all readers may not enjoy. The book The Hardy Boys Trick Of The Trade is an outstanding book with mystery, magic, comedy and some betrayal. Does Frank side with Lorenzo the Magnificent, or does he stay true to his best friends. Read the book to find out.

[Ethan Hulbert]

How many magic show mysteries do the Hardy Boys need to attend over the years? This one did have some interesting new twists - although twists might be a little generous.

[Amelia]

3.5

[The Curious Reader]

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.

[Katie]

I never suspected that it was the magician.