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Hardy Boys Adventures #12
The Madman of Black Bear Mountain
Brother detectives Frank and Joe face perils in the wilderness as they try to track down their missing teacher in this thrilling Hardy Boys adventure.
As part of a research unit, Bayport High’s Green Environment Conservation Club (GECO) is taking a field trip—camping on nearby Black Bear Mountain, where the students will help field biologist Dr. Max Kroopnik investigate local flora. Frank’s there to geek out about nature while Joe’s along for the thrills. Not only does Black Bear Mountain live up to its name—the fierce furry animals are everywhere—but rumor has it that a madman lurks in the forest, and the crazy dude has a penchant for feasting on human flesh. The Hardys scoff at the urban legend, but the rest of their class isn’t so convinced.
When the campers wake up, however, not only do they find a bear roaming the campsite, but their teacher is missing…and blood is streaked across the front of his tent. The GECOs are stranded alone in the wilderness with no technology, no way to call for help, and, quite possibly, a madman on the loose.
Luckily, Frank and Joe have a good amount of survival skills under their belt. But when they venture in search of their teacher, they find themselves hunted by a mysterious axe-wielding man in face paint and bearskins, falling into dangerous rapids, and perched on the edge of a precarious waterfall. Will the Hardys be able to find their teacher and make it back to the campsite alive?
As part of a research unit, Bayport High’s Green Environment Conservation Club (GECO) is taking a field trip—camping on nearby Black Bear Mountain, where the students will help field biologist Dr. Max Kroopnik investigate local flora. Frank’s there to geek out about nature while Joe’s along for the thrills. Not only does Black Bear Mountain live up to its name—the fierce furry animals are everywhere—but rumor has it that a madman lurks in the forest, and the crazy dude has a penchant for feasting on human flesh. The Hardys scoff at the urban legend, but the rest of their class isn’t so convinced.
When the campers wake up, however, not only do they find a bear roaming the campsite, but their teacher is missing…and blood is streaked across the front of his tent. The GECOs are stranded alone in the wilderness with no technology, no way to call for help, and, quite possibly, a madman on the loose.
Luckily, Frank and Joe have a good amount of survival skills under their belt. But when they venture in search of their teacher, they find themselves hunted by a mysterious axe-wielding man in face paint and bearskins, falling into dangerous rapids, and perched on the edge of a precarious waterfall. Will the Hardys be able to find their teacher and make it back to the campsite alive?
144 pages, Paperback
First published June 7, 2016
66 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Franklin W. Dixon
776 books997 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 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 5, 2019
What a fun adventure! This one brought back great memories of checking out Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books from the library as a child. I’ve always loved a great mystery with a huge splash of adventure and a plethora of twists and turns. This book fit the bill.
One line about “gender equality” seemed too political for a children’s book.
Tim Gregory did a fantastic job narrating this tale. The accents, pacing, enthusiasm… he nailed every aspect!
Content: tattoos, profanity
One line about “gender equality” seemed too political for a children’s book.
Tim Gregory did a fantastic job narrating this tale. The accents, pacing, enthusiasm… he nailed every aspect!
Content: tattoos, profanity
April 2, 2017
A fun, exciting summer read! It has an intriguing mystery for the cool Hardy brother team to solve as well as action and humor - all necessary elements. Great cover! I love when there are thrilling rapids scenes in the HB or ND mysteries. I hope that The Hardy Boys #80,
The Roaring River Mystery, is soon available in ebook – I’d love to get that! One of my favorite HB books with whitewater rapids is The Hardy Boys #173
Speed Times Five. Great action. Read the rest of my review for The Madman of Black Bear Mountain on my blog Hardy and Drew Mysteries. :)
The Roaring River Mystery, is soon available in ebook – I’d love to get that! One of my favorite HB books with whitewater rapids is The Hardy Boys #173
Speed Times Five. Great action. Read the rest of my review for The Madman of Black Bear Mountain on my blog Hardy and Drew Mysteries. :)April 19, 2020
not every thing is what it appears to be
August 4, 2016
It. Was. Amazing!
November 22, 2016
November Book Report
Corbyn Vasily
Block 6
The book The Madman of Black Bear Mountain was a great book for me and can be for others, here is a summary on what happens in this book. The Hardy's travel to a lodge to take off on a plane to Black Bear Mountain where a scientist is waiting to research with them. 3 other students/kids come with the Hardy's and their teacher, named Jim Morgan. Together they all travel on a plane up to the mountain. Once they get there they find out that the scientist Max Kroopnik, is a girl. the Hardy's are looking forward to research, but Dr. Kroopnik tells them no. everyone is disappointed and decides to camp up on the mountain, only to be raided by a Black Bear and their teacher possibly eaten. Joe and Frank search everywhere after Max Kroopnik disappears as well. They finally find Jim Morgan in a cave and bring him back to camp, but Jim is trapped on the way back in a tree. Joe and Frank(The Hardy's) get Jim out of the tree and head to the lab on the hill, only to find the really Max Kroopnik tied up, and yes, he is a man. AS Joe crosses the bridge with the fake Kroopnik, she throws him over the side of the bridge, luckily for him he grabs on to the rope of the bridge. Frank runs down to the river below to save his brother, but the mad hermit of Black Bear Mountain saves Joe. Frank and the real max Kroopnik fall off a waterfall moments later after trying to save Joe Hardy. Luckily everyone arrives home to the lodge safely after all the drama the went through, but the imposter Max, whose real name is Lana, is in further questioning. The Hardys have done it again.
Theme of the Madman Of Black Bear Mountain
I think the theme of this book is to never be afraid. I believe this because of how many times joe and Frank's lives were on the line just because they traveled to the mountain. Imagine if they feared of the mountain, they would have never made it out alive for the danger the mountain had. The Imposter Max Kroopnik, the so called "Mad Hermit", and the height of the mountain. If the Hardy's were scared of any of these, they would of died. Frank even explains what it is like when you can't be scared."this time I'd be on my own, rocketing down the valley at fifty miles per hour without even a harness to stop me from falling(Franklin W. Dixon Pg 101, The Madman of Black Bear Mountain)". This tells you that you can not be afraid in that type of moment. This is what is think the theme is in the book, The Madman of Black Bear Mountain written by Franklin W. Dixon.
Corbyn Vasily
Block 6
The book The Madman of Black Bear Mountain was a great book for me and can be for others, here is a summary on what happens in this book. The Hardy's travel to a lodge to take off on a plane to Black Bear Mountain where a scientist is waiting to research with them. 3 other students/kids come with the Hardy's and their teacher, named Jim Morgan. Together they all travel on a plane up to the mountain. Once they get there they find out that the scientist Max Kroopnik, is a girl. the Hardy's are looking forward to research, but Dr. Kroopnik tells them no. everyone is disappointed and decides to camp up on the mountain, only to be raided by a Black Bear and their teacher possibly eaten. Joe and Frank search everywhere after Max Kroopnik disappears as well. They finally find Jim Morgan in a cave and bring him back to camp, but Jim is trapped on the way back in a tree. Joe and Frank(The Hardy's) get Jim out of the tree and head to the lab on the hill, only to find the really Max Kroopnik tied up, and yes, he is a man. AS Joe crosses the bridge with the fake Kroopnik, she throws him over the side of the bridge, luckily for him he grabs on to the rope of the bridge. Frank runs down to the river below to save his brother, but the mad hermit of Black Bear Mountain saves Joe. Frank and the real max Kroopnik fall off a waterfall moments later after trying to save Joe Hardy. Luckily everyone arrives home to the lodge safely after all the drama the went through, but the imposter Max, whose real name is Lana, is in further questioning. The Hardys have done it again.
Theme of the Madman Of Black Bear Mountain
I think the theme of this book is to never be afraid. I believe this because of how many times joe and Frank's lives were on the line just because they traveled to the mountain. Imagine if they feared of the mountain, they would have never made it out alive for the danger the mountain had. The Imposter Max Kroopnik, the so called "Mad Hermit", and the height of the mountain. If the Hardy's were scared of any of these, they would of died. Frank even explains what it is like when you can't be scared."this time I'd be on my own, rocketing down the valley at fifty miles per hour without even a harness to stop me from falling(Franklin W. Dixon Pg 101, The Madman of Black Bear Mountain)". This tells you that you can not be afraid in that type of moment. This is what is think the theme is in the book, The Madman of Black Bear Mountain written by Franklin W. Dixon.
September 17, 2023
This new series of Hardy Boys stories is on a roll with two strong stories in a row. This one involves a camping trip to the remote Black Bear Mountain where legend says a cannibal hermit lives. The boys and their science club are supposed to be helping with scientific research, but the scientist they are supposed to help cancels the trip after they get there. Then things start to go wrong in a big way—a bear in the camp, a missing faculty advisor, that crazy hermit that the legends are about…
The boys are in this one up to their necks needing to solve the mystery or possibly risk dying. The story moves at a very fast pace and the clues are good ones. There is a lot happening here and it quickly moves to an exciting and satisfying ending.
The boys are in this one up to their necks needing to solve the mystery or possibly risk dying. The story moves at a very fast pace and the clues are good ones. There is a lot happening here and it quickly moves to an exciting and satisfying ending.
August 24, 2025
Hardy Boys Adventures, Book 12: The Madman of Black Bear Mountain was, to me, a marked improvement over the previous book in the series. That was called Hardy Boys Adventures, Book 11: Showdown at Widow Creek. That book is so far the 1st and only book I've given a 3-star rating to in 2025. But at the same time, I didn't think this one was quite 5-star material, like I've rated some of the other books in the series. All in all, though, I still really liked it.
July 6, 2018
Listened to this in the car. It was my first Hardy Boys book and it was eh. Wasn't great and wasn't terrible. I found myself thinking other things, so it was not captivating imo. My boys thought it was okay but not great.
July 15, 2021
Another really solid Hardy Boys book! Exciting plot, fun characters, and a good mystery. The narration for the audiobook is, as always, excellent, even if Tim Gregory does say "compass" kind of strangely—fabulous different voices and accents!
October 21, 2024
As with all of the Hardy Boys Adventure books, this one is not nearly as good as the original series. The story was entertaining enough, but the story is about a cannibal so if you’re reading this with a younger reader, maybe skip this one
September 2, 2020
i REALLY THINK IT KINDA HAS A GOOD PLOT TWIST.. I ALSO THINK THAT IT WAS A GREAT STORY... ALTHOUGH THERE ARE SOME PARTS THAT I DO'NT UNDERSTAND BUT IT IS REALLY GOOD
May 9, 2021
Quite an adventure!!
June 23, 2021
This was a very good book!
June 23, 2021
Really creative story arch.
October 23, 2021
2.5 stars. This was more confusing and didn't go into the detail of some of the characters like I would have liked.
December 26, 2021
5 stars from the 10 year old, but a little hard for me to stay engaged.
March 20, 2022
A fun listen with several surprises. Really enjoyed this one!
August 26, 2024
Dang, this was a wild ride! I liked it!
January 8, 2025
Such a light and fun novel. Very substantial plot and intriguing setting. Overall a lighthearted, engaging read.
July 5, 2025
here we are again... i dont know what to say othee than the like girl scientist plot twist twist made me go "hm.. was this necessary"
July 6, 2025
A race to find a madman in a forest, what a crazy adventure this was.
September 14, 2016
This book was good. My only complaint is that it ended too quickly
May 24, 2021
Such a great read. I read them to my kids as a treat for completing chores at the end of the day. They were so engrossed in the story that they don't want me to stop for the night.
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June 14, 2017This Formula Fiction is an excellent example of a novel that can be used to scaffold students to get into reading and predicting what will happen next, especially since it is in a series and follows a certain formula. Students can get familiar with these characters and the storylines. In this Hardy Boys Adventure Frank and Joe are camping with their GECO science group on Black Bear Mountain to accompany a local scientist who lives there. Just before they head up the mountain for the trip they discover that there may be a mad man on Black Bear mountain. Not too worried about the legend, the group heads up the mountain anyway, and while Black Bear mountain lives up to its name for wild animals, Frank and Joe end up facing more survival adventures than they bargained for. This book has lots of adventure and would be appealing to a lot of audiences.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews