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The Hardy Boys #78
Cave-In
While trying to trace the whereabouts of a kidnapped movie star, Frank and Joe find themselves in dangerous company when they join a film company on location at a ski resort.
189 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
8 people are currently reading
414 people want to read
About the author
Franklin W. Dixon
773 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 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 24, 2025
'Cave-In' (The Hardy Boys Mystery Stories #78) by Franklin W. Dixon.
Rating: 4.5/5.
Disclaimer:
It was my first time reading this book. 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:
After a long break, I'm back again with my chronological read of the Hardy Boys Digests. I tried getting a copy of Hardy Boys #77: The Crimson Flame for months, but my attempts weren't fruitful, and thus, after some deliberation, I decided to skip that book for now and resume the Hardy Boys read project with HB #78: Cave-In.
Richard Chase, a well-known movie star, is abducted from his Los Angeles home hours after attempting to get in touch with Fenton Hardy. Frank and Joe join in their father's case, this time acting as undercover agents when a clue directs them to a ski lodge in the snowy mountains near Lake Tahoe.
It was a while since I last read a Hardy Boys Digest, and thus, my long wait was greatly rewarded considering how intriguing and action-packed this story turned out to be. The plot is a bit convulted as compared to some Hardy Boys books (although if you are a mystery aficionado, it might still seem like a straightforward case). The Hardys find themselves amidst several dangerous instances, sometimes being caved-in, or trying to fend for themselves while stuck in an all out rivalry among two gangs—all of this while trying to find the whereabouts of the abducted actor as well as the mystery of the ski lodge!
Chet Morton, one of my favourite Hardy Boys pals, plays a significant role in this story. As usual, with Chet being involved, there comes a great amount of playful teasing and humor to the story that is usually lacking in the books that are without Chet. Chet, apart from being the target of jokes, is a great friend, and despite all adversities, he always does his best to aid his friends. That's why he is my favourite supporting character in the Hardy Boys books—and by default, any book that features Chet automatically becomes one of my favourite ones.
In the end, Cave In was a brilliantly plotted, action-packed, fast-paced Hardy Boys story that kept me at the edge of my seat throughout its entirety. I breezed through the entire story in the matter of a couple of hours! Needless to say, Cave In rejuvenated my interest in continuing the publication order read of the Hardy Boys Digests—and I can't wait to see what more these books offer next!
Frank and Joe introduced Chet to the director and left them to speak privately. A few minutes later, the chubby boy had a smile on his face that quickly changed into an angry scowl when he rejoined the Hardys.
"Did he give you the part?" Joe asked eagerly.
"He did," Chet fumed. "But you guys didn't tell me I only got it because I was fat!"
Rating: 4.5/5.
Disclaimer:
It was my first time reading this book. 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:
After a long break, I'm back again with my chronological read of the Hardy Boys Digests. I tried getting a copy of Hardy Boys #77: The Crimson Flame for months, but my attempts weren't fruitful, and thus, after some deliberation, I decided to skip that book for now and resume the Hardy Boys read project with HB #78: Cave-In.
Richard Chase, a well-known movie star, is abducted from his Los Angeles home hours after attempting to get in touch with Fenton Hardy. Frank and Joe join in their father's case, this time acting as undercover agents when a clue directs them to a ski lodge in the snowy mountains near Lake Tahoe.
It was a while since I last read a Hardy Boys Digest, and thus, my long wait was greatly rewarded considering how intriguing and action-packed this story turned out to be. The plot is a bit convulted as compared to some Hardy Boys books (although if you are a mystery aficionado, it might still seem like a straightforward case). The Hardys find themselves amidst several dangerous instances, sometimes being caved-in, or trying to fend for themselves while stuck in an all out rivalry among two gangs—all of this while trying to find the whereabouts of the abducted actor as well as the mystery of the ski lodge!
Chet Morton, one of my favourite Hardy Boys pals, plays a significant role in this story. As usual, with Chet being involved, there comes a great amount of playful teasing and humor to the story that is usually lacking in the books that are without Chet. Chet, apart from being the target of jokes, is a great friend, and despite all adversities, he always does his best to aid his friends. That's why he is my favourite supporting character in the Hardy Boys books—and by default, any book that features Chet automatically becomes one of my favourite ones.
In the end, Cave In was a brilliantly plotted, action-packed, fast-paced Hardy Boys story that kept me at the edge of my seat throughout its entirety. I breezed through the entire story in the matter of a couple of hours! Needless to say, Cave In rejuvenated my interest in continuing the publication order read of the Hardy Boys Digests—and I can't wait to see what more these books offer next!
March 18, 2017
Well on my way to re-reading the 198 Hardy Boys books of my youth, I re-read this book for the first time since May 1986 when I bought it! Cave-In is one of the early Hardy Boys paperback editions published by Wanderer Books. For a paperback it is high quality with thick paper that has aged well over 30 years. Like most of the Wanderer published Hardy Boys books of the late 70s and into the mid 80s this a very well written story for the series. The Hardys along with their friend Chet and father explore the mystery of an actor missing on the set of a movie being filmed on a mountain lodge in an old mining town. While attention is diverted by an on-going battle between rival youth gangs in the town whose origins trace to a deadly mine cave-in years ago the Hardy Boys discover all is not as it seems with the movie production. The writing is good quality; the pace of the story is exciting and the story is plausible and interesting. This is one of the best paperback Hardy Boys mysteries and it is a real shame it is no longer in print. Anyone who enjoyes the Hardy Boys especially the later paper back editions before the series was dumbed-down and suffered from lesser quality writing and more dubious stories, will greatly enjoy Cave-In! If you like the Hardy Boys and can find a copy of this book this is a story you wil enjoy!
March 21, 2013
I have read all of Hardy Boys Novels and Cave In is my favourite.
And yes I know that there were several Hardy Boys books written in the 90's and still being written now and further Franklin W Dixon was a pseudonym for several authors who worked on Hardy Boys series but I guess I am a bit old fashioned and still prefer the older stories over the new ones:)
And yes I know that there were several Hardy Boys books written in the 90's and still being written now and further Franklin W Dixon was a pseudonym for several authors who worked on Hardy Boys series but I guess I am a bit old fashioned and still prefer the older stories over the new ones:)
March 17, 2021
As far as Hardy Boys books go (which is pretty far in my opinion), this book is outstanding. I live near Lake Tahoe and go skiing there every winter, so of course this book was a must for me. It did not disappoint. The plot is complex but not too hard to follow, and the writing flows along nicely. The mystery itself gets more and more interesting as the book goes on. I highly recommend it!
February 16, 2018
Somewhat standard, slightly bizarre 80s Hardy Boys story. Not bad.
March 31, 2022
2.5 stars rounded down.
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January 21, 2009JMAR5-Dix
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May 12, 2016hi friend
i am reading book Cave-in today
i am reading book Cave-in today
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews