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The Hardy Boys #69
The Four-Headed Dragon
Found dazed and incoherent in the woods, Mr. Hardy's assistant is then kidnapped from the hospital, and the Hardy boys pick up the trail of a vicious gang
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
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.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 1, 2023
'The Four-Headed Dragon' (The Hardy Boys Mystery Stories #69) by Franklin W. Dixon.
Rating: 4.25/5.
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:
When I started reading this book, I went in expecting this to be my first read. I had no recollection of reading this story or even possessing a copy of this book before now. However, as I read on, I had a certain sense of déjà vu. I started vaguely remembering a story containing Sam Radley's amnesia, the Hardys trying to tape Sam's mumblings, and a frightening scene involving wild feral dogs. Surprisingly, this story consisted of all the above-mentioned elements. I'm still not hundred percent certain whether I read this book decades ago, but it certainly seems to be the case. I shall probably need to dig out my old books and search whether I have a used paperback copy of 'The Four-Headed Dragon' from my school days.
The book also features Hurricane Gertrude – something that is even referenced in the Undercover Brothers continuity. If my memory serves me right, Hurricane Gertrude is mentioned in one of the earlier Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers books - 'Hurricane Joe'. The infamous hurricane Gertrude is also stated to be the reason why Aunt Gertrude goes by the name Trudy in that continuity.
Coming back to the book, it was a fast-paced fun romp. It wasn't as enthralling as the last three books. Nonetheless, my vague recollections of certain aspects of the story coupled with my foggy memory of the rest of the plot from my earlier read made this a greatly nostalgic read. Moving on to the next book soon.
As they headed toward the docks, Joe turned on the radio and they listened to a weather report. The hurricane's center was going right over Bayport, the announcer told them. Winds were going to be very high, accompanied by heavy rain. The only happy note was that the great storm would not last long since it was traveling quickly. It was expected to be out of the area sometime in the night. The name the U.S. Weather Bureau had given to the hurricane, the radio announcer added, was Gertrude.
The Hardys laughed. "Aunt Gertrude's own hurricane," said Joe.
Rating: 4.25/5.
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:
When I started reading this book, I went in expecting this to be my first read. I had no recollection of reading this story or even possessing a copy of this book before now. However, as I read on, I had a certain sense of déjà vu. I started vaguely remembering a story containing Sam Radley's amnesia, the Hardys trying to tape Sam's mumblings, and a frightening scene involving wild feral dogs. Surprisingly, this story consisted of all the above-mentioned elements. I'm still not hundred percent certain whether I read this book decades ago, but it certainly seems to be the case. I shall probably need to dig out my old books and search whether I have a used paperback copy of 'The Four-Headed Dragon' from my school days.
The book also features Hurricane Gertrude – something that is even referenced in the Undercover Brothers continuity. If my memory serves me right, Hurricane Gertrude is mentioned in one of the earlier Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers books - 'Hurricane Joe'. The infamous hurricane Gertrude is also stated to be the reason why Aunt Gertrude goes by the name Trudy in that continuity.
Coming back to the book, it was a fast-paced fun romp. It wasn't as enthralling as the last three books. Nonetheless, my vague recollections of certain aspects of the story coupled with my foggy memory of the rest of the plot from my earlier read made this a greatly nostalgic read. Moving on to the next book soon.
Mr. Hardy's face was grim but calm. "Did you find anything else wrong, Jack?"
"The plane's okay now," the pilot replied. "I'll stake my life on it." He grinned. "Come to think of it, that's what I'm doing, right?"
The detective smiled. "If you say the Skyhappy Sal is in good shape, then it must be. Let's go!"
June 24, 2008
ARRRRRRRRR SCARY DRAGONS!!!!!!!!!!!
March 13, 2017
Not up to standard for this series.
September 2, 2019
One of the coolest covers of the series is a total rip-off: at no time does a four-headed dragon appear over the mansion. I remember being pretty pissed about this when I first read it in 6th grade. Should be retitled “Gertrude Gets a Hurricane.”
February 16, 2018
Pretty weird, and not in a good way. Not as good as most of the rest of the Hardy Boys books.
Read
December 29, 2019My son started reading this series, and brought one home from a book exchange at school for me to read. Love that he’s enjoying reading.
April 18, 2020
Not terribly believable. Fast-paced, non-stop action drive this story, as the Hardy's battle a sabotage plot.
January 30, 2022
Simple pero interesante
Read
July 8, 2026YALL OMG BE FREAKING PREPARED TO SCREAM
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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.
November 11, 2014
Note to scientists everywhere... if you invent a quick-acting demolition device / death ray and name it The Annihilator, maybe don't be so surprised when a master criminal tries to use it for nefarious purposes. There aren't always going to be teen amateur sleuths and their world famous private detective father around to save the day. Just sayin'.
January 10, 2016
It was better than OK, but the macguffin in this story really stretched believability. Chet Morton is pretty much only comic relief in it this time as well.
February 3, 2017
One of the later Hardy Boys.
May 23, 2012
read when I was 10 through 13
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews