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The Hardy Boys #64
Mystery of Smugglers Cove
A painting is stolen, and the Hardy Boys are suspects. Determined to find the artwork, the young detectives fly to Florida, where they disguise themselves and join a group of sinister smugglers. Though the painting fails to appear, an important clue sends the boys on a perilous trek through the Everglades. Threatened at every turn by greedy enemies, the Hardys fight a tricky and powerful battle to expose the truth.
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1980
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About the author
Franklin W. Dixon
784 books1,001 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 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 11, 2022
Written in 1980. I actually prefer the older Hardy boys series. But the title of this 1 made it sound like 1 of his books that was written in the 40s or 50s. So, I read it. I'll give it a 3 1⁄2 star rating.
It actually sounded a lot better than it was, especially Since he was going to Key West on his way to Key Blanco. There was actually nothing about Key west in this book outside of his passing through it.
The story begins with a painting that has been stolen, and the Hardy boys are accused of,the theft.
The action actually occurs during the last half of the book when the boys follow the thieves to the Everglades where instead of smuggling they are poaching crocodiles.
It actually sounded a lot better than it was, especially Since he was going to Key West on his way to Key Blanco. There was actually nothing about Key west in this book outside of his passing through it.
The story begins with a painting that has been stolen, and the Hardy boys are accused of,the theft.
The action actually occurs during the last half of the book when the boys follow the thieves to the Everglades where instead of smuggling they are poaching crocodiles.
December 3, 2016
Great book! It was very intriguing I couldn't put it down.
June 8, 2023
'Mystery of Smugglers Cove' (The Hardy Boys Mystery Stories #64) by Franklin W. Dixon.
Rating: 3.25/5.
Disclaimer:
This 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:
As mentioned earlier, I rarely give a rating below 3.5 stars for the Hardy Boys books, but this book tested all of my patience. Simply put, even as a hardcore Hardy Boys fan who often dwells in nostalgia, this book failed to captivate my interest.
The Hardy Boys books aren't known for convoluted plotlines, and most of the time, they do have a straightforward plot. It's the same with this book, too, but the plot simply feels lackluster, even for a Hardy Boys storyline. The books contain two of the Hardy Boys' chums (which is always a welcome addition), but they didn't have as much of an active involvement in the plot as I would have preferred.
The book tries hard to maintain the mystery around the main boss' secret identity until the end. But, unfortunately, the main antagonist's identity is easily predictable right from the moment he is introduced in the book. The ending felt a bit rushed and far too convenient. But the climax, with the alligators and the moat, was an enjoyable affair to read. The action sequences interspersed with the trademark cliffhangers in between the chapters made up for the book's deficiencies to some extent.
That's it, then. Although this book didn't feel as good as the earlier Hardy Boys books, it still succeeded in transporting me back to the world and characters I loved while growing up. I do hope that if and when I do re-read this book, I end up enjoying it more than the first time around. On to the next one, then!
Rating: 3.25/5.
Disclaimer:
This 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:
As mentioned earlier, I rarely give a rating below 3.5 stars for the Hardy Boys books, but this book tested all of my patience. Simply put, even as a hardcore Hardy Boys fan who often dwells in nostalgia, this book failed to captivate my interest.
The Hardy Boys books aren't known for convoluted plotlines, and most of the time, they do have a straightforward plot. It's the same with this book, too, but the plot simply feels lackluster, even for a Hardy Boys storyline. The books contain two of the Hardy Boys' chums (which is always a welcome addition), but they didn't have as much of an active involvement in the plot as I would have preferred.
The book tries hard to maintain the mystery around the main boss' secret identity until the end. But, unfortunately, the main antagonist's identity is easily predictable right from the moment he is introduced in the book. The ending felt a bit rushed and far too convenient. But the climax, with the alligators and the moat, was an enjoyable affair to read. The action sequences interspersed with the trademark cliffhangers in between the chapters made up for the book's deficiencies to some extent.
That's it, then. Although this book didn't feel as good as the earlier Hardy Boys books, it still succeeded in transporting me back to the world and characters I loved while growing up. I do hope that if and when I do re-read this book, I end up enjoying it more than the first time around. On to the next one, then!
March 6, 2022
It was hard to rate this book seeing as it is for a young audience. If I were younger I would probably give it a higher rating. I figured out who was behind it all. As a child I might not have figured it out. It’s amazing all the things those Hardy Boys can do.
I read this for the Ghostwalk challenge because I needed a book featuring brothers or someone guarding a treasured item. It fulfilled both requirements. Joe and Frank Hardy are accused of stealing a valuable painting and follow a clue leading them to Florida and the Everglades and a search for the persons who really stole it. They come upon a smuggling ring, a moat filled with 🐊s, poachers, and an alchemist.
One thing I didn’t like was the repeated derogatory remarks about overweight people.
I read this for the Ghostwalk challenge because I needed a book featuring brothers or someone guarding a treasured item. It fulfilled both requirements. Joe and Frank Hardy are accused of stealing a valuable painting and follow a clue leading them to Florida and the Everglades and a search for the persons who really stole it. They come upon a smuggling ring, a moat filled with 🐊s, poachers, and an alchemist.
One thing I didn’t like was the repeated derogatory remarks about overweight people.
February 14, 2018
Read with my son; very enjoyable.
December 8, 2020
Excellent book in the series
February 17, 2022
The Hardy boys are accused of stealing a priceless work of art. Being the accused isn't the usual for the two boys so they attempt to find out who the real culprit is. This sends them to Key Blanco, Florida where the painting was headed. It was sent from Raymond Wester in Bayport, with his secretary Mark Morphy, to his brother Harrison Wester in Florida but it never arrived. Knowing they were set up to take the fall the Hardy boys and their friends Biff and Chet search for clues in the everglade area among thick mangroves and many alligators to find the robbers. People are trying to stop them along the way and they have to fight to keep on the case.
December 29, 2020
Each Hardy Boys mystery book continues to captivate readers young at heart with some good chunks of danger, adventure and excitement, and their mission to Key Blanco, Florida definitely counts as part of the collection! This is Entry #64, no doubt, and I might #66 later on in the new year. Now that I’ve scanned through 181 pages in total so carefully, I’ve made the perfect choice for the next biography about another favorite musician of mine to get myself excited enough. The result? Well, join me in the next one...
May 5, 2023
Lukisan diri alias potret Simon Bolivar milik seorang pensiunan pemilik bank telah dicuri. Ternyata tak hanya itu, beberapa benda berharga lain juga raib. Masalahnya, Frank dan Joe dituduh sebagai pelaku kejahatan! Urusan kali ini tak sekedar mencari barang hilang. Cukup membahayakan nyawa keduanya.
February 16, 2018
Quite the page turner! Also, it's always smugglers... at least this book tells you about it up front. Everglades were fun. Good book.
April 23, 2018
Good book.
November 18, 2023
First half has a disproportionate amount of picking on Chet, mostly for his weight. Won't read again.
January 30, 2024
It was okay, but it is not one of the old ones.
July 26, 2025
2.5 stars.
May 24, 2019
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.
July 22, 2008
Hardy boys mystery at Smugglers Cove
May 23, 2012
read when I was 10 through 13
January 27, 2023
Read when I was 9 or 10, and absolutely loved it.
August 9, 2013
florida keys..
July 5, 2020
Thrilling as always
June 19, 2009
The Hardy boys end up in a mystery as Frank tries out for the basketball team.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews