Mystery of the Whale Tattoo

The Hardy Boys #47

by Franklin W. Dixon, R H Tandy (Illustrator)

One exciting event follows another when Frank and Joe Hardy are hired to apprehend the pickpockets who have been plaguing Solo's Super Carnival. When their friends Tony Prito and Biff Hooper exhibit a stuffed whale dug up at a construction project, they all but put the carnival out of business. In this thrilling mystery the young detectives pit their wits against a gang of thieves whose bizarre identification, a three-part whale tattoo, proves to be a nearly insolvable riddle.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Young Adult, Childrens, Adventure, Classics, Crime

192 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1967

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

[Kevin Findley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A better than average tale (with the average being three stars) that had nearly every member of the supporting cast involved. Chet got a lot of page time while Biff and Tony were integral to the 'macguffin' being found, lost, and found again. Even Jack Wayne shows up to fly two different types of aircraft and then throw a beating on the bad guys.

Lots of fisticuffs, investigating, and just a whole lot of fun.

[Mark Kloha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Hardy Boys books as a kid. Decided to read this one as it is referenced in the show “Only Murders in the Building.”

[Rex Libris · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Whales All the Time!

The baddies use a whale tattoo to identify the members of the gang, and they are searching for a treasure in a giant stuffed whale that the boy's friends Tony and Biff found.

The baddies in this one are particularly bad, and there is some major beat down on the brothers. Frank gets it once and Joe gets the KO twice. The KO Count jumps from 56 to 59!

[Happy Super Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book because I like book 🤩😁📖

[John Yelverton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another thrilling addition to the classic Hardy Boys mystery book series.

[Eyejaybee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This represented another outing into nostalgia territory, prompted by having mistakenly received one of the Nancy Drew Diaries stories. I remember buying a copy of this book while on holiday in Ullapool with my parents, almost fifty yesrs ago. At the time I thought that this was almost as good as adventure stories could get.

Looking back from the jaded perspective of my late fifties, I still found it entertaining. The story fairly races along, and the characters are simply drawn, but no more two dimensional and hollow (although can something be both two dimensional and hollow?) than a lot of grown-up books (I felt that to say adult books might take us into all together different territory!) that I have read recently.

There is an overpowering wholesomeness about the books, which seems somewhat risible to me now. Even the crooks play by certain unwritten rules - no one is killed, and Frank and Joe Hardy represent the finest qualities of conscientious compliance and service to the community. And why not.

I doubt if I will pursue this particular brand of nostalgia any further down this route, but I am glad to have revisited this book, and would certainly recommend it to young readers who enjoy a good adventure story.

[Bryan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm giving this the 5 star because I was reminded of the enjoyment I used to get from these books when I was a kid back in the 80's.
The fact that the formula is quite simple, all's fine and then the Hardy Boys get a case from their father, something happens, there's a chase, all's resolved, they go for soda and a chat and then Joe's vanished, they search for him, he's found, all's resolved, let's have some soda, they do investigating and get beaten up, that's sorted so it's home for dinner, snooze and then some soda.
The charm of the series is the fact that they were written in a more innocent time, this was originally published in '68, my edition is a 1983 edition, which meant I was probably around 10 when I read them.
I recall preferring the Three Investigators, which I will be reading sometime soon. But as far as The Hardy Boys go, it's not a bad distraction if one's looking for some light reading.

[David Allen Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been re-reading the 190 Hardy Boys books of my youth, and a handwritten note inside my copy of this book indicates I bought and read it in 4th grade in 1981! The Mystery of the Whale Tattoo is a great classic Hardy Boys tale that starts with the Hardys and their friend Chet taking on pickpockets at a local carnival. Then their friend Tony uncovers a large stuffed whale at a construction site that results in tension when displaying it takes business from the carnival. Meanwhile Mr. Hardy is investigating a missing valuable ivory statue. There is a nice tie-in between the boys' case and Mr. Hardy's and plenty of nonstop adventure as they uncover and round-up the gang. While dating from 1968 this book has aged well and there is nothing particularly out of date in it and the cover artwork and illustrations are well done. Anyone who enjoys the classic Hardy Boys will enjoy Mystery of the Whale Tattoo!

[Stacey Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are two mysteries for the Hardy boys to solve. Helping their father find an ivory idol that was stolen and searching for a stolen whale. While working at the local circus to spot pick pockets they uncover some clues. There are many people with whale tattoos. They follow these men, along with their friend Chet, and try to make sense of the clues. Of course the people they are following aren't happy about it and try to thwart the boys at every turn. Car chases, mistaken identities, con men, sabotage, fist fights, seamen and general rough and tough criminals are all part of the exciting adventure.

[Saffron Mavros · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, the underlying theme of many Hardy boy novels is often related to a new hobby that Chet fancies; in this case, scrimshaw! To develop the story around it, the book ended up with a plot line riddled with plot holes.

The differing plot lines are diverse and yet, for the sake of the story are made to converge, in what felt like a forced story. It seemed unduly stretched out. The carving of the whale 🐋 and the ultimate dissection by the Hardy boys to recover the Ivory idol sounded too gruesome to be a part of children's books! The presentation of the facts made it decent, yet, I did find it gruesome!

[Brentman99 · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this this book, the Hardys are engaged to stop pickpockets from keeping crowds away at a carnival, then end up doing a whole lot more.

Things get interesting when their friends dig up a stuffed whale buried at a construction site, only to find that there is a hidden item in the whale.

The Hardys avoid several near misses to solve the case.

The most interesting part was that one of the illustrations had a picture of Aunt Gertrude, the only one I've seen.

The story is a bit interesting and a young person may enjoy it.

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 3 out of 5]

While their father is on a case, Frank and Joe take up the search for pickpockets at a local circus, only to end up also helping out Tony and Biff when the duo buy - and lose - a giant stuffed whale, which may in fact connect all three strange events together! Dixon will keep fans entertained with another intriguing mystery. Can the Hardy Boys figure out the connection between their mysteries in time to get their friend's treasure back?

[Thomas Santomartino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this Hardy Boys book. It was very entertaining and novel. The boys discover a gang who all have whale tattoos and whale coffee names. They plot to steal an antiquity of great value. There is a lot of fighting in this book and sometimes they have doubtful credibility at being able to bring down adult men in fights. This is only the 2nd Hardy Boys I've read and I really enjoyed it.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ate these up as a kid and usually got them as gifts for birthdays, Christmas and other events. This edition would be quite dated now and I believe they have updated the books. The author was a pseudonym for a plethora of writers who contributed to this series.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two mysteries that turn out to be part of one larger conspiracy have the Boys winging their way between Bayport, Connecticut and Hollywood. Add a dash of of the history of the art of scrimshaw and the various types of whales and you've got a whale of a tale!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

" ... Scoprire tesori nascosti è la mia passione! - disse Joe. -Qualche volta ci siamo riusciti ma una vecchia balena non mi era mai capitata! ..."
Un'altra entusiasmante avventura degli Hardy Boys in cui le balene sono decisamente le protagoniste!

[Art · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was only ever a so-so Hardy Boys fan. They were too dang perfect. It was interesting to read, though. I will be reading some more to see if I was too harsh.

[Ty Bedell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This plot is pretty thin...my least favourite so far.

[Ethan Hulbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

A carnival mystery? Ugh. No thanks. If I ever write mysteries, remind me to never set one at a carnival or a circus. This one wasn't as good as most.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I used to love these books when I was younger but now it's not as good as I remember. So sad.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hardy boys are fun to read!!

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good adventure from
The two American sleuthing teenagers.

[Fred Daly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set partly at a carnival. Chet's into scrimshaw. It's okay.

[Lorna Doerr · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought there would be something in this that is related to Only Murders in The Building - but it wasn’t a huge connection. Young Adult mysteries have come a long way since 1968 Hardy boys books!

[Anirudh Mannattil · Rating 3 out of 5]

67/100

[Hazel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one's a whale of a tale. I quite enjoyed it. Though I think it would have been more reasonable to go with a smaller whale.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty standard Hardy adventure. Lots of fights, a few clues and everything comes together at the end.

[Sue Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mystery. Good to read the adventures and situations they find themselves in
Pretty interesting books

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25

[Phoebe Hinkle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. It was pretty disjointed, the whale was a McGuffin, and as usual the Hardy boys are idiots. 😃