The Hidden Harbor Mystery facts for kids
Original edition
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| Author | Franklin W. Dixon |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Hardy Boys |
| Genre | Detective, mystery |
| Publisher | Grosset & Dunlap |
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Publication date
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June 1, 1935, revised edition 1961 |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) |
| Pages | 219 |
| Preceded by | The Mark on the Door |
| Followed by | The Sinister Signpost |
The Hidden Harbor Mystery is the 14th book in the original The Hardy Boys Mystery Stories series. It was published by Grosset & Dunlap.
Contents
About This Mystery Book
This book was first written in 1935 for the Stratemeyer Syndicate, a company that created many popular book series. While Leslie McFarlane is often credited, the way this book is written feels a bit different from his other works.
Later, between 1959 and 1973, the first 38 books in the Hardy Boys series were updated. This big project was managed by Harriet Adams, who was Edward Stratemeyer's daughter. The Hidden Harbor Mystery was rewritten in 1961 by James Beuchler. This means there are actually two different stories with the same title!
Why the Story Changed
The original 1935 version of the story contained some descriptions that are now seen as unfair and outdated, especially about certain groups of people. For example, a character who was a main villain in the 1935 book was completely removed from the 1961 version. The changes were made to ensure the stories were fair and respectful to everyone.
Solving the Mystery: Revised Plot
In the revised 1961 story, the Hardy boys meet Mr. Bart Worth. He is the editor of a newspaper called the Larchmont Record. Mr. Worth tells them that Mr. Samuel Blackstone has sued him. Mr. Blackstone is upset because the newspaper printed a story saying his ancestors were pirates.
Mr. Worth also explains a very old disagreement between the Blackstone and Rand families. They have been arguing for a long time over who owns a pond in a place called Hidden Harbor.
The Hardy boys decide to help Mr. Worth. They travel to Georgia with their friend Chet Morton. They set up a camp on the beach between the two family properties. From there, they start looking into the Rand and Blackstone estates.
The boys are surprised to see a "sea monster" in the pond! Soon after, they watch Mr. Blackstone hit Mr. Rand with a vase. But then, they find the vase perfectly fine, and Mr. Rand is gone!
Even with people trying to stop them, the Hardy boys work hard. They manage to find Mr. Rand. They also discover a treasure chest filled with old records. These records prove that what Mr. Worth printed in his newspaper article was true. In the end, the old family argument is settled. Mr. Rand and Mr. Blackstone decide to work together. They plan to harvest the valuable cypress trees from Hidden Harbor.
The Original Story: A Different Adventure
The 1935 version of the story starts with the Hardy boys and Chet Morton returning to Bayport. They are on a small ship after getting handwriting samples for their father, List of The Hardy Boys characters#Fenton Hardy. During a storm, they meet Mr. Samuel Blackstone, who says he has a lot of money with him.
The ship then gets stuck, and Mr. Blackstone is hurt. Joe and Chet swim to shore. Frank Hardy stays behind to help Mr. Blackstone and goes missing for a short time.
Soon after Frank is found, the three boys are arrested. They are accused of robbing Mr. Blackstone. The Hardy boys quickly suspect Mr. Ruel Rand. They decide to find him and clear their names. They write down the license plate of a car he gets into and learn he lives in Hidden Harbor.
The boys visit the shipwreck of the Resolute to try and get the handwriting samples. However, their boat floats away, and the Coast Guard stops them. After returning to land, they are questioned. They learn more about the long-standing argument between the Blackstone and Rand families.
Chet and the Hardy boys travel south to Hidden Harbor. They want to get new handwriting samples and find out who stole Mr. Blackstone’s money. While there, they are followed by a detective, and their campsite is damaged. The boys eventually find evidence that helps solve their father's case.
