The Missing Chums (Hardy Boys, Book 4)

I think this Hardy Boy book (in its original version) was the first of the series to feature the ever-visiting Aunt Gertrude, who shone like an absoloute gem. At the point where Biff and Tony have disappeared, and Frank and Joe announce they want to pursue their two friends, Aunt Gertrude chimes up and puts her foot down. Two boys have gone missing, she says. Now two more boys want to go searching for them -- and likely will end up missing themselves. So then, two more boys will have to go seeking the Hardys, and then two more, and so on... until there are no longer any boys at all left in Bayport. I hope the Hardys had a large house, because a little bit of Aunt Gertrude certainly would go a long way. Mrs. Hardy must have been a genuine angel, to tolerate her husband's know-it-all, overbearing sister just showing up and dropping in all the time, to stay for visits of indefinite duration.

These books are absolutely delightful on audio tape. I grew up reading all the Nancy Drew books but, true to stereotype, never read any of The Hardy Boys. As the mother of two little boys (first and third grade) I began exploring these in our read-aloud time every evening. The boys LOVE them but the whole series (50+ books) is a bit more than I want read as an adult and a daunting quantity of material even for very advanced readers so I was delighted to come across these audio tapes. Bill Irwin does an excellent job of reading the books, treating their slightly dated language and manners with complete respect. The tapes are unabridged although still only two tapes long. My only gripe is the wait for the series as the publisher appears to be releasing only two books every six months or so!

Written in 1928, Aunt Gertrude makes her debut in this volume. The plot is an excellent one, never quite equaled by the other volumes. The book begins in innocence and coasts through the first 10 chapters. From page 110 onward it is difficult to put it down if you are reading it for the first time. The Sleuth plays a prominent role and the mood is tense throughout the latter chapters. The revision in my mind was excellent. I truly loved both books and although the revisions lost the appeal and liesurly pace that the originals had, the revision of this book excedes the early chapters of the original. The latter chapters of the original were better than the revision. Both were excellent. Original: Rated A. Revision: Rated A

This book really deserves 4 1/2 stars but I'm nice so that's why I gave it 5 stars. This book always has a twist or turn. It starts off that Frank and Joe are assigned by Chief Collig to find out why their's trouble in Shantytown which is a town of shacks( wooden broken down houses). So then there's a bank robbery and then their best friends Biff and Chet are kidnapped. They meet Alf at Shantytown. It's action pace with danger at every turn. One minute they jump overboard a ship to helping their friend after he fractures his ankle sliding down a steep hill. They have to trust their instincts in this suspenseful mystery. Can't say more or I'll reveal the end. Read The Great Airport Mystery( Hardy Boys #9) or The House on the Cliff( Hardy Boys #2). Also read the Harry Potter series. This book was a very suspenseful book. It's very adventurious and a very good book.

THIS IS THE FIRST HARDY BOYS STORY I EVER READ AND IT WAS SO GOOD THAT I KNEW I WANTED TO READ ALL OF THE OTHERS IN THE SERIES. EACH CHAPTER IS FILLED WITH EXCITEMENT AND HUMOR THAT MAKES IT HARD TO PUT DOWN. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED READING!