The Phantom Freighter, (Hardy Boys Mystery Stories)

Rating:
Summary: The Swan Song
Review: As most people know this volume was the last Hardy Boys book written by the original F.W. Dixon - Leslie McFarlane. And it is apparent that he was now bored with the series and ready to move on. I'm not sure whether to blame him or the one who drafted the outline for this book. In any event, the main plot dealt with the brothers trying to find a hobby to satisy a cranky old man. Since he had no idea what pleased him, he hired the brothers to come up with an idea. Is it just me or is this a "yawner" of a plot. Oh yes - and somewhere in there, is a ship that disappears from sight. But despite the title - this Phantom Freighter plays a small role in the whole affair. First published in 1947 Russell Tandy draws a beautiful cover art for this book, but nothing else can be said of the volume that is positive. Phantom Freighter is boring, dull, lacks any real mystery and contains little suspense of action. As of 1947 it was the worst Hardy Boys book to date - Later to be outdone by another volume published 17 years later. RATED F

Rating:
Summary: The Swan Song
Review: As most people know this volume was the last Hardy Boys book written by the original F.W. Dixon - Leslie McFarlane. And it is apparent that he was now bored with the series and ready to move on. I'm not sure whether to blame him or the one who drafted the outline for this book. In any event, the main plot dealt with the brothers trying to find a hobby to satisy a cranky old man. Since he had no idea what pleased him, he hired the brothers to come up with an idea. Is it just me or is this a "yawner" of a plot. Oh yes - and somewhere in there, is a ship that disappears from sight. But despite the title - this Phantom Freighter plays a small role in the whole affair. First published in 1947 Russell Tandy draws a beautiful cover art for this book, but nothing else can be said of the volume that is positive. Phantom Freighter is boring, dull, lacks any real mystery and contains little suspense of action. As of 1947 it was the worst Hardy Boys book to date - Later to be outdone by another volume published 17 years later. RATED F

Rating:
Summary: A Touching Novel
Review: It is my opinion that in 1945 after the Syndicate told Leslie McFarlane to make the Hardy's more scientific, he lost interest in writing the series. He declined writing The Secret Panel, but accepted the job writing this volume in 1947. The book however is lame. In plain English, it sucks. There is virtually no plot and little interation between the criminals and the Phantom Freighter, which does not really appear until the final chapters. The ending is horrible and according to legend McFarlane quit writing the book at Chapter 22 and let his wife finish the rest. It would be his last Hardy Boys book, replaced by George Wilson in 1948. The revision mirrors the original and was simply cut down in size. The book lacks suspense, thrills, excitement, humour and adventure. It simply contains the eccentrics of Mr. McClintock a man who is not happy at all with anything. McFarlane at this stage may have been writing about himself. A pitty that the best author the set ever had should make this his Swan song. Original: Rated F Revision: Rated F

Rating:
Summary: A Smuggling Ring
Review: Overall, this book was alright, but Dixon could have done a lot better. There was not as much excitement in this one as there is in the other ones. The book starts out with a man who hires the Hardy's to plan a trip that they can go on. The man doesn't want to go on an airplane, a cruiseline, or a train, so eventually they think of a freighter and find themselves in the middle of a smuggling ring. The smugglers will do anything to get rid of them.

Rating:
Summary: A great book
Review: The Phantom Freighter is a great book. I really enjoyed reading it. 5/5 is my rating for this book.

Rating:
Summary: A Touching Novel
Review: This is a Heart-Warming Novel of Freind-Ship, Courage, and Adventure for the Hardy Boys. I laughed, cried, and cheered right along with Frank and Joe Hardy! Bravo! A completely touching family-freindly mystery. The best book I have ever read! Why can't we read more books like THIS in school? The Phantom Freighter ALL the WAY!