For review of all books about Nancy Drew, go here; about Hardy Boys go here; about Tarzan go here.
Stars: 4 / 5
Recommendation: Complete nostalgia bringing back so many memories for me as I was reading this delightful republished book. These are a treasure to our past showing us the beautiful and correct language and the innocence of a child.
The Missing Chums is the fourth book in the Hardy Boys Mystery Stories written by Franklin W. Dixon, a pseudonym invented by Edward Stratemeyer, who were a plethora of writers writing this series under this name. Originally published on January 1, 1928, this was ghost written by Charles Leslie McFarlane, who wrote the first 14 in the series.
Edward Stratemeyer founded the Stratemeyer Syndicate in the early 20th century which produced over 1200 books including Tom Swift, Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys. This is my take on those books, some that have been revised to bring them to the current century or atleast later part of 20th century; and some republished keeping the original uncomfortable scenes such as social and racial stereotyping; bullying; showing women in not so flattering light and mixed with all social elements that are subtly presented even though they are very grave.
Chet Morton and Biff Hooper two of Frank and Joe Hardy’s closest friends are seen sailing out into the open ocean in their boat Envoy despite a violent squall. They search for them and find a wreckage of a boat that lead them to believe that Chet and Biff have been killed. But a ransom letter sheds new light into the twisted plot – mistaken identities leads to kidnapping, ransom and bank-robbing gangsters.
The first time around when I read these books as a teenager, I didn’t remember that Joe Hardy was shy around Iola Morton. I remember her as his girlfriend. I wonder what book changed that course and made them a pair. Also I didn’t remember Aunt Gertrude to be such a tyrant. May be I am confusing her with Nancy Drew’s live-in housekeeper and cook Hanna Gruen. My memory perhaps is blending both books. 😛
Although I didn’t remember the subtle racial and social stereotyping scenes or uncomfortable banter between the boys, while I read them again now, I can see how some of the scenes could be misconstrued. Considering the time this was written lot of these were not outwardly spoken or brought in general discussion. I believe the authors hid it within their writing.
It’s a strong plot though despite the uncomfotable scenes. The fact that the author gave equal role for most of Hardy Boys’ friends keeping them in parallel with the main cast seemed unusual for me and pleasantly welcoming. We get to see more their nature than just being boys making noise.
Complete nostalgia bringing back so many memories for me as I was reading this delightful republished book. These are a treasure to our past showing us the beautiful and correct language and the innocence of a child. Looking forward to read the remaining few ones I bought on a trip.
Spoiler Alerts:
Plot Reveals:
- This is the first book in which Aunt Gertrude, sister of Fenton Hardy, makes an appearance and she continues to stay in the rest of the books in the series.
Sub Plots:
- In the revised version of Nancy Drew’s very first book The Secret of the Old Clock, we get to see illustration of two girls at the girls camp in Chapter 10 “Following a Clue”. They resemble very close to Bess and George, two compatriots who join Nancy Drew on her exploits in the later books in the series.
- Hardy Boys Family and Friends – Fenton Hardy, father and an internationally famous detective; Laura Hardy, mother; Aunt Gertrude, sister of Fenton, and her cat Lavinia; the “gang” of their friends: Chet Morton, Biff Hooper, Phil Cohen, Tony Prito, Jerry Giloy and Perry “Slim” Robinson; Callie Shaw, Frank Hardy’s girlfriend; Iola Morton, sister of Chet and girlfriend of Joe Hardy; Nick the Greek who owns a fruit stand.
Grammatical / Character / Plot / Geographical / Historical / Mythological Errors:
- The incident with the motorboat that chases Hardy Boys and their friends happens a day before the storm. Yet on Pg. 102, the boys discuss the boat and mention that it was the same boat that they chased them on the day of the storm. It is mentioned again on Pg. 121 as “the day of the storm”.
- On Pg. 159 when the kidnappers search Frank Hardy they find letters on him that were addressed to him. By the time this scene happens, the Hardy Boys had been in water and storm more than once. So shouldn’t the letters have been watermarked and most of the writing been erased with water?
- I didn’t understand why the Hardy Boys don’t use their guns against the kidnappers even though they were good at shooting and indeed were carrying them.
Galavant Reflections 