Author Profile
Franklin W. Dixon
13 Books
Franklin W. Dixon is the shared pen name used by multiple writers for The Hardy Boys mystery series, created and published through the Stratemeyer Syndicate. The name is most closely associated with the adventures of brothers Frank and Joe Hardy, beginning with classic titles such as The Tower Treasure and continuing through many later series and spin-offs for young readers. Books under this name are fast-paced juvenile mysteries built around clues, danger, and detective work.
Books in "Hardy Boys Secret Files"
A bass guitar vanishes just when the music is about to begin.
Frank and Joe Hardy are excited for Bayport’s Battle of the Bands, especially because their friend’s brother Dylan is playing bass for the popular band Crush. But when Dylan’s prized guitar disappears on the day of the big performance, the whole competition hits a sour note.
The young detectives start looking for clues among rival bands, nervous performers, and people who may have had a reason to keep Crush offstage. With time running out before the contest, Frank and Joe must follow the evidence, question their suspects, and solve a rock-and-roll case before the show is ruined.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
96 Pages
Frank Hardy is ready to race, until one flat tire turns into a much bigger problem.
Bayport’s Junior Bike Race should be a day of speed, excitement, and friendly competition. Frank and Joe are both strong racers, but when Frank hits a nail and blows a tire, his chances take a tumble. Then his bicycle disappears, and the Hardy boys have a real case to solve.
At first, the town bully looks suspicious, but the clues do not stay that simple. Soon almost anyone could be the bicycle thief, including a few very unexpected suspects. Young readers can ride along as Frank and Joe sort through clues, question what they think they know, and try to bring the missing bike home.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
100 Pages
One torn piece of a map is enough to send Frank and Joe Hardy into detective mode.
When nine-year-old Frank and eight-year-old Joe find part of what may be a treasure map, they know the real adventure is just beginning. The rest of the map is missing, and if they want any chance of finding the treasure, they will need help from their friends and plenty of careful sleuthing.
This beginning chapter-book mystery gives young readers a kid-sized Hardy Boys case full of clues, teamwork, and treasure-hunt excitement. As the brothers search for the missing pieces, every discovery brings them closer to the answer without making the path too easy.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
65 Pages
Max O’Malley says he can make anything disappear, and Frank and Joe are not so sure they believe him.
The new kid in Bayport loves showing off his magic tricks, but the Hardy brothers stay skeptical. Then Mrs. Briar’s prized show dog, Charlie, vanishes, returns, and vanishes again. Suddenly Max’s big claims seem a lot harder to ignore.
Is the disappearing dog part of a magic act, a clever trick, or something else entirely? Frank and Joe follow the clues through a funny, fast-moving mystery that mixes pets, schoolyard suspicion, and just enough stage-magic sparkle to keep readers guessing.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
96 Pages
Field Day is supposed to mean races, games, prizes, and a pizza party, not ruined rackets and tangled jump ropes.
At Bayport Elementary, everyone is excited to compete. But just before the big day, someone sabotages the equipment. Balloons are flattened, supplies are wrecked, and Field Day may be canceled unless the mystery is solved fast.
Frank and Joe Hardy step onto the case with the same focus they would bring to any race. Young readers can follow the brothers as they inspect the mess, think through motives, and try to figure out who would want to spoil the fun for the whole school.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
78 Pages
The lights, sounds, and games at the arcade are supposed to be fun, but Frank and Joe Hardy notice that something is not right. Frank is nine, Joe is eight, and both boys are ready to prove they can solve a mystery just like their detective dad.
As the brothers look for clues, they learn that paying attention matters. A missing prize, strange behavior, or one small detail can turn an ordinary day into a real case. Together, Frank and Joe ask questions, compare what they know, and follow the trail through a kid-friendly mystery with plenty of energy.
Trouble at the Arcade is a lively first chapter book for younger readers. It offers a simple mystery, familiar settings, and an easy introduction to the Hardy Boys for children who are starting to enjoy longer stories.
6-8 Years
96 Pages
Morpho the Morph Monster has come to Bayport, and Frank and Joe Hardy cannot wait to see the famous comic character up close.
At the fan event, everyone is buzzing about Morpho’s mask, costume, and very strange Morph Spork. But right before the fun can begin, the Spork disappears. Without it, the whole event may be put on hold.
Frank and Joe must search through the excitement, costumes, and monster-sized distractions to find the missing prop. This playful Hardy Boys Secret Files mystery is a good fit for young chapter-book readers who like detective stories with comic-book energy, silly suspense, and clues that keep the case moving.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
98 Pages
A fossil dig at the Bayport Museum sounds like the perfect science club trip, until a dinosaur tooth disappears.
Frank and Joe Hardy are excited to see skeletons, explore the museum grounds, and try a real fossil dig. Then their classmate Tico finds what may be a valuable dinosaur tooth, while Aisha insists she discovered it first. When the fossil goes missing, suspicion quickly falls in one direction.
The Hardy boys know a good detective has to dig deeper than the obvious answer. In this lively chapter-book mystery, young readers get museum excitement, prehistoric clues, and a case that blends dinosaurs, science, and careful problem solving.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
96 Pages
A contest at Thrill Kingdom should be all loops, laughs, and roller-coaster ideas, until someone ruins Phil’s entry.
Frank and Joe Hardy are thrilled when their friend Phil enters the amusement park’s ride-design contest. The prize is free park passes for the winner and two friends, which sounds perfect for the Hardy brothers. But on judging day, Phil’s carefully made roller coaster design is wrecked, even though it was supposed to be safe in a locked room.
Now Frank and Joe have to follow the twists and turns of the case. With a fun amusement-park setting and a locked-room puzzle, this chapter-book mystery keeps young readers watching every clue.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
112 Pages
Every vote matters at Bayport Elementary, especially when a class election turns into a mystery.
Chet Morton is running for class president, and Frank and Joe Hardy are helping him with posters, buttons, and a strong campaign speech. Then, on election day, Chet’s speech is sabotaged by a surprising prank. Someone wants to embarrass him, but who?
Frank and Joe start investigating before the election swings away from their friend. This Hardy Boys Secret Files adventure gives young readers a school-based mystery with friendship, fair play, and plenty of clues to follow as the brothers work to uncover what really happened.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
96 Pages
The big game is almost here, but one very important thing has vanished: a teammate’s lucky baseball mitt.
Frank and Joe Hardy are ready to help before the Little League season takes a terrible turn. With the last game coming up fast, the brothers search for clues, question what might have happened, and try to solve the case before it is too late to play.
This early chapter-book mystery gives younger readers a light, fast-moving introduction to the Hardy Boys. The stakes are easy to understand, the sports setting feels familiar, and the puzzle is just right for kids who enjoy teamwork, clues, and a little game-day suspense.
6-8 Years
112 Pages
The school talent show is ready for singers, dancers, tricks, and applause, until frogs start dropping from above.
Frank and Joe Hardy have been practicing with their classmates for weeks, and everyone is eager to perform. But when the show is interrupted by a shower of frogs, the whole event turns into a messy mystery. Who would pull a prank like this, and how did so many frogs end up there?
Young readers can join Frank, Joe, and their friends as they search for clues in a funny, kid-friendly detective story. Hopping Mad mixes school-show excitement with animal chaos and a mystery just right for beginning chapter-book readers.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
96 Pages
Decorating a tent should be fun. Finding out that someone keeps sneaking around the campsite is a very different kind of adventure.
Frank and Joe Hardy are at Bayport State Park for the annual Fun With Camping event, where hiking, bonfires, s’mores, and a tent-decorating contest are all part of the excitement. But when decorations begin to disappear and strange footprints turn up near camp, the brothers know this is more than an ordinary outdoor trip.
Young readers can follow the clues right alongside Frank and Joe as they look for the campsite culprit. With a cozy camping setting, a simple mystery, and plenty of outdoor fun, Camping Chaos is a lively early chapter book for kids who like nature, teamwork, and detective stories with just the right amount of suspense.
6-8 Years
96 Pages
