Mr. Pizza's Hardy Boys Forum

Other Hardy Boys Series Discussion => Hardy Boys Clue Book / Secret Files / Clues Brothers => Topic started by: SDLagent on July 03, 2009, 01:40:33 AM

Title: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: SDLagent on July 03, 2009, 01:40:33 AM
On my new blog on The Hardy Boys Wiki, I've posted further info about The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, including plot summaries for the first two books. Check it out (http://hardyboys.wikia.com/wiki/User_blog:WHLfan/The_Hardy_Boys:_Secret_Files_details).
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: hardy boys fan on July 03, 2009, 01:30:49 PM
dont like the plots. who wants to read about a missing mitt
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: Bigfootman on July 03, 2009, 02:06:50 PM
Oh no!  :-[ They just ruined the Hardy boys even more! Missing mitts? Lame!
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: tomswift2002 on July 03, 2009, 03:55:46 PM
It will be interesting to see if the chronology of the Clues Brothers is ignored, since I've found that, even with the Undercover Brothers, Simon & Schuster seemed to use the Clues Brothers as background material for Frank and Joe's early years, whether it through the mention of a classmate or whatever.

But finding someone's missing baseball mitt...that sounds like it is very repetitive of the first Clues Brothers book, The Gross Ghost Mystery where the boys had to locate a missing baseball in an old "haunted" mansion in Bayport.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: SDLagent on July 03, 2009, 05:44:44 PM
Quote from: tomswift2002 on July 03, 2009, 03:55:46 PM
But finding someone's missing baseball mitt...that sounds like it is very repetitive of the first Clues Brothers book, The Gross Ghost Mystery where the boys had to locate a missing baseball in an old "haunted" mansion in Bayport.

That's what I thought.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: tomswift2002 on July 08, 2009, 09:50:15 AM
On the Hardy Boys newsgroup that I'm on on Yahoo, one of the members has posted the cover art for the first 2 Secret Files books:
http://http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/1416991646/ref=dp_image_z_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/1416991646/ref=dp_image_z_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books)
http://http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/1416993940/ref=dp_image_z_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/1416993940/ref=dp_image_z_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books)


I wonder if the boys are going to meet up with Erin Esurance, from the eSurance TV commercials, for a few adventures in these books.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: 003Robin457 on July 08, 2009, 12:42:12 PM
Oh NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Those covers are Awefull! I actually miss the UB trilogy covers!
A few coments:
1.Secret Files #4 Is Called the Great Esurence Disaster. ;)
2. The Hardys look Mexican.
3. I like MY covers better. (See Fan Art) I got Troble at the Arcade really close!
4. The Dog is Baaaaack! (See the Missing Mitt)
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: 003Robin457 on July 08, 2009, 12:50:53 PM
Also in the official info it said "Eight year-old Frank and Joe Hardy." Are the hardys bouth 8? According to the UBs this can only be so for a mounth.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: tomswift2002 on July 08, 2009, 01:29:53 PM
Quote from: 003Robin457 on July 08, 2009, 12:50:53 PM
Also in the official info it said "Eight year-old Frank and Joe Hardy." Are the hardys bouth 8? According to the UBs this can only be so for a mounth.

I think the Secret Files are shaping up to be another Clues Brothers series.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: 003Robin457 on July 08, 2009, 02:30:41 PM
Rumor Confirmed.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: HB@1718 on July 08, 2009, 03:33:44 PM
The HBs are eight-year olds? Both of them? I thought Frank was    11 mo. older than Joe. Besides, I like them when they're teenagers, because you can relate to them in some ways.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: Bigfootman on July 08, 2009, 06:01:35 PM
It seems that Hardys have met the Robinsons.  (Look at Frank, then watch the trailer for meet the Robinsons)
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: JoeHardyRocks on July 08, 2009, 07:49:19 PM
I don't see any similarities, DD.
Quote from: 003Robin457 on July 08, 2009, 12:42:12 PM
Oh NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Those covers are Awefull! I actually miss the UB trilogy covers!
A few coments:
1.Secret Files #4 Is Called the Great Esurence Disaster. ;)
2. The Hardys look Mexican.
3. I like MY covers better. (See Fan Art) I got Troble at the Arcade really close!
4. The Dog is Baaaaack! (See the Missing Mitt)

Yes, your covers are waaaay better. You should send them in!!!
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: SDLagent on July 08, 2009, 09:14:58 PM
My first thought was, they're not the greatest covers ever, but definitely better than the current UB covers. At least these covers give us an idea at what will happen in the books. Already we can assume Callie at Iola will appear in the series.

I find it strange that this series uses the color scheme the UB just ditched. It would make sense if the UB still used blue, black, and yellow, but they don't...
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: 003Robin457 on July 08, 2009, 10:28:40 PM
Good eye. I missed the high scores. So who's Adam?
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: SDLagent on July 09, 2009, 12:54:41 AM
That's what I'm wondering.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: tomswift2002 on July 09, 2009, 09:08:07 AM
Did anyone notice that they've got the same names written in Frank's notebook?
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: tomswift2002 on July 09, 2009, 09:12:48 AM
Of course, I think Simon & Schuster needs to think of better names for the baseball teams.  Bayport Bandits & Johnston Jupiters???  I realize that in Roman Mythology Jupiter is the god of the sky and thunder, or they might be making a play on the old Sailor Moon character of Sailor Jupiter, but to name the Bayport team the "Bandits", just because the Hardy's are most likely on it...
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: JoeHardyRocks on July 09, 2009, 12:28:09 PM
Quote from: tomswift2002 on July 09, 2009, 09:08:07 AM
Did anyone notice that they've got the same names written in Frank's notebook?

Probably because he's writing them down.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: 4567TME on December 29, 2009, 10:34:06 AM
Quote from: 003Robin457 on July 08, 2009, 12:42:12 PM
Oh NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Those covers are Awefull! I actually miss the UB trilogy covers!
A few coments:
1.Secret Files #4 Is Called the Great Esurence Disaster. ;)
2. The Hardys look Mexican.
3. I like MY covers better. (See Fan Art) I got Troble at the Arcade really close!
4. The Dog is Baaaaack! (See the Missing Mitt)
Not a very good series.

Quote from: 003Robin457 on July 08, 2009, 12:50:53 PM
Also in the official info it said "Eight year-old Frank and Joe Hardy." Are the hardys bouth 8? According to the UBs this can only be so for a mounth.
Then again, other books may suggest that they could be both the same age for longer stretches of time.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: SDLagent on December 30, 2009, 07:04:24 PM
Quote from: 4567TME on December 29, 2009, 10:34:06 AM
Then again, other books may suggest that they could be both the same age for longer stretches of time.

Any less then a six mouth gap between their births would be stretching it.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: tomswift2002 on January 01, 2010, 04:02:33 PM
Quote from: SDLagent on December 30, 2009, 07:04:24 PM
Any less then a six mouth gap between their births would be stretching it.

I guess that would make sense, since I guess six months is the earliest that a doctor would allow a premature baby to be born.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: hardygirl847 on January 09, 2010, 05:30:38 PM
Regardless of all that, are you going to read them? (question is to anyone)
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: SDLagent on January 09, 2010, 06:18:15 PM
I probably read the first few, just to see what they're like.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: hardygirl847 on January 12, 2010, 12:44:44 AM
Quote from: SDLagent on January 09, 2010, 06:18:15 PM
I probably read the first few, just to see what they're like.

Yeah I might too. Somehow I doubt we will be able to easily find them though... :( Borders and other bookstores near me have a very limited and shameful supply of Hardy Boys books.

Perhaps this series will encourage a younger audience to like them...The only down side is that they will have to wait awhile before reading the more action packed/adventure books.

Hmm...
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: SDLagent on January 12, 2010, 03:18:03 AM
Yeah, I never really saw the point in Hardy Boys for younger kids. All Hardy Boys books (except for maybe some in the Casefiles continuity) are suitable for all ages, in my opinion.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: MacGyver on January 22, 2010, 08:05:07 AM
I'll probably at least get the first one in the series just to check it out. (Kinda the same way I own at least one of The Clues Brothers books just because it IS part of The Hardy Boys' history [publishing-wise anyway. Continuity-wise is debatable I suppose, though apparently some books have indeed referenced this series before.])
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: hardygirl847 on February 24, 2010, 04:14:09 PM
There are 4 titles in Amazon so far. The first two are slated to come out at the end of April. The following two in August and September.

I will probably get one as well to see what they are like. I wouldn't mind reading it to little kids to see what they think. I used to work at a daycare and I am current a substitute teacher. Could be interesting. PLUS just think how much recruiting I can do! haha

Here's the link for the 4 books and covers.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=hardy+boys+the+secret+files&x=0&y=0
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: SDLagent on March 16, 2010, 08:37:51 PM
The fifth title in the series will be entitled Monster of a Mystery, and will be released in April 2011.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: tomswift2002 on March 17, 2010, 08:06:12 AM
Quote from: SDLagent on March 16, 2010, 08:37:51 PM
The fifth title in the series will be entitled Monster of a Mystery, and will be released in April 2011.

Monster of a Mystery?  Not exactly the best title for a young kids series considering that Frank and Joe Hardy:/The Hardy Boys Are: The Clues Brothers #11 was called Monster In The Lake.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: MacGyver on March 17, 2010, 10:20:41 AM
No worse than "The Mystery of Monster Mountain" in The Three Investigators series- and that was a great book! 8) I'm gonna have to give The Hardy Boys: Secret Files series at least one try- probably pick up the first book in the series just to give it a read and see what it's like. I have a feeling it's basically a continuation/revamp of The Clues Brothers series, much like Nancy Drew relaunced The Nancy Drew Notebooks series with the Nancy Drew Clue Crew series.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: hardygirl847 on March 18, 2010, 06:02:50 PM
I'll probably do that too. Hey maybe it will recruit a whole new group of Hardy Boys fans!! :) They might have to wait a few years before they can read the other more YA stuff...but better than nothing! :)
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: SDLagent on April 22, 2010, 02:45:07 AM
I picked-up the first two titles in this series, today.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: tomswift2002 on April 22, 2010, 10:39:06 AM
Well I've still got them on pre-order, so they haven't arrived yet.  How are the first two so far?  Are the books like the old Clues Brothers where they are about 50-60 pages in length, about 20 font size and take maybe a 1/2-hour to get through?
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: MacGyver on April 22, 2010, 07:56:38 PM
Okay- cool. Good to know they're out in stores. I imagine I'll get a copy eventually.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: SDLagent on April 23, 2010, 02:09:43 AM
Quote from: tomswift2002 on April 22, 2010, 10:39:06 AM
Well I've still got them on pre-order, so they haven't arrived yet.  How are the first two so far?  Are the books like the old Clues Brothers where they are about 50-60 pages in length, about 20 font size and take maybe a 1/2-hour to get through?

Trouble at the Arcade has 87 pages of story, The Missing Mitt has 95, and both have a two page comic at the end.

I've been busy, so I haven't had a chance to read much, yet, but here's a few points of interest...Laura is a librarian. Callie's the new girl in town and Frank and Joe don't really know her yet. Chet and Iola have a four your old sister named Mimi.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: MacGyver on April 23, 2010, 08:46:22 AM
Interesting addition with the Mortons suddenly having another child. I know the graphic novel series established Laura Hardy as a librarian. I'm thinking this is mentioned in UnderCover Brothers too- but was this not ever mentioned in the Casefiles or original series? I thought maybe it was...
Cool that the books come with a comic.  8)
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: SDLagent on April 23, 2010, 07:38:57 PM
Quote from: MacGyver on April 23, 2010, 08:46:22 AM
Interesting addition with the Mortons suddenly having another child. I know the graphic novel series established Laura Hardy as a librarian. I'm thinking this is mentioned in UnderCover Brothers too- but was this not ever mentioned in the Casefiles or original series? I thought maybe it was...
Cool that the books come with a comic.  8)

Laura being a librarian is something that's exclusive to the Undercover Brothers continuity. So, I guess the Secret Files serve as a preclude to the other UB series....
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: MacGyver on April 24, 2010, 12:14:54 AM
So maybe the Secret Files series is like a parallel series to The Clues Brothers- with the former being a preclude to the UnderCover Brothers series and the latter being a preclude to the Originals/Digests. (or I suppose maybe Casefiles.)
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: tomswift2002 on April 24, 2010, 09:23:52 AM
Well if The Secret Files is a prelude series to the Undercover Brothers, you've got to wonder why "Mimi" has never been mentioned during any of the stories or graphic novels with Chet and Iola?  Hopefully she doesn't meet an end as gruesome as her older sister did years before.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: MacGyver on April 24, 2010, 10:03:08 PM
Well, I'm sure if that was the case, you wouldn't find out about it in the pages of Secret Files....
I will have to read the books and see what role Mimi really plays- I'm curious why a new family member was suddenly added for the Mortons- maybe to be a comic foil of sorts?
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: SDLagent on April 25, 2010, 01:20:34 AM
Quote from: tomswift2002 on April 24, 2010, 09:23:52 AM
Well if The Secret Files is a prelude series to the Undercover Brothers, you've got to wonder why "Mimi" has never been mentioned during any of the stories or graphic novels with Chet and Iola?  Hopefully she doesn't meet an end as gruesome as her older sister did years before.

Well, it's not like they visit the Morton home to much in the UB. Sure, Chet and Iola show-up once and awhile, but it's usually at school and there's really no reason to have any mention of her, there. She is five years younger then Chet, so she'd go to a different school then both her older siblings.

The only time I can think of that she probably should have been mentioned is Hurricane Joe. But you can always make-up some excuse for her not to be there.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: tomswift2002 on April 25, 2010, 12:32:29 PM
Quote from: SDLagent on April 25, 2010, 01:20:34 AM
Well, it's not like they visit the Morton home to much in the UB. Sure, Chet and Iola show-up once and awhile, but it's usually at school and there's really no reason to have any mention of her, there. She is five years younger then Chet, so she'd go to a different school then both her older siblings.

The only time I can think of that she probably should have been mentioned is Hurricane Joe. But you can always make-up some excuse for her not to be there.

Well Iola did play a rather big role in Murder at the Mall --- of course that book sort of had Chet appearing kind of out of character (and you've got to wonder how, if the Mortons had 3 kids, how they could've afforded a personal trainer for Chet).
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: hardygirl847 on April 27, 2010, 04:46:27 PM
I'm hoping to get mine this week through my Scholastic book order. Interesting information so far. I look forward to reading it. There will be a book club discussion about the first one later in the year. However, if we over do it through this thread or area, I can always revise the schedule.

Not that it matters but I wonder if Laura was a librarian for something to do or to make money? Fenton's job always seemed like it kept them afloat and then some. They have boats, high tech vans, motorcycles, etc. I wonder if her motivation was to keep busy more than help earn income. *shrugs* Just a thought...or ramble. :)
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: SDLagent on April 27, 2010, 05:00:12 PM
Quote from: hardygirl847 on April 27, 2010, 04:46:27 PMNot that it matters but I wonder if Laura was a librarian for something to do or to make money? Fenton's job always seemed like it kept them afloat and then some. They have boats, high tech vans, motorcycles, etc. I wonder if her motivation was to keep busy more than help earn income. *shrugs* Just a thought...or ramble. :)

Two words: Politically correct.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: MacGyver on April 27, 2010, 05:26:13 PM
Being a housewife isn't politically correct? ;)
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: SDLagent on July 08, 2010, 06:48:40 PM
The sixth title in this series will be entitled Bicycle Thief, and will be published in August 2011.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: tomswift2002 on July 11, 2010, 05:38:10 PM
Quote from: SDLagent on July 08, 2010, 06:48:40 PM
The sixth title in this series will be entitled Bicycle Thief, and will be published in August 2011.

I wonder if this title might actually be published or if it will be left in the S&S vaults, just like the original Digest #86.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: MacGyver on July 11, 2010, 07:13:48 PM
Do we have any reason to think the series won't still be going by then? ???
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: tomswift2002 on July 11, 2010, 08:07:20 PM
Quote from: MacGyver on July 11, 2010, 07:13:48 PM
Do we have any reason to think the series won't still be going by then? ???

Considering that the Tom Swift Young Inventor series had an interval of 3 to 4 months between the last 4 books before being killed off...with SF #4 coming out this September, but then #5 not being released till April 2011, it looks like the series isn't going to last.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: MacGyver on July 11, 2010, 10:56:23 PM
Okay- I didn't look at the dates to realize there was such a huge gap there.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: SDLagent on November 02, 2010, 05:39:25 PM
Don't know if it's already been mentioned but Bicycle Thief is the name of book six.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: MacGyver on November 02, 2010, 09:31:16 PM
Ah- well, that would explain things then. Maybe there's still hope for this series yet.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: MacGyver on October 27, 2011, 07:20:21 PM
I don't recall if this was mentioned earlier, but is there any reason to think this series would be ended with the seeming end of its "big brother" series The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers nearing?
I can't tell if it's exactly supposed to be set in the UB continuity as such or if it's just its own thing. Not that I would be really devestated if it did end- but just curious.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: SDLagent on October 28, 2011, 03:26:11 PM
I wouldn't be surprised. It hasn't been coming out too regularly.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: tomswift2002 on October 29, 2011, 04:19:03 PM
So far, from what I've heard and tried to find out, the Secret Files is going to continue.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: MacGyver on October 29, 2011, 04:31:57 PM
That's good then- I didn't see any reason for it not to continue just because of the UB deal- just was wondering.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: SDLagent on October 29, 2011, 06:31:57 PM
Quote from: tomswift2002 on October 29, 2011, 04:19:03 PM
So far, from what I've heard and tried to find out, the Secret Files is going to continue.

Okay. But I wouldn't be too surprised if it doesn't last much longer.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: tomswift2002 on October 31, 2011, 01:01:56 PM
I just received some rather disappointing news from Paul Mular that I've managed to further collaborate.

The Hardcovers of Graphic Novels #'s 1-3, 5,6, 11, 12, 13, 20 and New Casefiles #1 are all out of print.

Paperback versions of #'s 7-9 & 11, all appear to be in low stock right now, with no possibility of reprints occurring.

Both the Paperback and Hardcover Versions of #10 A Hardy Day's Night are out-of-print.

Paul has also noted that some of the Hardcovers seems to be getting sold off as "remainder" stock, meaning that the books have been sold to remainder companies at the price of the cost of printing that Papercutz incurred with no further profit being made.  This might indicate that S&S has told Papercutz to get rid of those titles in that format because the contracts may've changed.  No one knows for sure why the books are being remaindered, that is just a theory.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: MacGyver on November 01, 2011, 06:15:41 AM
Well, that happens with older comics and graphic novels... too bad though.
Guess it's a good thing I got the graphic novels as they were released.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: SDLagent on November 02, 2011, 12:12:14 AM
I still don't have #6 or #7.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: MacGyver on November 02, 2011, 07:28:20 AM
You can still get 6 (http://www.amazon.ca/Hardy-Boys-Hyde-Shriek/dp/1597070289/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1320236793&sr=8-2) and 7 (http://www.amazon.ca/Hardy-Boys-Opposite-Numbers/dp/1597070343/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320236855&sr=8-1) fairly cheaply....
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: MacGyver on October 28, 2013, 08:57:56 AM
I have a general question about the Secret Files universe. Now, note- I haven't read all of them, so I'm not positive on this. I've generally flipped through most of them as they've been released though. (I may go back and invest in this series at some point, but it hasn't been a priority for collecting right at the moment.) Anyway- when the series started, I thought it was set more in the Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers universe, since the UB series was still the main Hardy Boys series going at that point. Now that that series has ended and the Hardy Boys Adventures series is running, I suppose the Secret Files have adapted to fit that series. I could be wrong, but didn't one of the early Secret Files books called Frank and Joe's aunt Trudy? I noticed that in #12 Lights, Camera...Zombies!, she is addressed and referred to as Aunt Gertrude. Did that change within the series or has it always been Aunt Gertrude in the books and I'm just mistaken on the Aunt Trudy thing?
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: Hardy Sleuth on October 28, 2013, 06:48:39 PM
I just went and checked the Secret Files books that we have (the earlier ones, we don't have #12 and a few others), and she's called Aunt Gertrude. In the Hardy Boys Adventures she's called Aunt Trudy.
Title: Re: Secret Files: General discussion and speculation
Post by: MacGyver on October 28, 2013, 08:40:31 PM
Hmm- okay then. Maybe I just got mixed up with the HBA books. Thanks for checking, Hardy Sleuth. :) 8)