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Other Hardy Boys Series Discussion => Hardy Boys Originals / Digests => Topic started by: Hardy Sleuth on April 03, 2012, 12:21:36 AM

Title: Be a Detective Series
Post by: Hardy Sleuth on April 03, 2012, 12:21:36 AM
This series looks very cool! 8) I love the idea of the stories and really hope I can get them all. :) There's one, #4 Secret Cargo, from a used book sale waiting for me to read and enjoy! ;D Really looking forward to it! :)
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: SDLagent on April 03, 2012, 12:46:45 AM
Yeah, I read the first one. It was pretty fun.
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: tomswift2002 on April 03, 2012, 02:53:17 PM
Unfortunately it was cancelled before #'s 7 (Jungle of Evil) and #8 (Ticket To Intrigue) could be released.  But the series was written like the late-80's, early-90's series Which Way Books and Plot-Your-Own-Adventure Young Adult books that Simon & Schuster was selling like crazy.
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: MacGyver on April 03, 2012, 03:02:47 PM
I've got two of the books in this series- I keep meaning to pick up the rest of the "Be A Detective" series at some point. I remember borrowing The Missing Money Mystery from the library years ago. Not only do you get a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure scenario with these books, it's also another early teamup of Frank and Joe Hardy and Nancy Drew! :)
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: Hardy Sleuth on April 03, 2012, 09:20:11 PM
Quote from: SDLagent on April 03, 2012, 12:46:45 AM
Yeah, I read the first one. It was pretty fun.

That's great! ;D 8) I already like solving the mystery along with the characters in any book I'm reading, but to actually get a say in it while sleuthing with Frank, Joe, and Nancy is really cool! ;D

Quote from: Tomswift2002 on April 03, 2012, 02:53:17 PM
Unfortunately it was cancelled before #'s 7 (Jungle of Evil) and #8 (Ticket To Intrigue) could be released.  But the series was written like the late-80's, early-90's series Which Way Books and Plot-Your-Own-Adventure Young Adult books that Simon & Schuster was selling like crazy.

:( Shame they didn't release those two books. Wonder if there are actual manuscripts connected with them or just titles and ISBNs...The titles sound very intriguing and I would really like to read the books! 8) I'm happy there are six of them, though! :)

Quote from: MacGyver on April 03, 2012, 03:02:47 PM
I've got two of the books in this series- I keep meaning to pick up the rest of the "Be A Detective" series at some point. I remember borrowing The Missing Money Mystery from the library years ago. Not only do you get a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure scenario with these books, it's also another early teamup of Frank and Joe Hardy and Nancy Drew! :)

Cool, what two volumes do you have so far? I'd like to get The Missing Money Mystery, too! I've seen the cover for that one online, I like it, it shouts "you want to read this book!". ;D I think that about a lot of the Hardy Boys books. ;D Yeah, it's definitely an excellent, smart idea! 8)
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: MacGyver on April 03, 2012, 10:43:25 PM
I've got #2 Danger on Ice and #4 Secret Cargo. I would like to get the other 4 eventually- it just hasn't been a real big priority right now...
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: tomswift2002 on April 04, 2012, 08:45:01 AM
Unfortunately, due to just how many books were in the series and the low sales numbers (because of the short time the books were out) this is one series that doesn't appear in used book stores all that often.  But also it is hard to get volumes 5 & 6 in good shape, compared to 1-4, since 5 & 6 were printed on cheaper, more acidic paper than 1-4 (so the books look very brown these days, kind of like how the the Tom Swift Sr. series had very good paper when it was printed by Grosset & Dunlap, but then the Whitman reprints were on a more acidic paper, and even now, 70-some years after Whitman and Grosset & Dunlap sotpped printing the books, the paper looks brown by both companies, but the Whitman paper has more of a brown to it).
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: MacGyver on April 04, 2012, 11:28:07 AM
Were #5 and #6 available in paperback form? I know the format (i.e. cover design) changed with those books and I've only ever seen them as library rebound hardbacks...
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: Olivia on April 04, 2012, 08:56:16 PM
I either have 5/6 or all 6 (two of them are with UK covers that I got by accident). They are paperback.
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: Hardy Sleuth on April 04, 2012, 11:14:11 PM
Quote from: MacGyver on April 03, 2012, 10:43:25 PM
I've got #2 Danger on Ice and #4 Secret Cargo. I would like to get the other 4 eventually- it just hasn't been a real big priority right now...

That's cool you have those two! :)

Quote from: Tomswift2002 on April 04, 2012, 08:45:01 AM
Unfortunately, due to just how many books were in the series and the low sales numbers (because of the short time the books were out) this is one series that doesn't appear in used book stores all that often.  But also it is hard to get volumes 5 & 6 in good shape, compared to 1-4, since 5 & 6 were printed on cheaper, more acidic paper than 1-4 (so the books look very brown these days, kind of like how the the Tom Swift Sr. series had very good paper when it was printed by Grosset & Dunlap, but then the Whitman reprints were on a more acidic paper, and even now, 70-some years after Whitman and Grosset & Dunlap sotpped printing the books, the paper looks brown by both companies, but the Whitman paper has more of a brown to it).

It would be nice if they were easier to find, that's for certain. Of course since they aren't, that just makes it more of a challenge and even more satisfying when they are found. :)

Quote from: Olivia on April 04, 2012, 08:56:16 PM
I either have 5/6 or all 6 (two of them are with UK covers that I got by accident). They are paperback.

That's great you have either all of them or almost all, Olivia! :)
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: tomswift2002 on April 05, 2012, 06:53:45 PM
Quote from: MacGyver on April 04, 2012, 11:28:07 AM
Were #5 and #6 available in paperback form? I know the format (i.e. cover design) changed with those books and I've only ever seen them as library rebound hardbacks...

As far as I'm aware all 6 books were paperback only.  But the paper stock quality changed between #4 and #5 to where 5 & 6 were printed on cheaper, more acidic paper and when you find them nowadays the pages look as brown as the pages in a Grosset & Dunlap Tom Swift Sr. book that was printed back in the 1920's.
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: MacGyver on April 05, 2012, 06:57:35 PM
lol- I'm used to those browned pages... ;D
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: Hardy Sleuth on April 05, 2012, 11:36:35 PM
I think brown pages look kinda cool and the main thing is it doesn't take away from the story. 8)
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: MacGyver on June 10, 2014, 11:24:31 AM
Just thought I'd mention an update on this thread- I have since acquired the other books I was missing from this series, so I now have all six books in the series! :) 8)

Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys: Be A Detective Mysteries Stories
1. The Secret of the Knight's Sword
2. Danger on Ice
3. The Feathered Serpent
4. Secret Cargo
5. The Alaskan Mystery
6. The Missing Money Mystery

Now to actually get around to reading them all and going through all the possible scenarios in each book. ;D
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: Hardy Sleuth on June 10, 2014, 11:27:31 PM
Quote from: MacGyver on June 10, 2014, 11:24:31 AM
Just thought I'd mention an update on this thread- I have since acquired the other books I was missing from this series, so I now have all six books in the series! :) 8)

Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys: Be A Detective Mysteries Stories
1. The Secret of the Knight's Sword
2. Danger on Ice
3. The Feathered Serpent
4. Secret Cargo
5. The Alaskan Mystery
6. The Missing Money Mystery

Now to actually get around to reading them all and going through all the possible scenarios in each book. ;D
\

Cool, MacGyver! 8) ;D That's great to have a number of scenarios to read! I want to have this collection, too. 8)
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: MacGyver on June 11, 2014, 10:45:50 AM
Yeah- I've always loved Choose-Your-Own-Adventure books (and other such books in that style) since childhood- these are great fun to read. Nice to finally have all of this little spinoff series too. :) 8)
Keep looking around on Amazon.com and Ebay, etc. - they usually don't cost too terribly much...
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: Hardy Sleuth on June 12, 2014, 05:43:32 PM
Quote from: MacGyver on June 11, 2014, 10:45:50 AM
Yeah- I've always loved Choose-Your-Own-Adventure books (and other such books in that style) since childhood- these are great fun to read. Nice to finally have all of this little spinoff series too. :) 8)
Keep looking around on Amazon.com and Ebay, etc. - they usually don't cost too terribly much...

Definitely worth searching for. 8)
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: MacGyver on April 25, 2016, 12:54:55 PM
So, rather at random, I found reviews for some of this books series posted on Youtube.
Check out the review for the first book in the series here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1HoRYuV_Vg).
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: MacGyver on February 15, 2017, 08:01:30 AM
Though it was never published, it looks like Jungle of Evil got a library card catalog listing anyway. Here is the entry (http://www.worldcat.org/title/jungle-of-evil/oclc/11918602&referer=brief_results) for this proposed book at the OCLC World Catalog. It offers a short synopsis as well:
"The reader's choices determine the direction of an adventure in which Nancy Drew teams up with the Hardy boys to trail dangerous criminals in the South American jungle."
I see Paul Frame is listed alongside Carolyn Keene and Franklin W. Dixon as the author- I presume he would have been doing the illustrations, as I'd be rather surprised to see the real name of one of the ghostwriters for the series listed.
(I couldn't find a listing for Ticket to Intrigue though.)
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: MacGyver on April 17, 2017, 07:53:40 AM
I posted this in the "Now Reading" thread, but I figured I'd add it here to further discussion of these books. :) 8)

I finally started reading through the Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys Be-A-Detective series! I've read the first two books already and I'm starting in on the third. I hope to read through all six books soon enough. The stories are fun to read, although it can be a bit frustrating because in some ways I'd rather just be reading one straight forward story. But with the "Choose Your Own Adventure" concept, I get lots of interesting twists on the same basic plot line in the story. And it's fun to enjoy yet another classic Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys team-up and see some of those classic moments of Hardy humor with Joe's one-liners or Frank making a wry observation. And it's been nice to see some supporting characters like Carson Drew and Fenton Hardy show up too.
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: Hardy Sleuth on April 25, 2017, 08:07:21 PM
Quote from: MacGyver on April 17, 2017, 07:53:40 AM
I posted this in the "Now Reading" thread, but I figured I'd add it here to further discussion of these books. :) 8)

I finally started reading through the Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys Be-A-Detective series! I've read the first two books already and I'm starting in on the third. I hope to read through all six books soon enough. The stories are fun to read, although it can be a bit frustrating because in some ways I'd rather just be reading one straight forward story. But with the "Choose Your Own Adventure" concept, I get lots of interesting twists on the same basic plot line in the story. And it's fun to enjoy yet another classic Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys team-up and see some of those classic moments of Hardy humor with Joe's one-liners or Frank making a wry observation. And it's been nice to see some supporting characters like Carson Drew and Fenton Hardy show up too.

Sounds great! :) I hope to get and read them all, too! :) And any previously unpublished ones they'll hopefully release. That'd be so cool. ;D 8)
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: MacGyver on April 26, 2017, 07:37:10 AM
Yeah- any unpublished Hardy Boys material I would certainly be interested to see. You never know- such things have happened before. A few years back, two long unpublished Three Investigators Crimebusters books finally got publication in Germany. (And those books had been laying dormant about 20-something years!)
          I'm currently reading the third of Be-A-Detective books and I haven't finished it yet, but I've noticed that Chet Morton shows up in this one and it looks like this is one of the few meetings of Chet and Nancy. (At least, I don't recall Chet meeting up with Nancy in any of the Supermysteries [the original 1988-1998 one] books. Maybe in the UB/GD ones.... But I think they did meet earlier in the Supersleuths books.)
I know Frank and Joe have met up with most all of Nancy's friends in the Supermysteries '88 series- Ned, Bess and George all have met with them at some point. Frank and Joe even visited River Heights in one book. Unfortunately, Nancy Drew never visited Bayport in that series. But that has happened in the Be-A-Detective series, along with the Supersleuths books, if I recall correctly. In the very book I'm reading now, The Feathered Serpent, Nancy comes to Bayport to help Frank and Joe with a case. [Of course, they don't stay there very long. ;) It's always off to some other part of the world on a case with these three.)
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: tomswift2002 on April 26, 2017, 01:15:44 PM
Quote from: MacGyver on April 26, 2017, 07:37:10 AM
          I'm currently reading the third of Be-A-Detective books and I haven't finished it yet, but I've noticed that Chet Morton shows up in this one and it looks like this is one of the few meetings of Chet and Nancy. (At least, I don't recall Chet meeting up with Nancy in any of the Supermysteries [the original 1988-1998 one] books. Maybe in the UB/GD ones.... But I think they did meet earlier in the Supersleuths books.)
Chet and Nancy met in the short story HB in the 2nd SuperSleuths book, as she was in Bayport for that story.
Quote
I know Frank and Joe have met up with most all of Nancy's friends in the Supermysteries '88 series- Ned, Bess and George all have met with them at some point. Frank and Joe even visited River Heights in one book. Unfortunately, Nancy Drew never visited Bayport in that series. But that has happened in the Be-A-Detective series, along with the Supersleuths books, if I recall correctly. In the very book I'm reading now, The Feathered Serpent, Nancy comes to Bayport to help Frank and Joe with a case. [Of course, they don't stay there very long. ;) It's always off to some other part of the world on a case with these three.)
As I mentioned, HB has Nancy in Bayport, but I don't recall any other appearances by Nancy in Bayport.  And in the SuperMystery'88 series the boys visited River Heights twice, while Bayport appeared in the first chapters of Mystery on the Fourth Of July, but Nancy didn't meet up with Frank and Joe until they were all the way across the country in Seattle.
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: MacGyver on April 26, 2017, 01:54:09 PM
QuoteChet and Nancy met in the short story HB in the 2nd SuperSleuths book, as she was in Bayport for that story.
Thanks for the confirmation. I knew there was at least one story with them meeting in one of those books.
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: MacGyver on April 26, 2017, 06:25:22 PM
I finished the third Be A Detective book today, and I thought I'd share a few other tidbits I gleaned. As I mentioned before, Chet Morton does show up in one of the story lines and works together with Frank and Joe and Nancy. (In fact, he actually winds up saving the day for everyone! :)) Chet also indicates recognition of Nancy upon sight, so it seems apparent they've met before- like in the "HB" story in Supersleuths 2, as already established.
Also, Aunt Gertrude appears in the book and is there to greet Nancy Drew when she comes by the Hardys' house in Bayport. And Aunt Gertrude apparently also already knows Nancy- probably from their meeting in the aforementioned "HB" story. And this appearance was really fun- a character I haven't read about in a Hardy Boys story in a really long time (this shows how long it's been since I've read one of the original stories)- Sam Radley, Fenton Hardy's investigative assistant, shows up! And thus, Nancy also meets Sam Radley- though in the book, it seems to be indicated that she already knows Sam as well.
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: tomswift2002 on April 27, 2017, 09:55:04 AM
Well in HB everyone in Bayport seems to know Nancy already, as the Nancy is actually visiting the Hardy's and playing Monopoly with them.  Plus at the end everyone is at Nancy's birthday party. 

As far as Nancy's meeting with the Hardy's in the Original series spin-off's, while there is no reference to it, their first meeting does seem to be the Dracula episode from the 1970's TV series, especially when you consider that a novelization of that episode was released in both North America and the UK.  But otherwise nothing is really given to indicate how the three first met, unlike in the SuperMystery'88 series where Double Crossing says that Nancy was an exchange student to Bayport High during her last year of high school
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: Bigfootman on April 27, 2017, 03:09:48 PM
Quote from: tomswift2002 on April 27, 2017, 09:55:04 AM
Well in HB everyone in Bayport seems to know Nancy already, as the Nancy is actually visiting the Hardy's and playing Monopoly with them.  Plus at the end everyone is at Nancy's birthday party. 

As far as Nancy's meeting with the Hardy's in the Original series spin-off's, while there is no reference to it, their first meeting does seem to be the Dracula episode from the 1970's TV series, especially when you consider that a novelization of that episode was released in both North America and the UK.  But otherwise nothing is really given to indicate how the three first met, unlike in the SuperMystery'88 series where Double Crossing says that Nancy was an exchange student to Bayport High during her last year of high school

Also, while it's likely she met Chet and the rest of Frank and Joe's Bayport friends during her time as an exchange student, the only friends of the Hardys she met in the SM series (not counting the friends who only appeared in one book) was Kip Coles in At All Costs and the Grey Man in Best of Enemies. (He appeared in most of the other SM books and Nancy knew about him before that book, but I don't recall him ever talking to Nancy except in that one.) I've read somewhere that the SMs were mainly written for Nancy Drew fans to introduce them to the Hardy Boys. Which is why mainly Nancy Drew characters appeared in the series.

The Original Series spinoffs seem to have been written with fans of both series in mind, as I don't recall the "Super Nancy" problem that the SMs had happening in the Be A Detective stories. Yes, it was possible to Nancy to solve the case on her own, but it was also possible for Frank and Joe to solve the case on their own as well. It depended on the choice you made. In some of the SM books, it seems that Nancy found most of the clues and did a lot more then Frank and Joe. ( for example, "Desperate Measures")
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: Hardy Sleuth on April 27, 2017, 04:18:01 PM
Quote from: MacGyver on April 26, 2017, 06:25:22 PM
I finished the third Be A Detective book today, and I thought I'd share a few other tidbits I gleaned. As I mentioned before, Chet Morton does show up in one of the story lines and works together with Frank and Joe and Nancy. (In fact, he actually winds up saving the day for everyone! :)) Chet also indicates recognition of Nancy upon sight, so it seems apparent they've met before- like in the "HB" story in Supersleuths 2, as already established.
Also, Aunt Gertrude appears in the book and is there to greet Nancy Drew when she comes by the Hardys' house in Bayport. And Aunt Gertrude apparently also already knows Nancy- probably from their meeting in the aforementioned "HB" story. And this appearance was really fun- a character I haven't read about in a Hardy Boys story in a really long time (this shows how long it's been since I've read one of the original stories)- Sam Radley, Fenton Hardy's investigative assistant, shows up! And thus, Nancy also meets Sam Radley- though in the book, it seems to be indicated that she already knows Sam as well.

Cool tidbits, and Sam Radley's cool. :D

Quote from: tomswift2002 on April 27, 2017, 09:55:04 AM
Well in HB everyone in Bayport seems to know Nancy already, as the Nancy is actually visiting the Hardy's and playing Monopoly with them.  Plus at the end everyone is at Nancy's birthday party. 

Cool about them playing Monopoly, I like playing that game. 8)

Quote from: Bigfootman on April 27, 2017, 03:09:48 PM
The Original Series spinoffs seem to have been written with fans of both series in mind, as I don't recall the "Super Nancy" problem that the SMs had happening in the Be A Detective stories. Yes, it was possible to Nancy to solve the case on her own, but it was also possible for Frank and Joe to solve the case on their own as well. It depended on the choice you made. In some of the SM books, it seems that Nancy found most of the clues and did a lot more then Frank and Joe. ( for example, "Desperate Measures")

I totally agree that Frank and Joe can solve a case on their own and Nancy can solve one on her own (and with Ned, George, and Bess :D). That doesn't sound like fun reading if the writers just have her doing everything and finding all the clues. :(
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: MacGyver on April 28, 2017, 07:01:00 AM
QuoteI've read somewhere that the SMs were mainly written for Nancy Drew fans to introduce them to the Hardy Boys. Which is why mainly Nancy Drew characters appeared in the series.

The Original Series spinoffs seem to have been written with fans of both series in mind, as I don't recall the "Super Nancy" problem that the SMs had happening in the Be A Detective stories. Yes, it was possible to Nancy to solve the case on her own, but it was also possible for Frank and Joe to solve the case on their own as well. It depended on the choice you made. In some of the SM books, it seems that Nancy found most of the clues and did a lot more then Frank and Joe. ( for example, "Desperate Measures")
I'm aware of this issue, but as one who's read all of the Supermysteries books, it's never bothered me. It's not like Nancy does everything in every book- Frank and Joe contribute plenty throughout and save Nancy's life at times too. Yeah, it's more balanced in the Be-A-Detective series and a bit more leaning towards Nancy Drew's side in the Supermysteries- but if you go in with that understanding, it's not as big a deal, at least not to me.
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: Hardy Sleuth on April 30, 2017, 03:12:08 PM
Quote from: MacGyver on April 28, 2017, 07:01:00 AM
I'm aware of this issue, but as one who's read all of the Supermysteries books, it's never bothered me. It's not like Nancy does everything in every book- Frank and Joe contribute plenty throughout and save Nancy's life at times too. Yeah, it's more balanced in the Be-A-Detective series and a bit more leaning towards Nancy Drew's side in the Supermysteries- but if you go in with that understanding, it's not as big a deal, at least not to me.

It's good they show Frank and Joe contributing, too, and saving Nancy's life. I'm definitely more interested in finding and reading all of the Be-A-Detective series. 8)
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: MacGyver on May 04, 2017, 11:25:11 AM
I've been reading the fourth book in the Be-A-Detective series (Secret Cargo) and so far Frank and Joe have come to River Heights to stay with Nancy and her family and Nancy Drew has gone with The Hardy Boys to Bayport to stay with them. Also, Hannah Gruen, Bess Marvin, George Fayne and Carson Drew all make appearances in this one.
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: MacGyver on May 05, 2017, 11:55:49 PM
I finished this book and I have a few other quick notes. Chief Collig is mentioned in the book (Joe calls him in one of the scenarios), but it's also a very brief mention. Also, Frank is seen defusing a bomb in one of the scenarios- something he is seen doing a number of times in the Casefiles. Interesting.
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: MacGyver on May 12, 2017, 06:37:12 PM
I'm now reading #5 in the series- The Alaskan Mystery. This one pretty much entirely takes place in Alaska with only Frank, Joe and Nancy there. (i.e. No appearances of supporting characters- at least thus far.) It is nice to see Frank make mention of a Bayport landmark- Barmet Bay! (Though the book has a typo and actually says, "Barnet Bay"- but I'm pretty sure they meant Barmet Bay.) And I also keep noticing a number of interactions between Frank and Nancy that add to the whole Frank and Nancy romance that some of the fans seem to like so much. :D
One other neat observation- there is a scene of dialogue where Frank and Joe have an exchange that's almost verbatim from an episode of The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries! :) 8) I doubt it's really intentional, but it is neat to notice. In the scene, Joe wants to do something dangerous in order to continue their investigation (climb the outside of a lighthouse tower to a window in order to get past a locked door) and Frank, although reluctant, finally gives in, when Nancy sides with Joe on the plan. Frank warns Joe to be careful, who replies, "When have I ever not been careful?" Frank answers, "Lots of times."
      It helps that I've been watching the '70s TV show lately, so some scenes are very fresh on my mind, but in "The Mystery of the Silent Scream" episode, I noticed that Frank and Joe have a similar scene where Frank warns Joe to be careful and Joe has about the same reply- "Have I ever not been careful?" And Frank answers, "Yes!"
Most likely it's just a coincidence, but it's still nice to see consistency with the books and the TV show on accurate portrayals for Frank and Joe in regards to their character and personality. :) 8)
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: tomswift2002 on May 12, 2017, 10:32:11 PM
You have to remember that the Be-A-Detective books were released at a time when the 70's series would've still been on in repeats, and some parts of the world (like Australia and New Zealand) were just getting the show (or in Australia/New Zealand, just Season 1 & 2, with Season 3 apparently not airing there till 2001), and when you think of the series, the strong episodes were the crossover episodes, and the early 1980's crossover books really seem to have been made based on the popularity of the show, and how well received the crossover episodes had been received.  And with the BAD books, as well as the Campfire book and the Super Sleuths! books, the ideas for those books were probably started around 78-79, right around the time the novelizations of the Dracula and other episodes were coming out.   
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: MacGyver on May 13, 2017, 04:22:13 PM
Yeah, it makes sense that the '70s TV show would still have its share of influence on the books. Interesting to see how things come full circle- with watching the books form the basis for a TV show- and watch the TV show add its own mix of ideas- and then watch the TV show shape some of the books in some ways.
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: tomswift2002 on May 13, 2017, 10:03:30 PM
Even in the Casefiles you can see that the show had some effect, as both series have Joe's girlfriend getting killed.
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: MacGyver on May 14, 2017, 03:02:03 PM
Yep- after watching Season 3, I could see a lot of influence on the Casefiles. Even the opening theme song that features as the title screen a Hardy Boys book cover reminds me of the design of the Casefiles books. And certainly the whole thing of working for the Justice Department felt a lot like the Network and the Gray Man and all.
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: MacGyver on May 14, 2017, 04:30:41 PM
Just a quick update here- I've finished the 5th. book in the series and I'm on to the sixth one- The Missing Money Mystery. Fenton Hardy is both mentioned early in the book and makes an appearance as well. It's interesting that Frank and Joe are going to Santa Clara to help their father with a case regarding computer chips in the Silicon Valley area- and they wind up stopping off in Los Angeles on the way. Nancy Drew is apparently accompanying them either just for the trip or to help with the case as well. This scenario also reminds me some of the '70s show, with the team-up the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew had in the Dracula case also being because Nancy had been recruited to help Fenton Hardy with a case.
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: MacGyver on May 15, 2017, 11:18:52 AM
I finished reading the 6th. and final book in the series. I don't have any major notes on this one beyond what I've already posted. Though I did notice that when Nancy is looking at a photo of a possible suspect (who works in the movie industry, as it turns out), Joe comes up behind her and comments that he looks like a rock star.  ;) Seems like Joe should know- or at least the guy who played him on TV in the '70s would know- nice possible slight Shaun Cassidy reference. :) 8)
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: MacGyver on November 07, 2018, 02:24:05 PM
I found an interesting video review of these books recently posted on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB-dVwovdg8

All the books are displayed and while Books 1-5 are the American release, the 6th. book is actually the Armada release in the UK. :)
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: Bigfootman on January 27, 2019, 02:40:31 PM
http://bigfootmanshardyboysandnancydrew.blogspot.com/2019/01/review-danger-on-ice-be-detective.html
You can see my review of "Danger on Ice" here, where I gave it a 5 out of 10. (an average score, not a bad one) I will be reviewing two other books in the series at some point.
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: MacGyver on January 27, 2019, 05:11:40 PM
Cool! Nice review. I did particularly like the particularly dark scenario in the book- pretty daring.
Title: Re: Be a Detective Series
Post by: MacGyver on August 29, 2022, 12:21:08 PM
I found a listing online from Follett Books publishing for the planned 8th. title in the series, Ticket to Intrigue.
It lists Paul Frame as the illustrator with the price at $2.95
Here are the ISBN numbers:
0-671-55735-1 (ISBN-10)
978-0-671-55735-5 (ISBN-13)

It's listed as being published by Simon & Schuster Books For You with publishing date of September 1985.
And it is listed as number 8 in the Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys: Be A Detective Mystery Stories series.
Here's the description:
"A self-directing adventure in which Nancy Drew searches for a friend who vanished between China and Australia and the Hardy Boys are on the trail of stolen rock videos".