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General Hardy Boys Discussion => Network Briefings - Hardy Boys News => Topic started by: MacGyver on July 27, 2011, 09:04:15 AM

Title: The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers: #40
Post by: MacGyver on July 27, 2011, 09:04:15 AM
A working title and release date for the Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40 The Case of the MyFace Kidnapper are now up at Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1442422351/?tag=hardboyscasee-20).

(http://www.hardyboyscasefiles.com/images/comingsoon/UB000.jpg) (http://www.hardyboyscasefiles.com/store/index.php?isbn=1442422351)
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: MacGyver on July 27, 2011, 09:06:55 AM
I saw the name of this book on a Wikipedia page listing titles of Hardy Boys books and I was thinking (and perhaps hoping ;)) it was a joke at first, you know- someone messing around with editing the Wikipedia page. (as seems to happen every so often on The Hardy Boys Wiki, for whatever reason.)
    But no- it's the real title alright. It's not on Amazon.com yet, but Simon & Schuster has revealed the title for #40 in The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers series- The Case of the MyFace Kidnapper. I guess they didn't want to use the name of a real social network to avoid copyright issues, but this particular social network name is kind of a running joke for me and a friend whose mom has been known to jokingly refer to either/or Myspace and FaceBook as this. ;D
      It also seems this is a plot that's been done before, albeit I guess not in the UB series. But it definitely has been done in the Hardy Boys Graphic Novel series. (#8 Haley Danelle's Top 8) Hopefully, it will be good. Here's the description from Simon & Schuster (http://books.simonandschuster.com/The-Case-of-the-MyFace-Kidnapper-(w-t-)/Franklin-W-Dixon/Hardy-Boys-(All-New)-Undercover-Brothers/9781442422353).
It's set to be released May 22, 2012 and with 160 pages. That seems to be fairly consistent with the series release cycle for the most part, with about 4 months in between books, though it is a bit down on page counts (as the first two of the "Deathstalker" Trilogy books have 176 pages. And both of these will be printed in 2011, whereas the last of the Trilogy and this #40 book are 2012 books.)
           A few other things I noticed- the description for this book says Frank and Joe will enroll in a new school for this case, so that should be interesting. Certainly not the first time Frank and Joe have done something like that (#9 of The Hardy Boys Casefiles, The Genius Thieves comes to mind). But the other thing I'm wondering about is the name of the book. It's pretty neat to have a traditional sort of naming function here with "The Case of..." in the title. (reminds me of the Original Hardy Boys books' typical titles and some of the Digests.) But I also wonder if this title indicates that the series is moving back to a singular case rather than the trilogy mode. I suppose this particular "Case" can still stretch for three books, but the naming function seems to indicate to me that this could be a singular adventure. Just wondering...

Oh yeah- like Columbo, there's just one more thing...
I also noticed that Simon & Schuster has "(w.t.)" listed at the end of this title on their site. I wonder what this stands for...
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: Hardy Boys UB Fan on July 27, 2011, 12:00:34 PM
I don't know what that stands for either. But I can't wait to read the book! ;D
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: Olivia on July 28, 2011, 08:04:39 PM
Quote from: MacGyver on July 27, 2011, 09:04:15 AM
           A few other things I noticed- the description for this book says Frank and Joe will enroll in a new school for this case, so that should be interesting. Certainly not the first time Frank and Joe have done something like that (#9 of The Hardy Boys Casefiles, The Genius Thieves comes to mind). But the other thing I'm wondering about is the name of the book. It's pretty neat to have a traditional sort of naming function here with "The Case of..." in the title. (reminds me of the Original Hardy Boys books' typical titles and some of the Digests.) But I also wonder if this title indicates that the series is moving back to a singular case rather than the trilogy mode. I suppose this particular "Case" can still stretch for three books, but the naming function seems to indicate to me that this could be a singular adventure. Just wondering...

That does pique my interest just a bit. But the last UB I read was probably like #29.
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: tomswift2002 on July 29, 2011, 04:26:11 PM
Quote from: MacGyver on July 27, 2011, 09:06:55 AM
Oh yeah- like Columbo, there's just one more thing...
I also noticed that Simon & Schuster has "(w.t.)" listed at the end of this title on their site. I wonder what this stands for...

The "(w.t)" stands for "working-title", so The Case of the MyFace Kidnapper may not be the true title of the book. 

And, according to Simon & Schuster's Canadian website, it's the first book in another trilogy.  (http://series.simonandschuster.ca/Hardy-Boys-(All-New)-Undercover-Brothers   

look in the area where you can scroll through the books, just above the message boards.)
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: SDLagent on July 29, 2011, 05:38:21 PM
QuoteFrank and Joe are uncover once again for the ATAC?American Teenagers Against Crime?the undercover government organization that recruits teenagers for missions where adult detectives would be identified right away. Their latest case involves missing high school students who disappear after attending a party that they're invited to via MyFace! Is MyFace a social network of friends or a network of kidnappers? Frank and Joe enroll in a new school to find out who's behind these disturbing and maybe deadly abductions.

That's the plot summary. The name of book's just laughable (MyFace? Really?) and the plot sounds about on the same level without the laughs.

It is interesting that S&S has designated The Case of the MyFace Kidnapper as a "working title". Although I've seen the title of an HB book change before publication I've never seen this "w.t." label before.
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: tomswift2002 on July 29, 2011, 05:50:27 PM
Quote from: SDLagent on July 29, 2011, 05:38:21 PM
That's the plot summary. The name of book's just laughable (MyFace? Really?) and the plot sounds about on the same level without the laughs.

It is interesting that S&S has designated The Case of the MyFace Kidnapper as a "working title". Although I've seen the title of an HB book change before publication I've never seen this "w.t." label before.

I've seen the "w.t." label on a couple of Star Trek book listings on Simon & Schuster's website in the past and the books have always had their titles changed or altered (by altered I mean that, for example the Starfleet Academy book The Edge was originally listed as The Competitive Edge[/ui] with the "W.T." beside it).
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: SDLagent on July 29, 2011, 05:54:39 PM
I'm guessing they'll drop "The Case of" from the title.
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: tomswift2002 on July 29, 2011, 06:06:14 PM
Quote from: SDLagent on July 29, 2011, 05:54:39 PM
I'm guessing they'll drop "The Case of" from the title.

And call it The MyFace Kidnapper?  That would be a horrendous mistake.  But, it is the Undercover Brothers. 

But I think the title will probably change to something else.  Just look at Tom Swift #6 from the 90's series.  Originally it was going to be called Tom Swift and The Undersea Raiders but then it was changed to Aquatech Warriors.
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: MacGyver on July 30, 2011, 03:35:46 AM
Okay- duh! Working title- I should have figured that out. That makes sense- thanks, tomswift2002.
And yeah- hopefully maybe they'll find a better name for this book then... of course, I think they could probably find a better plot too - I mean, granted- there is some real life basis in these kinds of threats- but they honestly seem to be fairly outdated now and just kinda laughable more than anything...
It just seems they could find a more menacing title- something like maybe Death Network perhaps... I don't know- and while I like "The Case of" construct, I just that fits a singular title better than a trilogy- but perhaps that part of the title will change too...
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: SDLagent on July 30, 2011, 07:28:32 PM
Quote from: MacGyver on July 30, 2011, 03:35:46 AM
And yeah- hopefully maybe they'll find a better name for this book then... of course, I think they could probably find a better plot too -

Ya think? A five year old kid could think-up a better plot. True story (http://axecop.com/).
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: MacGyver on July 31, 2011, 03:07:28 AM
Wow- that's crazy cool. ;D
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: Hardy Boys UB Fan on July 31, 2011, 02:04:59 PM
The Case of the Myface Kidnapper could work. Hey, it could be a teaching tool for kids not not to put a lot of PI on the net. ::) I've seen some pages where it's like they have way to much information on them.
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: JoeHardyRocks on July 31, 2011, 03:24:11 PM
Yeah, but most kids won't make that connection from the fiction book to themselves.

I don't think this book is going to be good IMO... The Nancy Drew GD cyberbullying one was good, but the UB's just aren't going anywhere.
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: tomswift2002 on August 01, 2011, 12:35:05 PM
Quote from: MacGyver on July 30, 2011, 03:35:46 AM
Okay- duh! Working title- I should have figured that out. That makes sense- thanks, tomswift2002.
Your welcome

Quote
And yeah- hopefully maybe they'll find a better name for this book then... of course, I think they could probably find a better plot too - I mean, granted- there is some real life basis in these kinds of threats- but they honestly seem to be fairly outdated now and just kinda laughable more than anything...

Yeah, put that way about how it is outdated makes it sound just like Burned where the Hardy's were working on a case about illegally burnt CD's.

Quote
It just seems they could find a more menacing title- something like maybe Death Network perhaps... I don't know- and while I like "The Case of" construct, I just that fits a singular title better than a trilogy- but perhaps that part of the title will change too...

Death Network sounds like it could've fit right in the Hardy Boys Casefiles series.
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: Hardy Boys UB Fan on August 01, 2011, 12:58:34 PM
Quote from: tomswift2002 on August 01, 2011, 12:35:05 PM
Yeah, put that way about how it is outdated makes it sound just like Burned where the Hardy's were working on a case about illegally burnt CD's.
Death Network sounds like it could've fit right in the Hardy Boys Casefiles series.

I liked that book. 8) I think Death Network would be a great title. I hope they use that. ;D
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: tomswift2002 on August 02, 2011, 09:35:34 AM
Quote from: Katie on August 01, 2011, 12:58:34 PM
I liked that book. 8) I think Death Network would be a great title. I hope they use that. ;D


You liked Burned?  That was one book where the author could've had the boys solving a really big mystery, like they used to in the Original continuity or the Casefiles with a big gang in different parts of the country or the world, but instead the author just had the boys find out that it was...one of their teachers.  That was worst than pathetic.
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: MacGyver on August 02, 2011, 12:58:32 PM
QuoteDeath Network sounds like it could've fit right in the Hardy Boys Casefiles series.
Thanks, man. To me that just sounds a lot more menacing and interesting of a title, but I guess maybe they don't want it to sound too hardcore since technically there are two different audiences for The Hardy Boys Casefiles and The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers
QuoteYou liked Burned?  That was one book where the author could've had the boys solving a really big mystery, like they used to in the Original continuity or the Casefiles with a big gang in different parts of the country or the world, but instead the author just had the boys find out that it was...one of their teachers.  That was worst than pathetic.
Dude! Hello?- Spoiler alert? You totally ruined the book for me, man. ;D
(j/k)
On a more serious note though- Frank and Joe tackled a similar case in Bad Rap, #73 in The Hardy Boys Casefiles. It seems like the only main difference between the books (besides Frank and Joe receiving a rap song dedicated to them :D) is the technology and speed of availability. Of course, I'm not totally familiar with all that happens in Burned- just what I've heard. But if it's a similar issue like someone ripping off Randy Rand and profiting from bootleg copies of his music, then I think that would be a worthy case. If it's delving into the issue of whether individual consumers should burning copies of music for friends and so forth (which, no, I don't think they really should)- I think that's where fans had the concern of Frank and Joe being like the RIAA's stoolies and I can understand that.
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: SDLagent on August 02, 2011, 04:18:21 PM
Quote from: MacGyver on August 02, 2011, 12:58:32 PM! Hello?- Spoiler alert? You totally ruined the book for me, man. ;D
(j/k)

But you don't know which teacher! OOOOOOOO!
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: MacGyver on August 02, 2011, 05:49:02 PM
Well then- you got me there. :D
Let me guess- it's their computer teacher. ;)
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: Hardy Boys UB Fan on August 02, 2011, 06:09:47 PM
Quote from: tomswift2002 on August 02, 2011, 09:35:34 AM
You liked Burned?  That was one book where the author could've had the boys solving a really big mystery, like they used to in the Original continuity or the Casefiles with a big gang in different parts of the country or the world, but instead the author just had the boys find out that it was...one of their teachers. That was worst than pathetic.

Yeah, I did! One of my favourites, actually. ;D

Quote from: MacGyver on August 02, 2011, 05:49:02 PM
Well then- you got me there. :D
Let me guess- it's their computer teacher. ;)

You got it! :D 8)
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: MacGyver on August 02, 2011, 07:22:34 PM
QuoteYeah, I did! One of my favourites, actually
Ah- my favourite way of spelling favorite. :) ;D
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: Hardy Boys UB Fan on August 02, 2011, 09:59:15 PM
Quote from: MacGyver on August 02, 2011, 07:22:34 PM
Ah- my favourite way of spelling favorite. :) ;D

Really? 8) Do you spell things the American or British way?
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: SDLagent on August 03, 2011, 12:39:59 AM
Or the Canadian way?

Duh-ding!
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: MacGyver on August 03, 2011, 07:36:24 AM
Rather! All three at times- I'm accustomed to British/Canadian spellings but I've also had to learn American spellings of course.
Though I've never been there, I just like England and many things about it. Of course, I like all countries- they all have something unique to contribute, I feel- and I like to think they are all beautiful in their own ways. :)
(I'm also a big fan of Enid Blyton and I've been kind of on a Blyton kick lately, so that's probably why I just wanted to mention that Britishism.) ;D
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: Hardy Boys UB Fan on August 03, 2011, 10:56:49 AM
Quote from: MacGyver on August 03, 2011, 07:36:24 AM
Rather! All three at times- I'm accustomed to British/Canadian spellings but I've also had to learn American spellings of course.
Though I've never been there, I just like England and many things about it. Of course, I like all countries- they all have something unique to contribute, I feel- and I like to think they are all beautiful in their own ways. :)
(I'm also a big fan of Enid Blyton and I've been kind of on a Blyton kick lately, so that's probably why I just wanted to mention that Britishism.) ;D

I started using British spellings when I started watching Doctor Who in 2005. I spelled favorite the British way and I got it wrong on my spelling test, can you believe that? My mom said that wasn't the right way to spell it. ::)
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: MacGyver on August 03, 2011, 12:57:24 PM
Well, favourite isn't the right way to spell favorite in America. But favourite is the right way to spell favourite in Great Britain and Canada.  ;):)
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: tomswift2002 on August 03, 2011, 05:42:02 PM
Quote from: MacGyver on August 03, 2011, 12:57:24 PM
Well, favourite isn't the right way to spell favorite in America. But favourite is the right way to spell favourite in Great Britain and Canada.  ;):)
Quote from: Katie on August 03, 2011, 10:56:49 AM
I started using British spellings when I started watching Doctor Who in 2005. I spelled favorite the British way and I got it wrong on my spelling test, can you believe that? My mom said that wasn't the right way to spell it. ::)

I remember that when I was going to school here in Canada if you used American spellings on spelling tests, the teacher would still give you the mark, since you spelt the word correctly, since they realized that in Canada students would be reading a number of American books, so they would see the word (ie. color) in a book, but not see it spelt as colour

But, in Canada you also have to remember that besides adding a "U" to some words, we also use the French spelling.  For example, in Ottawa, Scotiabank Place used to be called the Corel Centre, with the "e" and "r" in center reversed.

Quote from: MacGyver
On a more serious note though- Frank and Joe tackled a similar case in Bad Rap, #73 in The Hardy Boys Casefiles. It seems like the only main difference between the books (besides Frank and Joe receiving a rap song dedicated to them ) is the technology and speed of availability. Of course, I'm not totally familiar with all that happens in Burned- just what I've heard. But if it's a similar issue like someone ripping off Randy Rand and profiting from bootleg copies of his music, then I think that would be a worthy case. If it's delving into the issue of whether individual consumers should burning copies of music for friends and so forth (which, no, I don't think they really should)- I think that's where fans had the concern of Frank and Joe being like the RIAA's stoolies and I can understand that.

It's the same as the The Mystery of the Flying Courier in terms of technology, but in both cases the writers made the whole illegal LP/CD thing be a "big" crime ring where it was operating all across, say, New England or the whole lower 48, whereas in Burned the author had the boys defeating an extremely tiny crime ring that was within their school and Bayport.  That's kind of like the FBI are going to bust you for making a back-up copy of a favorite CD, and they send 50 agents to arrest you.

The author of Burned missed a very "big" oppurtunity.
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: Hardy Boys UB Fan on August 03, 2011, 06:54:47 PM
Quote from: tomswift2002 on August 03, 2011, 05:42:02 PM
It's the same as the The Mystery of the Flying Courier in terms of technology, but in both cases the writers made the whole illegal LP/CD thing be a "big" crime ring where it was operating all across, say, New England or the whole lower 48, whereas in Burned the author had the boys defeating an extremely tiny crime ring that was within their school and Bayport.  That's kind of like the FBI are going to bust you for making a back-up copy of a favorite CD, and they send 50 agents to arrest you.

The author of Burned missed a very "big" oppurtunity.

Should I start running? ;) I do that all the time! :)
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: tomswift2002 on August 03, 2011, 08:40:19 PM
S&S really dropped the ball on Burned and did nothing to recover it.
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: MacGyver on August 03, 2011, 09:22:44 PM
QuoteBut, in Canada you also have to remember that besides adding a "U" to some words, we also use the French spelling.  For example, in Ottawa, Scotiabank Place used to be called the Corel Centre, with the "e" and "r" in center reversed.
Huh- didn't realize that was a French thing. Seems I grew up using "centre" as the right spelling as well... but spectre and specter are two different words in American English at least...interesting
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: Hardy Boys UB Fan on August 03, 2011, 10:08:02 PM
Quote from: tomswift2002 on August 03, 2011, 08:40:19 PM
S&S really dropped the ball on Burned and did nothing to recover it.

I really don't think so. I loved that book! ;D 8)
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: MacGyver on August 04, 2011, 01:00:05 AM
Okay- two vastly different opinions on this book. Good to know there are some fans of The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers in general and that someone enjoys it- I'm sure it's not really ALL bad- but it obviously doesn't live up to every fan's expectations or likings. But somehow it keeps chugging along so I assume someone besides me is still buying them- lol. ;D
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: Hardy Boys UB Fan on August 04, 2011, 09:48:20 AM
Quote from: MacGyver on August 04, 2011, 01:00:05 AM
Okay- two vastly different opinions on this book. Good to know there are some fans of The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers in general and that someone enjoys it- I'm sure it's not really ALL bad- but it obviously doesn't live up to every fan's expectations or likings. But somehow it keeps chugging along so I assume someone besides me is still buying them- lol. ;D

Nice to know I'm not alone, then. ;) 8)
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: tomswift2002 on August 04, 2011, 06:09:39 PM
Quote from: Katie on August 04, 2011, 09:48:20 AM
Nice to know I'm not alone, then. ;) 8)

Not necessarily.  It could be that he just buys them to collect the books, not read them.
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: MacGyver on August 04, 2011, 07:30:29 PM
QuoteNot necessarily.  It could be that he just buys them to collect the books, not read them.
Well, actually at this point- yeah, it's been more just buying the books to collect them rather than read them. lol- I've been meaning to read some of the UB series at some point and it keeps getting put off. Of course, I've been so put off to the series from what I've heard about it that I generally haven't wanted to read them either...Though I have all the books in the Supermystery '88 series, I have yet to finish reading all of them. I've kinda been wanting to finish reading all of those and the 2 Ultrathrillers books before I get around to the Undercover Brothers. Unfortunately, though I still love to read as much as I can, I've found that as one gets older it seems like there are more and more distractions and things in life that can keep you from reading and leisure time in general...
But one of these days I'm gonna make Extreme Danger the book of the month for our reading club and make myself read it. ;D
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: Olivia on August 08, 2011, 04:42:16 PM
Quote from: JoeHardyRocks on July 31, 2011, 03:24:11 PM
The Nancy Drew GD cyberbullying one was good,

Definitely. I wasn't sure I'd be interested in the plot at first, but it was very well done.
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: SDLagent on August 08, 2011, 05:04:53 PM
Quote from: Katie on August 03, 2011, 10:56:49 AM
I started using British spellings when I started watching Doctor Who in 2005. I spelled favorite the British way and I got it wrong on my spelling test, can you believe that? My mom said that wasn't the right way to spell it. ::)

When my mum was in school she got the word "mum" wrong in a spelling test. Strangely, most Canadians call their mother "mum" but the Canadian spelling is actually "mom" like in the US.

Quote from: tomswift2002 on August 03, 2011, 05:42:02 PM
I remember that when I was going to school here in Canada if you used American spellings on spelling tests, the teacher would still give you the mark, since you spelt the word correctly, since they realized that in Canada students would be reading a number of American books, so they would see the word (ie. color) in a book, but not see it spelt as colour.

Another bit of interesting trivia related to Canadian English is the fact that for years Canadian newspapers were written in American English. This saved a lot of time for newspaper editors using articles from American papers.

Quote from: tomswift2002 on August 03, 2011, 05:42:02 PM
But, in Canada you also have to remember that besides adding a "U" to some words, we also use the French spelling.  For example, in Ottawa, Scotiabank Place used to be called the Corel Centre, with the "e" and "r" in center reversed.

Words ending in "re" aren't the only ones we barrow from French but, yeah, those are probably the most commonly used ones.

It's not a big deal but it still bugs me that most websites only have have the option of UK English and US English. Most websites have Canadian French but no Canadian English.
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: MacGyver on August 08, 2011, 06:10:45 PM
Quote
Words ending in "re" aren't the only ones we barrow from French but, yeah, those are probably the most commonly used ones.

It's not a big deal but it still bugs me that most websites only have have the option of UK English and US English. Most websites have Canadian French but no Canadian English.

Did you also borrow "barrow" from the French? ;D ;)

In regards to websites, I guess you'd have to specifically go to a .ca site for Canadian English...

QuoteAnother bit of interesting trivia related to Canadian English is the fact that for years Canadian newspapers were written in American English. This saved a lot of time for newspaper editors using articles from American papers
Oh wow- yeah, that would definitely be a pain to spotcheck each article for that... most newspapers pull stories from the Associated Press and they could be from correspondents all over the world- but they're generally marked as a story special to the paper from the AP- so readers in Canada seeing an AP story could know it's coming from an American-based news agency...(even though the story may literally be coming from all over the world)

QuoteWhen my mum was in school she got the word "mum" wrong in a spelling test. Strangely, most Canadians call their mother "mum" but the Canadian spelling is actually "mom" like in the US
I've seen this a lot in British shows and books and such- "Mum" is usually the name of choice for mothers in the Enid Blyton books I like to read... I assume it's pronounced just as it's spelt there- like short for "mummy"- Or as in "mum's the word". I think most Americans would say "Mom", but it just depends on each person- some prefer "Mommy" or "Mother" or "Ma" - or it may just be "Ma'am" like on Webster ;D
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: Olivia on August 09, 2011, 04:37:49 PM
Quote from: SDLagent on August 08, 2011, 05:04:53 PM
When my mum was in school she got the word "mum" wrong in a spelling test. Strangely, most Canadians call their mother "mum" but the Canadian spelling is actually "mom" like in the US.

Interestingly enough, the rest would probably be in Ontario (in saying "mom").

I spoke to someone who lived in Alberta, as well as Ontario, and she said that a lot of things are significantly different on each coast - particularly lifestyle pace. Ontario is obviously the "go, go, go" side.

Quote from: MacGyver on August 08, 2011, 06:10:45 PM
Oh wow- yeah, that would definitely be a pain to spotcheck each article for that...

My boss wanted to expand our paper into the States recently. I brought up the fact that I would have to make two different versions of articles when I edit (original articles we write) and that we'd have to research American laws and stuff (which I was willing to do). He realized the time factor and all the other projects we have on the go, however, so he stuck a fork in it.
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: SDLagent on August 10, 2011, 12:01:11 AM
Quote from: Olivia on August 09, 2011, 04:37:49 PM
Interestingly enough, the rest would probably be in Ontario (in saying "mom").

So you're saying most Ontarians say "mom"?
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers: #40
Post by: MacGyver on August 18, 2011, 04:17:35 PM
Well, I guess that was still just a working title for this book as I don't see it listed on Simon & Schuster's web site anymore. I guess they're still working on revising it...
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers: #40
Post by: SDLagent on August 18, 2011, 10:50:21 PM
Was the book actually pulled from the site or was the name just removed?
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers: #40
Post by: MacGyver on August 19, 2011, 01:12:59 AM
I can't find a listing for the book itself...
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers: #40
Post by: SDLagent on August 19, 2011, 02:35:00 AM
Hmmm. Could this finally be the end of the Undercover Brothers?

And the end of the Hardy Boys?
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers: #40
Post by: MacGyver on August 19, 2011, 08:02:12 AM
Tune in next time for the thrilling answer! Same Hardy time, Same Hardy channel! ;D
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers: #40
Post by: MacGyver on August 19, 2011, 08:49:19 AM
Okay- so the book is not listed on either the American or Canadian version of Simon & Schuster's web site...
But the Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/MyFace-Kidnapper-Hardy-Undercover-Brothers/dp/1442422351) listing is still up (which doesn't necessarily mean anything)
However, I've noticed that it does have a slightly more detailed book summary:

"Frank and Joe's latest case involves the dangerous underside of social networking. A football friend from a nearby school contacts the Hardys when a team member goes missing! One minute he was at a massive beach party that everyone from school was invited to via MyFace; the next moment he was GONE! The MyFace parties continue, but so do the crimes: robbery, kidnapping, car theft...can murder be far behind? Is MyFace a social network of friends or a network of something far more sinister?"

And this site lists the book as releasing September 11, 2012.   That's quite a jump from March 2012.
I guess we'll just have to keep waiting for more details to emerge in time...but for now, it does look kinda suspicious ;)

 
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers: #40
Post by: MacGyver on August 19, 2011, 08:53:48 AM
I meant to say May 22, 2012 is the original publishing date Simon & Schuster had listed on their page, but the Amazon listing has September 11, 2012. Since #39 is due out toward the start of the year (January 3, 2012)- that's quite a huge gap in between books.
And also for the record, the Amazon listing only has a price up for the Kindle electronic version and nothing for the paperback....
Also for the record, it's also still listed on Amazon.ca  (http://www.amazon.ca/Case-MyFace-Kidnapper-w-t/dp/1442422351/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1313761977&sr=8-1) as well.
Curiouser and curioser....
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers: #40
Post by: tomswift2002 on August 19, 2011, 07:47:39 PM
I just checked Chapters.Indigo.ca and the book is listed there as The Case of the MyFace Kidnapper (w.t) with a list price of $6.99 CDN and a release date of September 11, 2012.  And considering that the final book of the Movie Mayhem Trilogy is scheduled to be released on January 3, 2012, and Sports Sabotage is scheduled for April 3, that is a long time between releases.  I wonder if S&S is trying to retool the brand some how, considering that both the regular series and graphic novels seem to be going on hiatus for a while?
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers: #40
Post by: MacGyver on August 19, 2011, 09:13:12 PM
Could be... maybe like what I saying earlier about "The Case of..." construct in the title- might be indicative of moving toward a single contained story again and away from the trilogies... who knows? That's just conjecture on my part right now.
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers: #40
Post by: SDLagent on August 20, 2011, 01:02:26 AM
One the Canadian S&S site it was originally listed as the first in a trilogy.
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers: #40
Post by: MacGyver on August 20, 2011, 07:03:51 AM
Okay- I guess that kills that theory then...  Perhaps it's more just wishful thinking on my part- lol ;D
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers: #40
Post by: tomswift2002 on August 21, 2011, 01:14:04 PM
Quote from: MacGyver on August 19, 2011, 09:13:12 PM
Could be... maybe like what I saying earlier about "The Case of..." construct in the title- might be indicative of moving toward a single contained story again and away from the trilogies... who knows? That's just conjecture on my part right now.

Maybe they'll get rid of the first person narrative and go back to the third person narrative.
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers: #40
Post by: SDLagent on August 21, 2011, 08:53:16 PM
Don't bet on it. That wont happen until the UB is replaced.
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #40
Post by: Olivia on September 14, 2011, 05:28:51 PM
Quote from: SDLagent on August 10, 2011, 12:01:11 AM
So you're saying most Ontarians say "mom"?

Yup.

(Over a month later, I'm back to answer. lol.)
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers: #40
Post by: SDLagent on September 14, 2011, 11:19:37 PM
Ah, well, Ontario's pretty much America, anyway.
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers: #40
Post by: MacGyver on September 15, 2011, 12:52:05 PM
Well, while I've still not seen #40 resurface on Simon & Schuster's Web site, I have noticed that some more Hardy Boys books are coming to eBook format- including early Undercover Brothers books and some from the Digests.
Hazed, No Way Out and Hidden Mountain are due to be released September 20, 2011.
Thrill Ride is set for release on October 18, 2011.
So that's neat to see more books coming to eBook format anyway- I have a feeling this will be a good way for S&S to reach younger fans with Hardy Boys books. Though I don't quite see the end of the physical book just yet or anything, I do think a lot of people seem to be getting into the whole eBook format (though I still don't quite get the appeal...)
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers: #40
Post by: SDLagent on September 15, 2011, 01:08:32 PM
Quote from: MacGyver on September 15, 2011, 12:52:05 PM(though I still don't quite get the appeal...)


Cheap and fast.
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers: #40
Post by: MacGyver on September 15, 2011, 06:41:46 PM
I suppose. I'd just rather have an actual book- I've tried reading books (i.e. public domain Sherlock Holmes stories) and fan fiction stories online- and I get tired of scrolling through screens for that. I'd rather have the pages in my hand- it's easier for me. I think I'm cool with reading things online (as I obviously do that well enough on Web sites such as this), but only to a point. But everyone has their personal preferences on this of course.
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers: #40
Post by: MacGyver on September 15, 2011, 06:46:23 PM
By the way- just purely out of speculation here- I was wondering some if this might really signal the end (or at least a rebranding/restructuring) of the Undercover Brothers series. With the graphic novel series also at least on hiatus- I kinda wonder if that would effectively end the expanding universe of The Hardy Boys as it is. But on the other hand, I suppose that any property seen as being profitable will continue to be milked by its owners for as much as money as possible... but even so, I hope that decisions are made for the good of the franchise. So maybe there would be yet another new Hardy Boys series (with some kind of different take) or maybe they would revive and continue an older series- or maybe they would actually just let things stand as they are and let it rest for a while- or maybe even altogether.
    Just some thoughts there- balancing the good of the series versus profitability and all those concerns and ideas...
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers: #40
Post by: SDLagent on September 16, 2011, 02:06:14 AM
Quote from: MacGyver on September 15, 2011, 06:41:46 PM
I suppose. I'd just rather have an actual book- I've tried reading books (i.e. public domain Sherlock Holmes stories) and fan fiction stories online- and I get tired of scrolling through screens for that. I'd rather have the pages in my hand- it's easier for me. I think I'm cool with reading things online (as I obviously do that well enough on Web sites such as this), but only to a point. But everyone has their personal preferences on this of course.

I agree. I just like the idea and the experience of reading a conventional book better. Some of these new tablets and ereaders do a good job of making digital reading easier and more enjoyable, though - mostly because they've been designed to feel like a non-digital/conventional book read.
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers: #40
Post by: Olivia on September 29, 2011, 10:28:21 PM
Quote from: SDLagent on September 14, 2011, 11:19:37 PM
Ah, well, Ontario's pretty much America, anyway.

As if!
Title: Re: The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers: #40
Post by: SDLagent on September 30, 2011, 02:23:30 PM
heh.