Mr. Pizza's Hardy Boys Forum

Other Hardy Boys Series Discussion => Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers => Topic started by: Sam Spade on July 14, 2007, 01:28:18 AM

Title: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: Sam Spade on July 14, 2007, 01:28:18 AM
In case you didn't know, case #17 Murder at the Mall is in stores now. ;D
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: SDLagent on July 14, 2007, 11:40:38 AM
Cool! ;D

But I thought it was coming out on the 25th. ???
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: Sam Spade on July 14, 2007, 10:28:12 PM
Quote from: SDLagent on July 14, 2007, 11:40:38 AM
Cool! ;D

But I thought it was coming out on the 25th. ???


I thought so too, but the S&S website and Amazon.com have it in stock. :-\
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: SkyWarp on July 14, 2007, 11:21:29 PM
Hardy Boys books (even as far back as the casefiles) tend to come out earlier than their "street dates."  Comic Books are not quite so lucky.  As you will notice they are either on time or late.  Same goes true with the HBUB Graphic Novels.

EDIT:  Oh, Forgot to add that places such as Amazon.com get the books a few days earlier than your local book store.  Why?  Because Amazon doesn't need to distribute books to its local stores.  They get them and then sell them.  Bookstores or other types of stores, many times have to distribute the books from their warehouses or distribution centers.  That takes a few more days. 
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: tomswift2002 on July 15, 2007, 06:59:56 PM
I seem to recall that some of the later Casefiles tended to be released almost half-month before their release dates.  I remember that Casefiles #127 Dead In The Water was in stores by December 15, 1997, and the release date wasn't till early January 1998 (possible January 3-4).  So, on Boxing Day 1997, I was able to pick up Dead In The Water with Christmas money.
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: Lola on July 15, 2007, 08:28:17 PM
I put in my order at Walmart.com and it's due to be here on the 23rd.
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: SDLagent on July 21, 2007, 04:07:49 PM
Just picked it up at the bookstore today! ;D
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: Sam Spade on July 21, 2007, 04:19:20 PM
I just went to Books-A-Million the other day to buy it becouse they allway have them there, but they didn't have this one! >:( >:( >:(
Does anybody know what stores sell them ???
Where do you get them ???
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: SDLagent on July 21, 2007, 04:49:11 PM
I get my books at a little one of a kind book store in the town I live in they always have the new UB books there. :D ;D :) 8)
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: Sam Spade on July 21, 2007, 04:55:18 PM
Thanks for the info SDLagent. :) Anybody else ???
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: SDLagent on July 21, 2007, 06:42:47 PM
First of all this book does not take place at the Bayport Mall from the Casefiles or even at Bayview Mall from the previous UB books, but at an old mall on the eastside of Bayport.

Chet and Iola play more of a role in this book and I like that :), but here?s something I don?t like:
QuoteFor almost his whole life, Chet had been?well, overweight. But something must have snapped because suddenly he swore off junk food and started working out with that trainer of his. In just a few months, Chet?s stomach went from a hunk of flab to a concrete slab.
Chet giving up junk food? >:( What! Although it paid off big time in this book I hope he goes back to being good old food loving Chet in the next book.

Something else that?s weird about this book is that in one part Joe sees a Bayport High student, named Adam Franklin, which is the same name as the Hardy?s airplane maintenance man from Missions #3 and #5.  ???     

This is pretty good book it has good plot, the boys use there heads and they don?t fight at ALL, 4 out of 5 stars. ;D
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: tomswift2002 on July 22, 2007, 07:03:02 PM
Did S&S decide to continue the Chet weight lifting story line from the Casefiles #63 Cold Sweat book.  Cause if they did, I don't know how many young kids would get the connection, or even the connection to Chet being an aerobics instructor in the revised Secret Of The Old Mill.
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: SDLagent on July 23, 2007, 03:37:36 PM
Has any body else read this book yet?
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: tomswift2002 on July 23, 2007, 07:01:03 PM
Just picked up my copy today.  Although, I'm still reading Melissa Scott's Deep Space Nine book Proud Helios, so I won't be starting it just yet. 
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: Sam Spade on July 24, 2007, 01:17:43 AM
Quote from: SDLagent on July 23, 2007, 03:37:36 PM
Has any body else read this book yet?

I haven't read it yet, allthough I really, really want too!!! But as I said before, my local book stores didn't have it last time I looked!
But I was wondering if the :D 'Chums' :D were in this one.
Were they ???
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: SDLagent on July 24, 2007, 01:30:56 PM
Quote from: Sam Spade on July 24, 2007, 01:17:43 AM
I was wondering if the :D 'Chums' :D were in this one.
Were they ???
As I said before in this thread Chet and Iola play a big role in this book ;D but as for the other ??chums? none of them appear. :'(

Also here are some things I forgot to mention before:
Frank doesn?t act like a total geek around girls ;D and Brian Conrad isn?t even mentioned. :)   
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: tomswift2002 on July 24, 2007, 04:40:34 PM
Could S&S be trying to revamp the series?
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: SkyWarp on July 24, 2007, 05:46:22 PM
Quote from: tomswift2002 on July 24, 2007, 04:40:34 PM
Could S&S be trying to revamp the series?

I am not sure if "revamping" is a good idea.  The old phrase, "How you get 'em is how you keep 'em" is true in all areas of life and marketing.  However much some may dislike certain aspects of the series, I do not think that going away from those aspects (at least as far as characters and characteristics of those characters are concerned) is a very smart idea. 

There are those out there that like the UB books just the way they are, and changing them may alienate those people to the point that they will not buy the books anymore.  Those that already do not buy the books will most likely never buy them no matter what changes are made to them (this is true in all aspects of media and marketing). 

The only two options I would prefer are stay the course and write better books (plots and quality of writing) or end the series and start something different. 

But then looking at the history of the digests and casefiles, the third option of "revamping by slight changes over time" may again be the way things go and cause the eventual end anyway. 
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: Sam Spade on July 24, 2007, 07:59:10 PM
Quote from: SDLagent on July 24, 2007, 01:30:56 PM
As I said before in this thread Chet and Iola play a big role in this book ;D but as for the other ??chums? none of them appear. :'(

Also here are some things I forgot to mention before:
Frank doesn?t act like a total geek around girls ;D and Brian Conrad isn?t even mentioned. :)   


I didn't think they would be, but I have to admit, I was hopeing that they would put the 'Chums' back into the books.
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: Centrion on July 27, 2007, 09:44:39 AM
I saw that it was in, and was suprised because I thought it wouldn't come out for a while. I Bought it, and it's pretty good. I like how the Hardy's friends play a role, though Callie has yet to be seen. Chet, giving up junk fodd? Didn't see that coming.
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: tomswift2002 on July 27, 2007, 07:46:35 PM
Junk Food?  How about Chet getting a personal trainer paid for by his parents?
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: SDLagent on August 09, 2007, 04:57:02 PM
Murder at the Mall (Sales Rank: #115,404 in Books) is the best selling Undercover Brothers book on Amazon.com. 
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: tomswift2002 on August 10, 2007, 08:11:31 AM
At chapters.ca, Murder At The Mall is also the top selling Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers book.  chapters.ca doesn't have a ranking system like amazon.com, so I'm just going on the bestselling Hardy Boys books at chapters.ca, and Mall is #6.  The top selling Hardy Boys book right now is  Secret Of The Caves.
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: HardyFreak95 on October 29, 2007, 03:57:44 PM
Hi I'm new here and I've almost read every Hardy boy book created. Murder at the mall was AWESOME! I can't wait for Nancy Drew & Hardy Boy Super Mystery #2!!
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: Centrion on November 27, 2007, 06:57:27 PM
I just thought of something. Even though it never exactly said Chet's parents were poor, unless they changed it they still live on a farm. A personal trainer cant be cheap, and even though Chet was trying to contribute I'd think that would hurt their income pretty bad.
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: tomswift2002 on November 28, 2007, 05:39:00 PM
So, maybe Mr. Morton is the president of a farm conglomerate.
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: Centrion on November 29, 2007, 04:51:25 PM
True, I was just curious what anybody else would think since it was never actually stated.
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: Bigfootman on July 15, 2008, 11:26:10 AM
Murder was the best Undover Brothers in my opion.
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: JoeHardyRocks on July 19, 2008, 09:21:52 PM
Quote from: Bigfootman on July 15, 2008, 11:26:10 AM
Murder was the best Undover Brothers in my opion.
How does Extreme Danger stand up to it? Or Hurricane Joe??  :-\
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: SDLagent on July 19, 2008, 10:12:55 PM
JoeHardyRocks, in the ''How many UB books have you read?'' thread you said that you have read all 23 Undercover Brothers, so why wouldn't you know this?
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: Olivia on August 25, 2008, 12:17:00 PM
Quote from: Bigfootman on July 15, 2008, 11:26:10 AM
Murder was the best Undover Brothers in my opion.

I agree it was one of the better ones. Surprisingly, I liked it a lot (except for minor things, but w/e). This was the only one that I hadn't read even though I keep up with the series.

A few things I noticed, maybe I'm reading too much into it (Spoilers Ahead):

1. How Chief Collig and the police show up at the mall really fast every time, unless I'm getting the time transition wrong (plus I know they?re allowed to pass other traffic). Where is the police station located anyways? They said East Side Mall is on the outskirts of town.

2. How does Frank know about the graffiti on p.60 when Joe doesn't mention it to him until p.63? Or can you see it from the ground?

3. The back and forth doesn't make sense on p.66-67. I think they made a mistake on one of the lines on who's speaking. It sounds like Frank met the lawyer from Shangri-La Enterprises even though it was suppose to be Joe.

4. How big is Bayport since they mentioned the skyscraper on p.75?

5. If Con Reilly is on Frank's speed dial #5 (p.88), who do you think would be #1-4 (just for fun)? Joe, Home, Chet, ATAC?

6. At the end Steph promotes Adriana (p.169-170), but what about Iola's job? Phil's gone, so I thought it would have been fitting if she was offered a job at In the Groove.

7. How they reuse names from other HBs series - Arthur Applegate, and then Bob Meister (the Beast from Casefiles? ? Larry Beister is similar, but still a difference, I admit so I?m just stretching here). I also saw Cherry Pye in Terror on Tour which was used in one of the Originals.
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: Olivia on August 25, 2008, 12:20:25 PM
Oh yeah, I forgot how they pursued the theme of adults vs. kids/teens these days. How they relate to each other, it was pretty interesting.
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: SDLagent on August 26, 2008, 01:47:45 AM
Quote from: oliviatocali on August 25, 2008, 12:17:00 PM
5. If Con Reilly is on Frank's speed dial #5 (p.88), who do you think would be #1-

Vijay is on Joe's speeddial so he's probably on Frank's as well. Joe, home, Vijay, Chet, Con?
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: Olivia on August 26, 2008, 07:12:36 PM
Probably!
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: bozonessinc on September 26, 2008, 11:08:10 AM
On his speed dial, would that not be his brother because he has to contact him alot when they are not together, would that not be the same for both of them, with therer brother as there speed dial..
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: SDLagent on September 26, 2008, 04:31:53 PM
Yes, but you can have more then one contact on your speed dail. Notice the brothers are included.
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: bozonessinc on September 29, 2008, 11:09:55 AM
Murder AT THE MALL is one of the best books, though I think we are getting off topic here, speed dial?
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: 003Robin457 on September 29, 2008, 07:00:08 PM
We kind of get off topic alot. Oh yeah MATM was a great book.
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: JoeHardyRocks on September 29, 2008, 07:42:55 PM
Quote from: SDLagent on August 26, 2008, 01:47:45 AM
Vijay is on Joe's speeddial so he's probably on Frank's as well. Joe, home, Vijay, Chet, Con?

In Haunted, it said one of them hit speed dial 1 and Vijay was on the phone.
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: 003Robin457 on September 29, 2008, 08:16:29 PM
V outranks Fenton and Laura! ;D ;D :D ;) :) :D ;D
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: JoeHardyRocks on September 29, 2008, 08:19:09 PM
 :o It's like, "Oh, Joe we're in trouble. Forget Mom and Dad, call Vijay!"
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: 003Robin457 on September 29, 2008, 08:19:56 PM
 :o :o
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: Olivia on September 29, 2008, 10:11:19 PM
Thanks for pointing that out, JoeHardyRocks.

And how is talking about speed-dial off-topic? It was in the book...
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: bozonessinc on September 30, 2008, 11:09:11 AM
Ok well, its on topic, so anyways, if it were real the funniest part would have been Joe eating the healthy wrap, with the wrapper still on.
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: JoeHardyRocks on September 30, 2008, 05:32:04 PM
It didn't have a wrapper, it was soaked in laminant and plastic.
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: 003Robin457 on September 30, 2008, 05:57:38 PM
Still funny! We need a best UB moment place!
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: JoeHardyRocks on September 30, 2008, 08:04:17 PM
Or Joe's greatest moments place! BTW, who do you like better, Frank or Joe, Robin?
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: Olivia on September 30, 2008, 10:03:14 PM
I forgot about that wrap thing.

Actually, it would be interesting to see what people consider the best moments. We do have the quotes section, but sometimes things aren't in quotes (if that makes sense).

Maybe we can even make a poll.
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: SDLagent on October 01, 2008, 01:14:41 AM
Personally, I think polls are a bit over used on this forum, but maybe.
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: bozonessinc on October 01, 2008, 11:03:25 AM
There already is a Frank and Joe page, there is a discussion on it.. Or is that what you are talking about?
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: Olivia on October 01, 2008, 11:42:11 PM
Quote from: SDLagent on October 01, 2008, 01:14:41 AM
Personally, I think polls are a bit over used on this forum, but maybe.

I agree, but I hope we'd make sure it was a good, quality poll. Not that I would do it because I don't remember many of these "moments" unless reminded.
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: bozonessinc on October 02, 2008, 11:07:34 AM
Either do I... Go ahead and make that poll!!!
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: 003Robin457 on October 09, 2008, 05:52:11 PM
Quote from: JoeHardyRocks on September 30, 2008, 08:04:17 PM
Or Joe's greatest moments place! BTW, who do you like better, Frank or Joe, Robin?
Sorry JHR but Frank is better! :P

Quote from: SDLagent on October 01, 2008, 01:14:41 AM
Personally, I think polls are a bit over used on this forum, but maybe.
Never!!!!!!!! Polls are da'bomb! Hummm.... More bombs whats with me today? ~ ;D~ :D~ ;)~ :)~ :P~
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: Olivia on October 09, 2008, 06:10:02 PM
I think you should update your slang. It's the year 2008 ;)

Just kidding.
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: 003Robin457 on October 09, 2008, 06:13:47 PM
My slang is da'bomb!!!! 8) Besids Slang Master 2008 won't run on my computer.
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: tomswift2002 on October 09, 2008, 06:40:03 PM
Quote from: Iola.Alive on October 09, 2008, 06:10:02 PM
I think you should update your slang. It's the year 2008 ;)

Just kidding.

He's a Batman fan, and sometimes, "You just can't get rid of a bomb!".
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: Bigfootman on October 11, 2008, 09:50:18 AM
By the way, in Ottawa, "The Groove" is an grown-up store, not for teenagers!
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: tomswift2002 on October 11, 2008, 04:40:02 PM
Quote from: Bigfootman on October 11, 2008, 09:50:18 AM
By the way, in Ottawa, "The Groove" is an grown-up store, not for teenagers!

Isn't that the adult store that was just robbed at 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday?  I remember reading about that in the Ottawa Sun.
Title: Re: #17 Murder at the Mall
Post by: bozonessinc on October 11, 2008, 08:01:18 PM
Does anyone have a website for that. wait. There is a record company under that name, also a DJ company out of alberta. Also a couple of others. But, none based outta Ottawa!