Tuesday, June 29, 2004

Hunting for Hidden Gold: A Review

This review is of the 1963 Revised Version of “Hunting for Hidden Gold”. The first 38 titles in the series were revised over the course of 15 years (some with minor changes, others were completely re-written). “Hunting for Hidden Gold” is the fifth Hardy Boys mystery. This edition is said to be drastically altered from the original. What this means, according to the Hardy Boys Unofficial Home Page, is that the text and plot have both been changed.

Frank and Joe Hardy become involved in another mystery when their father calls them out west to help with a case. They are searching for a gang that is involved in robbery, and even on the way out west, they are kidnapped and attacked and it is only with great luck that they even are able to meet up with their father. They find him hurt badly, but begin the investigation on their own and learn about a mystery about gold that was stolen from a prospector years ago. Can the brothers keep out of harm’s way long enough to solve the case?

“Hunting for Hidden Gold” is another solid offering in the Hardy Boys series, though I would not say this is one of the best. It is a bit of an adventure story and it gives the sense of really being out west (as opposed to a story set in Bayport). There is a definite sense of place in this book. As usual, this book is recommended for kids of all ages (even the 25 year old kid).

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