August 2009 Update

Undercover Brothers Graphic Novel 20 has been announced for a March 2010 release.
Deadly Strategy may be pre-ordered from Amazon.com: Hardcover - Paperback
Mission unknown at this time!

The Perfect Crime by Dreamcatcher is now in general release.
A series of malicious crimes grips the Hardy Boys' hometown of Bayport and it's up to Frank and Joe Hardy to assist the police in their attempt to capture the culprits. From the first crime scene, however, it becomes apparent that there's an even deeper plot to these sinister activities. Search and explore more than 30 unique locations across 50 different levels as you attempt to unravel the mysterious case and uncover the mastermind behind the recent crimes.

July 2009 Update

NEW! The Hardy Boys: Secret Files
A brand-new series geared for younger readers, much like the Nancy Drew "Clue Crew" series.
Illustrated by Scott Burroughs
Due out in April 2010!
Trouble at the Arcade (#1)
The Missing Mitt (#2)


Cover Art for Undercover Brothers #32 & 33 announced.
Private Killer (#32) the second book in the "Killer Mystery Trilogy" will be a January 2010 release and is available for pre-order from Amazon.com.
Killer Connections (Undercover Brothers #33), the third book in the "Killer Mystery Trilogy" has been announced for a March 2010 release and is available for pre-order from Amazon.com.

Plot summary for UB 29: X-plosion
Book Two in the Galaxy X Trilogy
Mission: To find out who blew up Mount McKenzie, the centerpeice of Galaxy X, and to keep the saboteur at bay before he or she kills again!

Plot summaries for the latest graphic novels have been announced:

18: D.A.N.G.E.R. Spells the Hangman! - Hardcover - Paperback
Frank and Joe go undercover at a national spelling bee where a mysterious madman known as the Hangman is determined to erase the competition! Teens from across the globe have been invited to attend, and A.T.A.C. and the Hardy Boys have to do everything they can to keep the Hangman from spelling disaster!
19: Chaos at 30,000 Feet! - Hardcover - Paperback
When inner city kids are gifted pilot lessons from a flight school, several of them go up but don't come down! Where did they go? Where did they land? Could they not have landed at all? Joe and Frank take to the skies in this high flying adventure as the undercover brothers seek get to the bottom of this mystery... even if they have to sail the clouds to get the answers!

29: X-plosion
Book Two in the Galaxy X Trilogy
Mission: To find out who blew up Mount McKenzie, the centerpeice of Galaxy X, and to keep the saboteur at bay before he or she kills again!

Jenn Fisher of the Nancy Drew Sleuths informed me that Simon & Schuster intends to keep publishing the Undercover Brothers series for the foreseeable future.

"The Hidden Theft" game is headed for a release in the Nintendo Wii format this fall.
Pre-Order from Amazon.com
Press Release

June Update

New Starter Set Coming This September
A special treat for Hardy Boys fans! The first six books in the classic mystery series are packaged together in a collectible box set featuring a newly redesigned slipcover. Titles included are #1 The Tower Treasure, #2 The House on the Cliff, #3 The Secret of the Old Mill, #4 The Missing Chums, #5 Hunting for Hidden Gold, and #6 The Shore Road Mystery.
Available for pre-order from Amazon.com

Private Killer (Undercover Brothers #32)
The second book in the "Killer Mystery Trilogy" has been announced for a January 2010 release and is Available for pre-order from Amazon.com.
It is rumored that the "Undercover Brothers" series will be ending next year after this trilogy is completed but I have not yet been able to verify that.

May Update

Plot for #26: Double Down
     Book Two in the Double Danger Trilogy
     Mission: Continue working undercover as part of teen movie start Justin Carraway's entourage to find out more about the unsolved murder of the celeb's least favorite paparazzo and other mysterious happenings.
And cover art for #31: Killer Mission
     Book One in the Killer Mystery Trilogy
     Mission: Unknown at this time!

The Perfect Crime
by Dreamcatcher
A series of malicious crimes grips the Hardy Boys' hometown of Bayport and it's up to Frank and Joe Hardy to assist the police in their attempt to capture the culprits. From the first crime scene, however, it becomes apparent that there's an even deeper plot to these sinister activities. Search and explore more than 30 unique locations across 50 different levels as you attempt to unravel the mysterious case and uncover the mastermind behind the recent crimes.

Treasure On The Tracks
by Sega of America
Due in September 2009, this game is designed for the popular Nintendo DS Game Station.
Ride the Rails to Royalty and Treasure in Russia! You, as the Hardy Boys, are invited onboard the Royal Express traveling from Paris to St Petersburg to follow the mysterious trail of the Romanov Family treasure. Take a ride on the Royal Express to track down the lost clues of the Royal family in the great cities of Europe! THE HARDY BOYS – Famed amateur detectives, the team consists of Frank and Joe Hardy. Joe is easily excitable and more spontaneous while Frank prefers to calculate a method of solving the mystery and relies mostly on logic. Together they need to discover what others before them have failed to find.

New Discovery

This Hardy Boys costume featuring both "Boys" was discovered by Brad Irving at an area flea market. There was no box or mask with it unfortunately.

April Update

Private Killer (#32) - January 2010
Book Two in the Killer Mystery Trilogy
Mission: Unknown at this time!

The cover art has been released for graphic novels #17-19.

Word Up!
For Sale: Hardcover - Paperback
Someone has made death threats against a high school talk radio host... and it’s up to Joe and Frank Hardy to find out who is making these threats and why. Before they can focus on that however, they’ve got to make sure their radio host stays alive and on the air! They may not agree with the boy's bombastic and bellicose style, but the brothers will risk life and limb to protect his right to say it!

18: D.A.N.G.E.R. Spells the Hangman!
For Sale: Hardcover - Paperback
Mission Unknown At This Time.

19: Chaos at 30,000 Feet!
For Sale: Hardcover - Paperback
Mission Unknown At This Time.

March Update

Dreamcatcher has announced a second Hardy Boys PC game, The Perfect Crime.
Amazon has a release date of May 2009.
I'll post more information as it becomes available.

February Update

Not much news this month.

The cover art for #30 The X Factor (Volume Three of the Galaxy X Trilogy) has been released.

The first title in the next Undercover Brothers trilogy has been announced:
31: Killer Mission- 11/09 For Sale ~ Volume One in the Killer Mystery Trilogy
     Mission: Unknown at this time!

No other new artwork or plots are currently available.

January Update

Happy New Year to all Hardy Boys Fans!

Following is a list of the titles to be released in 2009:

Undercover Brothers
26: Double Down - 1/09 For Sale ~ Volume Two of the Double Danger Trilogy
     Mission: Continue working undercover as part of teen movie start Justin Carraway's entourage to find out more about the unsolved murder of the celeb's least favorite paparazzo and other mysterious happenings.
27: Double Deception - 3/09 For Sale ~ Volume Three of the Double Danger Trilogy
     Mission: Unknown at this time!
28: Galaxy X - 5/09 For Sale ~ Volume One of the Galaxy X Trilogy
     Mission: Unknown at this time!
29: X-plosion - 7/09 For Sale ~ Volume Two of the Galaxy X Trilogy
     Mission: Unknown at this time!
30: The X Factor - 9/09 For Sale ~ Volume Three of the Galaxy X Trilogy
     Mission: Unknown at this time!

Graphic Novels
16: Shhhhhh!
Author: Scott Lobdell   Art: Paulo Henrique Marcondes
Issued in Hardcover - Paperback
Joe and Frank find themselves on the strangest bodyguard duty ever--protecting the five children of a visiting dignitary during a field trip to the National Library of Education in Washington, D.C. It might sound easy, but before this assignment is done, they’re going to need help from the most unexpected ally of all…their mom, librarian Laura Hardy!
17: Word Up!
Author: Scott Lobdell   Art: Paulo Henrique Marcondes
Issued in Hardcover - Paperback
Mission Unknown At This Time

Hardy Boys Nintendo DS Game
Treasure On The Tracks
by Sega of America

Cover Art For Undercover Brothers #29

The cover art for #29, X-plosion (Volume 2 in the Galaxy X Trilogy) has been released.
This volume is scheduled for a July 2009 release.
It can be pre-ordered now from Amazon.com.

Old Time Radio???????

The Hardy Boys Old Time Radio Broadcasts on DVD has turned up on Amazon.com with the following description:
This unique old time radio DVD collectible features 8 digitized reels of classic The Hardy Boys radio broadcasts and over 6 Hours 59 Minutes of total running time on 1 DVD. Take a journey back through radio broadcasting history with this large audio library of OTR memorabilia. The golden age of old time radio has been rescued, digitized, and packaged into a gift set that any classic radio lover can appreciate. The DVD opens and plays in a computer DVD drive and the collector can listen to the audio on a MP3 player, DVD/MP3-compatible car stereo, computer, MP3-compatible DVD player, or just compile favorites onto CD for greater user flexibility.
In all my research on the Hardy Boys, I have never come across any evidence that there was a radio program, old time or otherwise, which makes me very suspicious of this offering.
UPDATE:
It appears that this is a pirated copy of the current Hardy Boys audio books as read by Bill Irwin.
Some of those stories have been illegally posted online at Old Time Radio (OTR) web sites.

Hardy Boys Game for Nintendo DS

Treasure On The Tracks
by Sega of America

Due in May 2009, this game is designed for the popular Nintendo DS Game System.
Ride the rails to royalty and treasure in Europe!

November Update

Cover art for Galaxy X (#28) (Mission unknown at this time.) and
Double Down(#26) (Mission: Continue working undercover as part of teen movie start Justin Carraway's entourage to find out more about the unsolved murder of the celeb's least favorite paparazzo and other mysterious happenings) have been released.

October Update...

Graphic Novel #17 Word Up! will be released on May 26, 2009.
Author: Scott Lobdell   Art: Paulo Henrique
Issued in Hardcover - Paperback
Mission Unknown At This Time

Volumes 2 & 3 in the Galaxy X Trilogy have been announced:
X-plosion (#29) (7/09)
The X Factor (#30) (9/09)

I'll post the cover art and plot synopsis as they become available.

Upcoming Releases

24: Murder House - 9/08 For Sale
Volume Three of The Murder House Trilogy
Mission: To finally get to the bottom of the ongoing deadly scares taking place on the set of the reality TV show Deprivation House.
Graphic Novel 15: Live Free, Die Hardy! - Due November 2008
Author: Scott Lobdell   Art: Paulo Henrique Marcondes
Issued in Hardcover - Paperback
The evil female counterparts of the Hardy Boys, the Sisters Noir, and their equally evil father return to create serious chaos! Joe and Frank are working out at a top-secret training facility on the grounds of A.T.A.C. headquarters when the compound is set-upon by Poppa Noir’s anti-justice organization. The only two people who are available to free the captured adult ATAC agents are the Hardy Boys, and they have their hands filled battling their opposite numbers, the Sisters Noir!

Graphic Novel 16: Shhhhhh! - Hardcover - Paperback will be released in March of 2009
Author: Scott Lobdell   Art: Paulo Henrique Marcondes
Joe and Frank find themselves on the strangest bodyguard duty ever--protecting the five children of a visiting dignitary during a field trip to the National Library of Education in Washington, D.C. It might sound easy, but before this assignment is done, they’re going to need help from the most unexpected ally of all…their mom, librarian Laura Hardy!

Here's the cover art for Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Supermystery #3 Club Dread.
This is scheduled to be released in May 2009.


"The Double Danger" Trilogy
25: Double Trouble - 11/08
For Sale - Volume One
Mission: To shadow teen superstar Justin Carraway and figure out the identity of his mystery stalker before the stalker's attention turns deadly.
26: Double Down - 1/09
For Sale ~ Volume Two
27: Double Deception - 3/09
For Sale ~ Volume Three

Mission: Unknown at this time!

The Hardy Boys Mysteries, 1927-1979: A Cultural and Literary History by Mark Connelly
In its 80+ years, the Hardy Boys series has sold more than 50 million books in 25 or more languages, and has inspired five television series and many stage plays, websites, comic books, graphic novels, and computer games. The series has shaped the way millions of American children see themselves and society, and has shaped the perceptions of America held by young people around the world. This book follows the creation and development of the series through 1979. Topics include the writing of Stratemeyer and McFarlane; the so-called "weird period"; the Cold War and the disco age; race, class and gender; family values; and law and order. Illustrations, bibliography, appendices and index.

"The Galaxy X" Trilogy
28: Galaxy X - 5/09 For Sale ~ Volume One
Mission: Unknown at this time!
I'll post cover art and mission as it becomes available.

More on "The Hidden Theft"

The Hidden Theft
by Dreamcatcher
The vault of the Spencer Mansion is robbed, and the Bayport Police call on the Hardy Boys to help tie up some loose ends, but they soon find themselves in the middle of a major criminal investigation that takes them on an adventure all over Bayport, and even into New York City. But the pieces don't add up, and Frank and Joe find themselves embroiled in a drama of sinister proportions. Is the recent theft linked to something from the past? Can Frank and Joe find and decipher the clues in time to prevent another crime from happening?

Features the voice and likeness of Hollywood teen stars Jesse McCartney and Cody Linley as Frank and Joe Hardy.

Play as Two of History's Most Famous Literary Detectives and interact with Fenton and Laura Hardy, the Hardy Boys' friend Chet Morton and others.

Experience the Hardy World on your PC - the literary world of the Hardy's is brought to life! Check out the Hardy Home, Bayport Police Station and the various places most have only experienced through the pages of a book.

Cell Phone Feature - use your cell phone to give pal Nancy Drew and other characters a call and get insight on the case. Search For Clues - super-sleuth your way to solving the small mysteries along the way as you help Bayport Police catch the culprit.

Mystery Solving Mini-Games - each mini-game solved throughout the investigation gives players valuable pieces of evidence to help solve the case. Choose Your Dialogue - choose from a variety of responses to make your Hardy Boy's experience your own!

The Hidden Theft For Sale On Amazon.com

Hardy Boys "Hidden Theft" game due this month!

Click on image to view enlarged image.
ORDER FROM AMAZON.COM TODAY!
I'll post a review of the game after I get to play it.

August Update

There's some confusion as to whether Haunted is Super Mystery #3 or Undercover Brothers #24.
Update: The title page lists this as Volume #24. This screws up the sequencing in the ongoing trilogy.
MISSION: Investigate possible supernatural disturbances at the Undercliff House of Detention, formerly an insane asylum in the 1800s.

Graphic Novel 14: Haley Danelle's Top Eight! - Hardcover - Paperback - is due for release on Sept. 2 and should start shipping in late August.
This is one of the rare cases that aren’t assigned by A.T.A.C.... when Joe and Frank’s friend, Haley Danelle learns the friends on her MyFacePlace page’s Top Eight are disappearing one at a time, she turns to the Hardy Boys for help in finding them!

July Updates

Graphic novel 16: Shhhhhh! - Hardcover - Paperback is available for pre-order.
Joe and Frank find themselves on the strangest bodyguard duty ever--protecting the five children of a visiting dignitary during a field trip to the National Library of Education in Washington, D.C. It might sound easy, but before this assignment is done, they’re going to need help from the most unexpected ally of all…their mom, librarian Laura Hardy!

Book Two in the Double Danger Trilogy (26) Missing Double has been retitled as Double Down

Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys Super Mystery #3 "Club Dread"
Mission not yet known - due for release 5/09

Graphic Novels Boxed Set Volumes #9-12

Audio CD of The Tower Treasure read by Bill Irwin (CD version of the cassette release)

Volume 2 of "Murder House" trilogy now available

House Arrest the second volume of the Murder House trilogy (#23 overall) is now shipping.

More news on "Hidden Theft" PC Game

Click on image for full size picture.

‘HARDY BOYS: THE HIDDEN THEFT’ PC GAME

JOWOOD/DREAMCATCHER GO HOLLYWOOD FOR UPCOMING ‘HARDY BOYS: THE HIDDEN THEFT’ PC GAME

Jesse McCartney and Cody Linley to Provide Voice Talent for Frank and Joe Hardy

Toronto, Canada, May 14, 2008 – Tapping the talents of two of Hollywood’s rising young stars, JoWooD and DreamCatcher Games, leading worldwide publishers and distributors of interactive entertainment software, working in conjunction with Resnick Interactive Development, LLC, today announced that they have signed on teen media titans Jesse McCartney and Cody Linley to lend their talents as the voices of Frank and Joe Hardy in the forthcoming PC game, The Hardy Boys: The Hidden Theft.
“Securing the voice talent of Jesse and Cody really enhances the overall entertainment experience for our fans,” said Byron Gaum, Global Product Marketing Manager, DreamCatcher Games. “We are thrilled to be working with both stars on making The Hidden Theft one of the most captivating Hardy Boys mysteries to date.”
“It’s very exciting having Jesse McCartney and Cody Linley on the project,” said Mike Adams, Producer of The Hardy Boys franchise for DreamCatcher Games. “They are such great young talents, and I look forward to working with them both.”
Emmy award-winning daytime actor and platinum-selling recording artist Jesse McCartney makes his way back to the videogame space as he takes on the voice of elder brother Frank Hardy in The Hardy Boys: The Hidden Theft. Now a veteran at lending his voice to a videogame character, Jesse will help guide Hannah Montana star, Cody Linley as he rounds out the famous mystery solving duo by lending his voice as Frank’s younger brother, Joe Hardy.
In The Hardy Boys: The Hidden Theft, the vault of the Spencer Mansion is robbed, and the Bayport Police call on the Hardy Boys to help tie up some loose ends, but they soon find themselves in the middle of a major criminal investigation that takes them on an adventure all over Bayport, and even into New York City . But the pieces don’t add up, and Frank and Joe find themselves embroiled in a drama of sinister proportions. Is the recent theft linked to something from the past? Can Frank and Joe find and decipher the clues in time to prevent another crime from happening?
Developed by XPEC Entertainment Inc., The Hardy Boys: The Hidden Theft is expected to be available for PC users this fall at retail outlets nationwide. For more information about The Hardy Boys: The Hidden Theft please visit www.dreamcatchergames.com.

About The Hardy Boys
With over 100 million copies of their beloved books in print, America ’s original crime scene investigators, Frank and Joe Hardy, are riding a wave of classic retro popularity combined with a whole new attitude.
Since 1928, Simon & Schuster and Grosset & Dunlap have published The Hardy Boys classic editions, currently selling over 1 million copies annually. The new contemporary series Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers, featuring the boys as spies for American Teens Against Crime launched in 2005, with an additional Super Mystery published every summer.

About DreamCatcher Inc.
Established in 1996 and located in Toronto , Canada , DreamCatcher Inc. is a leading worldwide publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment software for Windows® as well as the leading hardware platforms, including Xbox 360™, PlayStation® 3, Wii™ and Nintendo DS™.
DreamCatcher is owned by JoWooD Productions, an Austrian based videogame publisher traded on the Vienna stock exchange. DreamCatcher markets its products under two popular labels: DreamCatcher Games, featuring the critically-acclaimed, bestselling game Painkiller; and The Adventure Company, the number one brand for PC adventure game sales worldwide including award winning titles such as Syberia and Agatha Christie: And Then There Were None.

About Simon & Schuster
Simon & Schuster, a part of the CBS Corporation, is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic, and audio formats. Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Online, and international companies in Australia , Canada , and the United Kingdom . For more information, visit our website at www.simonsays.com.

About Resnick Interactive Development, LLC
Established in 2000 and located in Los Angeles , CA Resnick Interactive Development, LLC, is a boutique talent acquisition and audio production company exclusive to the videogame marketplace. Todd Resnick has been the Casting Executive on over 50 videogame titles with a number of foreign developers and publishers. His expertise aids in delivering A-List actors to Game Makers worldwide. Resnick Interactive also recently launched the online game music utility www.gamecues.com.

May Titles Released

Three Hardy Boys titles are set for release this May:

Undercover Brothers
Deprivation House (#22)
Mission: To join the cast of a new reality show called "Deprivation House" and determine who's behind the death threats received by other contestants.

Graphic Novel
13: The Deadliest Stunt - Hardcover - Paperback
When a mysterious saboteur infiltrates the Miss Teen Stunt Americana competition, Joe and Frank are assigned to back up one of the contestants... Lind'Z Rider, the most flamboyant and impulsive A.T.A.C. agent ever! As if the competition stunts weren’t dangerous enough, Frank and Joe must stop the saboteur before someone dies!

Nancy Drew - Hardy Boys Super Mystery
2: Danger Overseas
Mission: Solve the mystery of an American girl in the middle of Rome with no memory of how she got there.

New Titles!

Four new titles have been announced - two Undercover Brothers and two graphic novels.

Undercover Brothers:
25: Double Trouble - 11/08 For Sale
     Mission: Unknown at this time!

26: Missing Double - 1/09 For Sale
     Mission: Unknown at this time!

Graphic Novels:
14: Haley Danelle's Top Eight! - 2008
Author: Scott Lobdell   Art: Paulo Henrique
Issued in Hardcover - Paperback
This is one of the rare cases that aren’t assigned by A.T.A.C.... when Joe and Frank’s friend, Haley Danelle learns the friends on her MyFacePlace page’s Top Eight are disappearing one at a time, she turns to the Hardy Boys for help in finding them!

15: Live Free, Die Hardy!
Author: Scott Lobdell   Art: Paulo Henrique
Issued in Hardcover - Paperback
Mission unknown at this time!
Artwork and other information will be posted as it becomes available.

The Hardy Boys Mysteries, 1927-1979: A Cultural and Literary History

The Hardy Boys Mysteries, 1927-1979: A Cultural and Literary History by Mark Connelly
Hardcover due in May 2008.
Description (from the publisher McFarland & Company)
In its 80 year history, the Hardy Boys series has sold over 50 million books in over 25 languages, and it has inspired five television series and many stage plays, websites, comic books, graphic novels, and computer games. It has shaped the way millions of American children see themselves and society, and has shaped the way young people around the world perceive American values. This book follows the birth and development of the original Hardy Boys series, and follows their history through 1979. Topics covered include the writing of Stratemeyer and McFarlane; the so-called “weird period;” the Cold War and the disco age; race, class and gender; family values; law and order; and the use of action rather than violence. Appendices provide a bibliography of Hardy Boys books, opening lines from 20 novels, and selected “Hardyisms.”

About the Author
Mark Connelly is an English instructor at Milwaukee Area Technical College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.