Franklin W. Dixon and Carolyn Keene are the pen names for Edward L. Stratemeyer who originally began both series. It is not proven, but said, that his daughters updated and continued the series after their father's death in 1930.
Grownups will remember Frank and Joe Hardy and their ability to solve even the most baffling of mysteries. The first book was published in 1927, and over the years the series has sold over 50 million copies. But mysteriously, the original books have disappeared. Now, Applewood is pleased to present The Tower Treasure, the very first Hardy Boys mystery ever published.
The Tower Treasure (Hardy Boys No 1) - Afer a dying criminal confesses that his loot has been stashed "in the tower" the Hardy Boys make an astonishing discover.
House on the Cliff (Hardy Boys, No. 2) - Reviewer: "Mr. Hardy disappears while investigating a group of smugglers. Frank and Joe suspect that a strange, old house on a cliff has a connection to the mystery and get some of their friends to help them investigate the place. This book is one of the best of the series; it is loaded with action, suspence and mystery. It doesn't take you long to get into the book and the last half of the book was especially good. Although, as good as this book is, the original edition, which is nearly the same, is even better and is the version that I would recommend reading because the writing is more rich and descriptive."
The Secret of the Old Mill (The Hardy Boys 3) - Reader: "My favorite Hardy Boys book is the Secret of the Old Mill. I loved the part when Ken Blake fell into the river and Frank and Joe jumped into the river to save Ken Blake. I also loved the part when Frank, Joe, and Chet were in the Sleuth and Frank pulled the wires from the engine to stop the boat. I think that the Secret of the Old Mill is the best Hardy Boys book I have read."