The Hardy Boys is a popular series of detective/adventure books
for boys chronicling the fictional adventures of teenage
brothers Frank and Joe Hardy. The original Hardy Boys series was
produced between 1927 and 1979 by a group of authors under the
pen name Franklin W. Dixon. The Hardy Boys is a creation of the
Stratemeyer Syndicate, the creators of dozens of successful book
series such as the Rover Boys, the Bobbsey Twins and Tom Swift,
and later, Nancy Drew. Edward Stratemeyer conceived of the Hardy
Boys in 1926 with the creation of plot outlines that would
become the first volume of the series. Various ghostwriters were
employed, under contract of secrecy, to pen the actual stories.
The first author was Leslie McFarlane, whose writing defined the
literary style of the series, as well as the personalities and
nuances of its characters. McFarlane authored volumes 1—16 and
22—24, which are generally regarded as the best works of the
series. His 1976 autobiography, Ghost of the Hardy Boys,
provides substantial