The Secret of the Old Mill (eBook)
The third book in the classic mystery series "Hardy Boys" is titled ‘The Secret of the Old Mill.’ With almost two million copies sold, it comes in at number 86 on the "Publisher's Weekly" All-Time Bestselling Children's Book List for the United States.
Ken Blake is saved from death in a bicycle accident by Frank and Joe. When the Hardy Boys give their friend Chet Morton change for what turns out to be a fake $20 bill, they discover that he was conned—something the police subsequently verify is happening more frequently in their hometown of Bayport.
Later, a clattering sound wakes Joe, and he sees an enigmatic person riding away from his house on a bicycle. A message bearing the words "Drop the case or else danger for you and your family" is discovered while looking into the disturbance. The Hardy boys are determined to find out who is threatening them even if they are unsure if it has anything to do with the counterfeiting case that Frank and Joe are looking into or another investigation that their dad, detective Fenton Hardy, is working on. Will they survive long enough to resolve both cases before danger gets to them?
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About the Author
Franklin W. Dixon is the famous pen name used by various ghostwriters who contributed to The Hardy Boys mystery series, one of the most beloved and enduring series in American juvenile literature. The name was created by Edward Stratemeyer, founder of the Stratemeyer Syndicate, a book-packaging company that produced popular children’s series in the early 20th century.
The original Hardy Boys books were outlined by Stratemeyer and first written by Canadian author Leslie McFarlane, who authored many of the first volumes starting in 1927. McFarlane’s sharp prose, humor, and suspenseful storytelling helped shape the enduring tone and popularity of the series. Over the decades, other writers contributed anonymously under the same pseudonym, maintaining a consistent voice and style.
The series centers around teenage brothers Frank and Joe Hardy, amateur detectives who solve crimes in their fictional hometown of Bayport and beyond. The books combined thrilling adventures with moral lessons and quickly became a staple of American youth reading.
Throughout the 20th century, The Hardy Boys series was revised and modernized to reflect changing times. Despite being written by many hands, the consistent use of the Franklin W. Dixon name created a sense of continuity. Franklin W. Dixon, while not a real person, represents a collaborative literary tradition that has captivated generations of young readers.