Warning: Here be spoilers

Frank and Joe Hardy are rehearsing for a play in which they will be required to duel with swords. By a strange coincidence, their father, Fenton, is working on a case that will bring them into contact with real swords. Fenton is investigating a moving company that masquerades as legitimate firms and steals shipments of materials for resale. The boys meet the head of one of the legitimate firms, who also has an extensive sword collection. One of the swords ends up broken, another stolen, and the owner asks them to investigate.

By modern standards, this is a very silly book. When do Frank and Joe ever go to school? Does their mother know they go gallivanting off in their car for days on end? Why would a trucker tell two complete strangers the location of a government warehouse? Why would a criminal kingpin make a monologuing phone call that CONVENIENTLY is overheard by the Hardy boys?

The writing is very much of the "Avoid the word 'said' as much as possible" school. There's a lot of laughing, suggesting, pleading and even "chanting" (by a butler, of all people). Exclamation marks are used liberally, and characters are described in odd ways. The boys' Aunt Gertrude is described as "old", even though I imagine she is probably only in her 60s. I will, however, give credit to the author for using the word "erstwhile", which is not a common word these days.

I would recommend this only to people who read the Hardy Boys in their youth and are looking for nostalgia. A more modern reader who has not been exposed to the Hardy Boys before would probably do better to read it as unintentional comedy. ( )

A part of me was wondering if I was reading a product placement book with all the names of cars ex: Buick, Ford and items featured in the story, Homburg hat. Another part of me was thinking What is the Hardy Boys traded places with Perry Mason. Despite my qualms, I loved the story line. Worth the read. ( )

I liked this book along with the others in the series. I liked the history involved with the solving of the mystery. ( )

Fine condition

Near fine condition