1927

The first of an enduring series. The Hardy Boys will soon celebrate their 100th anniversary, but they remain the quintessential mystery and detective stories for young readers. This first one, "The Tower Mystery," introduced the action, mystery, and suspense themes. The boys continue to deliver thrills to this day. It all starts with the boys, Frank and Joe, on their motorcycles delivering important papers to a lawyer in Willowville for their father, Fenton Hardy. He's the well-known private investigator in Bayport. A reckless driver almost forces them over the embankment. It is not long before they find that their friend Chet's yellow jalopy has been stolen, possibly by the same red-haired driver! Stolen loot may be the issue. Later a dying criminal confesses that the loot has been stashed "in the tower" and the Hardy Boys make an astonishing discovery.

Frank and Joe Hardy are investigating a mysterious old house high on the cliffs above Barmet Bay when they are frightened off by a mysterious scream. The boys return to the apparently haunted house and make a connection between the place and a smuggling case their father is working on. When their father goes missing, they start-out investigating the secret caves beneath the house and soon confront the gang of smugglers.

The Hardy boys are determined to learn the secret of an old mill and employ a clever ruse to gain entrance. But soon they are trapped. In this adventure, there is danger on two levels for Frank and Joe. First, they confront a nasty gang who will stop at nothing to halt their investigations and second, their father Denton Hardy is on a confidential mission that may deal with sabotage. Will the Hardys unravel the mysteries?