HARDY BOYS, NANCY DREW, AND THE THREE INVESTIGATORS

In another post I alluded to being a fan of the Hardy Boys in various iterations when I was growing up. I’m amazed by the number of thriller writers admitting to having read and/or enjoyed the Hardy Boys. Dan Brown, Brad Thor, Stephen King, John Grisham, and Ted Bell all belong on that list as do many more, I’m sure.

I have a similar childhood experience. I remember going often to the local used bookstore called The Bookmark, and hunting down various mystery series books including Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, and Three Investigators. Hardy boys and Three Investigators were by far my favorites. Sherlock Holmes mounted that pinnacle as I grew older. Then later joined by others such as Jeri Massi, Edgar Allan Poe and the Robert Ludlum.

There’s a comfortable familiarity in returning to series characters that you’ve shared an extended journey. They become something more than just words on a page, they become family. You get to feel their joys and pains, learn their quirks and foibles. Contrary to what is sometimes expressed , some of these series mysteries had deep, complicated plots and relatable, empathetic characters that are still burned in my mind years later.

The Hardy Boys and the slightly lesser known Three Investigators were that for me. All the signature joys of a modern thriller; fast paced action, exotic locals, and breathtaking twists and turns, albeit in a slimmer packaging.

Truth be told, I’m still a fan of these series mysteries (though it’s been a long while since I read one), because for me it was the gateway to my love of storytelling, both reading and writing. My reads may be longer and more complex, but my fondness for these books has not faded away.  Whenever I see those old, blue Hardy Boys covers, my heart still skips half a beat.