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Franklin W. Dixon
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Mystery of the Whale Tattoo (Hardy Boys, No. 47) Hardcover – December 1, 1968

by Franklin W. Dixon (Author), R H Tandy (Illustrator)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 143 ratings
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One exciting event follows another when Frank and Joe Hardy are hired to apprehend the pickpockets who have been plaguing Solo’s Super Carnival. When their friends Tony Prito and Biff Hooper exhibit a stuffed whale dug up at a construction project, they all but put the carnival out of business. In this thrilling mystery the young detectives pit their wits against a gang of thieves whose bizarre identification, a three-part whale tattoo, proves to be a nearly insolvable riddle.
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    8 - 12 years
  2. Book 45 of 115
    The Hardy Boys
  3. Print length
    192 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Grade level
    3 - 7
  6. Lexile measure
    750L
  7. Dimensions
    7.68 x 5.08 x 0.52 inches
  8. Publisher
    Grosset & Dunlap
  9. Publication date
    December 1, 1968
  10. ISBN-10
    0448089475
  11. ISBN-13
    978-0448089478
  12. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Franklin W. Dixon is a pen name used by a variety of authors writing for the classic series, The Hardy Boys. The first and most well-known "Franklin W. Dixon" was Leslie McFarlane, a Canadian author who contributed 19 of the first 25 books in the series. Other writers who have adopted the pseudonym include Christopher Lampton, John Button, Amy McFarlane, and Harriet Stratemeyer Adams.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Grosset & Dunlap; First Edition (December 1, 1968)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0448089475
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0448089478
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 12 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 750L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.68 x 5.08 x 0.52 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 143 ratings

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Franklin W. Dixon

Franklin W. Dixon

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Franklin W. Dixon is the pen name used by a variety of different authors (Leslie McFarlane, a Canadian author being the first) who wrote The Hardy Boys novels.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
143 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

David y
5.0 out of 5 stars Kids will love book
Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2018
Verified Purchase
The hardy boys are a good old fashioned, clean cut series for teenage boys. Some volumes are more enjoyable than others and better written. As a teenager I noticed this book had a few more plotholes than most. I recently reread the book as an adult and saw even more potholes. This doesn't detract from its enjoyment because as an adult these volumes are not read for its intricate logical plot but nostalgia and too young kids who will love them.
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Woodard2155
5.0 out of 5 stars So glad I purchased from
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2020
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My younger cousin wanted these for Christmas. I found these on amazon and was glad I did. They were way cheaper than a book store and were in brand new condition. He loved them!
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James A. Pollock
4.0 out of 5 stars Another Good Hardy Boy Book
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2012
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If you're a Hardy Boy fan then you will enjoy this book. Hardy Boys with all their chums always makes for good reading.
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George Adams
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2018
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A great addition to my Hardy Boy collection!
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karen8666
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2017
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Another great book. Great seller.
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KJM
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2015
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My son loved this book! He is 12 years old.
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Roland James
5.0 out of 5 stars Plot holes galore, but a much-enjoyable read
Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2017
**********Spoilers Ahead**********

I like this story. A lot. Despite the lamented plot holes that are inherent in these novels, the author (see below) did a nice job with delivering a quite entertaining, even satisfying story. More on this in a moment, but let's go ahead and get the housekeeping out of the way...yes, you have read this before:

The Hardy Boys are Frank and Joe Hardy, ages 18 and 17, and they reside in the fictional town of Bayport, USA (somewhere along the coast of New Jersey). The two brothers are the sons of Fenton Hardy, the world-famous private detective who made his reputation working with the NYPD.

Frank and Joe are hoping to follow (and, as amateur detectives, are off to a great start) in their father's footsteps...I should add that aside from Mr. Hardy, they also live at home with their mother, Laura, and their irascible Aunt Gertrude.

Frank and Joe are almost always assisted by their best friend,Chet Morton. Chet loves to eat, doesn't enjoy danger--but is a loyal friend regardless, and always has a new hobby to talk about...a hobby that coincides in some way with the Hardy's latest case. This "week" it is scrimshaw (a perennial favorite hobby of teen-age males everywhere...this author excepted).

Two other friends of the Hardys' that feature prominently in their novels are Tony Prito and Biff Hooper. Tony owns a boat, The Napoli; Biff (his real name is "Allen"; got his nickname from a relative who was a boxer) provides much-needed muscle. Both teen-agers, along with Chet, attend Bayport High School with the Hardys.

The Story, as always, Briefly:

Solo's Super Circus has set-up in Bayport... SSC is owned by Sid Solo (Han's cousin?)... Sid has pick-pocket issues and wants Fenton... FH is out-of-town, on a case... Sid happily settles for Frank and Joe... Frank and Joe take care of said pick-pockets... However "whale issues" begin to happen... (1) Tony and Biff unearth a "stuffed whale," and charge "the good citizens of Bayport" for the privilege of looking at it... Their whale show puts a hurting on the circus' tix sales... An old, circus-based gang operating out of Sid's circus decides put a stop to that (they steal the whale, dump it in a lake, and almost kill Joe)... What else here (besides the whale) is new?... Oh yeah, get this: (2) the gang uses whale tattoos to identify each other... (3) Chet's latest hobby is scrimshaw (the carving of designs on ivory teeth...whale teeth included)... Oh, dear Lord... A hot chick starts stalking the Hardys and Co... Chet is in love... Turns out the "hot chick" is a guy!... How was this children's book not banned?... An Ivory Idol (its actual name) also comes into play... The "whale gang" wants it... Turns out it is (4) hidden in Tony and Biff's whale... The same whale currently lying in the bottom of the lake... The Hardys and friends are handed a crushing defeat... Several crushing defeats, actually... But, as they always do, they eventually win...

...concluding a fun story that delivers a very satisfying ending to its tale.

First, what I didn't like:

Suspension-of-disbelief is a must for this read. An excavated whale? A whale tattoo gang? A priceless treasure of great beauty hidden inside the whale? Just business-as-usual for the Hardys, I suppose--but this is too much. There is also ahorrible mistake by the author as a statement of Joe's is later attributed (in the story) to Chet. I immediately caught this (as a child) and there's no excuse for it whatsoever. However...

What I did like:

The story. It is so entertaining. I do not even care if ole Franklin W. sat at his typewriter, half in-the-bag, cackling away at the outrageousness of this story and how, "those stupid kids will believe anything I write." Or, anything else to this effect, either...because this fish story made for quite a good yarn (sorry). The Hardys (and their friends) get hammered in this story...time and time again...heck, they even return to Bayport (very near the story's conclusion) having admitted defeat. They lost, and they know it.

Right at that moment, however, the author gives us the tale's payoff, and despite events now happening a bit too quickly perhaps, the said payoff is wholly satisfying. And, believable. (I know. I know. Who would've thunk that, right?)

So, in conclusion...

...I am having a very hard time deciding how to rate this story. As a rule, I usually throw out "the rules" as far as The Hardy Boys (and Nancy Drew) are concerned. This is supposed to be mindless, safe (not to mention fun) entertainment for children. Check all your literary rules at the door. And, if I like the story I'll rate it high. Entertainment-wise, this is five stars. If the aforementioned "Rules" apply, one star. I could average the two scores into a three-star rating, but seeing as how story is the most important (and over-ruling) factor here: five stars. This story really is that good.

May Heaven (and James Joyce) forgive me.

Thank you for reading.

The Hardy Boys Volume 47-The Mystery of the Whale Tattoo

*The Mystery of the Whale Tattoo was first published by Grosset & Dunlap in 1968. It was written (ghostwritten) by Jerrold Mundis. Thank you, Wikipedia.
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Top reviews from other countries

Scott R
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on March 24, 2016
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Book arrived in great condition
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Ecki
2.0 out of 5 stars fairground happenings and vanishing whales
Reviewed in Germany on September 25, 2001
Verified Purchase
there are several going-ons at the fairground. and pals of hardys find an old whale. that's one attraction too much in bayport. and a gang of thieves must be stopped. unfortunately there is not that much 'mystery' in the story and the setting.
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Mina
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on July 20, 2015
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liked them all
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