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In the Hardys' Neighbourhood -- An Introduction to the Hardy Boys

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Frank and Joe Hardy are the sons of Fenton Hardy, an internationally famous detective. Although still in high school, both Frank and Joe have inherited much of their father's detective tendencies and often solve cases of their own at home or abroad.

The Hardys live in Bayport, a small but thriving city of 50,000 inhabitants located on Barmet Bay, a horseshoe-shaped inlet three miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean.

The Hardy home, an old stone structure set in a large, tree-shaded lawn at the corner of Elm and High streets, is where many of the mysteries begin. Also on the property is a garage, and its second floor has been built into a well-equipped laboratory that Frank and Joe often use while solving a case.

THE CHARACTERS

FAMILY

Fenton Hardy

Frank and Joe could never keep a secret from their astute father. They suspected that this was one of the abilities that made him such a successful investigator. Indeed, Fenton Hardy had made an enviable name for himself. For many years he had been a detective with the New York Police Department., but resigned to accept cases of his own. He is now known as one of the best private detectives in the country and has solved many mysteries that had baffled city detective forces.

Frank Hardy

Frank, a tall, dark-haired eighteen-year-old, is the more serious of the brothers. He likes to think things out, taking into account all the factors of a problem. He's good at analysing clues and motives, figuring out which are the logical steps to take in order to solve a case.

Joe Hardy

A year younger than his brother, Joe is almost Frank's complete opposite. He dashes into all kinds of situations without worrying too much about consequences, and refuses to admit that anything is impossible. Joe is full of enthusiasm and good humour, and can always be counted on to lighten up a tense situation with a witty remark.

Mrs. Hardy

Laura Hardy, a pretty, petite woman, always worries about the dangers her husband and sons face, but has become accustomed to their hectic lifestyle.

Aunt Gertrude

Gertrude Hardy, a spinster of "uncertain years," is Fenton Hardy's sister. She never refrains from making her opinions known in the form of long tirades, but her prim visage is deceptive, for beneath her forbidding appearance, she is really one of the kindest people one could ever hope to meet. You can find out more about Aunt Gertrude by clicking here.

FRIENDS

Chet Morton

Chet, the Hardys' best friend, lives on a farm about a mile outside of Bayport. The pride of his life is an old yellow jalopy he nicknamed "Queen." Chet is rotund and freckle-faced, and loves to eat. Solving mysteries with the Hardys always gives him the jitters, but despite this he is a loyal assistant and on more than one occasion had rescued them from dangerous predicaments. Chet is alway picking up new hobbies, which sometimes play an instrumental part in the resolution of a mystery.

Biff Hooper

Allen Hooper is a lanky, blond boy nicknamed Biff because of his fondness for a distant relative who is a boxer named Biff.

Tony Prito

Of Italian descent, Tony is lively and has a good sense of humour. His boat, the Napoli, is a good ship, but not quite a match for the Hardys' speedboat, the Sleuth.

Iola Morton

Chet's sister was dark-haired and pretty. Joe Hardy thought she was the nicest girl in Bayport High and dated her regularly. Sadly, Iola was killed by a terrorist car bomb that was meant for Frank and Joe in Casefiles #1.

Callie Shaw

Callie is in Frank Hardy's class at Bayport High. The vivacious blonde is often dated by Frank, who likes her better than any other girl he knows.

OTHER CHARACTERS

Chief Collig

Ezra Collig, chief of the Bayport Police Force, is a tall, husky man well known to Fenton Hardy and his sons. Chief Collig often turned to the private detective for help solving particularly difficult cases.

Oscar Smuff

Probably the most annoying character in a Hardy Boys book, Smuff was a short, stout man who always wore a checkered suit and soft felt hat. He fancied himself a private detective but was often shown up by Frank and Joe despite his scorn for the two young detectives. In fact, Smuff often fell flat on his face while attempting to prove his worth as an investigator.

Sam Radley

Fenton Hardy's able operative.

Jack Wayne

Lean-faced and tanned, Jack Wayne was Fenton Hardy's pilot on all his chartered flights.

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