**“Ghost of the Hardy Boys is an elegant book, full of charm and pathos and whimsy. The writing is restrained, the characterizations deep and rich, the humor nuanced.”—Washington PostAs millions of boys and girls devoured the early adventures of the Hardy Boys, little did the young readers and aspiring sleuths know: the series’ author was not Franklin W. Dixon, as the cover trumpeted. It was Leslie McFarlane, a nearly penniless scribbler, who hammered out t...

In 1926, twenty-three-year-old cub newspaper reporter Leslie McFarlane responded to an ad: "Experienced Fiction Writer Wanted." The ad was signed by Edward Stratemeyer, whose syndicate effectively invented mass-market children's book publishing in America. McFarlane, who had a few published adventure stories to his name, was hired and his first job was to write Dave Fearless Under the Ocean as Roy Rockwood—for a flat fee of $100, no royalties. His pay increased to $125 when Strate...

The Hardy Boys Mystery Stories: The Great Airport Mystery by Franklin W. Dixon, written by Leslie McFarlane, is a classic adventure mystery that captures the excitement, ingenuity, and youthful courage that made the Hardy Boys series a beloved staple of children’s literature. Presented in an illustrated edition, this story offers fast-paced suspense and timeless appeal for young readers and nostalgic fans alike. The novel follows teenage brothers Frank and Joe Hardy as they investigate a b...

This illustrated collection features eight classic mysteries from The Adventures of Frank and Joe Hardy, the legendary teen sleuths created by Franklin W. Dixon—a pseudonym for various authors, including the talented Canadian writer Leslie McFarlane, who penned many of the earliest and most beloved titles. Frank and Joe Hardy, sons of famous detective Fenton Hardy, are resourceful and daring young investigators who find themselves in the midst of thrilling adventures. From stolen treasures...

Four USA Today bestselling authors team up to bring you your favorite female sleuths in a hilarious new mystery series!Tonight is Babette Lang's bachelorette party. Problem is, there's no bachelorette, only an unusual group of disgruntled guests—a wannabe hand-model bartender, a chain-smoking talent agent, the bride-to-be's cheapskate boss, plus the sloshed fiancé and his furious sisters.It's not a party until there's a body!When one of the...

Four USA Today bestselling authors are back with your favorite female sleuths in a hilarious new mystery!Hot on the high heels of a rather strenuous trip to NOLA, Merry invites Valentine, Kate, and Franki to strap on hiking boots in the middle of Iowa for a glamping weekend! Unfortunately, downtime underneath the starry skies, with s'mores and mint-cookie cocktails, turns deadly when an unpopular glamper is murdered.The suspects seem to outnumber the mosquitos when...

Four USA Today bestselling authors team up to bring you your favorite female sleuths in a hilarious new mystery series!After a murderous bachelorette party in Niagara Falls, Valentine, Merry, Kate, and Franki decide it's time to relax and have some fun in the Big Easy. New Orleans turns out to be anything but easy when the killer foursome stumble across the body of a formerly famous, elderly burlesque dancer—who dressed as a dolphin. To make matters worse, NOLA's finest ar...

Four USA Today bestselling authors team up to bring you your favorite female sleuths in a special collection of their orginial mysteries!The 4 Sleuths are a funny killer foursome whose exploits include dodging killers at a sketchy bachelorette party, mud wrestling ancient burlesque dancers, and glamping with grownup Girl Scouts, to name a few. Meet the 4 Sleuths before they teamed up and check out their first mysteries in this box set, the Origin Stories!

This gorgeously illustrated picture book is a celebration of summer vacation and West Coast island life.Every day is different on Gran's island in the Salish Sea as granddaughter climbs big-leaf maples, eats blackberries, explores tide pools and sandstone caves and examines ancient middens and petroglyphs. She and Gran watch harbor seals sunning themselves and Gran's neighbor carving an eagle out of a piece of cedar while drinking fresh nettle tea. And on her way h...

This gorgeously illustrated picture book is a celebration of summer vacation and West Coast island life.Every day is different on Gran's island in the Salish Sea as granddaughter climbs big-leaf maples, eats blackberries, explores tide pools and sandstone caves and examines ancient middens and petroglyphs. She and Gran watch harbor seals sunning themselves and Gran's neighbor carving an eagle out of a piece of cedar while drinking fresh nettle tea. And on her way h...

This gorgeously illustrated picture book is a celebration of summer vacation and West Coast island life.Every day is different on Gran's island in the Salish Sea as granddaughter climbs big-leaf maples, eats blackberries, explores tide pools and sandstone caves and examines ancient middens and petroglyphs. She and Gran watch harbor seals sunning themselves and Gran's neighbor carving an eagle out of a piece of cedar while drinking fresh nettle tea. And on her way h...