Mystery of the Whale Tattoo (Hardy Boys, No. 47) [Hardcover]

Franklin W. Dixon (Author), R H Tandy (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1968 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Helping in a case their father is working on, the Hardy brothers try to find an informer who has telephoned from a booth in their home town, and are hired by a carnival owner to spot pickpockets.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap; 1st edition (December 1, 1968)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0448089475
• ISBN-13: 978-0448089478
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #312,143 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Some high points cannot offset weak plot lines, May 29, 2005

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Mystery of the Whale Tattoo (Hardy Boys, No. 47) (Hardcover)

One of the key elements of the plot is a stuffed whale. That is a bit absurd, but it gets even worse when the whale is unearthed by Tony Prito's construction company. No mention is made of the condition of the whale, but it is hard to believe that it would be intact after having been buried for some time. The story is that it was part of a carnival that went bankrupt and they just buried the whale where it was.
The whale contains a carved ivory statute and there is a gang trying to recover it. They all have a tattoo of a whale, so that is the origin of the title. There is also a modern carnival, some heroics by Chet Morton in rescuing the kidnapped Hardy's and significant contributions by Fenton Hardy. The best part of the book stars Chet Morton. He consumes a record number of ice cream sundaes, which was made funny by him having a set of admirers. When Chet is preparing to consume the last sundae, he jogs around the block, followed by two admiring boys.
The remainder of the plot of the book does not remain viable. The names of the people are somewhat artificial, for example Fenton Hardy poses as a seaman and takes the name Spike Marlin. This is a flip of marlinspike, a tool used by sailors. Knocker Felsen is a tough guy who takes on the Hardy's and gets beat up. Therefore, while there are high points to the book, they are not enough to make the book better than weak.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Actually 3 1/2 Stars, August 17, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Mystery of the Whale Tattoo (Hardy Boys, No. 47) (Hardcover)

A job catching pick-pockets at the local carnival, a stuffed whale being exhibited by Tony Prito and Biff Hooper and Mr. Hardy's latest case concerning a stolen ivory idol, send Frank and Joe onto a surprisingly exciting case. This mystery is filled with action and it has a rather interesting and well-thought-out plot. The Hardys are constantly coming into contact with the criminals during the course of the book and you are not always sure who is good and who is a member of the gang. One thing that I particularly like about this book is that, unlike many of the higher volumes, it remembers that Frank and Joe have friends and they are well-used in the book. It's not the greatest book, but I consider it to be one of the better of the higher volumes.

4.0 out of 5 stars good book, August 3, 2009

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hardy Boys 47: Mystery of the Whale Tattoo (Kindle Edition)

this was defintly a good book and i would recommend it. how ever it was not the best book in the series