[.ca] Hardy Boys 31 The Secret Of Wildcat Swamp (ISBN 0448089319)

"WILDCAT SWAMP" Is No Ordinary Bog:
Frank and Joe along with their father must find out why a gang of train robbers are trying to keep them from going to Wildcat Swamp. Along with Chet Morton and their Bayport High science teacher Cap Bailey they travel to Wildcat Swamp to hunt for fossils. Once there they are constantly harassed by the gang of train robbers. The local sheriff and three forest rangers have disappeared suddenly and the gang is after the land that surrounds Wildcat Swamp. They are trying to force the owner into signing over her land for their own personal use. When Frank and Joe go to meet up with their father they get wind of a possible train robbery and go out to try and stop it. The only thing standing in their way is the outlaws. Danger is everywhere they turn but as usual the Hardys crack the case. This book had everything. It had a great plot and great interaction with the outlaws. There was lots of adventure and suspense as well. A definite book worth reading.

The Secret Of Wildcat Swamp:
This book was probably the 5th best, especially since Joe used his gun. This also contained some exciting events, such as Chet and Cap capturing Willie, all the captures of the criminals, the Hardys, and Harry. Also, it was weird of how the plane accident was caused at the beginning, because it all happened too quick. But too fast or not, you can't miss this one.

The Seceret Of Wildcat Swamp:
This book is called The Seceret Of Wildcat Swamp. It is about the Hardyboys and their science teacherCap Baily. I like it because it has action. Maybe you could make mystries from it.

Best book in the Series:
Originally published in 1952 - Depending on what day you speak with me, more often than not I regard this book as the absolute best among the original 58. It is often difficult to compare those books written before The Mark on The Door with those composed after Footprints Under The Window. That being said this book opens with an introduction to a mystery when a friend of the Hardy's asks their assistance with a small mystery regarding fossil hunting in Wildcat Swamp. Thus the title plays a part in the opening. We learn of a trio of what I think are some of the more memorable Hardy crooks: Jessie Turk, Gerald Flint & Willie The Penman. For the next several chapters as the Hardys & Cap Bailey prepare to leave Bayport they frequently encounter Flint & Turk on their way to Wildcat Swamp. By page 45 or so, the trio of fossil hunters arrive in Wildcat Swamp and enter was is my favorite part of the book and what I often find is phase two of the volume. The book seems to be broken into three sub volumes within the volume. The opening to their arrival in the swamp and the third phase after Underground Ambush. During this second part of the book the trio initially encounter a wildcat which lets the reader know that the beasts are forever lurking throughout the swamp - but strangely after that one attack on Frank, no more wildcats appear. Before long they meet Harry Sanders, son of the owner of the swamp who reveals its true name and that men have been interested in purchasing the property. The Hardys then encouter 3 phony forest rangers Snake, Snide and Willie The Penman in a memorable scene and shortly afterward are caught eavesdropping by darkness on the rangers. Trying to communicate with their father is cut short when their radio balloon is shot out of the sy by the rangers. The memorable scenes in this book are endless - Frank's clue regarding "Three Odd Letters", the encouters with the rangers, Chet's arrival and he and Cap's subsequent ambush in the underground cavern. Enter the next phase in the book when the Hardys are ambushed themselves by the gang of outlaws. This book beckons back to the days of 1881 and the old west - not 1952, and draws parallels with "The Twisted Claw", another book seemingly written during another era. After their escape the brothers hop a train which eventually derails thanks to the gang and after a few more very well written chapters the Hardys assist in the capture of the gang. This volume was packed with adventure, action, a great mystery and plot. What young boy or grown man for that matter would not want to camp out in Wildcat Swamp and battle a gang of outlaws from the old west. This is "wish fulfillment" at its best. Again - I regard this as arguably the best book in the series. RATED A+

Absolutely Excellent!:
This review concerns the original 1952 edition and the revised 1969 edition, which is an editted, shorter version of the original. Frank and Joe must find out why the group of train robbers their father is after are determined to keep Frank, Joe and their science teacher from going to Wildcat Swamp to search for fossils. This book is excellent; it is one of the top three books of the series. The book is well-written and is loaded with action from the first chapter to the last. There is an interesting collection of memorable criminals and the Hardys frequently come into contact with them. Both editions are excellent, but I recommend reading the original, only because it prolongs your enjoyment. This is a great book that all Hardy Boys fans should read.