DEAD ON TARGET (HARDY BOYS CASE FILE 1) : DEAD ON TARGET

Rating:
Summary: a new direction for the Hardy Boys
Review: "Dead on Target" was the beginning of a new era for the Hardy Boys. This is the first volume of the new (in 1991) series "The Hardy Boys Casefiles", and it is a more adult and action packed series than the original series. This is never more evident than the first two pages of the book. Whereas the original series (started in 1927 and it is still running today) would have various plots by criminals, nobody ever seemed to get killed or nothing too serious would ever happen, but "Dead on Target" opens with the killing of Joe Hardy's girlfriend (and sister of good friend Chet) Iola Morton. For a series that has been known for its lack of actual murders of any on screen character, this was a shocking and explosive (no pun intended as it was by a bomb that killed Iola) moment. It marked the different direction that the Casefiles would take the reader, as well as the Hardys, on.

A car bomb was the cause of death for Iola Morton. Frank and Joe, as well as Iola and Frank's girlfriend Callie Shaw, were at the mall preparing for a political rally. Iola ends up returning to the Hardys' car to pick up more campaign materials when it explodes, killing her. Joe blames himself because his flirting with another girl made Iola mad and this is what led her to be at the car by herself. At the funeral, "Dead on Target" takes another twist by introducing the character of The Grey Man. The Grey Man is a member of a secret government organization called "The Network". "The Network" believes that an international group of terrorists, "The Assassins", were responsible for Iola's death and are planning something big for the political rally the following week.

The rest of the novel finds Frank and Joe traveling to London, fighting several members of the Assassins, being in the midst of gun battles and defusing a bomb. "Dead on Target" is fast paced with a tighter story than what is found through most of the original series. For fans of the Hardy Boys, "Dead on Target" is likely to be a favorite. It is not for the purists of the series, though. This book takes the brothers down a different timeline than we find in the main series. Since the main series continued to be published at the same time as the Casefiles, these books (Casefiles) are either set at a later date than the continuing series or is part of some alternative timeline since Iola is still alive in the main series.

"Dead on Target" has more violence than the "classic" Hardy Boys, but this is a very interesting story, even if it is a bit far fetched. For the first time, terrorism and murder have been introduced to Bayport and the Casefiles bring the reader a new style of story with the Hardys. As an introduction to the Casefiles as well as a new episode in the lives of the Hardys, this is a good place to start. Fifteen years after first reading this book it remains a fun read.

-Joe Sherry

Rating:
Summary: "Dead on Target" Hits Too Close to Home
Review: As a child, I remember reading the Hardy Boys books and wishing they had more action. When the casefiles came out, I got my wish. This book has set the tone for all of the casefiles. The adventures that Frank and Joe work on can and are dangerous, and can even include death. The fact that it was Joe's girlfriend, Iola Morton, is even more symbolic since Joe is the daredevil of the duo, as well as the one who is most callous towards his relationships. This story provided a real eye-opener for Joe, as well as the reader. I sometimes wonder if Iola really is alive, since the Assassins have cloned her several times. But each time she is cloned is a good reminder to Joe and Frank about what is most important in life - and this is life itself, especially that of a friend, or even a brother. Joe's attitude change showed how personally he took Iola's death and for once, I am glad to see more emotion. A great job and a great start to a new series of adventures for Dixon's longest running children's series

Rating:
Summary: An eye opener
Review: As a starter to a newer and more sophisticated series of the Hardy Boys, I think this first book captures the elements of what makes the Casefiles really tick. It opens a new world to Frank and Joe of much more dangerous and complex situations, and I believe Iola's death right at the beginning sets the more serious tone throughout the book as well as giving Joe Hardy much more character. A personal hurt of this scale sparks off a passion in him previously unknown and unseen in the former series of Hardy Boys. His showdown with the culprit at the end is simply awesome. A book I would definitely recommend.

Rating:
Summary: Dead on Target missed by a mile
Review: Dead on Target was the cruelest piece of the Hardy boy books that I've ever seen. You kill of not only the love of joe's life, but also the sister of his best friend. And then the reader is given the false hope that Iola could still be alive by giving these assasin phonies. In my opinion, Iola MOrton should make a surprise come back and stay. Why did she have to die anyway? If it was to free Joe from a relationship, a simple break-up would have done the job. And now Joe has a steady girlfriend anyway. Some great story lines could come out of her return. I've thought the story through many times. Even in the Lazurus Plot, Joe vows that he'll never stop searching. Well, What happened! The one good point I will say is that it made me keep reading.

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Summary: Terrorists At Large
Review: Dead on Target, the first of the hardy Boys casefiles series, is by far one of my favorites of the series and always will be! I muct have read this one at least a dozen times. In the beginning it opens, with Joe hardy's girl friend, and sister of their best friend Chet, being killed by terrorists/ assasins. It really shows Joe's true character and emotions. Joe and his brother Frank, must stop the assasins from continuing their plan, killing hundreds and maybe thousands of people! The assasins planned on destroying the bayport mall, and killing sesveral people doing this. But when they toy with the wrong boys, Frank and Joe go after them, in search of justice! Joe gets his chance with his girl friends killer in the end. This book is a deffinate buyer! If you don't have it, or haven't read it, get it! You won't be disappointed. I know I wasn't! You won't be! This book is by far one of the greatest I have even read, and it will be one of yours to!

Rating:
Summary: It was the best one ever!
Review: Dead on Target, the first of the hardy Boys casefiles series, is by far one of my favorites of the series and always will be! I muct have read this one at least a dozen times. In the beginning it opens, with Joe hardy's girl friend, and sister of their best friend Chet, being killed by terrorists/ assasins. It really shows Joe's true character and emotions. Joe and his brother Frank, must stop the assasins from continuing their plan, killing hundreds and maybe thousands of people! The assasins planned on destroying the bayport mall, and killing sesveral people doing this. But when they toy with the wrong boys, Frank and Joe go after them, in search of justice! Joe gets his chance with his girl friends killer in the end. This book is a deffinate buyer! If you don't have it, or haven't read it, get it! You won't be disappointed. I know I wasn't! You won't be! This book is by far one of the greatest I have even read, and it will be one of yours to!

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Summary: A Different Type Of Hardy Boys Adventure!
Review: Forget about all the Hardy Boys books you may have read in the past, the Casefiles open a whole new world of exciting Hardy Boys adventure!
Right off the bat, Joe's longtime girlfriend, Iola, gets blown to bits by a bomb placed in the Hardy's van!
Shortly thereafter, Frank and Joe meet the mysterious Network agent, The Gray Man, and join forces with him to track down a terrorist group called the Assassions.
Join the Hardys as they travel around the world in search of Iola's killer.

Rating:
Summary: A very good book to read
Review: I would have given this book 5 stars only it was so sad. Iola Morton dies in this book by a bomb put in Frank and Joe car by a terrorist. Joe tries to save her but it was to late. Frank had to knock him unconcious and drag him out of the fire. At Iola's funeral, they meet the Gray Man. He wants to know what they had in their car to make it blow-up. Frank and Joe deny having put any bomb material in their car. I'm not telling what happened after that but I suggest you read it. If you like it I suggest you read Hardy Boys Casefiles#4 The Lazarus Plot.

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Summary: Big Fan
Review: If you're into the fast action pace adventure type of books, then this is the book for you. I think this book is the most adventurous of the set. From the bombing and killing of Iola Morton to the Network agent, The Gray Man, this book shows a side of Joe and Frank Hardy never seen before. On the verge of tracking down a terrorist from a group called the Assassions, they travel from the scene of the crime, the mall, to London where they discover how dangerous the case can become. Even though the case maybe be solved, the saddest part is that Iola will never return to the series. Every book that has mentioned Iola has made me cry, especially this one. If this book appeals to you I also suggest the book "Dead of Night" which is scarier than this one. In fact, I suggest you read the whole series. I have about 60 of the Hardy Boys Casefiles. They are the absolute best I've ever read!

Rating:
Summary: Dead On Target Hits The Bull's Eye
Review: It's a great book though it's sad in the beginning when Joes girlfriend, Iola dies but the ending is really great, when Joe has his show-down with the terrorist Al-Rousa sent by the Assasins.