Ghost of the Hardy Boys

More about the book

As millions of readers enjoyed the adventures of the Hardy Boys, few realized that the series' author was not Franklin W. Dixon, but Leslie McFarlane, a struggling writer living in a remote Ontario cabin without modern amenities. McFarlane, possibly the first bestselling ghostwriter, crafted these beloved tales while navigating his own challenges. In 1926, he answered an ad for an experienced fiction writer and was hired by Edward Stratemeyer, who pioneered mass-market children's publishing. McFarlane's early work included writing under the name Roy Rockwood, earning a flat fee of $100. His pay increased to $125 when Stratemeyer proposed a new detective series featuring two brothers solving mysteries—the Hardy Boys. McFarlane, using the pseudonym Franklin W. Dixon, penned over twenty adventures from 1927 to 1947, transforming Stratemeyer’s outlines into captivating stories filled with excitement and friendship. He kept his ghostwriting role a secret until late in life, encouraged by his son to reveal his identity. By the time of his death in 1977, sales of the series had surpassed 50 million copies. This account offers a delightful glimpse into a bygone era of writing and publishing, celebrating the remarkable man behind one of the most enduring children's series.