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Type of bind: Hardcover
EAN num: 9780448089317
ISBN number: 0448089319
Label: Grosset & Dunlap
Manufacturer: Grosset & Dunlap
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 192
Printing Date: January 01, 1952
Publishing house: Grosset & Dunlap
Age index: Ages 9-12
Sale Popularity Level: 164144
Studio: Grosset & Dunlap
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Rated by buyers 
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I never realized there were swamps in the West. I had assumed that swamps were generally located in the Southeast. However, in this mystery Frank and Joe Hardy meet one wildcat near one swamp, so I guess there are both in this story.
This book begins with Frank and Joe Hardy telling their best friend Chet Morton that their father, Fenton Hardy, has told his sons that they might be able to help him in a mystery involving train robbers. Before the boys can get involved in their father's mystery, Thomas "Cap" Bailey, a track coach and science teacher at Bayport High, asks the boys to go out West with him to locate a source of valuable fossils near Wildcat Swamp. He also asks the boys to help him solve the mystery of why he was robbed the very first time he attempted to travel out West.
When Frank and Joe ask their parents for permission to go out West, their father advises the boys that one of the train robbers said something like "twenty wildcat," which Cap Bailey told the boys was on a sign at wildcat swamp. Thus, the boys could also be in a position to help their father when they go west.
The boys are prepared to journey west, but before they leave Cap Bailey is robbed and injured and a map of the area around Wildcat Swamp showing where the fossils are located. As the boys try to take off with pilot Jack Wayne, their plane loses a wheel and the trio crash. Uninjured, the three borrow another plane and head west. They soon realize that someone is following them.
Once the boys finally arrive out West, they head for Wildcat Swamp, where the one and only wildcat in this story leaps on Frank. Fortunately, Joe killed the wildcat before it could do whatever it thought it was doing. Incidentally, wildcats are not really a species as such. In this case, the cat described sounds like a mountain lion, or a cougar. It is unlikely that a mountain lion would attack three men on horseback, so the scenario in this book is moderately implausible.
From this point forward the excitement builds rapidly. The criminals the boys encounter kidnap lawmen and plan to ruthlessly execute them. The criminals also capture the Hardy Boys more than once and plan to kill them as well. The criminals also derail a train and plan on forcing a woman to sign her land over to them; the land that contains Wildcat Swamp! These criminals are utterly ruthless. The question the Hardys keep asking themselves is why the criminals want Wildcat Swamp and why they have been trying to prevent the Hardys from seeking out fossils.
This story is yet another nicely paced and plotted Hardy Boys book. There are parts of the mystery that the author reveals early in the story, and other parts that the author keeps hidden until a significant portion of the way into the story. Thus a reader has things to learn about the mystery a good way into the story, maintaining reader interest throughout. I was also pleased that the story was generally plausible, with only a few moments of weakness. I would rate this story as one of the better books in the Hardy Boys series and I would recommend this book as an introduction into the series.
Rated by buyers 
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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 subsequent 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 subsequent 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+
Rated by buyers -
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 very 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.
Rated by buyers -
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.
Rated by buyers -
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.
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