John Almquist

A fast-paced vintage adventure story. Scientific / technological details are hit and miss, as expected - written in 1954, before any humans made it into space! But the inventions and things read as being well-considered, it all feels plausible enough to enjoy the story. (It's going to be a fun game of "would that actually work?" if I hand this to my engineering-minded kid.) Characters are pretty two-dimensional (mains are all white men, as expected), definitely some Cold War xenophobic show more vibes, but nothing terribly racist sexist etc. A sufficiently fun genre romp. show less

Great book to read around the Fourth of July, as that holiday is at the center of the storyline. Quite enjoy the angle of hidden treasure and the hunt for a demiculverin (hand cannon) that will help the Hardy Boys find said treasure.

The book starts when Joe and Frank are scuba diving and a man shoots a spear gun at them and it hits Joe’s air tank and the person who did it swam away. One time when they were walking on the side walk and the same man nearly ran over them if you want to know what other things happen to them you have to read Hardy Boys Secret of Pirates Hill.

Hired to locate an old Spanish cannon, the Hardy brothers uncover an even greater treasure after perilous underwater adventures.