While the Clock Ticked by Franklin W. Dixon

 #11 in the Hardy Boys series. This is a good one, featuring thieves stealing from ships in Barmet Bay and a mysterious old house with secret rooms. Chet Morton has a prominent role and is critical to the Hardys solving the case.

So far the best two Hardy Boys books are The Mystery of Cabin Island followed by this one.

Hunting for Hidden Gold by Franklin W. Dixon

 #5 in the Hardy Boys series. I had forgotten how violent they can be. In this entry, the Hardys are chased and shot at by criminals multiple time, nearly drown in an icy river, barely escape being crushed in a mine collapse, fight against a criminal with a gun with shovels, and nearly get devoured by a pack of hungry wolves.

Of course the violence is cartoonish in the sense that no one ever really gets hurt. The bullets never find their mark. When Joe or Frank get cold cocked, they wake up with a bit of headache but never any lasting injury. What's remarkable is how blasé their father Fenton is at his sons getting shot at.

The story is pretty good, standard Hardy.

The Mystery of Cabin Island by Franklin W. Dixon

 #8 in the Hardy Boys series. This was a surprisingly good mystery, actually a page turner.

Footprints Under the Window by Franklin W. Dixon

 #12 in the Hardy Boys series.

The Secret of the Old Mill by Franklin W. Dixon

 #3 in the Hardy Boys series.  This one was pretty good, with the Hardys on the track of a band of counterfeiters.

The House on the Cliff by F.W. Dixon

 Second in the Hardy Boys series, I've been reading out of nostalgia. Not a bad story. Action packed.

The Tower Treasure by Franklin W. Dixon

Just for kicks I decided to read a Hardy Boys book, many of which I read as a kid. It was more entertaining than I thought it would be. I might try another one.