Thick as Thieves Book Club Discussion

[hardygirl847]

OK....OK...this is a tad late. I ended up babysitting from 3:30AM to 1:20PM and then from 5-10:30PM on Saturday. I guess I could have updated in between there but a girl has to eat and sleep people!

Anyways, it's time to talk about one of my favorite Casefiles, Thick as Thieves #29.

To start off...pick a passage that was memorable for you. I usually start it but let's see what you thought. Feel free to type the passage as it is in the book.  Or you can recall it by memory if you unable to type it up.

[hardygirl847]

OK I guess I will start. Just one of many faves...

pg 25

"Here's something else that's funny." Joe lowered his voice. "I just recognized about half a dozen of the people on this plane."

"Me, too," Frank said, frowning. "We've seen their faces in those investigator's updates Dad gets. They're criminals."

"Thieves," Joe added. "Just like Charity. "What are they all doing in San Diego at the same time?"

"Do criminals have conventions?" Frank asked jokingly. Then his face grew serious. "Something's going on. The question is, what, and what are we going to do?"

Ahh good ol' Frank...cracking a joke and then getting right back to business. This part really sets up the rest of the story.

[hardygirl847]

Am I the only one that read this book? I'm sure some of you have read it in the past if you weren't able to read it last month. Oh well...still one of my  faves!

[tomswift2002]

Its been a while since I read this book, and currently there is a couch sitting in front of the area of the bookshelf that this book is in, plus it is on the lowest shelf of my bookcase.

But I remember that I found it very weird how Charity kept letting the Hardy's get close to her at the beginning.  And then her attempt at the end to make the Hardy's think that she was actually a government agent was a good plot narrative for Charity and just shows how low she's willing to go to get away. 

I also remember finding the part with Joe on the amusement park rides being an interesting and ingenious plot twist, since, aside from the cloning incident in The Lazarus Plot, I don't remember criminals ever taking Joe for one of them even after seeing him from a distance.

[MacGyver]

It's been a long while since I've read this book and unfortunately, I didn't get it read during this last month (mainly from reading another book already and just being behind on reading in general with a lot of other real life things going on...).
But from what I recall of "Thick as Thieves", I mainly recall really being shook up with anguish and concern as I read the book and wondering how each brother would proceed as they were separated from each other and on opposite sides of the law, as Joe was undercover. And Charity was there in the mix too- it was a great book overall.

[hardygirl847]

Its been a while since I read this book, and currently there is a couch sitting in front of the area of the bookshelf that this book is in, plus it is on the lowest shelf of my bookcase.

But I remember that I found it very weird how Charity kept letting the Hardy's get close to her at the beginning.  And then her attempt at the end to make the Hardy's think that she was actually a government agent was a good plot narrative for Charity and just shows how low she's willing to go to get away. 

I also remember finding the part with Joe on the amusement park rides being an interesting and ingenious plot twist, since, aside from the cloning incident in The Lazarus Plot, I don't remember criminals ever taking Joe for one of them even after seeing him from a distance.

Yeah Charity is a real character! Lol I loved how they thought she was in the farmhouse but it was really a cardboard silhouette spinning on a record/turn table! DUH to the boys! Sheesh!

Um..I do not remember the amusement park ride part....That confuses me. Maybe I am reading it wrong?! OH WAIT you mean when he and the Kid are at the park....OK That makes more sense. Haha. They mention in the book that they didn't look THAT much like each other (Joe and the Kid) unless you were farther away. Even Frank thought Joe was the one that fell from the cable car thing at first. I guess in the criminal's line of work...they don't pay enough attention. I also think there was mention of the Kid doing a good job on getting surgery for his scars or something like that. They apparently just figured it was the Kid but new and improved? Thanks for replying.

It's been a long while since I've read this book and unfortunately, I didn't get it read during this last month (mainly from reading another book already and just being behind on reading in general with a lot of other real life things going on...).
But from what I recall of "Thick as Thieves", I mainly recall really being shook up with anguish and concern as I read the book and wondering how each brother would proceed as they were separated from each other and on opposite sides of the law, as Joe was undercover. And Charity was there in the mix too- it was a great book overall.

That's ok! Thanks for replying though! I felt that way too after they both think the other is dead. I liked how Joe locks his brother down in the cellar of the huge boat and doesn't even know it!

Speaking of being on the other side of the law, Joe almost kills Chavo. I mentioned this in the thread topic about who would be more willing or able to kill. However, he decides not to because it's not his style and Frank would have wanted Joe to get real justice for his murderer.

When the gang of thieves were going through the casino, Joe didn't even have a bag at first to help them. Jolly mentions this and Joe agrees that he should look like he fits in more. So if I remember correctly, he knocks Jolly out and takes the bag to carry around, pretending that he is helping. Joe is still trying to stay on the right side of the law in spite of his situation. They break and enter or do a few other illegalish things once in awhile...but overall, they are pretty squeaky clean.

Makes me wonder if Fenton would bail them out or let them stay in jail for doing something really bad or more than their misdemeanors?

[MacGyver]

It's okay if it's for a case. I always loved how the Hardy Boys could be speeding and pulled over by the cops, but it's okay because:
1. They were chasing a crook! It's for a case.
And of course, if that didn't work, they could always pull out their trump card-
2. They're Fenton Hardy's sons.
(And of course, everyone and their dog has worked with Fenton Hardy in all 50 states, territories and most every country in the world. )

Back to the book though- I do recall Joe being forced to kill someone as part of the gang and of course he finds a way to bluff the gang by using some knockout gas of some sort that he had grabbed earlier. It looked like a lethal dose of gas to the gang, but it was really just something to knock the guy out for a while so Joe could maintain his undercover role but still abide by the law and what's right. (Because obviously Joe would never kill someone- whether undercover or not.)

[hardygirl847]

It's okay if it's for a case. I always loved how the Hardy Boys could be speeding and pulled over by the cops, but it's okay because:
1. They were chasing a crook! It's for a case.
And of course, if that didn't work, they could always pull out their trump card-
2. They're Fenton Hardy's sons.
(And of course, everyone and their dog has worked with Fenton Hardy in all 50 states, territories and most every country in the world. )

Back to the book though- I do recall Joe being forced to kill someone as part of the gang and of course he finds a way to bluff the gang by using some knockout gas of some sort that he had grabbed earlier. It looked like a lethal dose of gas to the gang, but it was really just something to knock the guy out for a while so Joe could maintain his undercover role but still abide by the law and what's right. (Because obviously Joe would never kill someone- whether undercover or not.)

1. Of course! It's legal because they are going after the bad guy!
2. It's amazing how Fenton's reputation gets around. Even if someone (and/or their dog) does NOT know him, they have still heard of the man! He's legendary.

Yes, I remember that part too! I want to say it's in the police station or something but I could be wrong about that. Joe would rather risk being discovered than actually fatally harm an innocent (or even not so innocent) person.

I still wonder if their own father would put them away if they ever did something that bad...during the line of duty or not. I think he would. Would they do it in the first place? Probably not. But if they did....I could see him visiting them and explaining why he was NOT going to help them get out. Frank and Joe would probably agree too.

Fanfic plot bunny is starting to form.....

[MacGyver]

I think there's always a careful and clear line drawn and Frank and Joe and Fenton for that matter all know it. There's certain things that can be bent in the name of greater justice for the Hardys, but even so- there's still some things they would never do under any circumstances. Obviously, all humans are susceptible to any wrongdoing and I realize that. But I do think Frank and Joe hold strong to their moral compass and unless pushed to extremes with no alternatives, they would hold on to that moral stand. (And plus, the writers wouldn't let them do otherwise. )

[hardygirl847]

I agree! IF there was something that would fall in the out of norm category for them...I could see Fenton leaving them to deal with their consequences. He doesn't seem the type that uses his power and influence to get his kids or anyone off the hook. Granted, they have a reputation and usually is to their advantage (except for some bad guys) but they don't flaunt it. The Hardys have a moral compass because they are heroes and also because they were, and will always be, fictional role models.