Sleuth Studies: The Hardy Boys Podcast

Episode 14: The Hardy Boys and Series Fiction with Dr. Michael Cornelius (Part 2 of 2)

Sleuth Studies: The Hardy Boys Podcast

Show Notes

Did you know that Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books were significantly revised starting in the late 1950s? If you didn’t, you’re about to learn. If you did, you’re about to learn more. Sleuth Studies: The Hardy Boys Podcast is proud to welcomeback Dr. Michael Cornelius for even more energizing, invigorating, and truly joyful discussion around all things juvenile detective fiction. In part two of this two-part episode, we’ll bring Nancy Drew into the conversation, talking about the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew through the ages, looking at some of the bigger changes made throughout the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew revisions, and discussing the major adjustments made to the characters and stories when they were reimagined for television. Listen now! ____

Dr. Michael Cornelius is the Dean of the School of Arts andSciences at Wilson College, and is a recognized authority on Nancy Drew and juvenile detective fiction. His extensive publication list spans scholarly journals and books, including The Boy Detectives: Essays on the Hardy Boys and Others and Nancy Drew and her Sister Sleuths: Essays on the Fiction of Girl Detectives. Dr. Cornelius’s interests include early Britishliterature, horror, and, of course, anything to do with juvenile detective fiction. _____ The original theme music for Sleuth Studies: The Hardy BoysPodcast was composed by Geoff Li (https://www.geoffli.com/). Sleuth Studies is grateful for the support of Volunteer Alberta, the GLOCAL Foundation of Canada, the Canadian Red Cross, and the Government of Canada.

More from Sleuth Studies: The Hardy Boys Podcast

Oct 8, 2026

But why are they called the *Hardy* Boys? Does their name really matter? Friends, we’re about to find out. Sleuth Studies: The Hardy Boys Podcast is honoured to welcome Dr. Michael Cornelius to discuss all things juvenile detective fiction. In fact, we’ll talk so much that this will be part one of a two-part episode! Can you tell that some great discussion is coming? Tom *Swift.* The *Hardy* Boys. Dave *Fearless.* These names might seem fairly sensible, but in fact, they do a lot of work to bring these characters to life—work that you might not notice until it’s pointed out. Together, we’ll consider why it’s important to study juvenile detective fiction at an academic level, establish what it means to be an expert in Stratemeyer Syndicate publications, and learn more about the nomenclature (that is—naming conventions) of various Stratemeyer Syndicate characters. You don’t want to miss this! ____

Aug 29, 2026

Knowledge mobilization. What is it? Why does it matter? And how exactly does it relate to the Hardy Boys? Let’s find out together, my friends. In this episode, Sleuth Studies: The Hardy Boys Podcast welcomes the wonderful Darryl de Dios for a—very meta conversation about knowledge mobilization. Together, we’ll use knowledge mobilization as a concept to explore what knowledge mobilization really is—breaking it down so we can use it to explore the Hardy Boys, children’s literature, and the world overall. Are stories the most impactful form of knowledge mobilization? Why is knowledge mobilization so important outside of academia and politics? And is it true that Chet Morton’s different hobbies function as a way to share knowledge of those hobbies with readers? We may never know—but that doesn’t mean we can’t talk about it! In an episode full of thoughtful fun, engagement, and yes, knowledge mobilization, you’re destined to learn something new. Who would have thought? 😉 ____ Darryl de Dios is a researcher, facilitator, and communityleader with a background in community-based research and knowledge mobilization. He currently dedicates his talents to the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute, or AMII. Darryl’s interests lie in making ideas more accessible, meaningful, and grounded in everyday life. Outside of work, Darryl enjoys basketball, history, and following his curiosity wherever it leads. _____ The original theme music for Sleuth Studies: The Hardy Boys Podcast was composed by Geoff Li (https://www.geoffli.com/). Sleuth Studies is grateful for the support of Volunteer Alberta, the GLOCAL Foundation of Canada, the Canadian Red Cross, and the Government of Canada.

Jul 31, 2026

Is it important that the Hardy Boys are boy detectives? It matters, my friends. I promise. But don’t just take it from me! Sleuth Studies: The Hardy Boys podcast is excited to welcome the incredible Mimi Okabe, professor, academic, and detective fiction researcher. In this episode, Mimi joins us for a fascinating discussion on all things boy detective—her specialty. Join us as together, we establish why the distinction between adult and youth detectives is important, why the boy detective as a concept is so fascinating, and what connects the Hardy Boys, Sherlock Holmes, and the wonderful world of anime. In an episode full of excitement, energy, and connection, you’re certain to leave thinking about the boy detective differently—and with it, the whole detective genre goes under the microscope Listen now! ____ Mimi Okabe is an academic, author, professor, and lover of all things detective fiction. She is an assistant professor of Japanese Language, Literature, and Culture in the Department of Modern Languages and Comparative Literature at the City University of New York. Her first book, Manga, Murder, and Mystery, was the recipient of the Sixth Annual International Crime Fiction Association Book Prize for non-fiction books. In addition to her research on detective fiction and manga, Mimi also studies—and plays—Japanese video games, looking at themes and tripes of classic detective stories being deployed in Japanese game content, as well as gender inequality within video game cultures and industries. _____ The original theme music for Sleuth Studies: The Hardy Boys Podcast was composed by Geoff Li (https://www.geoffli.com/). Sleuth Studies is grateful for the support of Volunteer Alberta, the GLOCAL Foundation of Canada, the Canadian Red Cross, and the Government of Canada.

Jun 12, 2026

How does publishing actually work? It feels like one of life’s great mysteries. Not for much longer! Sleuth Studies: The Hardy Boys Podcast is honoured to welcome the wonderfully talented Alexis Marie Chute—co founder of the independent hybrid Canadian publishing house Wild Skies Press. Alexis joins us for a fascinating discussion into publishing, which lives at the heart of all things Hardy Boys. Learn about the different types of publishers and why the differences matter to prospective authors, what process a book goes through to take it from draft manuscript to ready-to-publish book, and what sorts of considerations go into marketing a book for a specific readership. In this episode, you’re guaranteed to find inspiration, energy, and encouragement as Alexis places publishing squarely under the Sleuth Studies magnifying glass. This is an episode you don’t want to miss! ____ Alexis Marie Chute is an artist, writer, curator, filmmaker,public speaker, mother, publisher, and so much more. She has 20 years of experience as a professional internationally exhibiting artist, with her art represented by the Art Gallery of Alberta. Alexis is a bestselling author of everything from art books to memoirs, and is the current Writer in Residence at the Edmonton Public Library. Powered by her business, Alexis Marie Productions Inc., she is the founder of Wild Skies Art Gallery and Wild Skies Press, a hybrid publisher operating out of Edmonton, Alberta. _____

May 22, 2026

What do the Hardy Boys have to do with copyright law? As it turns out, quite a lot. Sleuth Studies: The Hardy Boys Podcast is excited to welcome professor Michael McNally for a fun, accessible, and digestible conversation about all things copyright and the Hardy Boys. Michael joins us to break down copyright law—from what is protected under copyright to whether fanfiction counts as a breach of copyright. The answer might surprise you. Find out how the Hardy Boys got tied up in a significant copyright battle between publishers, how a lawsuit over putting Santa hats on geese in an art exhibit set a major precedent within copyright law, and more as Michael McNally helps us better understand all things Hardy Boys and copyright. Listen now, wherever you get your podcasts! ____

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