Between 1959 and 1973, the first 38 volumes of this series were systematically revised as part of a project directed by Harriet Adams, Edward Stratemeyer's daughter.

Hardy directs Frank and Joe to a house on the cliff, whose location overlooking Barmet Bay offers an excellent vantage point to watch for smugglers.

The Hardys are tricked into the house by cries for help, and are trapped for a short time in the attic; meanwhile, their telescope and motorcycles are damaged, possibly by the smugglers.

With their friends Chet Morton, Biff Hooper and Tony Prito, they use a boat to search for a secret tunnel at the base of the cliff.

Chet and Tony go to the United States Coast Guard and find Biff Hooper, Jerry Gilroy, and Phil Cohen there and lead them to the smugglers' secret cave.

Hoff wrote this book as a tribute to Franklin W. Dixon and The Hardy Boys, who had provided him with much entertainment during his youth.

"[6] Walt Disney published a condensed and revised version of this story in their publication, Walt Disney's Magazine (1957 - 1958) [7] Filmation Associates made an 11-minute cartoon of this story in The Hardy Boys animated TV show features a condensed version of the plot of this book.

Seattle Children's Theatre put on a theatrical performance of the play, "The Hardy Boys in the Mystery of the Haunted House", which is based on this book.