In the Hall With the Knife by Dana Peterfreund

In the Hall With the Knife kicks off a mystery series for teens based on the venerable board game, Clue.

In the Hall with the Knife: a Clue Mystery by Dana Peterfreund. Amuet, 2020, 298 pages.

Reading Level: Teen, 12-15

Recommended for: ages 13-18

Blackbrook Academy, perched on the shores of Maine’s Rocky Point, has had a long and storied history that at various times has involved criminals and fallen women. Now it’s an exclusive prep school catering to science-minded students with their sights on MIT or Cal Tech. The handful of students who remained on campus, for various reasons, at the beginning of winter break may now regret that decision as a fierce winter storm sweeps down from the Arctic and cuts off the school from the nearest town. Cuts off the power and internet signal too. Time to hunker down in historic Tudor House on the outskirts of the campus, build up a fire in the fireplace, and consolidate over hot chocolate and singalongs. All of which isn’t so bad until one of the students stumbles over the Headmaster’s bloody body in the conservatory.

Anyone who has ever gathered around the classic board came will recognize the colorful character names in this “Clue Mystery.” If Vaughan Green, Beth “Peacock” Picach, Scarlet Mistry, et al. don’t tip them off, they’ll know immediately that “Headmaster Boddy” will be the body. The pieces of a classic Christie-style mystery are in place by Chapter 2, and mystery lovers will enjoy guessing whodunit as the story enfolds. As a plus, the literary quality is first-rate: strong characterization, a lively style, and sufficient plot to keep the reader engaged. We can’t make any promises about further installments in the series (this is #1), but the series opener is more than competent.

Considerations:

• There’s a small amount of mild profanity and God’s name is misused 2-3 times.
• Though not graphically portrayed, it’s a murder mystery after all, and the murder is rather messy.

Overall rating: 4 (out of 5)

• Worldview/moral value: 3.5
• Artistic/literary value: 4.5

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