In the Hall with the Knife (Clue Mystery #1) by Diana Peterfreund #bookreview #YA #mystery #thriller #retelling

Title: In the Hall with the Knife

Author: Diana Peterfreund

Publisher:  Amulet Books

Publication Date: October 8, 2019

Page Count:  304

My rating: 3 1/2 stars

About the book:

A murderer could be around every corner in this thrilling YA trilogy based on the board game CLUE!

When a storm strikes at Blackbrook Academy, an elite prep school nestled in the woods of Maine, a motley crew of students—including Beth “Peacock” Picach, Orchid McKee, Vaughn Green, Sam “Mustard” Maestor, Finn Plum, and Scarlet Mistry—are left stranded on campus with their headmaster. Hours later, his body is found in the conservatory and it’s very clear his death was no accident. With this group of students who are all hiding something, nothing is as it seems, and everyone has a motive for murder. Fans of the CLUE board game and cult classic film will delight in Diana Peterfreund’s modern reimagining of the brand, its characters, and the dark, magnificent old mansion with secrets hidden within its walls.

In the Hall with the Knife by Diana Peterfreund is the first book in the new young adult Clue Mystery series. The story in this new young adult mystery/thriller is based on the board game of Clue. As a kid I loved playing and who know over the years that game would end up with so much attention. Seeing that the books were based on the board game I took a closer look and what the author has done is set this in a boarding school which also has always been a draw for me so of course i had to check the series out.

The story is set at Blackbrook Academy which is located in the woods of Maine and takes place during a big storm. The students of the academy, Beth “Peacock” Picach, Orchid McKee, Vaughn Green, Sam “Mustard” Maestor, Finn Plum, and Scarlet Mistry are stranded at the academy along with Mrs White and a handful of other school employees. Already what seems like an endless night becomes even more unbearable when the headmaster is found dead of what seems to be a murder.

In the Hall with the Knife was told from multiple points of view along the way but was easy enough to follow, especially when you are reading about people with the oh so familiar names of the board game. It was perhaps a little campy and silly but it did bring a smile to my face while reading. While this first book came in at three and a half stars for me I had hope that the next in the trilogy will be even better as I will know the characters and what to expect of the style in book two.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Find this book online: 

Goodreads  /   Amazon

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