Fun, campy and loaded with easter eggs, In the Hall With the Knife by Diana Peterfreund (Q and A from last week), is everything and exactly what you would expect it to be from a new young adult twist on the Clue movie and board game franchise.
Thank you to Abrams Kids for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Set perfectly for those craving mysterious boarding schools, In the Hall With the Knife recreates all the familiar rooms from Clue butat Blackbrook Academy. Blackbrook being a very exclusive and even more isolated Maine boarding school for the rich and famous.
Characters are a mix of spin-offs from the movies and newbies that mix it up a bit. Ms. Peacock is a tough as nails tennis player, Prof. Plum is a burgeoning scientist, Ms. Scarlett a wealthy hotel heiress and Mr. Mustard, a recently transferred Military School student. Mr. Green is Vaughn Green, a rare “townie” that was admitted into Blackbrook on scholarship, and also on staff as a janitor. Two adults heldover from the franchise are Mr. Boddy, now headmaster of Blackbrook and Mrs. White, proctor of Tudor Hall.
It was indeed a dark and stormy evening that cranked out a once in a century Nor’Easter that stranded this devious, secret-holding group along with Orchid McKee, a once child actress hiding in plain sight and running from her past… but running out of time?
Each chapter is told from different points of view, which allow readers to start seeing the personality, motives and glimmers into the mysterious backgrounds of different characters. Group dynamics build from each point of view with banter, dead-panned quips and consistent volleying of teenage neurosis.
“… to make sure there is nobody here.”
“But there is a body here. In the conservatory.”
Scarlett rolled her eyes.
Peterfreund is able to to accomplish two very crucial character traits. First, with the now young adult characters. She does make them sound and act young adult appropriate. Second, each character (both adult and teen) have very unique voices and perspectives that are maintained throughout the book.
“All clear up there unless,” Finn said. ” Unless you think they were murdered by a mannequin.”
Mustard did not.
Is this a suspenseful mystery and thriller? Of course not. Let’s be serious… well let’s not. The movie sure wasn’t and that is the whole point, isn’t it? It is a campy cheese fest but I wouldn’t want it any other way. You can see half of it coming before it happens. And that is ok. There are a couple of reveals that I had some idea about but didn’t completely have figured out. But most of them? Yeah, I had an idea. But that was ok because if it wasn’t what I expected? I would have been disappointed.
“Would you stick around here after you stabbed someone? Finn asked.
“Having never stabbed anyone, I couldn’t tell you,” said Mustard.
Bonus points for a male/female friendship that is in no way headed towards romance. It is a complete friendship power couple and I’m here for it!
Sounds interesting.
I have to admit this does not look appealing to me, but it was interesting to read your take on it.
Awww thank you. That is very kind for you to read it ans comment!
It wont be for everyone. What are you looking for right now? Maybe I have something I can suggest
Tbh, right now I am focused on my Netgalley books because I want to read all of them finally (some are there even from 2016) but recommendations for a good romantic comedy are always welcomed, and any genre that made you “feel something”. I also love literary fiction but rarely read it, and of course, ya contemporary is my genre to go too.
I can’t do romance genres for trigger purposes right now… so I’m no help in that area. If you think I might know any of your NetGalley titles and want help choosing I’m happy to help
Thank you so much for the recommendation on this one. I loved it. I would not have even requested it if it weren’t for you. It gave me all the clue nostalgia. So happy it’s going to be a series too!!
Awwww YAY!!!! I’m so it cheeres you up and that my rec worked out!!!! Love you sis!!! ????
Love you too! I wouldn’t have even gotten it if it weren’t for you and you know that I picked up that book when I really needed a fun read and it was PERFECT for that.
My shit always works…. sometimes lol but I’m just glad it worked this time! Lord knows you’ve returned the favor in kind
Hahah well… I am full of recommendations. I started looking ahead and I’m making goodreads lists of books that I think I want ARCs of or that I might want ARCs of. You should check them out. I’ll link you.
Want ARC: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/28146201-amanda?shelf=want-arc
Might want ARC: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/28146201-amanda?shelf=might-want-arc
Just so when I look ahead I can organize what I think I might want to request/stalk beautiful upcoming releases.
So I have a package coming tomorrow from HMH… I don’t know what it is. The title I recently requested from them is The Circus Rose — which by the way you should look into. I also have The Seventh Sun coming from Blackstone Publishing, I just got the email that they’ll be sending it out. But I have no idea what’s coming from HMH.
I was thinking about the 7th Sun… it’s on auto download but I just already see too many ARCs building around that time and I just… dont want to make that mistake anymore so itll be there if I want it later.
I was on a requesting ban, so I have room for lots!! haha uhh I’m trying not to go crazy though
So.. I have a package from HMH coming from UPS. I also have a package from Hachette coming, AND one from St Martin’s! That’s not even counting the package coming from Blackstone! I have THREE surprise packages!
Merry early Christmas! You’ll have to let me know what they are! ????????????
I can’t wait to see what they are myself. I hope they’re some of the ARCs I just requested.
You did well!
I have ARCs of beyond the shadowed earth and unspoken name ([ didnt get that right, did I)? I got Beyond the Shadowed Earth through NG a while go and was going to put the latter in this week’s sunday post. But yes you know my taste well.