Book #78: Clue #8: The Clue In The Shadows by A.E. Parker
A.E. Parker
Released: February 1st, 1995
My 21st book for 2025 was A.E. Parker's “Clue #8: The Clue In The Shadows.”.
General Summary:
Here's something I'll bet you didn't know, there were a series of books written back in the mid-1990's about the Parker Brother's game Clue. I grew up loving the Clue books. They were set up in a similar manner to Encyclopedia Brown. You would have an introduction where Mr. Boddy would introduce himself and welcome you to the mansion. With the exception of the first book, he would typically explain how he survived death in the previous book. He would then go on to introduce each of the 6 guests (including his maid). Usually this would segway into the first chapter by a loud crashing noise, or some other startling interruption. Readers are treated to 10-13 mysteries per book, and each chapter was a different story. At the end of each chapter, you were given either a Clue list (just like the ones used in the game) or a different format depending on the nature of the mystery.
Way back in Fall 1997, I discovered these books at the Summitview Elementary School library when I was in 3rd grade. They have provided countless hours of entertainment and are great rereads when looking for something to do.
I think the thing I love the most about these books are how it expands upon the story. Biographies aside, the other things I truly enjoy reading are books based on other classic franchises.
Originally, there were only 16 books, but 2 more were published in later years before they finally stopped. There was also a side series known as "Clue Jr.", but I never got into that series. The first 4 books are in the classic 80's illustration of the board game. Book #5 starts the new illustrations based on the 1990's version.
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Book #8 was a great addition to the series. We are treated to a fresh set of stories, the personality traits are back, and we have some new writing continuing the adventures.
I got this one for Christmas somewhere in 1998/1999. I remember being super excited to read it and thoroughly enjoyed it. Probably the most notable thing though is they reduce Plum's forgetfulness in this one. He only forgets one thing. I have read Book #8 several times as it was one of the first Clue Books I ever got, and I reread them furiously.
My favorite stories from this book are The Bug Stops Here, and Who Bent The Bentley?.
In The Bug Stops Here, Mrs. Peacock has found a bug in her soup. This leads to a mystery around the dining room as the guests attempt to figure out who put the bug in her soup.
In Who Bent The Bentley?, Mr. Boddy reveals that he has a garage full of rare and valuable cars for the guests to use as they see fit. His only request is that they do not use the Bentley. They of course plot behind his back and take it out for a joyride. Inevitably, it wrecks, causing even further chaos.
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I'm intrigued by some of the personality traits of the characters, so here is my running counter of reoccurring traits of Colonel Mustard's Duels, Professor Plum's forgetfulness, and Mrs. Peacock's manner rules. I will also include unique features around the Boddy Mansion.
Mustard's Duel Challenges - 7 (58 Overall):
1. (Mr. Green) For calling Miss Scarlet a liar.
2. (All the Guests) For playing a trick on him.
3. (Mrs. White) For accusing him of ruining dinner.
4. (Miss Scarlet) (Nearly) For calling him an idiot.
5. (Mrs. Peacock) For breaking Mr. Boddy's statue.
6. (Mr. Boddy) (Jokingly) Accepts Mr. Boddy's challenge to a duel.
7. (Mrs. Peacock) For finding the word "Leud" rude.
Plum's Forgetfulness - 1 (76 Overall):
1. Forgot he had been walking for 20 minutes.
Peacock's Manners - 7 (50 Overall):
1. Feels it is rude that nobody cares that a bug is in her soup.
2. Finds Plum's sound effects to be rude.
3. Finds romance books to be vulgar.
4. Finds it rude that Mrs. White tells her "age before beauty".
5. Finds the other guests rude for wanting to steal Mr. Boddy's Bentley for a joyride.
6. Considers calling someone a "lump" to be rude.
7. Finds "Leud" to be a rude anagram for "duel".
Unique features on the grounds of the Boddy Mansion - 7 (14 Overall):
1. Uncle N.E. Boddy's trunk of theatrical costumes in the Boddy Mansion attic.
2. A box of Swiss chocolates containing a Gstaad Diamond.
3. Clarence, a Quazi-Motoh miniature grouper.
4. A Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Edsel, and a Packard in the garage.
5. A car phone in the Bentley.
6. A marble statue of Bartolomew Be Jamin Best-Boddy.
7. Rare coins know as Spanish "doubloons", from Ponce de Leon's treasure chest.
Cover Counter:
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As I give the information I learned from the book, I will do it by chapter read. This novel contains the following mysteries:
Allow Me To Introduce Myself...
1. The Bug Stops Here
2. Read It and Weep
3. The Guys in Disguise
4. Your Chocolate or Your Life
5. Something Fishy
6. Who Bent the Bentley?
7. The Slumber-less Party
8. Foul Ball
9. Time Is Running Out
10. The Clue in the Shadows
Here is what I learned:
—————- For Dona Smith.
- Professor Plum keeps the brain of a genius in a jar in his laboratory.
- The guests argue about the origin of warthogs.
- Colonel Mustard challenges Mr. Green to a duel for calling Miss Scarlet a liar.
- Mr. Boddy has an encyclopedia set in the Library.
- Mrs. Peacock feels it is rude that nobody cares that a bug is in her soup.
- Colonel Mustard challenges all of the guests to a duel for playing a trick on him.
- Mrs. White once won an award for her dish “Boodles of Noodles”.
- Colonel Mustard challenges Mrs. White to a duel for accusing him of ruining dinner.
- Mr. Boddy reads 6-7 books per week.
- Mrs. Peacock finds Professor Plum’s sound effects to be rude.
- Mrs. Peacock finds romance books to be vulgar.
- Uncle N.E. Boddy’s trunk of theatrical costumes is found in the attic.
- S.T.E.A.L. stands for the Society of Thieves, Embezzlers, And Lock-pickers.
- Mrs. Peacock finds it rude that Mrs. White tells her “age before beauty”.
- Mr. Boddy picked up a box of chocolates in Switzerland that contains a Gstaad Diamond.
- The Gstaad Diamond was found by a skier while leaving the chair lift on the Big Rock Candy Mountain.
- Ms. Zurich is Mr. Boddy’s Swiss banker.
- Mr. Green hates caramels.
- Mrs. Peacock loathes nuts.
- Colonel Mustard cannot stand the sight of blood.
- The Boddy Mansion features a Quazi-Motoh miniature grouper.
- Mr. Boddy obtained it from Bristy’s Auction House in the city.
- Clarence is the name of the fish. He is a rainbow-hued specimen.
- Clarence has the ability to play dead.
- Mr. Boddy owns a Bentley.
- Cars in Mr. Boddy’s garage include the Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Edsel, and a Packard.
- Mrs. Peacock finds the other guests rude for wanting to steal Mr. Boddy’s Bentley for a joyride.
- Professor Plum has to sit by a window seat due to carsickness.
- Mr. Green sings “Greensleeves” as he drives.
- Colonel Mustard (nearly) challenges Miss Scarlet to a duel for calling him an idiot.
- Colonel Mustard prefers listening to Oldies music.
- The Bentley features a car phone.
- Miss Scarlet prefers Easy Listening radio stations.
- Mrs. Peacock always wears a Dee Zyner blue knitted muffler.
- Colonel Mustard hates snoring.
- The Ball Room is big enough to house 6 tents.
- Mr. Boddy tells the horror story of a one-armed man whose hook becomes caught on top of a car a couple miles from the Boddy Mansion.
- Mrs. White and Mr. Green snore.
- Mr. Boddy’s nephew is Bartholomew Be Jamin Best-Boddy.
- Bart is bad with money.
- Mr. Boddy had a statue of Bart made in marble.
- Colonel Mustard offers to challenge Mrs. Peacock to a duel for breaking Mr. Boddy’s statue.
- Colonel Mustard owns a horse named Sergeant.
- Professor Plum forgot that he had been walking for 20 minutes.
- Mr. Green drives a Porsche.
- Mrs. Peacock considers calling someone a “lump” to be rude.
- Colonel Mustard accepts Mr. Boddy’s humorous challenge to a duel.
- Mrs. Peacock finds “leud” to be a rude anagram for "duel".
- Colonel Mustard challenges Mrs. Peacock to a duel for finding “Leud” rude.
- Mr. Boddy owns rare coins known as Spanish doubloons, from Ponce de Leon’s treasure chest.
- Mr. Sprocket is the local plumber in Little Falls.
- Mr. Boddy and his guests play anagrams on April Fool’s Day.
Overall, pretty good installment. I liked this one better than Book #7, but not as good as Book #5 and Book #6. Still a good read, and I recommend checking it out.
Recommended.
On to Book #79: Clue #9: "Mystery In The Moonlight" by A.E. Parker.
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