Book #84: Clue #14: The Dangerous Diamond by A.E. Parker

 

Clue #14: The Dangerous Diamond

A.E. Parker

 Released: September 1st, 1996

My 27th book for 2025 was A.E. Parker's “Clue #14: "The Dangerous Diamond”.  

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 #14 is a good read.

I got this one earlier in my reading.  I believe I got it for Christmas one year.

The stories start to get a little out there.  While there are still some whodunnit's, the adventures go beyond Boddy Mansion.  We see stories involving a Jade Sparrow, a Stradivarius fiddle, a bowling tournament, a money tree, a window washing competition, a misprinted George Washington stamp, a pie eating competition, a jewel-encrusted sword, a variation on musical chairs, and the hunt for the Dangerous Diamond.

My favorite stories are: Bowling For Dollars, and The Dangerous Diamond

In Bowling For Dollars, Mr. Boddy has had a bowling alley installed in the Hall.  He created two teams to bowl against each other in a tournament for a prize.  I love bowling, and seeing a story revolving around it was fun to read.

In The Dangerous Diamond, Mr. Boddy has gotten tired of his guests stealing his belongings, so he sets up an ultra high security system to protect his new diamond.  That doesn't deter the guests, but rather sets the loose on a murderous hunt for the jewel.

They toned back a lot of the duels Colonel Mustard has, as well as Plum's forgetfulness. They do however reference them, and some things that caused him to become that way in his past.

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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 - 3 (95 Overall):

1. (Mr. Boddy) For what he believes to be a joke on him.

2. (A Robot) For fun, because the robot can hold a sword.

3. (Mr. Boddy) For wasting the guests' time.

Plum's Forgetfulness - 4 (126 Overall):

1. Forgot where he left his glasses.

2. Forgot where he was.

3. Forgot what he should do.

4. Forgot where he put his glasses again.

Peacock's Manners - 12 (143 Overall):

1. Finds Miss Scarlet rude for calling her an "old coot".

2. Finds Mr. Boddy rude for playing an instrument made from guts.

3. Considers short sleeved shirts to be improper.

4. Thinks knocking down pins is rude.

5. Finds it rude to take away points that were illegally acquired.

6. Believes it is rude to ask guests to help wash windows.

7. Believes it is the height of bad manners to pass off dirty eating utensils as clean.

8. Accuses Mrs. White of making "rude food" because it was spicy.

9. Believes anything other than cheese on pizza is an abomination to the word "pizza".

10. Finds it rude to speak with your mouth full.

11. Finds swords rude, and weapons crude.

12. Believes Mrs. White is rude for talking about her weight.

Boddy Mansion: Unique features on the grounds - 13 (78 Overall):

1. Life-sized sparrow carved from jade.

2. A Stradivarius violin.

3. A pearl-handled revolver.

4. A jewel-encrusted tiara.

5. A scientific drawing by Leonardo de Vinci.

6. An enormous diamond engagement ring that belonged to his mother.

7. A bowling alley installed in the Hall.

8. Gold-plated bowling balls.

9. A money tree with leaves made from pure silver or gold.

10. A misprinted stamp of George Washington smiling.

11. A sword that belonged to the King of Spain 400 years ago.

12. A new CD recording of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.

13. The Dangerous Diamond, over 300 carat.

Cover Counter:

Mr. Green: 7

Colonel Mustard: 8

Miss Scarlet: 6

Mrs. Peacock: 7

Professor Plum: 7

Mrs. White: 7

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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. You're So Jaded

2. Fiddling Around

3. Bowling For Dollars

4. The Money Tree

5. Window Pain

6. By George

7. To Top It Off

8. Holy Toledo

9. Musical Chairs

10. The Dangerous Diamond

Here is what I learned:

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• Mr. Green is the definition of greed.
• Colonel Mustard was one called yellow as a boy, which led to his obsession with duels.
• Mrs. Peacock often dines alone.
• Professor Plum has several honorary degrees.
• Professor Plum forgot where he left his glasses.

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• Mr. Boddy had used the secret secret passageways.
• Boddy Mansion: Life-sized sparrow carved from jade.
• Mrs. Peacock finds Miss Scarlet to be rude for calling her an “old coot”.
• Mrs. White’s grandfather shortened the family name to White from Bobwhite.
• Professor Plum forgot where he was.

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• Mr. Green played drums when he was younger.
• Boddy Mansion: A Stradivarius Violin
• Stradivarius was the most famous Italian violin maker.
• Unlike a guitar, the violin had no frets.
• Mr. Boddy’s violin strings are made from catgut.
• Mrs. Peacock finds Mr. Boddy rude for playing an instrument made from guts.
• Mr. Boddy’s library features copies of “The Hound of Music”, “For Whom the Bell Tolls”, and The Ox-Bow Incident “.
• Boddy Mansion: A Pearl handled revolver, jewel-encrusted tiara, a scientific drawing by Leonardo de Vinci, and an enormous diamond engagement ring that belonged to his mother.
• Mrs. Peacock considers short sleeved shirts to be improper.
• Colonel Mustard challenges Mr. Boddy to a duel for what he believes to be a joke on him.
• The guests nicknames are Birdie, Hot Dog, Red, Greenie, Peewee, and Mrs. Strike.
• Boddy Mansion: a bowling alley installed in the Hall.
• Mrs. Peacock thinks that knocking down pins is rude.
• Colonel Mustard has evidently dueled with a bowling ball, but dislikes doing so because they are heavy.
• Mr. Green’s favorite sport is tiddly-winks.
• Bowling is the second greatest game ever invented according to Plum, after CLUE that is.
• The rules of Boddy’s bowling are 2 frames, and no extra points for strikes or spares.
• Professor Plum was the champion bowler of his youth league.
• Mrs. Peacock finds it rude to take away points that were acquired illegally.
• Traditional bowling food consists of pizza, pretzels, cold onion rings, undercooked hot dogs, soggy French fries, popcorn, and flat soda pop.
• Boddy Mansion: gold-plated Bowling Balls
• ——-
• Boddy Mansion: A money tree.  The only one of its kind in the world.  Its leaves are either pure silver or pure gold.
• Professor Plum forgot what he should do.
• ——-
• Mrs. Peacock believes it is rude to ask guests to help wash windows.
• Mr. Green claims he is allergic to glass.
• Professor Plum forgot where he put his glasses.
• ——-
• Boddy Mansion: Valuable misprinted stamp of George Washington smiling.
• Mrs. Peacock believes it is the height of bad manners to pass off dirty eating utensils as clean.
• Colonel Mustard dueled a sword-wielding robot.
• ——-
• Mrs. Peacock accuses Mrs. White of making “rude food” because it was spicy.
• Mr. Boddy tips handsomely for pizza.
• Mrs. Peacock believes anything other than cheese on pizza is an abomination to the word pizza.
• Miss Scarlet prefers vegetarian pizza.
• Mrs. Peacock finds it rude to speak with your mouth full.
• The guests enjoy antacids and a nap for dessert.
• ——-
• Mr. Boddy once ate 3 bowls of Chunky double-fudge chocolate ice cream.
• Colonel Mustard challenges Mr. Boddy to a duel for wasting the guest’s time.
• Boddy Mansion: a sword that belonged to the King of Spain 400 years ago.
• The sword was built in Toledo, Spain.
• Toledo is a city south of Madrid, known for its high quality steel artifacts.
• Mrs. Peacock finds swords rude, and weapons crude.
• Mrs. Peacock took fencing lessons growing up.
• ——-
• Boddy Mansion: a new CD recording of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.
• ——-
• Boddy Mansion: The Dangerous Diamond, over 300 carat.
• Mrs. Peacock believes Mrs. White is rude for talking about her weight.
• Colonel Mustard is part of a Dueling Club.

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Overall, good book.  New ideas, and we start to branch out into new and unique storylines.

Recommended.

On to Book #85: Clue #15: "The Vanishing Vampire" by A.E. Parker.