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

 

Clue #15: The Vanishing Vampire

A.E. Parker

 Released: January 1st, 1997

My 28th book for 2025 was A.E. Parker's “Clue #15: The Vanishing Vampire”.  

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 #15 is decent.

This was one of the later books I had read, so reading it again was almost like reading it again for the first time.  I was not as familiar with some of the stories.

The stories continue to get a little out there.  We see stories involving linguistics, a wonder puppy named Jeff, a game involving a solid gold peanut, a set of false teeth, a door painting competition, a food fight, a valuable pin, a stolen autograph, a mystery involving several uniquely designed vases and a painting that unleashes a vampire upon the mansion.

My favorite stories are: Door Prize, and The Vanishing Vampire

In Door Prize, Mr. Boddy offers a prize for the guest who can repaint the most doors in the mansion.

In The Vanishing Vampire, Mr. Boddy unveils a new painting of a coffin, that unleashes a haunting vampire once nightfall occurs.  This leads the guests on a spooky and murderous tale of terror around the mansion.

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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 - 12 (107 Overall):

1. (Himself) For various reasons.

2. (Professor Plum) For sitting in his seat.

3. (Everyone) For the conversation being ridiculous.

4. (Mr. Green) For calling him a nutcase.

5. (Mr. Boddy) For asking him to paint doors.

6. (Open Challenge) For anyone who gets in front of him in line.

7. (Everyone) For not letting him pass.

8. (Professor Plum) For parroting what he says.

9. (Mrs. White) For trying to steal Mrs. Peacock's brooch before him.

10. (Mr. Green) For using his newfound secret secret passageway.

11. (Professor Plum) For not picking a favorite vase.

12. (Professor Plum) For standing next to him.

Plum's Forgetfulness - 7 (133 Overall):

1. Forgot the seating arrangements.

2. Forgot why he attacked another guest.

3. Forgot what he was doing.

4. Forgot where the door was.

5. Forgot why he attacked someone with the Rope.

6. Forgot it was raining.

7. Forgot how to get through the secret passageway.

Peacock's Manners - 7 (150 Overall):

1. Feels it is rude to keep everyone waiting.

2. Felt rude to sneeze. 

3. Finds Mrs. White rude for calling her a nutbag.

4. Finds another guest rude for saying "Age before beauty" to her.

5. Flung gravy at Colonel Mustard for being rude.

6. Calls Miss Scarlet rude for asking how much her brooch is worth.

7. Finds the painting of a coffin in a graveyard to be dreadful and improper.

Boddy Mansion: Unique features on the grounds - 6 (84 Overall):

1. Jeff the Wonder Puppy, with dollar signs shaved into his scruffy fur.

2. Private zoo with an elephant cage.

3. A false teeth sculpture made by Georgia O'Teeth.

4. Bird cages with various fowl.

5. Autograph of Nohands Sebastian Bach.

6. A priceless collection of glass vases that once belonged to the King of the Republic of Twaddle.

Cover Counter:

Mr. Green: 8

Colonel Mustard: 9

Miss Scarlet: 6

Mrs. Peacock: 7

Professor Plum: 7

Mrs. White: 8

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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. Something to Talk About

2. A Dog's Tale

3. A Nutty Day

4. Ham It Up

5. Door Prize

6. Food Fight

7.  A Bird in the Hand

8. Autograph Hounds

9. Trading Cards

10. The Vanishing Vampire

Here is what I learned:

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• Mr. Green has used the alias’ “Mr. Money”, “Mr. Banks”, “Mr. Silver”, and “Mr. Gold” in the past.
• ——-
• Colonel Mustard has challenged himself to a duel several times.
• Mrs. Peacock enjoys talking to herself because the replies are never rude.
• Colonel Mustard challenges Plum to a duel for sitting in his seat.
• Professor Plum forgot the seating arrangements.
• Mrs. Peacock feels it is rude to keep everyone waiting.
• Colonel Mustard challenges everyone to a duel for the conversation being ridiculous.
• ——-
• Boddy Mansion: Jeff the Wonder Puppy.  He has dollar signs shaved into his scruffy fur.
• Jeff is a movie star animal.
• Jeff starred in “The Life of Labrador Dali”.
• Professor Plum forgot why he attacked another guest.
• ——-
• Mrs. Peacock felt rude to sneeze.
• Mrs. Peacock finds Mrs. White rude for calling her a nutbag.
• Colonel Mustard challenges Mr. Green to a duel for calling him a nutcase.
• Professor Plum forgot what he was doing.
• Boddy Mansion: Private zoo with an elephant cage.
• ——-
• Boddy Mansion: A false teeth sculpture made by Georgia O’Teeth.
• ——-
• Colonel Mustard challenges Mr. Boddy to a duel for asking him to paint doors.
• Professor Plum forgot where the door was.
• ——-
• Colonel Mustard challenges a duel to anyone who gets in front of him in line.
• Mrs. Peacock finds another guest rude for saying “Age before beauty” to her.
• Colonel Mustard challenges other guests to a duel for not letting him pass.
• Mrs. Peacock flung gravy at Colonel Mustard for being rude.
• ——-
• Mrs. Peacock calls Miss Scarlet rude for asking how much her brooch is worth.
• Colonel Mustard challenges Professor Plum to a duel for parroting what he says.
• Mrs. Peacock is reading “The Fowlest Manners of All”.
• Professor Plum forgot why he attacked someone with the rope.
• Colonel Mustard challenges Mrs. White to a duel for trying to steal Mrs. Peacock’s brooch before him.
• Boddy Mansion: Bird cages with various fowl.
• ——-
• Professor Plum forgot it was raining.
• There is a secret passageway between the Billiard Room and the Kitchen.
• There is a secret passageway between the Billiard Room and the Lounge.
• There is a secret passageway between the Lounge and the Ball Room.
• There is a secret passageway between the Ball Room and the Hall.
• Colonel Mustard considered challenging and. Green to a duel his newfound secret passageway.
• Boddy Mansion: autograph of Nohands Sebastian Bach.
• Professor Plum forgot how to get through the secret passageway.
• The secret passageways have trick mirrors.
• ——-
• Boddy Mansion: a priceless collection of glass vases that once belonged to the king of the Republic of Twaddle.
• Professor Plum has a glass jaw.
• Colonel Mustard challenges Professor Plum to a duel for not picking a favorite vase.
• ——-
• Mrs. Peacock finds the painting of a coffin in a graveyard to be dreadful and improper.
• Colonel Mustard challenged Professor Plum to a duel for standing next to him.
• Mr. Boddy’s personal picture hanger is Tooloose Lautrec.
• Lautrec’s partner is Vincent Van Glue, who fixes crooked paintings.
• Both men are from Alabama.
• Elephants get their tusks replaced for free at the Tusk-hee-hee Institute.
• Mr. Boddy’s cousin Bitsy Boddy likes to play pranks on the guests.

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Overall, pretty good read.  Some new takes and different ideas.  Not my favorite, but worth a read.

Recommended.

On to Book #86: Clue #16: "Danger After Dark" by A.E. Parker.