In the Hall with the Knife
Hardcover | Kindle
A Clue Mystery: Book 1
Written by Diana Peterfreund
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Release date: October 8, 2019

A storm is raging both outside and in Maine’s elite Blackbrook Academy. The outside storm is threatening to cut off the island-bound Academy from the mainland stranding what few students were not already evacuated. The one inside is much worse. Among the remaining nine students and one staff member could be a cold-blooded murderer, one who just killed Headmaster Boddy… with a knife… in the hall…

Sound a lot like the classic game of Clue? That’s because it is. In the Hall with the Knife is the start of a brand new book series for young adults based on the board game. We have a lot of the classic characters here — although their titles may be different because they’re boarding school aged and not the adults to which we’re accustomed — such as Peacock, Green, Mustard, Plum, Scarlet, White, and Boddy (the original victim). But for those of us still playing our old childhood copies of the board game who may not be accustomed to recent developments, what you must realize is that Mrs. White is no longer a playable character in the game. She was retired in 2016 and replaced with Dr. Orchid McKee. While Mrs. White is still in this book, she’s a background character playing the role of house mom in Tudor House where a vast majority of this story is set. Orchid is part of the book as well as a student who, like all the rest, has motive.

The Reckoning
A Dark Storm series, Book 3
Paperback | Kindle
By Kris Greene
St. Martin’s Griffin
Release Date: November 12, 2019

I have not read the previous two books in this series. There, I got that out before I start reviewing The Reckoning. Also, I am quite aware that this is the third and final book in the Dark Storm series from Kris Greene. So what I have to say is based around all of these facts and my own personal opinion. Keep reading, if you dare.

A Midnight Clear
Paperback | Kindle
By Sam Hooker, Alcy Leyva, Laura Morrison, Cassondra Windwalker, Dalena Storm, Seven Jane
Publisher: Black Spot Books, an imprint of Vesuvian Media Group
Release Date: November 5, 2019

‘Tis the season, folks. This is the first holiday book I am reviewing for this year and I am quite sure it will not be my last. A Midnight Clear is a small anthology from Black Spot Books that focuses on less-than-cheery yuletide tales that will not necessarily horrify you, but they are certainly not going to wish you a Merry Christmas, either. But, and I say this without reservation, between the six short stories, it will entertain the crap out of you.

Rage
Rogue Team International Series #1
Paperback | Kindle | Audiobook
By Jonathan Maberry
St. Martin’s Griffin
Release Date: November 5, 2019

A couple of years ago, I reviewed an anthology about a covert operative named Joe Ledger. This particular collection of short stories, called Joe Ledger: Unstoppable, was written by a variety of authors but edited by the character’s creator, Jonathan Maberry. I loved the supernatural twists within that book but I was aware, even then, that these were unusual for this protagonist who is more tactical and paramilitary oriented. Having said that, when I was given an opportunity to read and review this newest release, Rage, I leapt at the chance. Joe Ledger has that effect on readers.

Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood: A Visual History
Hardcover | Kindle Edition
Written by Tim Lybarger, Melissa Wagner, Jenna McGuiggan
Forward by Tom Hanks
Publisher: Clarkson Potter
Publication Date: October 29, 2019

A book on the beloved public television children’s program Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood has just been released, and without question, it is as magical, charming, warm, and sincere as the pioneering man and the program itself.

Entitled Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood: A Visual History, it’s indeed just that, an absolute cornucopia of photos (many rare and never released publicly), original show notes, recaps of great and important moments on the show, and loving interviews from many of the key cast, crew, and special guests involved with the program, which ran for over four decades and spawned almost a thousand episodes.