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The Name of the Game Was Murder
Novelist Augustus Trevor has written a manuscript that reveals the darkest secrets of his guests. Whoever can solve Trevor's clues can have his story removed from the book. But when Trevor is bludgeoned to death, the survivors (along with the reader) are challenged to find both the manuscript and the murderer.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 1993
28 people are currently reading
581 people want to read
About the author
Joan Lowery Nixon
187 books485 followersAuthor of more than one hundred books, Joan Lowery Nixon is the only writer to have won four Edgar Allan Poe Awards for Juvenile Mysteries (and been nominated several other times) from the Mystery Writers of America. Creating contemporary teenage characters who have both a personal problem and a mystery to solve, Nixon captured the attention of legions of teenage readers since the publication of her first YA novel more than twenty years ago. In addition to mystery/suspense novels, she wrote nonfiction and fiction for children and middle graders, as well as several short stories. Nixon was the first person to write novels for teens about the orphan trains of the nineteenth century. She followed those with historical novels about Ellis Island and, more recently for younger readers, Colonial Williamsburg. Joan Lowery Nixon died on June 28, 2003—a great loss for all of us.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
January 31, 2012
This was my very first mystery read. My middle school librarian recommended me to this author; starting with this book. I instantly became obsessed and have loved mysteries ever since.
April 17, 2021
Teenage aspiring writer Samantha is excited to spend two weeks with her aunt and her aunt's husband, famous novelist Augustus Trevor. However, her uncle has planned a different kind of party, one where famous people are forced to participate in a treasure hunt to prevent their secrets from being released in his tell-all manuscript. And then Trevor is killed...
For an older YA murder mystery, The Name of the Game is Murder holds up fairly well. Protagonist Samantha is smarter than most teenagers, though her immaturity gets her into trouble at times. The book has a nice Agatha Christie-like feel, with the semi-homage to And Then There Were None (similar settings and set-ups, but fewer murders than Christie's classic). It's a good, solid, novel.
For an older YA murder mystery, The Name of the Game is Murder holds up fairly well. Protagonist Samantha is smarter than most teenagers, though her immaturity gets her into trouble at times. The book has a nice Agatha Christie-like feel, with the semi-homage to And Then There Were None (similar settings and set-ups, but fewer murders than Christie's classic). It's a good, solid, novel.
March 2, 2010
What a silly, silly book! Epically ‘90s and cheesy. I read a zillion books like this when I was, like, twelve.
As a kid, I probably would have liked this in a non-ironic way, as opposed to the laughing way that I kind of enjoyed it now. We have an intrepid fifteen-year-old heroine who wants to be a writer and in the meantime can recognize the Shah of Iran in a photo and barely flinch at the murdered body of her great-uncle. What do these eclectic characteristics have in common? They all make Sam the perfect protagonist to solve this rather silly mystery.
It’s pretty funny how easily the characters narrow the suspects to the wrong set of people. (And they don’t even consider the possibility, however remote, that this could have been an outside job.) Even though one character jokes about the old “the butler did it” cliché, it doesn’t occur to anyone (except, um, the reader) that the help could have played a role in Mr. Trevor’s murder.
The emotional content of the book was very low. Not to say I expected Sam to mourn, but I didn’t feel a lot of fear there, either, really. Her most intensely-portrayed emotions are in the scene after she realizes where the manuscript is, when she’s trying to hide her excitement. I didn’t feel the tension was all that high, either - the one scene in which Sam seems actually in danger, with Mrs. Engstrom at the end, is resolved quickly and peacefully. In general, I wouldn’t say Sam acted like a person trapped in a house with a murderer.
Also, how weird is that whole ghost thing? Contributes to the whole stuck-in-a-creepy-castle-in-a-storm mood, very gothic, but kind of out there.
As a kid, I probably would have liked this in a non-ironic way, as opposed to the laughing way that I kind of enjoyed it now. We have an intrepid fifteen-year-old heroine who wants to be a writer and in the meantime can recognize the Shah of Iran in a photo and barely flinch at the murdered body of her great-uncle. What do these eclectic characteristics have in common? They all make Sam the perfect protagonist to solve this rather silly mystery.
It’s pretty funny how easily the characters narrow the suspects to the wrong set of people. (And they don’t even consider the possibility, however remote, that this could have been an outside job.) Even though one character jokes about the old “the butler did it” cliché, it doesn’t occur to anyone (except, um, the reader) that the help could have played a role in Mr. Trevor’s murder.
The emotional content of the book was very low. Not to say I expected Sam to mourn, but I didn’t feel a lot of fear there, either, really. Her most intensely-portrayed emotions are in the scene after she realizes where the manuscript is, when she’s trying to hide her excitement. I didn’t feel the tension was all that high, either - the one scene in which Sam seems actually in danger, with Mrs. Engstrom at the end, is resolved quickly and peacefully. In general, I wouldn’t say Sam acted like a person trapped in a house with a murderer.
Also, how weird is that whole ghost thing? Contributes to the whole stuck-in-a-creepy-castle-in-a-storm mood, very gothic, but kind of out there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2013
Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None" is one of my all-time favorite books, so when I was searching for novels that were similar, this one popped up and I was eager to give it a read. There are many, many things to like about this book, and very little about which I can quibble.
Sam made for a wonderful protagonist, in that she was super-bright and her observations about the other characters and situations in which she found herself were so wonderfully snarky that at times she felt almost like a precursor to Veronica Mars.
The clues provided for the characters to solve were interesting and clever, and the overall mystery, and each character-related mystery, were all well done and intriguing. While the former was not necessarily impossible to solve prior to the end of the book, it did succeed at keeping my interest and the resolution was complete and made sense.
The other characters were not exactly well-developed, but in this case, they didn't have to be: each one was there to fulfill an archetype, act suspiciously, and keep things rolling along, and all of them served their purpose.
So, this one's got a great main character, shifty secondary characters with skeletons in their closets, a well-plotted mystery, tricky clues, a murder, and maybe even a ghostly presence. While this was well-written and highly entertaining, it didn't rank all that highly on the suspense-meter for me, and at times, the pacing seemed a little on the slow side. However, this was a great, quick read, and I definitely recommend it.
Sam made for a wonderful protagonist, in that she was super-bright and her observations about the other characters and situations in which she found herself were so wonderfully snarky that at times she felt almost like a precursor to Veronica Mars.
The clues provided for the characters to solve were interesting and clever, and the overall mystery, and each character-related mystery, were all well done and intriguing. While the former was not necessarily impossible to solve prior to the end of the book, it did succeed at keeping my interest and the resolution was complete and made sense.
The other characters were not exactly well-developed, but in this case, they didn't have to be: each one was there to fulfill an archetype, act suspiciously, and keep things rolling along, and all of them served their purpose.
So, this one's got a great main character, shifty secondary characters with skeletons in their closets, a well-plotted mystery, tricky clues, a murder, and maybe even a ghostly presence. While this was well-written and highly entertaining, it didn't rank all that highly on the suspense-meter for me, and at times, the pacing seemed a little on the slow side. However, this was a great, quick read, and I definitely recommend it.
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March 19, 2015I know I read this in middle school, but remember next to nothing about it.
September 2, 2023
Okay - back to finishing up reading all of Joan Lowery Nixon's canon YA mysteries. (Because I'm close to the end on these.)
So - this particular book holds a special place in my heart. It was my favorite JLN and quite possibly the first one I bought (if it wasn't On The Other Side of Dark - which, who knows, maybe I bought them together). This is the one that I reread the most -- though upon reread, I had shockingly little memory of what it was about.
And I may have to argue this is the best one that I've read so far.
Interestingly, the thing about this book is that, other than our plucky heroine, there really aren't any of our normal JLN tropes here. No one is from Texas, no matriarch with overlaying Christian values, and no love interest. And while I can tell it's of the same ilk as the rest of Nixon's novels, it does stand out at being a smidge better writing than the rest of the novels.
I'm not sure, though, that it's necessarily good? Just better than what's come before it.
The story is one part Agatha Christie, one part Clue, and one part Westing Game (which -- I can see why I was initially drawn in by this one.) However -- all three of the above are much better in quality, and this almost feels generically mundane in comparison.
Sam comes to a secluded island off the coast of California in hopes that her famous uncle (through marriage) will give her writing tips. It's kind of hysterical that a fifteen year old thinks she can bounce in on a nastier GRR Martin and expect to be given the time of day, but this is also a book where Sam is the only one smart enough to even figure out what is going on.
Sam isn't so bad -- especially when compared to most of the other heroines of these books. She's still a bit altruistic at times, and I find it a little hard to believe that she's the smartest person in the room at all times. But there's nothing egregiously bad about her. I think she's a blank enough slate that the reader could probably put themselves in her shoes without too much trouble.
Her uncle, Augustus Trevor, is a complete asshole -- including to his wife Thea (Sam's aunt being her only friend and ally on the island) and is writing a manuscript that he's using to essentially blackmail famous people. He also put a scandalous story in about his own wife. I realize you're supposed to not be upset about this guy's death but honestly, he is a huge creep - and you have to wonder how and why Trevor and Thea were ever married in the first place.
The famous people are a collection of stereotypes usually found in these kinds of things. A fragile, aging movie star. A Danielle Steele type novelist. A fashion designer (whom I was worried would be gay coded - but even though he was the most vicious of the guests, was not at all painted as queer). An older football star. And a senator (whose politics some what remind me of today's politics.) They aren't all that interesting, tbh, and react to things in the exact manner you'd expect. But mostly they're idiots there because the story needs them to be.
The foundation for the mystery is intriguing enough, but maybe now that I'm older and have read so many more (better) mysteries, it feels stale and standard. The clues given you might be able to figure out if you're very clever - but feel like they're stretching. And I wish the backstories of everyone weren't info-dumped a few chapters from the end.
The ending was as abrupt as usual - and while the book mostly hints at who did it, I wish there had been just a little more to go on. And I wish there had a bit more closure.
Just wanted to make a final note about the atmosphere and setting of the book. Now that we're in the 90s, it doesn't have that same dated feeling as the earlier books did. But I have to add there's a hilarious sequence where everyone argues about how little they know and use computers.
Anyway -- I won't be surprised if I walk away with this being her best book. I think I may like A Deadly Game of Magic a little more due to the creepy atmosphere - but this is probably the best written. I suppose that's as close as a recommendation you're going to get for one of these books.
So - this particular book holds a special place in my heart. It was my favorite JLN and quite possibly the first one I bought (if it wasn't On The Other Side of Dark - which, who knows, maybe I bought them together). This is the one that I reread the most -- though upon reread, I had shockingly little memory of what it was about.
And I may have to argue this is the best one that I've read so far.
Interestingly, the thing about this book is that, other than our plucky heroine, there really aren't any of our normal JLN tropes here. No one is from Texas, no matriarch with overlaying Christian values, and no love interest. And while I can tell it's of the same ilk as the rest of Nixon's novels, it does stand out at being a smidge better writing than the rest of the novels.
I'm not sure, though, that it's necessarily good? Just better than what's come before it.
The story is one part Agatha Christie, one part Clue, and one part Westing Game (which -- I can see why I was initially drawn in by this one.) However -- all three of the above are much better in quality, and this almost feels generically mundane in comparison.
Sam comes to a secluded island off the coast of California in hopes that her famous uncle (through marriage) will give her writing tips. It's kind of hysterical that a fifteen year old thinks she can bounce in on a nastier GRR Martin and expect to be given the time of day, but this is also a book where Sam is the only one smart enough to even figure out what is going on.
Sam isn't so bad -- especially when compared to most of the other heroines of these books. She's still a bit altruistic at times, and I find it a little hard to believe that she's the smartest person in the room at all times. But there's nothing egregiously bad about her. I think she's a blank enough slate that the reader could probably put themselves in her shoes without too much trouble.
Her uncle, Augustus Trevor, is a complete asshole -- including to his wife Thea (Sam's aunt being her only friend and ally on the island) and is writing a manuscript that he's using to essentially blackmail famous people. He also put a scandalous story in about his own wife. I realize you're supposed to not be upset about this guy's death but honestly, he is a huge creep - and you have to wonder how and why Trevor and Thea were ever married in the first place.
The famous people are a collection of stereotypes usually found in these kinds of things. A fragile, aging movie star. A Danielle Steele type novelist. A fashion designer (whom I was worried would be gay coded - but even though he was the most vicious of the guests, was not at all painted as queer). An older football star. And a senator (whose politics some what remind me of today's politics.) They aren't all that interesting, tbh, and react to things in the exact manner you'd expect. But mostly they're idiots there because the story needs them to be.
The foundation for the mystery is intriguing enough, but maybe now that I'm older and have read so many more (better) mysteries, it feels stale and standard. The clues given you might be able to figure out if you're very clever - but feel like they're stretching. And I wish the backstories of everyone weren't info-dumped a few chapters from the end.
The ending was as abrupt as usual - and while the book mostly hints at who did it, I wish there had been just a little more to go on. And I wish there had a bit more closure.
Just wanted to make a final note about the atmosphere and setting of the book. Now that we're in the 90s, it doesn't have that same dated feeling as the earlier books did. But I have to add there's a hilarious sequence where everyone argues about how little they know and use computers.
Anyway -- I won't be surprised if I walk away with this being her best book. I think I may like A Deadly Game of Magic a little more due to the creepy atmosphere - but this is probably the best written. I suppose that's as close as a recommendation you're going to get for one of these books.
March 11, 2019
The book, The Name of The Game Was Murder by Joan Lowery Nixon is about a girl named Samantha who visits her aunt and uncle, she visits because her uncle is a famous writer and she hopes to become one one day. She ended up going to her aunt house at a very bad time. During her visit her uncle blackmails other guests and makes them solve clues in order to not be blackmailed, one of the guests then murders her uncle and Samantha has to solve the clues and a murder during her stay. The main characters were Samantha, aunt Clara and uncle Atticus and other guests. My favorite character was Samantha because she was super brave and the smartest character in the book.
I could relate so Samantha because I have been put into situations before that I didn’t want or didn’t mean to be put in. Her situation is much more extreme but I can relate to what she has to go through while staying at the house. I have figured out things that I didn’t have any business figuring out before, just like Samantha figures out the murder and the clues. The clues had nothing to do with her and so did the murder but she got nosey and helped out like I’ve done many times before.
I liked the book because it wasn’t boring at all and I felt like I was there with Samantha solving the mystery the entire book. It was a hard book to put down and there was always lots of cliffhangers that made me want to read more. My favorite part of the book was when Samantha figured out the clues and solved the mystery but didn’t tell anyone except her aunt. Everyone was freaking out because no one knew who the murder was and as the reader I knew because of the way the author told the story. My least favorite part of the book was the end because it was a really good book and it will he hard to find another good book like this one. The author told the story in a good perspective and didn’t drag on the story like some authors do. The author could have added better detail during the book because at times I was confused.
I would recommend this book because it was really good and isn’t a long book that will take up lots of your time. Someone who likes mystery or likes reading the littlest bit woukd like this book.
I could relate so Samantha because I have been put into situations before that I didn’t want or didn’t mean to be put in. Her situation is much more extreme but I can relate to what she has to go through while staying at the house. I have figured out things that I didn’t have any business figuring out before, just like Samantha figures out the murder and the clues. The clues had nothing to do with her and so did the murder but she got nosey and helped out like I’ve done many times before.
I liked the book because it wasn’t boring at all and I felt like I was there with Samantha solving the mystery the entire book. It was a hard book to put down and there was always lots of cliffhangers that made me want to read more. My favorite part of the book was when Samantha figured out the clues and solved the mystery but didn’t tell anyone except her aunt. Everyone was freaking out because no one knew who the murder was and as the reader I knew because of the way the author told the story. My least favorite part of the book was the end because it was a really good book and it will he hard to find another good book like this one. The author told the story in a good perspective and didn’t drag on the story like some authors do. The author could have added better detail during the book because at times I was confused.
I would recommend this book because it was really good and isn’t a long book that will take up lots of your time. Someone who likes mystery or likes reading the littlest bit woukd like this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2018
I first read this book as a young person, probably in junior high or high school, and while I think I did like it at the time, I remember preferring some of Joan Lowery Nixon's other works more, like the Mary Elizabeth books (The Dark and Deadly Pool and The Weekend Was Murder!; side note: those two are waiting in my queue to read...I'm hoping they stand the test of time better than this one did!).
The whole story is pretty ridiculous, i.e. 15-year-old Samantha basically invites herself to her great-aunt and -uncle's remote house simply because she's convinced her great-uncle--a famous novelist--will drop everything to read her writing samples and tell her whether she should pursue writing as a career. Her great-uncle blows up at her and tells her to get lost, but Samantha is not going to give up! He's her only hope when it comes to her writing career! *insert eye roll* On the one hand, I appreciate Samantha's naiveté as a young person who thinks she can do anything (i.e. convince her parents to let her spend two weeks with relatives who don't really know her that well), but reading this as an adult, the Samantha character is just so unlikely. The adults on the island would likely just brush her off as some annoying kid.
The whole story is pretty ridiculous, i.e. 15-year-old Samantha basically invites herself to her great-aunt and -uncle's remote house simply because she's convinced her great-uncle--a famous novelist--will drop everything to read her writing samples and tell her whether she should pursue writing as a career. Her great-uncle blows up at her and tells her to get lost, but Samantha is not going to give up! He's her only hope when it comes to her writing career! *insert eye roll* On the one hand, I appreciate Samantha's naiveté as a young person who thinks she can do anything (i.e. convince her parents to let her spend two weeks with relatives who don't really know her that well), but reading this as an adult, the Samantha character is just so unlikely. The adults on the island would likely just brush her off as some annoying kid.
September 15, 2021
I’ve given this book 3 stars. & it’s not for effort.
This book came alive in May 1993. Two other works of extreme similarities were released as follows:
“Clue” (the movie) released in December 1985
“Murder by Death” (the movie) released in June 1976
See where I’m going with this?
This is not original work even though I cannot say the “P” word. The difference here is that the protagonist is a 15 year old girl. & so, that might reflect the audience for whom this author was writing & not for old fogies with nothing better to do than to read books intended for young adult readers.
So I’ll say, for the movie version of this book, view either of the two above mentioned. They offer better entertainment with lots more laughter & mayhem.
The main reason I finished it is bc I wondered if the murderer/ butler acted alone or perhaps with help from a guest. Whoa, that’d be cool. It wasn’t the butler though. But it was the “butler-ess” ( is there such a title?)
No big reveal here. It was one or the other or both.
This book came alive in May 1993. Two other works of extreme similarities were released as follows:
“Clue” (the movie) released in December 1985
“Murder by Death” (the movie) released in June 1976
See where I’m going with this?
This is not original work even though I cannot say the “P” word. The difference here is that the protagonist is a 15 year old girl. & so, that might reflect the audience for whom this author was writing & not for old fogies with nothing better to do than to read books intended for young adult readers.
So I’ll say, for the movie version of this book, view either of the two above mentioned. They offer better entertainment with lots more laughter & mayhem.
The main reason I finished it is bc I wondered if the murderer/ butler acted alone or perhaps with help from a guest. Whoa, that’d be cool. It wasn’t the butler though. But it was the “butler-ess” ( is there such a title?)
No big reveal here. It was one or the other or both.
February 7, 2018
I enjoy this tale, Samantha had set her heart on bring a writer and what better way to make sure you are on the right path than getting some feedback from an actual writer and better still if that writer is a family member.
But when Sam meets the famous writer who is related to get by marriage she realizes that not all writers are nice S he turns out yo be a mean sourpuss who is also blackmailing the friends he invited for the weekend into play a game which turned deadly for him.
Sam is smart and very adept at solving the mystery that Augustus had set up for his guest but can she also solve the quest of who killed Augustus.
But when Sam meets the famous writer who is related to get by marriage she realizes that not all writers are nice S he turns out yo be a mean sourpuss who is also blackmailing the friends he invited for the weekend into play a game which turned deadly for him.
Sam is smart and very adept at solving the mystery that Augustus had set up for his guest but can she also solve the quest of who killed Augustus.
May 3, 2023
I started reading this novel 20 years ago in middle school when I checked it out of the library but for some reason only read the first few chapters and never finished it although I liked what I had read. In high school I read 2 other novels of hers and enjoyed them both. Every so often I remembered this book and wanted to go back and finish it so I finally did. And I very much enjoyed it. It’s a very simple mystery and it wasn’t too surprising but it was an enjoyable story. It’s aimed at a younger audience. It worked at developing my love for the mystery genre. Very glad I came back to this one.
November 24, 2022
A young adult mystery that takes place in a huge mansion on an island cut off from the mainland by a storm. Pick your favorite cliche and hold on tight. Hahahaha. Yes, this was a fun mystery with lots of suspects, who all had reasons to kill the victim and all had plenty of secrets to hide. No, this isn't the best mystery to read, if you have read lots of mysteries. One big part of the mystery was telegraphed early on and readers of mysteries will roll their eyes over many of the cliches. Still, fun and breezy and may best be enjoyed by tween or young teens looking for a mystery.
February 21, 2021
Overall a good mystery. It has a good start, and the mystery and clues were intriguing. Well-written and good writing style keeps the reader immersed in the story. The main character flaws were due to her immaturity and fit the age group, some growth through the story, though limited; still reasonable for the age group. Unfortunately, the ending was a bit of a let-down after the rest of the story.
May 2, 2024
I loved this book, it was super easy to read and a quick read. The first person pov comments made me cringe a little but i loved the plot and what the author choose to do with the story and the ending, ofc it makes sense now DUH it was great! other part i didn’t love was how the majority of the characters were all introduced at once so it was super hard to differentiate them later in the book, but it didn’t matter too much. would recommend!
April 16, 2025
This was a fun read. It was like Agatha Christy but YA.
I had two issues that kept it from getting that other star from me. There was no clarity about the age of the MC. Unless I missed it, her age was not stated in the beginning. Sometimes she seemed to be 14 or 15, other times closer to 12. The second was where the manuscript was hiding and who was guilty. Being YA, maybe that's why it was easier.
All in all, it was a great Christy inspired who done it. Highly recommend.
I had two issues that kept it from getting that other star from me. There was no clarity about the age of the MC. Unless I missed it, her age was not stated in the beginning. Sometimes she seemed to be 14 or 15, other times closer to 12. The second was where the manuscript was hiding and who was guilty. Being YA, maybe that's why it was easier.
All in all, it was a great Christy inspired who done it. Highly recommend.
June 29, 2025
I love this book! It’s been middle school since I’ve read it, so I might be over rating it by a star for nostalgia reasons. It was the first JLN book I ever read and it lead me down a fervent reading path. I had to read all her mysteries and ended up buying most of them. I recently found them in my parents’ garage 😄
May 22, 2017
My students loved this mystery!!
Lowery is such a great writer that you find yourself engulfed in her mysterious plot! There enough twists and turns to keep you guessing till the end.
Lowery is such a great writer that you find yourself engulfed in her mysterious plot! There enough twists and turns to keep you guessing till the end.
July 7, 2021
Again....cheesy. But I enjoyed it still, with the interesting though over the top characters, the tiny bits of supernatural introduced, and the red herrings.
some of the events within were noooot believable but hey.....still an entertaining time.
some of the events within were noooot believable but hey.....still an entertaining time.
November 26, 2022
Read with my sixth grade boys. I was able to solve all the mysteries.
January 29, 2023
Another great story from Joan Lowery Nixon. I did guess some of the backstories of the characters, but it was still a good read.
August 16, 2025
This book kept my attention and kept me on the edge of my seat. Very quick read. The ending was a bit disappointing though.
March 6, 2017
Samantha is a teenage girl and when she grows up she wants to be a writer. One of her favorite authors is married to her aunt so she decides to go visit them for 2 weeks. When she arrives she realizes Augustus Trevor (the author) isn't as nice as he seems. He has this party planned and there is going to be a game. The first clue was really personal so in the middle of the night somebody kills him. Can Samantha find out the murder?
I really enjoyed this book. I like how when he died I was already trying to put together some clues and figure out who did it. After I read some more my thoughts on who the person was changed. When they are looking for the manuscript to discover the murderer I jumped to a conclusion on where it was hidden. When Samantha finds the second set of clues and reads them I start putting together where he was talking about. I just enjoyed all of the mystery in this book.
I really enjoyed this book. I like how when he died I was already trying to put together some clues and figure out who did it. After I read some more my thoughts on who the person was changed. When they are looking for the manuscript to discover the murderer I jumped to a conclusion on where it was hidden. When Samantha finds the second set of clues and reads them I start putting together where he was talking about. I just enjoyed all of the mystery in this book.
September 22, 2008
“The Name of the Game was Murder” is a mystery novel that would be suitable for sixth graders and older to read. The stories main character, Samantha, is visiting her great aunt and uncle at their mansion on an isolated island. Samantha’s great uncle, Augustus Trevor, is a famous writer who she hopes can give her hints on her own stories. However, Augustus is angered when she meets Samantha because he has planned to have other guests at his mansion that weekend. Augustus has planned a “game” involving his guests, where they must solve a series of clues to find the manuscript of his story. The guests are motivated to find the manuscript because in the story is some secret that each guest has tried to keep hidden. Augustus even has his wife, Thea, play his awful game because she has a hidden secret as well. The night following the first clue, Augustus Trevor, is murdered in his office. A dangerous storm has moved in and knocked the telephone lines out so when the murder is discovered, Thea is unable to call the police. All of the guests decide to use this time to their advantage and try to find the manuscript before the police arrive and they are all questioned as suspects. All of the guests enlist Samantha’s help to figure out their own clues, but Samantha has a different motive. She is determined to find the manuscript so she can read it and figure out which guest has the greatest reason to want Augustus Trevor dead. Samantha eventually finds the manuscript and reads it. Several of the guests are accused of committing murder while other stories could ruin their careers. As the storm passes and the police are on their way, Samantha and her aunt figure out who killed Augustus Trevor. I found this book a little confusing because it had so many characters in it and they were hard to keep straight.
Activities:
1. I would have each student choose an event in the story and write a newspaper article over it. This would be a good idea because there were several main events in the story such as the murder of Augustus Trevor, the storm, or about the search for the manuscript. Then I would have the students each put their article into the newspaper format. This would be an after reading activity once the entire novel is read.
2. I would have each student choose a character from the book and look through magazines to find pictures that represent their personality or their career. Students could work on this as they are reading the novel. Students should also be encouraged to find pictures that represent each of the character’s “secret” if the character that the student chooses is involved in Mr. Trevor’s “game.”
Activities:
1. I would have each student choose an event in the story and write a newspaper article over it. This would be a good idea because there were several main events in the story such as the murder of Augustus Trevor, the storm, or about the search for the manuscript. Then I would have the students each put their article into the newspaper format. This would be an after reading activity once the entire novel is read.
2. I would have each student choose a character from the book and look through magazines to find pictures that represent their personality or their career. Students could work on this as they are reading the novel. Students should also be encouraged to find pictures that represent each of the character’s “secret” if the character that the student chooses is involved in Mr. Trevor’s “game.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2013
Samantha finally gets to visit Aunt Thea and her famous husband, Augustus Trevor who is a writer. She looks forward to getting his opinion on her writing. She then finds out that she's now trapped in a game that Trevor sets up; he knows a deep secret about the celebrities that he has invited and if they don't solve the game, then the book he wrote about the secrets will be published. Abruptly, Trevor was murdered and now Samantha, Aunt Thea, and the celebrities are stuck here playing the game and knowing that there is a murderer in the household. Throughout this book, many things have surprised me. For instance, one would be willing to do anything to get something they want.
One example of this would be when Augustus was murdered and the tension is now building up. On page 96, Lucy states, “We all know that you’re the one who’s got the special clue that gives you more information than the rest of them put together. If somebody else is going to be killed, it’s very likely to be you!” This exemplifies how one would even threaten a child about something serious like murder. People in this book may get so desperate to find the manuscript (where the secrets are held) that they would be willing to scare a little kid!
In addition, Alex, the famous designer, is keeping guard of Samantha because he thinks she knows the location of the manuscript. According to page 147, it quotes, “Before I could do more than gasp, an arm warped itself around my shoulders, and a hand pressed against my mouth. I tried to yell, but Alex said ‘Be quiet, Sam’” This illustrates how one may want something so badly in this book that they would even stay outside a person’s door and sleep in the cold just make sure that person doesn’t get out of their room to do something sly. I think it is pathetic that Alex is trying to keep a child in hostage. One may be suspicious of an adult, but Samantha is just a girl who is trying to help. All in all, it intrigues yet surprised me that in the book, one may do anything just to succeed in their goal.
One example of this would be when Augustus was murdered and the tension is now building up. On page 96, Lucy states, “We all know that you’re the one who’s got the special clue that gives you more information than the rest of them put together. If somebody else is going to be killed, it’s very likely to be you!” This exemplifies how one would even threaten a child about something serious like murder. People in this book may get so desperate to find the manuscript (where the secrets are held) that they would be willing to scare a little kid!
In addition, Alex, the famous designer, is keeping guard of Samantha because he thinks she knows the location of the manuscript. According to page 147, it quotes, “Before I could do more than gasp, an arm warped itself around my shoulders, and a hand pressed against my mouth. I tried to yell, but Alex said ‘Be quiet, Sam’” This illustrates how one may want something so badly in this book that they would even stay outside a person’s door and sleep in the cold just make sure that person doesn’t get out of their room to do something sly. I think it is pathetic that Alex is trying to keep a child in hostage. One may be suspicious of an adult, but Samantha is just a girl who is trying to help. All in all, it intrigues yet surprised me that in the book, one may do anything just to succeed in their goal.
August 25, 2012
Title: The Name of the Game Was Murder
Author: Joan Lowery Nixon
Series: N/A
Rating: ★★★★
Summary: Novelist Augustus Trevor has written a manuscript that reveals the darkest secrets of his guests. Whoever can solve Trevor's clues can have his story removed from the book. But when Trevor is bludgeoned to death, the survivors (along with the reader) are challenged to find both the manuscript and the murderer.
Review: Nixon writes mystery like I've never seen. I've always been a bit cautious around mystery fiction books because I've never found any that really interest me. When my 5th grade Language Arts teacher introduced me to Nixon, I was hooked on my very first one, Whispers from the Dead, which is still my favorite. And like any addiction, once I started I couldn't stop. <3
Things I Loved: The whole concept seems really original and I haven't read anything like it. There's even a surprise twist at the end which is sure to catch you off guard. It did with me. :)
Things I Hated: N/A
Author: Joan Lowery Nixon
Series: N/A
Rating: ★★★★
Summary: Novelist Augustus Trevor has written a manuscript that reveals the darkest secrets of his guests. Whoever can solve Trevor's clues can have his story removed from the book. But when Trevor is bludgeoned to death, the survivors (along with the reader) are challenged to find both the manuscript and the murderer.
Review: Nixon writes mystery like I've never seen. I've always been a bit cautious around mystery fiction books because I've never found any that really interest me. When my 5th grade Language Arts teacher introduced me to Nixon, I was hooked on my very first one, Whispers from the Dead, which is still my favorite. And like any addiction, once I started I couldn't stop. <3
Things I Loved: The whole concept seems really original and I haven't read anything like it. There's even a surprise twist at the end which is sure to catch you off guard. It did with me. :)
Things I Hated: N/A
December 11, 2015
Samantha, a teenage aspiring writer travels to Saint Catalina Island to stay with her great- aunt Tia and uncle Augustus Trevor, who so happens to be a famous writer. When Samantha arrives to the isolated island she finds it dark and dated, there wasn’t even a television! While confronting Augustus about her writings she’s notified of a party being held, Augustus requests Sam to stay quiet and out of the way. At the Party there were many famous celebrities including senators, writers, etc. Behind the scenes Augustus has an anterior motive; he has written a book containing all the secrets of the guests. He forces them to partake in a game, whoever wins gets there secret out of the book. Later that night, Augustus is found murdered in his chambers. Instead of searching for the murderer however, the guests scramble to find the missing manuscripts. Samantha helps the guest’s searches for the manuscript and is mortified by her stay with her extended family, the ending was uneventful and dull. I would recommend this book for 7th- 8th graders due to the mature content within the book.
November 29, 2009
Unlike the other Joan Lowery Nixon book I read, The Other Side of Dark, the Name of the Game was Murder was an excellent read. It was interesting, fast-paced, and was enjoyable to read. If you were to chose from those 2 books, read The Name of the Game was Murder. Samantha wants to be a big-time author, just like her uncle who is extremely famous for his books. When she goes to visit her aunt and uncle, Sam finds that her uncle is not as he seems. Her cruel, cold-hearted uncle has set up a "game" for 6 famous celebrites who have 6 dark secrets that Sam's uncle will be willing to publish. If the stars can figure out the clues of the game, that person's secret will stay secret and a special treasure will be their's for the keeping. But when Sam's uncle is murdered, it is up to Sam to find his murderer and play the game her uncle set up before it's too late.
March 6, 2012
I think the part where Samantha's Grand father had gotten secrets from celebrities wasn't really good. It should have more been a shocking thing. The part where they had to find all the clues wasn't really good. I thought that the clues were even more harder. I found out where the manuscript was hidden after reading all the clues and not even a single clue of Samantha's clues. I think the part where they had to find the truth was fantastic. Samantha tricked the celebrities which does not really happen in the real world. Celebrities are known as smart people but in the book they were known as the dumb ones. Samantha could have been more characteristic because I thought they should have added the personality as She would never give up on anything. That could have made her a more strong character who would lead the book.But overall, I enjoyed it.
April 20, 2011
I'm trying to make an attempt to add everything? (eek!) I have ever read onto Goodreads. This will be an interesting exercise, to say the least. I picked this book since I have read it so many times and I can see it from my bed.
Nixon always does an excellent job of drawing in the reader, making her feel for the protagonist. I can't really remember if I solved the mystery when I first read the book, but it is an interesting little puzzle. And the murderer is unexpected as well. Some of the story is a bit dated now, since some of the characters claim to not be familiar with computers, and today that would be near impossible. However, there is something about this little mystery that makes me smile when I read it.
Nixon always does an excellent job of drawing in the reader, making her feel for the protagonist. I can't really remember if I solved the mystery when I first read the book, but it is an interesting little puzzle. And the murderer is unexpected as well. Some of the story is a bit dated now, since some of the characters claim to not be familiar with computers, and today that would be near impossible. However, there is something about this little mystery that makes me smile when I read it.
June 1, 2008
*I read this to see if I want to use it in my freshman classes.*
Here's a possibility for mystery-themed differentiated literature circles. I'd use this for the above-average readers.
The fact that the main character is a teenager would be engaging for high school-aged readers. She solves it, too, which would appeal to them.
There's a lot of opportunity for extended learning activities. I'd probably bring in some cryptograms, and perhaps try to encourage the students to create some sort of mystery for their classmates to solve. Potential for using map skills and writing letters to authors/celebrities. Could also use newspaper articles for expository supplementary materials.
Here's a possibility for mystery-themed differentiated literature circles. I'd use this for the above-average readers.
The fact that the main character is a teenager would be engaging for high school-aged readers. She solves it, too, which would appeal to them.
There's a lot of opportunity for extended learning activities. I'd probably bring in some cryptograms, and perhaps try to encourage the students to create some sort of mystery for their classmates to solve. Potential for using map skills and writing letters to authors/celebrities. Could also use newspaper articles for expository supplementary materials.
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