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Clue Mystery #3
In the Ballroom with the Candlestick
The dramatic and deadly conclusion to the thrilling YA mystery series inspired by the classic board game, CLUE!
After a tragic accident that forever changed the lives of the Murder Crew—killing one of their own—the students at Blackbrook Academy are just trying to get by. As relationships evolve, strain, and break, Orchid, Green, Scarlett, Mustard, Plum, and Peacock find themselves lost. When the dark secret at the heart of Blackbrook forces its way into their lives, and another suspicious death drives the school into chaos, differences will have to be put aside if anyone expects to survive until the most dramatic prom of all time.
After a tragic accident that forever changed the lives of the Murder Crew—killing one of their own—the students at Blackbrook Academy are just trying to get by. As relationships evolve, strain, and break, Orchid, Green, Scarlett, Mustard, Plum, and Peacock find themselves lost. When the dark secret at the heart of Blackbrook forces its way into their lives, and another suspicious death drives the school into chaos, differences will have to be put aside if anyone expects to survive until the most dramatic prom of all time.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 2, 2021
50 people are currently reading
1411 people want to read
About the author
Diana Peterfreund
54 books2,052 followersDiana Peterfreund has been a costume designer, a cover model, and a food critic. Her travels have taken her from the cloud forests of Costa Rica to the underground caverns of New Zealand (and as far as she’s concerned, she’s just getting started). Diana graduated from Yale University in 2001 with dual degrees in Literature and Geology, which her family claimed would only come in handy if she wrote books about rocks. Now, this Florida girl lives with her husband and their puppy in Washington D.C., and writes books that rock
Her first novel, Secret Society Girl (2006), was described as “witty and endearing” by The New York Observer and was placed on the New York Public LIbrary’s 2007 Books for the Teen Age list. The follow-up, Under the Rose (2007) was deemed “impossible to put down” by Publisher’s Weekly, and Booklist called the third book, Rites of Spring (Break) (2008), “an ideal summer read.” The final book in the series, Tap & Gown, will be released in 2009. All titles are available from Bantam Dell.
She also contributed to the non-fiction anthologies, Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume, edited by Jennifer O’Connell (Pocket Books, 2007), The World of the Golden Compass, edited by Scott Westerfeld (BenBella Books, 2007), and Through the Wardrobe, edited by Herbie Brennan (BenBella Books, 2008).
Her first young adult novel, Rampant, an adventure fantasy about killer unicorns and the virgin descendents of Alexander the Great who hunt them, will be released by Harper Collins in 2009. When she’s not writing, Diana volunteers at the National Zoo, adds movies she has no intention of watching to her Netflix queue, and plays with her puppy, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever named Rio.
Her first novel, Secret Society Girl (2006), was described as “witty and endearing” by The New York Observer and was placed on the New York Public LIbrary’s 2007 Books for the Teen Age list. The follow-up, Under the Rose (2007) was deemed “impossible to put down” by Publisher’s Weekly, and Booklist called the third book, Rites of Spring (Break) (2008), “an ideal summer read.” The final book in the series, Tap & Gown, will be released in 2009. All titles are available from Bantam Dell.
She also contributed to the non-fiction anthologies, Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume, edited by Jennifer O’Connell (Pocket Books, 2007), The World of the Golden Compass, edited by Scott Westerfeld (BenBella Books, 2007), and Through the Wardrobe, edited by Herbie Brennan (BenBella Books, 2008).
Her first young adult novel, Rampant, an adventure fantasy about killer unicorns and the virgin descendents of Alexander the Great who hunt them, will be released by Harper Collins in 2009. When she’s not writing, Diana volunteers at the National Zoo, adds movies she has no intention of watching to her Netflix queue, and plays with her puppy, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever named Rio.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
November 28, 2022
While this did feel like the weakest of the three books, I found the playful take on the Clue movie at the end very fun and a worthy ending to the series.
February 11, 2022
I loved this trilogy with all the movie references and fun storylines. Well, not so fun for the students, I guess. If you love the movie and YA mysteries, this series is for you!
December 27, 2021
Well, I read this in one day so it’s obviously easy to be sucked into. Unfortunately it was probably the weakest in the series for multiple reasons, but the echoing of the multiple movie endings really pulled it down. On screen it works because you watch all the little differences, on the page it gets boring to read very similar prose in quick succession.
The flash forward didn’t really work for me either, partially because it was mostly focused on only two members of the group who were honestly the least interesting to me and partially because . I will be disregarding the latter and just assuming Orchid got things wrong.
All that said, this was a fun series to end the year with.
The flash forward didn’t really work for me either, partially because it was mostly focused on only two members of the group who were honestly the least interesting to me and partially because . I will be disregarding the latter and just assuming Orchid got things wrong.
All that said, this was a fun series to end the year with.
November 25, 2021
Kinda anticlimactic for me, though it doesn't help that REALLY this is a series where you should probably read the books back to back (or just have a better memory than I do) and I read them with a year in between each installment.
December 13, 2021
Could not put down! I read nearly this entire book in one sitting. I just HAD to find out how it turned out!
One very small part at the end (literally one throw away line) that I found disappointing, but otherwise, such a fun conclusion to the series. I do feel like there were a few questions left unanswered, but for the most part everything wrapped up really well. And such a great unique-to-clue way to end the mystery!! I don't want to spoil anything so it's all very vague.
One very small part at the end (literally one throw away line) that I found disappointing, but otherwise, such a fun conclusion to the series. I do feel like there were a few questions left unanswered, but for the most part everything wrapped up really well. And such a great unique-to-clue way to end the mystery!! I don't want to spoil anything so it's all very vague.
December 28, 2021
2.5 stars
I am rounding up because this was still super compelling, even if I wasn't enjoying it all that much. I remembered almost all the details from book 1, but had somehow forgotten nearly everything from book 2.
I don't choose how my brain works.
And I don't think the author did a particularly good job of recapping past events, as I was confused for the better half of the book. I didn't remember Orchid being quite so ... annoying and obnoxious, and of course everyone saw the very final reveal coming all along. If that had not been the case, I would've eaten my shoe.
The alternate endings were ... also there. They frustrated me because who thought that was a good idea? It just did not make any sense to throw that in there.
This was a trilogy I liked, but the lukewarm final installment is dragging my overall enjoyment down a bit. Think I'll stick to the board game from now on.
I am rounding up because this was still super compelling, even if I wasn't enjoying it all that much. I remembered almost all the details from book 1, but had somehow forgotten nearly everything from book 2.
I don't choose how my brain works.
And I don't think the author did a particularly good job of recapping past events, as I was confused for the better half of the book. I didn't remember Orchid being quite so ... annoying and obnoxious, and of course everyone saw the very final reveal coming all along. If that had not been the case, I would've eaten my shoe.
The alternate endings were ... also there. They frustrated me because who thought that was a good idea? It just did not make any sense to throw that in there.
This was a trilogy I liked, but the lukewarm final installment is dragging my overall enjoyment down a bit. Think I'll stick to the board game from now on.
January 5, 2023
What in the actual-
I was not expecting that
And I’m lowkey glad for the multiple endings, reminds me of the actual game :)
I was not expecting that
And I’m lowkey glad for the multiple endings, reminds me of the actual game :)
November 2, 2021
A celebration of the Clue franchise with welcome lore and great character arcs!
In the Ballroom with the Candlestick is the final book (supposedly though hoping to see more of these characters) in the Clue Mystery trilogy. We pick up shortly after the events of In the Study with the Wrench with the Murder Crew at a now depleted Blackbrook Academy.
By having a series of murders from the previous books drive most of the students away, you have a believable "isolated closed circle mystery" involving a small group of individuals composing of victims and suspects. The book does a good job of building on characters we have met briefly before (Mustard's roommate, Tanner) and involving them into the overall mystery surrounding a former inventor student of Blackbrook and the history of exploiting the work of the students. Peterfreund's weaving through perspectives pays off big time at the end and most of the characters get satisfying conclusions to their arcs.
The favorites here are Finn Plum, Mustard and Scarlett and I wish we had more time with those characters. I cared less about Orchid and Greene but they are the main characters and one is tied to the overarching mystery. Beth Peacock is the one who ends up getting short changed and has the briefest POV time.
Overall a great end to the trilogy but wouldn't mind seeing Murder Crew, college edition with Peterfreund at the helm.
In the Ballroom with the Candlestick is the final book (supposedly though hoping to see more of these characters) in the Clue Mystery trilogy. We pick up shortly after the events of In the Study with the Wrench with the Murder Crew at a now depleted Blackbrook Academy.
By having a series of murders from the previous books drive most of the students away, you have a believable "isolated closed circle mystery" involving a small group of individuals composing of victims and suspects. The book does a good job of building on characters we have met briefly before (Mustard's roommate, Tanner) and involving them into the overall mystery surrounding a former inventor student of Blackbrook and the history of exploiting the work of the students. Peterfreund's weaving through perspectives pays off big time at the end and most of the characters get satisfying conclusions to their arcs.
The favorites here are Finn Plum, Mustard and Scarlett and I wish we had more time with those characters. I cared less about Orchid and Greene but they are the main characters and one is tied to the overarching mystery. Beth Peacock is the one who ends up getting short changed and has the briefest POV time.
Overall a great end to the trilogy but wouldn't mind seeing Murder Crew, college edition with Peterfreund at the helm.
November 23, 2021
This was my least favorite of the series. I am giving it 3 stars because of all the nods to the movie. The entire series was fun and nostalgic & overall I give the whole thing 3 stars.
October 24, 2023
This series got steadily more "YA angst" as it went along, and there was just too much about FEELINGS and "coming out" blah blah blah and not enough mystery for me. I'm here to find out how the mystery ends, not listen to characters go on about each other's beautiful eyes or whatever. A fun concept, but it just didn't quite come together for me.
November 27, 2021
The author requests that nothing is given away at the beggining of the book and I'm happy to comply as there was not a single thing I liked about this. I enjoyed book 1 and thought book 2 was on the meh side, but this... this was such a craptacular mess... I'm glad I read Secret Society Girl before this series because otherwise I would never have touched another Diana Peterfreund book in my life 🤦🏻♀️
January 1, 2024
Now was legitimately the wildest book I have ever read. What a crazy ending
I'm still a little confused....
But it was good
I'm still a little confused....
But it was good
November 7, 2021
4.5 stars.
Book 3 of the Clue series! This trilogy was a really fun read. The Murder Crew is back at it, and it’s prom time. Who did it? No spoilers here!!!
Props to the author for paying homage to the movie at the end of the book!
#MurderCrewForever
Book 3 of the Clue series! This trilogy was a really fun read. The Murder Crew is back at it, and it’s prom time. Who did it? No spoilers here!!!
Props to the author for paying homage to the movie at the end of the book!
#MurderCrewForever
February 12, 2022
I’m not sure what to say about this except that I thought it was a good ending. I also really liked (and disliked in a good way) the way that the book follows the movie.
The pacing was pretty good, but I found it a bit slow at times. I did predict a few things, but the author had me jumping around on so many different theories. It was an enjoyable mystery.
The pacing was pretty good, but I found it a bit slow at times. I did predict a few things, but the author had me jumping around on so many different theories. It was an enjoyable mystery.
August 14, 2022
This was such a bittersweet read because I love these Clue books (and Peterfreund's books in general) so much that I simultaneously was excited to have the final book in my hands and sad that it had to come to an end.
Peterfreund did not disappoint. I flew through this book and could not put it down during the times I read it (I may have come back from my work breaks later than I should have because of it). Finding the little Easter eggs from the Clue film always put a smile on my face and being with these great characters is a good time. I particularly enjoyed the Plum and Mustard chapters if you know what I mean.
And of course the biggest Clue movie connection is in the end where Peterfreund gives us three different endings. I may have squealed in excitement when I got to that section. It was so perfect and I absolutely adored this trilogy. Even if she doesn't write more books with these characters, I would love to read more mysteries from her because these books were written so well and were fantastic mysteries.
Peterfreund did not disappoint. I flew through this book and could not put it down during the times I read it (I may have come back from my work breaks later than I should have because of it). Finding the little Easter eggs from the Clue film always put a smile on my face and being with these great characters is a good time. I particularly enjoyed the Plum and Mustard chapters if you know what I mean.
And of course the biggest Clue movie connection is in the end where Peterfreund gives us three different endings. I may have squealed in excitement when I got to that section. It was so perfect and I absolutely adored this trilogy. Even if she doesn't write more books with these characters, I would love to read more mysteries from her because these books were written so well and were fantastic mysteries.
February 23, 2022
2.5 stars
I was underwhelmed by the conclusion to this series. This was mostly due to never liking any of the characters. I had hoped to at least be able to root for one of them. Did not happen.
I did very much like that they kept the multiple endings device from the film.
I think the whole Oliver/Vaughn yes? No? Is he dead? Or alive? Is he lying or having a mental break?? Got old and should have been dealt with sooner and decisively. It wasn't a twist so much as dragged out.
Why was it so hard to make even one of these kids likable? I don't care if they were horrible because objectively "bad" characters can still be hugely likable. Oh well.
I was underwhelmed by the conclusion to this series. This was mostly due to never liking any of the characters. I had hoped to at least be able to root for one of them. Did not happen.
I did very much like that they kept the multiple endings device from the film.
I think the whole Oliver/Vaughn yes? No? Is he dead? Or alive? Is he lying or having a mental break?? Got old and should have been dealt with sooner and decisively. It wasn't a twist so much as dragged out.
Why was it so hard to make even one of these kids likable? I don't care if they were horrible because objectively "bad" characters can still be hugely likable. Oh well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2022
I'm not going to rate this one on here, because this book made it clear to me that I've outgrown YA. I wouldn't have finished it if it weren't the last in the trilogy, and likely wouldn't have even been interested in the series if it wasn't based around Clue. There's too much drama and angst in this one, but if you read and enjoyed the first two installments, you'll probably like this one.
November 18, 2021
I began reading this series for the promises the author made in an interview with Novel Lives, and having finished it I can assure you it lived up to those promises: wicked fun in a boarding school where everyone has secrets, and an abundance of sly references to the screenplay of the whodunnit comedy Clue from 1985.
There are even THREE twist endings to this book, just like the twisty film! Unlike the film, only the third and final 'true' ending is plausible, but that's just my opinion, folks.
The satirical, farcical aspects and multiple points of view are definitely two strong appeals of this series. Here's my personal, unapologetically favoritist ranking of my top three Blackbrook Academy student narrators:
Beth 'Peacock' Picach the uber competitive blonde tennis player was the most fun. She took herself so seriously while being so over the top and blunt in her reaction to every curveball and perceived slight or suspicious behavior. Plus her ill-fated attempts to play detective were hilarious because she was oblivious so much of the time. But she wanted healthier relationships with herself and others and I applaud her efforts, in addition to her determination to see justice done and protect herself and fellow students. In the end I wanted to give her big moment a standing ovation.
My close second favorite was Scarlet Mistry: opportunistic, opinionated, and fierce (okay ruthless is more like it). Yet vulnerable deep down in a way that was touching when she let it show, and just an overall gem. And she was right---people really should have listened to her more because she was the most perceptive person of all. And she was ready to be a good friend if you met her half way.
In third place for me, devious inventor Finn Plum. He got more endearing as the series went along as he became less glib and manipulative and more heart-on-his sleeve and also craving open, fulfilling relationships. I was glad he patched up the friendships he largely sabotaged or neglected, and I enjoyed seeing him happy together with his crush in the end, but I won't spoil who that was.
Wait, I just realized what my three favorite narrators had in common. They knew their own strengths and they loved themselves, and that set them apart from their peers...and I found it aspirational.
I relished little jokes and 'Easter eggs' along the way like how everyone's name (first or last) was also a color, or else a Clue film reference.
I wouldn't say the (third and final, true) ending was entirely predictable how it all fit together, but the author did a superb job laying the clues (and not just the red herrings, but that too) if you're smart enough to stay on the trail.
My only reason to drop from 5 to 4 stars of sheer joy with this series was a pair of characters I think the books would have been more fun to read without, and they are twins. They drove up the angst level past my personal limit, but your mileage may vary and I hope it will.
If you like mysteries, humor, boarding school stories, conspiracies, and Agatha Christie levels of everyone acting suspicious and keeping secrets even though most of them are ultimately decent folks when it counts---don't miss this series.
WHEN A WHODUNNIT SERIES KEEPS THE SATIRE AND MURDERS SHARP, SPEAK UP---BOOST THE SIGNAL!
There are even THREE twist endings to this book, just like the twisty film! Unlike the film, only the third and final 'true' ending is plausible, but that's just my opinion, folks.
The satirical, farcical aspects and multiple points of view are definitely two strong appeals of this series. Here's my personal, unapologetically favoritist ranking of my top three Blackbrook Academy student narrators:
Beth 'Peacock' Picach the uber competitive blonde tennis player was the most fun. She took herself so seriously while being so over the top and blunt in her reaction to every curveball and perceived slight or suspicious behavior. Plus her ill-fated attempts to play detective were hilarious because she was oblivious so much of the time. But she wanted healthier relationships with herself and others and I applaud her efforts, in addition to her determination to see justice done and protect herself and fellow students. In the end I wanted to give her big moment a standing ovation.
My close second favorite was Scarlet Mistry: opportunistic, opinionated, and fierce (okay ruthless is more like it). Yet vulnerable deep down in a way that was touching when she let it show, and just an overall gem. And she was right---people really should have listened to her more because she was the most perceptive person of all. And she was ready to be a good friend if you met her half way.
In third place for me, devious inventor Finn Plum. He got more endearing as the series went along as he became less glib and manipulative and more heart-on-his sleeve and also craving open, fulfilling relationships. I was glad he patched up the friendships he largely sabotaged or neglected, and I enjoyed seeing him happy together with his crush in the end, but I won't spoil who that was.
Wait, I just realized what my three favorite narrators had in common. They knew their own strengths and they loved themselves, and that set them apart from their peers...and I found it aspirational.
I relished little jokes and 'Easter eggs' along the way like how everyone's name (first or last) was also a color, or else a Clue film reference.
I wouldn't say the (third and final, true) ending was entirely predictable how it all fit together, but the author did a superb job laying the clues (and not just the red herrings, but that too) if you're smart enough to stay on the trail.
My only reason to drop from 5 to 4 stars of sheer joy with this series was a pair of characters I think the books would have been more fun to read without, and they are twins. They drove up the angst level past my personal limit, but your mileage may vary and I hope it will.
If you like mysteries, humor, boarding school stories, conspiracies, and Agatha Christie levels of everyone acting suspicious and keeping secrets even though most of them are ultimately decent folks when it counts---don't miss this series.
WHEN A WHODUNNIT SERIES KEEPS THE SATIRE AND MURDERS SHARP, SPEAK UP---BOOST THE SIGNAL!
July 19, 2022
Back in Blackbrook, the murder crew is trying to put their lives back together. Orchid missing Vaughn and with Scarlet‘s help starts a music channel with his songs. Peacock is undergoing intensive therapy in hopes of playing tennis again. Mustard is trying to avoid Plum, and plum is helping Peacock and trying to figure out Mustard. Oliver shows up, and the murder crew finds out he was in there chats. Orchid cuts him a check for his brother’s music, and he gets White out on bail with the money. Oliver is trying to get what’s owed him from his grandmother’s glue. Plum trying to hide his dye from the administration. Brown dies and new administrator doesn’t seem to care about the school. Tanner, Mustard’s roommate, cares because he knew her– his family owns the chemical company with the glue. New administrator, Perry Winkle, threatens Plum to give the formula to the company.
Tanner is killed; mustard is blamed. At the prom, we see three endings. The final is Perry Winkle for the chemical company but had to go through Peacock with a screw loose and Oliver as the badder boy as he was already the bad boy.
So I didn’t like the three ending approach. The other thing that bothered me is when talking about Plum’s dye, it was called glue, and Plum should know his own chemical formula.
Tanner is killed; mustard is blamed. At the prom, we see three endings. The final is Perry Winkle for the chemical company but had to go through Peacock with a screw loose and Oliver as the badder boy as he was already the bad boy.
So I didn’t like the three ending approach. The other thing that bothered me is when talking about Plum’s dye, it was called glue, and Plum should know his own chemical formula.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2023
I'm a little sad that this series is over :/ I enjoyed this story more than the second book but only by a little. This first half of this book felt a bit confusing and lackluster. I absolutely loved the ending and I think that's what makes me rate it higher. There's a fantastic nod to the movie and I am so grateful that the author included it.
August 7, 2022
This has been the least favorite of this series for me. Dealing with the aftermath of Vaughn’s death is not something the Murder Crew is handling well. I did like the way the end of the book imitated the Clue movie with alternate endings.
December 23, 2021
I am proud that I got to read all 3 of the series in the same year. Definitely good books and good ending to my reading for 2021.
March 19, 2025
4.5?????? rounded up i guess???
March 27, 2025
Mrs. Peacock was a man?!
December 18, 2021
This was a really fantastic read, loved how things came together and wrapped up, it was an excellent end to this series!
January 30, 2022
Much better than the second book. I loved all the little nods to the Clue movie too, especially the "that's how it COULD have happened...but what about this?" endings.
October 31, 2024
Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars.
November 8, 2021
Excellent conclusion to the Clue Mystery series, with some stellar nods to the movie. 'Ballroom' keeps us guessing through most of the book, and even second-guessing some of what we read in the previous books. This is exactly the kind of edge-of-your-seat, plot-twisting mystery that makes you want to re-read the series to pick up on any clues that may have been sprinkled throughout.
Highly recommended YA mystery/thriller series!
Highly recommended YA mystery/thriller series!
December 1, 2021
4 stars for story, but 5 stars for narration. Great audio book. I love this series and am biased for all the movie references and little delightful bits. Murder crew for life!
January 8, 2022
Literally like 2 stars. What even was that ending? I loved the first and second books but the way this series ended is a travesty, like they were literally the books that got me back into reading and then this book came along and tore everything up. I don’t even know what that ending was supposed to be, I’m left with 1000 more questions than when I started. Sorry if the spoiler thing doesn’t work here I’m on my phone but
This book also generally had a lot of spelling mistakes. I’m not usually a stickler for these kinds of things but it felt kinda sad to know it was unlikely anyone even proofread this book. It just really takes the heart out of it for me. I also wasn’t a big fan of the multiple endings, none of the ones offered, including the real one, made any sense and it easily got repetitive with have of the sentences literally copied from the other endings.
Overall, I thought the book was okay until the ending where everything fell apart.
This book also generally had a lot of spelling mistakes. I’m not usually a stickler for these kinds of things but it felt kinda sad to know it was unlikely anyone even proofread this book. It just really takes the heart out of it for me. I also wasn’t a big fan of the multiple endings, none of the ones offered, including the real one, made any sense and it easily got repetitive with have of the sentences literally copied from the other endings.
Overall, I thought the book was okay until the ending where everything fell apart.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews