“I believe learning is a game, a wonderful game.”

In the first scene with Albert Ellingham, he introduces his philosophy of life: Learning is precious and should be a fun, engaging experience. Ellingham built his school so students could explore their passions unencumbered by the restraints of traditional schooling, and for him, all the world is a game. Games are a central part of the culture at Ellingham Academy.

“It wasn’t every day you moved away from home to go to boarding school, after all.”

Over 80 years after the murders and kidnappings at Ellingham Academy, 16-year-old Stevie Bell is on her way to attend the infamous school. Despite the school’s dark past, Stevie is eager to venture into the unknown world of Ellingham, and the special occasion has caused her to try to make peace with her parents, with whom she doesn’t get along. Ellingham’s label as a “boarding school” reminds the reader that Stevie will be living away from home, isolated in the mountains of Vermont, and thrust into the mysteries of the school.

“Stevie Bell had a simple desire: she wanted to be standing over a dead body [...]. She wanted to be the person who found out why the body was dead.”

Stevie is a crime aficionado, and her interests lean toward the macabre. However, Stevie is quick to point out that she doesn’t want to hurt people: Instead, she wants to be the one who catches the killer and brings them to justice.