Fiona’s Comments (group member since Apr 01, 2023)

Fiona’s comments from the Bookish Challenges group.

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Victoria Donovan



Victoria greets the guests with grace, but there is an underlying sadness in her eyes. She leads everyone into the grand hall where a portrait of her late husband, Richard Donovan, hangs above the fireplace. Richard’s death ten years ago is a wound that the family still bears. As the evening unfolds, Victoria’s calm demeanor hides a woman who has fought to keep her family’s legacy intact.

Task 1: Read a book where the matriarch holds a family together.
Task 2: Read a book where the past heavily influences the present.
Task 3: Read a book with a tragic backstory.

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Bingo Card will be updated soon, I'm traveling at the moment

William Everett



William Everett has served the Donovan family for over thirty years, the picture of loyalty and discretion. As the family butler, William knows every secret the family has tried to hide, and his quiet presence often goes unnoticed. Yet, it is clear that William has seen and heard more than he lets on. His loyalty to the family is unquestionable, but as financial troubles mount and tensions rise, even the most loyal servant might be forced to choose between his livelihood and his conscience.

Task 1: Read a book where a servant holds the key to solving a mystery.
Task 2: Read a book where a long-time servant or employee knows more than they reveal.
Task 3: Read a book with any character being a servant.

Lydia Blackwood



Lydia Blackwood steps into the grand hall with the grace of someone accustomed to being in control. Once engaged to James Donovan, Lydia was cast aside when James decided to break off their engagement for reasons she has never fully understood. Her return is not entirely unexpected, but her calm demeanor hides a simmering resentment. While she claims she’s here to pay her respects, there’s an underlying tension between her and the Donovan family, and it’s clear she harbors old wounds.

Task 1: Read a book where a past romance ends in betrayal.
Task 2: Read a book where an ex-fiancée returns seeking closure—or revenge.
Task 3: Read a book where unrequited love plays a key role in the story.

15. Gender Roles and Equality - Das kunstseidene Mädchen / The Artificial Silk Girl by Irmgard Keun
German gender roles have undergone significant transformation in recent decades, with efforts toward greater gender equality in both the workplace and society. While traditional gender roles may still persist in some areas, particularly in older generations, there is a strong emphasis on gender equality in legislation and social norms.
a. Read a book with "girl" or "silk" in the title.
b. Read a book featuring a strong female protagonist.
c. Read a book featuring non-binary or LGBTQ+ characters.

The Private Investigator



As the night falls, a new arrival shakes the already tense atmosphere. A private investigator, hired by Victoria, has been observing quietly in the background. His name is Daniel Hunt, and his presence is both curious and unsettling.

Victoria reveals that Daniel was hired to look into some "disturbing occurrences" that have been happening on the estate—missing items, strange noises, and rumors of family secrets coming to light. Daniel’s sharp eyes scan the room, taking note of each family member’s reaction.

Task 1: Read a book with a private investigator or detective.
Task 2: Read a book where a family hires someone for a job.
Task 3: Read a book where a detective must uncover hidden family secrets.

Investigation - Maxwell Carter

Daniel: (Studying him) “Mr. Carter, I’ve been told you and James had a heated argument the night he was killed. Care to explain?”

Maxwell: (Smirking slightly) “Business disagreements, Mr. Hunt. They happen all the time. James and I were passionate about what we built together. Arguments were just part of the process.”

Daniel: (Coolly) “Passionate? According to the staff, your voices were loud enough to carry down the hall. That sounds a bit more intense than a standard business debate.”

Maxwell: (Shrugs) “What can I say? James was stubborn. He had a way of pushing my buttons, but it never went beyond words.”

Daniel: (Leaning back slightly, his eyes narrowing) “And what exactly were you arguing about?”

Maxwell: (Pauses, choosing his words carefully) “He was making decisions I didn’t agree with. Risky moves, let’s just say. I told him he needed to slow down, reassess. He didn’t take it well.”

Daniel: “Risky moves? Like cutting you out of a deal, perhaps?”

Maxwell: (Laughs, though there’s a tightness to it) “You’ve got quite the imagination, Mr. Hunt. James and I may have had our differences, but he valued me. He wasn’t about to push me out.”

Daniel: (Pointedly) “You sound confident about that. But business partnerships can be complicated. You didn’t feel he was holding you back, maybe looking to end things?”

Maxwell: (His tone sharpens slightly) “James and I had a dynamic that worked, even if it wasn’t always smooth sailing. If you’re implying I had something to gain from his death, you’re wasting your time.”

Daniel: (Slowly) “Perhaps. But I can’t ignore the fact that tensions were high, and James had confided in others about trust issues with you.”

Maxwell: (Feigning surprise) “Oh, James confided in everyone, didn’t he? Always quick to cast doubt, but never willing to confront the real problems. Let me guess—Sarah mentioned something, didn’t she? Or maybe Clara, stirring the pot as usual?”

Daniel: (Unfazed) “Let’s stick to you and James. After your argument, where did you go?”

Maxwell: (Leaning back, his composure returning) “To my room. I needed space to cool off, and James needed to sulk. We were supposed to talk it out the next morning, but… well, here we are.”

Daniel: (Watching him carefully) “Convenient that you didn’t see him again. Do you often leave things unresolved like that?”

Maxwell: (Smirks) “Not usually, but with James? It was better to let him stew. He’d come around eventually—he always did.”

Daniel: “And now he won’t.”

Maxwell: (Leaning forward, his tone suddenly firm) “Look, Mr. Hunt, I had nothing to do with James’s death. Argue with him? Sure. But murder? That’s not who I am. If you want the truth, maybe you should dig deeper into this family. James had more enemies under this roof than business rivals outside of it.”

Daniel: (Nods slowly, his gaze lingering) “I’ll be doing just that, Mr. Carter. Don’t stray too far.”

Maxwell: (Standing, smoothing his suit) “I have no intention of leaving, Mr. Hunt. After all, I have nothing to hide.”


Read a book that meets the general guidelines.

posted!

Arrival at Donovan Manor



The Donovan Manor looms ahead as the guests arrive for a weekend gathering. The atmosphere is thick with tension, and the house, though grand, feels cold. Victoria Donovan, the matriarch, stands at the entrance, poised and polite, but there is something unsettling about the way she watches everyone.

Task 1: Read a book with a mysterious or eerie setting.
Task 2: Read a book about family secrets or hidden histories.
Task 3: Read a book where the atmosphere plays a central role in the story.

IMPORTANT

Extra Clues
There will be quite a few clues in the story itself but after the investigation round, you will get the chance to buy extra clues with your points. I will let you know about this again, so do not worry about missing it.
Buying extra clues is optional and you can buy as many as you want (and you have points for).
To keep it fair for everyone, I will send these clues to you via DM and once it's time to guess who the killer is, you will also have to send me a DM as to not spoil other players.

Murder Mystery - Death in the Mansion


Sign-ups will close on April 30th.
The challenge is open-ended.

The Challenge

1. Comment here to sign up and I will create a challenge thread for you.

2. In this challenge you will solve a murder mystery! The challenge consists of three parts: The Murder, The Investigation and The Reveal.
The Murder
During this part, you will get to know the characters and the setting task after task. For each bit you will receive a part of the story and a set of three tasks of which you have to complete one task. Each completion will earn you 2 points.
The Investigation
The suspects will be questioned one after one. For each part of the investigation, you will receive clues to solve the mystery. For each questioning you will read a book that meets the general guidelines. Each completion will earn you 2 points.
The Reveal
After the investigation round, it is up to you to catch the killer!
Points for first attempt: 25
Points for second attempt: 18
Points for third attempt: 12
Points for fourth attempt: 7
Points for fifth attempt: 3

3. If you feel stuck with your tasks, you have one free skip, which you can use to read a book that meets the general guidelines.
Once that is used up and you find yourself stuck again, you can use 5 points to skip a task and read a book that meets the general guidelines instead.

4. Please make a completion post in your thread using this template:

Book:
Author:
Date completed:
Task:
How it fits:

5. If you don't have a personal point account thread yet, request one here.