Hooked on Books discussion
Escape Room Challenge
>
Escape Room: Silver Screen Sleuths - Escape-ologists (13)
message 2:
by
Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer
(last edited Jul 31, 2025 01:27AM)
(new)
Mod
📛 First off, CHECK IN with your teammate(s) and decide on a TEAM NAME. Please post it in the Check-In Thread so that I don't miss seeing it.
💰 For books that are being used as "HINT PAYMENTS," please list them in this Team Thread as you typically would, and then post as a team in the Check-In with the Chief: Check-In Thread. This is due to the fact that you won't be giving anything away to another team, as no actual hints or clues will be typed out here. After all, we ALL KNOW that eyes go wandering around. I know MINE do! 😅
➡️ Please use this format for your Team Thread.
Chapter #:
Hint #2 or #3: {number ONLY, NO words}
Book/Author:
Date Read:
Pages:
How it Fits: Meets general HOB guidelines
➡️ You can just do a Team Completion with links to each post in the Check-In Thread.
Player 1: Link
Player 2: Link
Etc.
🕵🏼♀️ Once you've answered the clue question correctly and are ready to submit your books for the Prompt/Tasks, post ONLY A LINK to the proper SPREADSHEET CHAPTER TAB in the Check-In Thread. PLEASE DO NOT list those books here in your Team Thread. The same goes for the Introduction and the Conclusion. Handle them the same way, please.
➡️ Please use this format for the Chapters/Introduction/Conclusion.
Team Name:
Link to Team Thread:
Link to Spreadsheet Chapter Tab:
✅ The very last tab in the Spreadsheet is the ANSWER CHECKER. There are instructions included about how to use it.
✏️ Pencil and paper MAY come in handy for a few of the clues to do some SCRATCH WORK. They also might help with the ANSWER CHECKER. You'll see how as you start to use it.
🔗 Super-Secret Silver Screen Sleuths Spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
😎 You will need to REQUEST ACCESS to the Spreadsheet the first time you try to use it.
🙋🏼♂️ Questions about anything?? Post them in the Call in a Favor: Q&A Thread.
message 3:
by
Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer
(last edited Jul 30, 2025 07:43AM)
(new)
Mod
🕵🏼 Aiswrya (111)
🕵🏼 Priya (112)
🕵🏼 Tara (116)
🕵🏼 Jacqueline (119)
Mod
Mod
Checking in :) I’d rather have a private group to discuss rather than discussing on a SS. What do y’all think?
Checking in! A private group sounds good.
We need a team name. I'm so awful at those! Any ideas? I'll create a group for us on the weekend :)
Checking in!…, I am bad with names but will try to think of one.
Brainy BanditsRiddle Connoisseurs
Clue Crew
Puzzle Pioneers
Escape - ologists
These are from a Google search 😁
The Big 4 (based on Agatha Christie's book)
I'm just putting whatever I can think of/find here.
Oooo they all sound good! Escape-ologists is my fave!
I hope Tara checks in soon. I've messaged her
Tara is on vacation. She should check in soon. Is everyone okay with Escape-ologists?
I'm here guys! I also love Escape-ologists!
Mod
Requested access :) I’ll give Michelle our team name too
Just went through the SS. First set of tasks look pretty easy!
Priya and Jackie - did y’all get your access sorted? We have our first task
🕵🏼 To begin your investigation, complete one of the following: 🔎 1. Read a book set in Los Angeles.
🔎 2. Read a book with windows on the cover.
🔎 3. Read a book where the title starts with a letter in PEGGY.
🔎 4. Read a book with an MPG of MYSTERY.
We don’t have to read for different tasks. So pick anything :)
I'm here now! Sorry the notification settings were off🙈
I requested access to the spreadsheet as well.I'm reading a mystery right now!
haha no worries that's what I thought!
Hi Everyone,That is weird … my notifications are on yet if Priya didn’t message me, I would still be waiting.
I am currently reading Eden: The Galatian Exchange, will that do?
I'll finish my set in LA by tomorrow I'm sure!
Awesome! Whoever finishes the last book for this chapter, could you post in the check in thread? Michelle has the format listed in one of her initial messages.
Mod
Mod
Remember, you MUST use the evidence and clues/hints to make a correct guess in #2 before you move on to reading for the tasks in #3. You may begin planning your books, but they can't be completed and checked in before you make a correct guess. 🕵🏼
Checked our answer in for chapter 1. We have to read a book next. We’ll have to wait for Michelle to give us a gold star before finishing the book though. 🔎 1. Read a book with some type of office product or equipment on the cover.
🔎 2. Read a book with two major characters.
🔎 3. Read a book with an investigator character.
🔎 4. Read a book with a map in it.
Mod
AWESOME JOB, team!!!
You may now read for Chapter 1's tasks!
I'm reading a book with an investigator character.
Mod
Mod
I have added Chapter 2 to your SS. Good luck!
Mod
Sorry, team!
That is not the correct answer. I have left you another hint!
You will now each need to read any book that meets HOB's general guidelines. Post the completions HERE in the thread for these "hint payment" books, but only list the Hint #...no words to give the hint away. Then do a team completion post in the Check-In Thread. After that, you may make another guess based on the evidence and the hints.
General guidelines:https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Any book as long as longer than 100 pages.
Hint #2Priya - The ministry of pain by Dubravka Ugresic
Pages - 272
Chapter 2 Hint #2 or #3: 2
Book/Author: Murder on Black Swan Lane
Date Read: 8/7
Pages: 340
How it Fits: Meets general HOB guidelines
Priya wrote: "Hint #2Priya - The ministry of pain by Dubravka Ugresic
Pages - 272"
Priya you might have to de dead read
You mean re read? It meets the general guidelines right?
Hooked on Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Atmosphere (other topics)Murder on Black Swan Lane (other topics)
Escape Room: Silver Screen Sleuths
Partner/Team Challenge; Open-Ended
Grab Your Detective Hat on August 1, 2025
📖 The Storyline 📖
In the heart of 1940s Los Angeles, you and your partner, Peggy, are drawn into a challenging case. Chief Inspector Theodore Harrington hands you a cryptic letter, hinting at a sinister plot involving a fake charity and a MURDER.
Your investigation begins at the police precinct, where a mysterious figure left the letter and three ticket stubs. The charity, presented as a force for good, hides dark secrets. The murder victim holds THE KEY to unraveling the entire scheme.
As you navigate the city’s labyrinthine streets, from opulent theaters to grimy back alleys, you’ll piece together intricate CLUES and solve demanding PUZZLES. Each step uncovers new secrets, bringing you closer to the truth.
“Silver Screen Sleuths” is designed for true detective enthusiasts. With its complex storyline and puzzles, this game will TEST your skills and CHALLENGE your wits.
📓 The Plan 📓
Grab a PARTNER - or TWO or THREE - and get ready to solve this mystery!
This is a SPREADSHEET-BASED challenge where only your team will have access in order to keep the clues you uncover a SECRET from other prying eyes. After all, we don't want to be solving the crime for another team of detectives, do we??
You will receive a set of CLUES and a stack of EVIDENCE for each Chapter in this mystery. You will also receive one "FREE" hint at the beginning of the Chapter. If you can find the answer to the clue, you will move on to the Prompt and Tasks for the Chapter. If you are unable to find the answer to the clue, you will read a book that fits the general Hooked on Books guidelines as "PAYMENT" for a NEW HINT. There are THREE hints available for each Chapter, and there are TEN Chapters in all. So you will read between ONE and THREE books per Chapter, depending on how sharp your detective skills are.
Once you see the spreadsheet and get through the first Chapter, anything that sounds confusing above will make much more sense, I PROMISE! Also, I will share the "WALKTHROUGH" at the end of each Chapter so you can start to see how the clues and evidence are being used to solve the mystery.
📝 The Sidenote 📝
While we are trying to keep our detective work to ourselves, this is NOT a race-to-the-finish challenge. However, with that being said, I would suggest using the space at the bottom of your spreadsheet for any discussions - INSTEAD OF in your team thread. Again...prying eyes and all. 👀 You will need to take a little time to SORT THROUGH the evidence and CRACK the clues, just like in a real investigation and a real escape room scenario.
👨👩👧👦 The Partnering Up 👨👩👧👦
I would LOVE for you to play with a partner or group of up to four of YOUR choosing. Since reading speed won't be of critical importance for this Escape Room Challenge, I want to allow you to create your partnerships/groups on your own. So discuss it among yourselves and let me know who will be together. ALL members will still need to post a sign-up so I can be sure they are aware of their commitment to this challenge. If you want me to partner you with someone random, please let me know that when you sign up as well. I would love to have teams IN PLACE by July 28th to give me a few days to set everything up for you. However, you can STILL start a new team after that time.
😓 The Hard Truth 😓
If you CAN'T access and maneuver Google Sheets on your device, this MAY NOT be the challenge for you to participate in. Sorry about that. This was the best way I could determine to run this particular challenge.
✨ The Tidbits ✨
There will be a FEW more details about how to post your "hint payment" books and checking in, etc., in your team threads. Your Super-Secret Silver Screen Sleuths Spreadsheet link will also be there.
📚 The Challenge Rules 📚
📗 Standard Rules Apply
📕 I will create a team thread for you prior to the start date.
📘 You may begin reading your first book for the Introduction Prompt prior to the start date, but it MAY NOT be completed before August 1, 2025.
📗 Books MUST be completed after you receive new information. If you get your new Chapter/Prompt on August 4th, you can't use a book you completed on August 3rd.
📕 The Challenge will run for as long as you need to complete all ten Chapters.