Escape Room: Silver Screen Sleuths - Spies in Disguise (14)

[Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer]

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.

[Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer]

✨ The Tidbits ✨


📛 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.

[Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer]

✅ Team 14 ✅


🕵🏼 Catherine (25)
🕵🏼 K.C. (58)
🕵🏼 christene_littlelibrary (78)

[Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer]

Reserved

[Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer]

🔗 Your Super-Secret Silver Screen Sleuths Spreadsheet link will be added to Message 2 closer to the start date.

[Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer]

🔗 Your SS link has been added to Message 2. Please go ahead and request access as soon as you see this. 🕵🏼

[christene_littlelibrary]

Hi everyone. Checking in. Any suggestion for the team name?

Suggestion:
Spies in Disguise
Incognito Investigators

[K.C.]

christene_littlelibrary wrote: "Hi everyone. Checking in. Any suggestion for the team name?

Suggestion:
Spies in Disguise
Incognito Investigators"

I love these suggestions! Would be delighted with either but *mild* preference, on the margin, for spies in disguise!

[christene_littlelibrary]

Still waiting for Catherine. Have you seen the ss? I think I'll read for #4

[K.C.]

christene_littlelibrary wrote: "Still waiting for Catherine. Have you seen the ss? I think I'll read for #4"

I have a book on my TBR list that satisfies both 1 and 3, I can start with that!

[Catherine]

Hey guys, sorry I have been moving but I am here with you and have even started reading. I will go through the rules and see what's up, right now!
Ok I requested permission to the worksheet and sorry I was not here for naming; Love it though :)

[Catherine]

Ok so I added the book I finished today for task 4, I checked us in

[Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer]

Chapter 1 has been added to your SS!


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. 🕵🏼

[Catherine]

ok I was gonna finish a book I am currently reading for payment but I will hold off and save for two of the four prompts for the clue and start a shorter book I have been holding off.

[Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer]

Catherine wrote: "ok I was gonna finish a book I am currently reading for payment but I will hold off and save for two of the four prompts for the clue and start a shorter book I have been holding off."


Yes, the shorter the better for "payment." LOL!

[Catherine]

Chapter #:1
Hint #2
Book/Author: by Patricia McCormick
Date Read: 8/4/2025
Pages:263
How it Fits: Meets general HOB guidelines

[christene_littlelibrary]

Chapter #:1
Hint #2

Book/Author: Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly
Date Read: 8/4/2025
Pages: 384
How it Fits: Meets general HOB guidelines

[Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer]

"For these books, you will each make a Completion Post in your Team Thread, and then post a link in the Check-In Thread."


I apologize if it wasn't clear enough, but you each have to read a book for each hint. So to receive Hint #2, K.C. will also need to read a book that meets general HOB guidelines. Then you will check in with all 3 books.


Thanks! 😊

[christene_littlelibrary]

Okay! thank you for the clarification! :)

[K.C.]

Chapter #:1
Hint #2

The Opposite of You by Rachel Higginson
Date Read: 8.4.2025
302 pages, Kindle Edition
How it Fits: Meets general HOB guidelines

[K.C.]

Sorry for my delay! I believe the book above should work generically, but I will start to filter on my tbr/search for something to read to satisfy the #3 criteria!

[Catherine]

FYI: moving forward we do need to communicate if the completion post is posted in the check-in thread. If the last person to post is unable to make it. Maybe say so, and then someone who is able to, can.

EX. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Also dont forget to write your thoughts in the conversation tab

[Catherine]

K.C. wrote: "Sorry for my delay! I believe the book above should work generically, but I will start to filter on my tbr/search for something to read to satisfy the #3 criteria!"

No worries. ya it is nice to be able to plan ahead. We may need to read for many clues as well so keep that in mind for a shorter books.

[Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer]

I have added Hint #2 to your SS. Good luck!

[christene_littlelibrary]

I entered my deduction on the convo but not really sure

[Catherine]

Christine I like your logic lets go with it and read our books for it.

[christene_littlelibrary]

Michelle's Empty Nest wrote: "I have added Hint #2 to your SS. Good luck!"

Hi. We input our guess for Chap 1!

[christene_littlelibrary]

Idk what to do next but I checked us in

[Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer]

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.


Since this is your first Chapter, I decided to go ahead and share the walkthrough with you instead of having you read another "hint payment" book. Also, remember that going forward, you CAN'T read for the tasks in Part 3 until you've guessed the correct answer in Part 2. You have the Answer Checker on the last tab that could be a big help in making the correct guess in Part 2.


So go ahead and finish your books for the Part 3 tasks, and we'll move on to Chapter 2 and hopefully have things run a little more smoothly for you. 😊

[christene_littlelibrary]

yikes its the other way around

[Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer]

No worries...

[christene_littlelibrary]

I checked us in

[Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer]

Excellent!


I have added Chapter 2 to your SS. Good luck!

[K.C.]

Chapter #:2
Hint #2

Bears & Bakeries by Dylan Drakes 🧸🥐
Date Read: 8.8.2025🐻🥖
276 pages, Kindle Edition 📖
Satisfies general HOB guidelines ✅

[Catherine]

Chapter #: 2
Hint #2
Book/Author: by Kelley Armstrong
Date Read: 8/8/2025
Pages: 432
How it Fits: Meets general HOB guidelines

[christene_littlelibrary]

Chapter #: 2
Hint #2
Book/Author: The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma
Date Read: 8/9/2025
Pages: 513
How it Fits: Meets general HOB guidelines

[christene_littlelibrary]

I check us in

[Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer]

I have added Hint #2 to your Chapter 2 Tab. Good luck!!

[Catherine]

Chapter #: 2
Hint #3
Book/Author: by Scott Reintgen
Date Read: 8/10/2025
Pages: 412
How it Fits: Meets general HOB guidelines

[K.C.]

Chapter #: 2
Hint #3

Joey by Sadie Kincaid
Date Read: 8.11.2025
408 pages, Kindle Edition 📖
Satisfies general HOB guidelines ✅

[christene_littlelibrary]

Chapter #: 2
Hint #3



Book: Grin and Beard It by Penny Reid
Pages: 406 pages - Kindle Edition
Date Completed: 8/11/2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
How it Fits: Meets general HOB guidelines

[Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer]

I have added Hint #3 to your SS. Make your guess and we'll go from there...

[Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer]

SUPERB!!


You may now read for Chapter 2's tasks!

[Catherine]

K.C. once you have read your book we can post for the next chapter..

FYI- I will be out of town 8/20-8/24 with limited access to internet but will try and keep updated during that time.

[K.C.]

Catherine wrote: "K.C. once you have read your book we can post for the next chapter..

FYI- I will be out of town 8/20-8/24 with limited access to internet but will try and keep updated during that time."

Sorry for the delay! Just updated the spreadsheet with my last book and checked us in!

I hope you enjoy your trip!

[Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer]

Excellent!


I have added a Chapter 3 Evidence Tab and a Chapter 3 Tab to your SS. There's more evidence...so two tabs were easier. Good luck!

[K.C.]

Chapter #:3
Hint #2

Rule of the Aurora King by Nisha J. Tuli
Date Read: 8.19.2025
514 pages, Kindle Edition 📖
Satisfies general HOB guidelines ✅

[Catherine]

Chapter 3
Hint 2

by Jane Harper
Date Read 8/19/2025
379 Pages, Kindle Edition 📖
Satisfies general HOB guidelines ✅

[christene_littlelibrary]

Chapter 3
Hint 2


Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
8/19/2025
676p
Satisfies general HOB guidelines

[Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer]

I have added Hint #2 to you SS. Good luck!!