The Screaming Skull

This is indeed an enjoyable story! One could argue that it is a bit linear (there are choices galore, yes, but most readers are going to methodically go through every room and ask every question, and ultimately there are only two pass/fail endings) but it is a fun and well-crafted read.

As a mystery, it differs quite a bit from a typical mystery story. For instance, the usual mystery detective is interested in determining not only the killer's identity, but also the motive and opportunity. Often, a few miscues are intentionally thrown in to keep everyone on their toes (i.e. the creepy gardener who seems suspicious at first but turns out to be a real nice dude). But often one character emerges from the crowd as having the most compelling motive to have done the deed, as well as the perfect opportunity.

Here, we don't even know who the victim is, and none of the housemates seem to have grudges with each other. Thus I was thinking "spontaneous combustion" the entire time, especially since everyone was a "social chain smoker." One too many Malibus, and the next thing you know you've set yourself on fire. Oops.

But that's not where this is going. Some readers might find the final revelation either a true surprise or a disappointment, but either way Will11 provides his reasoning on an optional epilogue of sorts.

There is no real branching here, although it is possible to reach an unwinnable conclusion; the only way to guard against that is to behave like a good detective and be methodical. And maybe take notes, too.

more commas pleases! NEAT!

Played this game for a class assignment and loved it! I have a difficult time focusing (which makes reading a struggle for me) so it took some time for me to get into the game. I loved all of the "obvious" clues and the ones hidden in subtext. I really enjoyed taking notes and trying to remember who said what/discover who was lying. A really fun game that's not too easy or too hard to play. Well done!

This is a good story. It allowed me to flex my old investigator muscles again. There is a good depiction of the college student experience as well, complete with the more drinking and checking up on people than actually having fun.

As a game ots too easy. I expected something weird to happen at the end. Same with Black Sea island, it was also quite easy, wish you would make tougher ones. This made for a good half an hour of entertainment. Good work.

noice

pretty engaging, fun, made me think

Great story, and I had a ton of fun writing down all the little details I noticed. My one qualm is that it felt a bit short, but I understand and see that a whole lot of effort went into this. Great job!

Really engaging and well written murder mystery. As soon as I started reading I could hear the Luther theme song start playing. Good job.

**SPOILERS**
There are a few minor tweaks that I would recommend. First, it would be fairly easy to implement a few tracking variables to tweak the descriptions of the some of the rooms based on where you have already been (i.e. the comparison between the two maintenance rooms if you haven't been to the downstairs one first), Secondly I'm not sure how realistic it is that the body would burn so completely in less that four hours with only half a bottle (or so) or high-proof vodka. While it would certainly char the skin and maybe make identification difficult, but it wouldn't have reduced half the body to bones without a lot more fuel. Lastly, Richard wasn't all that bad off, wouldn't he have smelled the burning body when he came down to the kitchen and broke the trophy?

it was nice and it was worth the time you should make more