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#Scarathlon @Clwojick #SpookyGhostClub

#BodyCountBingo ~ 8 bingos
#AfterDarkBingo ~ 10 bingos
#OctoberBookwormBingo ~ 1 bingo
#OctoberReadingBingo ~ 1 bingo

#Scarathlon Bingo cards.

No full houses but quite a few lines:
#BodyCountBingo - 4 lines
#AfterDarkBingo - 2 lines
#BookishFirst - 2 lines
#ThrillerBookBingo - 2 lines
#OctoberBookwormBingo - 3 lines
#Spooktober - 1 line
#ISpy - 1 line
#BookishBingo - 2 lines
#HalloweenReadathon - 2 lines

380 points @StayCurious #TeamCreepinItReal

@PuddleJumper

I first read this about 10 years ago so thought it was time for a re-read. I'm not as easily impressed as I was back then, so I'd probably rate this at a 3.5🌟 now. There's not much backstory given (there is a reason for that that the reader finds out later) & it makes the narrative a bit disorientating as the reader works out what is happening. The twist is still good though.

2015 review: A promising start to what looks to be a good YA series.

Elsinore Robotics maker of humanoid androids powered by true artificial intelligence are continually in competition with their rival, Norwegian Technologies. The last public contest was between their model, Fortinbras, and Elsinore‘s HAM(let) v.1 & Hamlet was victorious. Shortly afterwards he was found deactivated at Elsinore, possibly by rogue malware. Hamlet v.2 mourns the loss of his progenitor, & he becomes obsessed by thoughts of revenge.

Hannah has some misgivings as she leaves for a luxury weekend away with her husband, her brother Mako & his wife, & best friend Cricket & new squeeze. As the six friends arrive, the weather changes & the group are stuck in the isolated cabin. Furthermore there's something a bit off with their rental owner & the house has a tragic backstory. As the weather cools outside, inside tempers heat up, & it seems someone has a deadly agenda. (continued)

Following the loss of a lucrative contract due to internal rivalries, a group of seven feuding office workers are sent on a team-building weekend by their boss. On the way there the private plane develops engine trouble & the group wake up marooned on a deserted tropical island. There the rivalries become magnified as the group struggle to locate water, food, & shelter plus look for a way off the island.
(Continued)

Bianca wakes up in hospital & is confused as to how she got there. She is told that she was babysitting, someone broke in & killed the maid, Mrs Ingersoll, & tried to kidnap baby Katie. Bianca grabbed Katie & ran to get help but can't remember any of this. Now she is terrified of the dark but when her memory starts to return, the killer is worried that Bianca will be able to identify them & decides to shut her up for good. (Continued)

Maddie has had an inkling she may be a witch since she was little. She is able to see people's short-term future in a cup of coffee & she is shocked to see that one of the visitors to her coffee truck has a meeting with the grim reaper very soon. Colleague Suzanne talks her into warning customer, Joan, of her impending demise but they can't track her down. The next day they find out that Joan was found dead that morning so decide to investigate.

1889 & it's the day of Kitty Gray's marriage to business owner Charles Maclean. Kitty wanted to attend university & become a doctor but her mother vetoes that & Kitty found herself hurriedly engaged to Charles. Things soon go sour & Kitty finds herself exiled to her husband's holiday home, Ardbray House, in the Scottish Highlands. This turns out to be a blessing in disguise as Kitty involves herself in the world of herbal medicine. (continued)

The Brontes & werewolves - even before starting it, I knew this would be either a triumph or a disaster. It's definitely going to polarise opinion as it's a required taste, but I loved it. I particularly like the way that the author wove actual events into the supernatural narrative, such as when Branwell paints over himself in the portrait of himself & his three sisters. (continued)