The Scene of the Crime
Opening Scene: A Macabre Invitation
The mist clung thick to the rolling hills outside London as the guests arrived at Albrizzi Manor, their carriages cutting through the fog like silent phantoms. The mansion stood on a lonely hill, its grand silhouette dark against the moonlit sky, its windows flickering with the golden glow of candlelight. It was a house steeped in whispers—of tragedy, of secrets, of things left unsaid.
Tonight, however, it was alive with the hum of conversation and the clink of crystal glasses. Inside, the main hall was adorned with elaborate candelabras, their flames casting long, spectral shadows along the deep red wallpaper. The long dining table was a decadent display of indulgence—roasted pheasant, caramelized onions, and rich, spiced wine set before each guest. The scent of beeswax, old wood, and something faintly metallic lingered in the air.
At the head of the table stood Ginevra Albrizzi, her presence as commanding as the grand manor itself. Clad in a flowing blood-red gown, her dark eyes swept over her gathered guests, lips curving into an enigmatic smile. She raised her glass, voice like silk as she toasted:
“To those who embrace the night. To the lost, the damned, and the deliciously wicked.”
Her words sent a ripple through the room—some laughed, some smirked, others merely held her gaze, unreadable. Within minutes no one had even recognized she had left the dining room, all consumed with their own thoughts. Here, among the candlelight and shadows, no one was truly innocent. Each guest had their own darkness, their own ghosts trailing behind them like invisible guests at the feast. To clear the silence they all began to half-heartedly pretend to be enjoying each others company...talking, drinking, eating, consuming.
Then, as the first course was set before them, a scream shattered the revelry.
The sound echoed through the corridors, sharp and raw, sending every guest rushing toward its source. The once-lively dinner party dissolved into a flurry of hurried footsteps and gasped whispers as they navigated the dimly lit halls. And then, they found her.
Ginevra Albrizzi lay sprawled upon the grand sitting room floor, her crimson gown now a deeper shade, her lifeblood soaking into the Persian rug beneath her. Three vicious stab wounds marred her once-perfect form, a grotesque and silent punctuation to her final evening.
But it was not just her body that held their horrified attention.
Across from her, bathed in the flickering glow of the firelight, sat a small rocking chair, its slow creaking the only sound in the stunned silence. In it sat a child’s teddy bear, its once-soft fur matted with dark, glistening blood. Its tiny paw clutched a knife, the blade still wet, reflecting the horrified faces of the onlookers.
A chill slithered through the room, deeper than the cold night air outside. Somewhere among them, dressed in finery and feigning innocence, a murderer was watching.
The question was no longer who had been killed, but rather—
Who among them had done the killing?
The Characters
Ginevra Albrizzi (The Victim)
Wealthy, enigmatic, and perpetually shrouded in scandal, Ginevra Albrizzi was no stranger to the macabre. After her husband’s sudden and suspicious death, she inherited Albrizzi Manor along with a fortune that many believed was tainted by blood money. Though beautiful and charismatic, Ginevra was known for keeping secrets—secrets that may have finally caught up with her. Rumors suggested she was investigating something sinister, her paranoia growing in the days before her murder. Her fascination with the occult, her manipulative charm, and her tendency to play people against one another ensured that nearly every guest at her dinner party had a reason to want her dead.
Jack (Jack the Ripper)
A respected doctor by day and a notorious killer by night, Jack moved through society as a phantom of terror. His presence at Ginevra’s party was no accident—he had once marked her as a victim, only for her to slip through his grasp. The guests knew exactly who he was, but fear turned to fascination, and his invitation was almost an honor. He was composed, almost amused, watching the others unravel while he remained a looming threat. Could he have returned to finish what he started all those years ago?
Lilith (The Seductress)
Lilith was a vision of gothic beauty, draped in black lace and shadows. A dancer by trade and a mystery by nature, she used her allure to bend men to her will. Beneath her porcelain exterior, however, lay an unsettling darkness—one that many believed was fueled by jealousy and spite. Whispers in the city suggested she was Ginevra’s long-lost sister, though neither woman ever acknowledged the claim. If true, the inheritance that passed solely to Ginevra could have provided a deadly motive. Lilith was always surrounded by admirers, but her true intentions remained as elusive as the night itself.
Samantha & Nicole (Cinnamon & Spice)
Twins bound by blood and business, Samantha and Nicole ran a thriving tea shop in London. Beautiful and composed, they were experts at blending poisons as easily as they blended flavors. Ginevra had been a regular patron, but her habit of leaving debts unpaid and meddling in Samantha’s romantic affairs had made her an enemy. With their eerie synchronicity and cold precision, were these two more dangerous than they seemed?
Dominic (The Drifter)
A charming American with a traveler’s heart, Dominic appeared harmless enough. He had only just met Ginevra at a train station, and yet, she had invited him into her world. Little did she know, he was a predator in disguise. A serial killer on the run from Los Angeles, Dominic was no stranger to murder. However, Ginevra was far from an easy mark—had she discovered his secret before he had a chance to silence her?
Nahomy (The Betrayed)
Nahomy had known Ginevra since childhood. Once friends, their relationship soured when Ginevra repeatedly stole Nahomy’s boyfriends for sport. Years later, Nahomy had reinvented herself—a striking woman with secrets of her own. She had killed before, though that had been an accident. Or had it? If old wounds had festered into rage, perhaps Ginevra’s fate was sealed long before the dinner party began.
Griselda (The Fortune Teller)
Griselda was timeless, her beauty a relic of another age. With a knowing gaze and whispered prophecies, she arrived uninvited, claiming the spirits had drawn her to the manor. Some dismissed her as a charlatan, while others feared she was something far worse. She had a habit of collecting souls—always starting with men, but not exclusively. Did Ginevra cross her in some way? Or had the young widow made the fatal mistake of asking Griselda for a glimpse into her future?
Michelle (The Ghost)
Two years ago, Michelle had died. Tonight, she was very much present. To those who saw her, she was flesh and bone, but the truth was far more chilling. She had been murdered in this very mansion—perhaps by Ginevra herself. Was she back to exact revenge, or was she merely an echo of the past, guiding the guests toward the truth?
Paul (The Tycoon)
A wealthy industrialist with blood on his hands—though not always his own. Paul had been working with Ginevra on a lucrative business deal until she began to pull out unexpectedly. Men had died because of Paul’s greed before, and he had no qualms about ensuring his fortune remained intact. Could Ginevra’s change of heart have cost her more than just a business partner?
Destiny (The Bartender)
A former hairdresser turned bartender, Destiny knew how to make herself useful to those with power. She had once worked for Ginevra, witnessing firsthand the manipulations and betrayals that defined the young widow’s world. Destiny had no known motive for murder, but was there something deeper beneath her polished exterior?