Murder mystery game reviews

By Steve Hatherley

Here you will find reviews of murder mystery games of all types - some party games, board games, cold case kits and other murder mystery games. I've even included reviews of some writing tools.

So, without any further ado, let's get on with the reviews!

MURDER mystery party games

Murder mystery party games that I don't cover elsewhere in detail.

Arsenic & Lies

Arsenic & Lies is a replayable murder-mystery larp written for 5-12 players that takes three hours to play. It is set at the end of 1919 and was written by Karolina Soltys.

Click here to read my review of Arsenic & Lies.

Halloween Night

Halloween Night is a boxed interactive murder mystery for 8-24 people (and a host) aged 18+ and published by Murder and Adventure Games in the UK.

Click here to read my review of Halloween Night.

Story Games

Story games are a tabletop game where the primary focus is creating and influencing a narrative.

Dead After Dinner

Dead After Dinner is a card-based murder-mystery story game for 3-5 people. It was written by Jenn Martin and takes 1-2 hours to play.

Click here to read my review of Dead After Dinner.

Boxed detective kits

Boxed kits where you solve the murder based on the evidence presented.

Christmas with the GildMores

Christmas with the Gildmores is an Advent detective kit, where clues are revealed each day until Christmas, when you can solve the murder.

Click here to read my full review of Christmas with the Gildmores.

(And yes, I solved the case!)

board games

Review of board games that are about solving murders.

221B Baker Street: The Master Detective Game

221B Baker Street is a classic deduction board game for 2 to 6 players, aged 10 and up. It challenges players to race across Victorian London, gather clues from 14 locations, and solve one of 75 unique criminal mysteries.

Click here to read my full review.

Writing tools

Review of tools used to create murder mystery party games.

Murder mystery writing system

Jack Pachuta's Murder Mystery Writing System explains the 11-step process he uses for writing his murder mystery parties.

Click here to read my full review of Jack's Murder Mystery Writing System.

GURPS Mysteries

GURPS Mysteries is a supplement for the GURPS tabletop roleplaying game covering adding mysteries (including murders) into your ttrpgs.

Although it's a GURPS supplement, the advice applies to anyone wanting to create a murder mystery.

Click here to read my review of GURPS Mysteries.

I’m Steve Hatherley, an experienced designer of interactive murder mystery games, creating and hosting them since the 1990s. I co-founded Freeform Games and Great Murder Mystery Games to bring this distinctive, character-driven style of game to a wider audience. My work—including Death on the Gambia, Hollywood Lies, and
—has been enjoyed by thousands of players worldwide. I’ve also written a book sharing my approach to creating immersive, freeform mystery experiences.