In the summer of 2021, Detective for a Day was born from a shared love of crime stories, thrillers, and all things true crime. The mission was simple: give everyday people the chance to step into the shoes of a detective and solve realistic investigative mysteries right from home.
Today, Detective for a Day is one of Europe’s most engaging platforms for cold case mystery games and it’s expanding with new cases, formats, and immersive experiences that appeal to mystery lovers everywhere.
How Detective for a Day Started
The idea was inspired by the Covid‑19 pandemic when people were stuck indoors and looking for meaningful, social, and intellectually stimulating activities. With escape rooms temporarily unavailable and traditional group activities on hold, the founders saw an opportunity to create something rooted in true crime, investigations, and storytelling but designed to be enjoyed at home.
In just six months, they released their first case files, including Murder at the Student Graduation and Murder on the Luxury Yacht. These early offerings laid the foundation for an immersive detective game experience that blends narrative depth with puzzle-solving.
By translating their content from Norwegian to English, Detective for a Day expanded its audience across Europe and beyond.
What Detective for a Day Does
Detective for a Day specialises in creating immersive mystery games that simulate real investigative work. Rather than traditional board games or trivia, these are physical, narrative‑based cases delivered to your door. Each case is packed with documents, testimonies, timelines, evidence photos, maps, and clues that you must piece together to uncover the truth.
These games are designed for adults and older teens — perfect for anyone who loves:
- True crime
- Cold case files
- Detective work
- Puzzle solving
- Interactive storytelling
What sets them apart is the realism and story depth. Your job isn’t just solving riddles or matching shapes you are interpreting evidence the way real investigators might: connecting leads, challenging alibis, and building a timeline from fragments of information.
Types of Games You Can Expect
Detective for a Day offers various different mysteries, each with its own theme and level of complexity. Some examples include:
1. Classic Murder Mysteries
These are the backbone of the Detective for a Day lineup. In cases like Murder at the Student Graduation, you examine real‑life case files to determine suspect motives, opportunities, and hidden connections. You’re given enough information to investigate freely, but you must decide what to trust, what to discard, and what to pursue.
These games are ideal for small groups or solo players who enjoy:
- Interviews
- Timelines
- Profile analysis
- Pattern recognition
2. High‑Society Crimes
In cases like Murder on the Luxury Yacht, players explore mysteries set in lavish or unusual environments. These stories often involve multiple suspects, conflicting testimonies, and interwoven secrets that require careful attention.
These games are perfect for:
- True crime fans who enjoy drama and character backstories
- Players who like tracing motives across social networks
- Those who enjoy storytelling as much as solving
3. Thematic & Seasonal Cases
Detective for a Day sometimes releases themed mysteries like holiday specials or cases tied to cultural moments. These add variety and can be perfect for events like parties or gatherings.
These appeal to:
- Group game nights
- Family gatherings over the holidays
- People who want a narrative‑rich social activity
How the Game Works (Step‑By‑Step)
Unlike typical board games with rigid rules, Detective for a Day is a free‑form investigative experience. Here’s how it generally unfolds:
- Unbox the Case
You receive a package full of documents: letters, reports, photos, transcripts, and sometimes digital clues. - Review Evidence
There’s no single path to the solution — you decide what to read first, which clues to compare, and what patterns to follow. - Build a Timeline
Most cases involve multiple events leading up to a crime or situation. Creating a timeline helps put everything in context. - Interview Analysis
Interview transcripts and witness statements are usually contradictory or incomplete — part of the challenge is determining what’s credible. - Connect the Dots
As you gather insight, you start piecing together a narrative: who had motive and opportunity, and what inconsistencies reveal the truth? - Reach a Conclusion
Unlike puzzle games with a simple “code” solution, these mysteries require deduction and interpretation — and your answer is based on logic and evidence.
Who These Games Are For
Detective for a Day caters to a wide audience:
Solo Sleuths
If you enjoy quiet, thoughtful evenings poring over puzzles and stories, you can play alone and savour every twist.
Friends & Family Game Nights
These cases make excellent group activities. They encourage discussion, debate, and shared eureka moments — perfect for parties or gatherings.
True Crime Aficionados
People who follow podcasts, documentaries, or books on real criminal investigations will love the depth and realism of the materials.
Event Entertainment
Many players use Detective for a Day cases for birthdays, parties, or holiday events, especially when traditional entertainment options feel stale.
Real Feedback from Players
Players consistently praise Detective for a Day for its realism, storytelling, and replay value. Unlike many boxed games that lose novelty after one playthrough, these mysteries reward attention to detail and collaborative thinking.
One reviewer said it felt “like diving into a really cold case file.” Another commented that the games sparked hours of conversation and analysis at parties, something traditional board games rarely achieve.
And, as I discovered with my first case, the satisfaction of finally connecting clues and uncovering the truth is deeply rewarding, so much so that I reordered another case immediately.
What’s Next for Detective for a Day
The company continues to release new cases regularly, expanding the variety of mysteries and introducing new thematic twists. Because these games are narrative‑driven, the potential for expansion is huge, from espionage cases to historical mysteries.
Detective for a Day is also exploring ways to integrate digital content, interactive elements, and community challenges to make the experience even richer.
Final Thoughts
Detective for a Day isn’t just a game; it’s an immersive, story‑driven experience that encourages you to think critically, collaborate with others, and lose yourself in a compelling mystery. Whether you’re a seasoned puzzle solver or a true crime fan looking for a new kind of challenge, these cases bring real investigative thrills right to your doorstep.
So gather your team, set up your investigation board, and get ready to unlock the secrets hidden within each case file.
