Printable murder mystery games compared
Updated June 2026
There are three main ways to play a murder mystery at home: a printable case file you download and print, a boxed or subscription kit posted to you, and a hosted dinner-party game with acting. Here is how they compare, and where a printable case file wins.
At a glance
| Feature | Printable case file | Boxed / subscription kit | Dinner-party kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Instant PDF you print at home | Physical box posted to you | Printable or posted host pack |
| Delivery | Immediate download | Days in the post, or monthly | Varies |
| Price | From £9 per case, yours to keep | Often £20 to £40+, or a subscription | £15 to £30+ per event |
| Acting or hosting | None: you investigate the file | None | Yes: characters, scripts, a host |
| Players | Solo, couples, family or a group | Usually one to a few | A group, often six or more |
| What you solve | A realistic UK police case file | Puzzles and clue props | A scripted whodunnit |
Printable case files vs subscription boxes (Hunt A Killer)
Subscription boxes such as Hunt A Killer post you physical props, often month by month. They are atmospheric, but they cost more over time and you wait for delivery. A printable case file is a single instant download from £9: you print it at home, start straight away, and keep the PDF for good. No subscription, no postage.
Printable case files vs boxed games (Unsolved Case Files)
Boxed cold-case games like Unsolved Case Files are posted to you and played once. A printable case file gives you the same solve-it- yourself experience as an instant download, written as a complete UK police Major Crime dossier with witness statements, records of interview, forensics and a sealed solution.
Printable case files vs murder mystery party kits
A murder mystery party kit is a hosted, social event: people take characters, follow scripts and often dress up. A printable case file is the opposite: no acting and no host. You are the investigating officer, working real evidence to name the culprit, alone or with others.