Three friends investigating a Home Mystery on a sofa

Mystery games for an evening at home, hand-crafted in Amsterdam.

From Sherlocked, the team behind the award-winning escape rooms in Amsterdam. A box of authentic letters, photographs and ciphers, ready to be solved.

Made in the Netherlands · Ships worldwide · Funded by 2,696 Kickstarter backers

Three games, three different evenings.

Three different evenings, all built with the same care. The Vandermist Dossier slows you down inside a 1979 cold case. The Medusa Report sharpens up with a Cold War file from a few years earlier. The Dream Journal is a smaller, gentler object: one evening, one quiet table, hand-crafted at a fifth of the price.

If you'd like the full breakdown, including a side-by-side comparison and a three-step way to pick yours, we've put it on one page.

Three games, three different evenings. Take a quick look side by side and find the one that fits yours.

See the full comparison
The Vandermist Dossier The Medusa Report Dream Journal
Best for Your first case A spy thriller, or a follow-up A solo evening or a gift
Players 1 to 5 1 to 5 1 to 3
Age 14+ 14+ 12+
Time 60 to 120 min 60 to 120 min 60 to 90 min
Price €69,70 €69,70 €15,00

Want both case files at once? See the Bundle for €125,46(saves €13,94).

See the full comparison
  • A real case file

    Open the box and you'll find letters, photographs, maps and ciphers, all hand-crafted in the Netherlands and aged to look the part. Everything you need is right there on the table in front of you.

  • A mystery you solve together

    You and up to five others piece the case together at your own pace, with the puzzles built so two heads truly do work better than one. It also plays beautifully solo, with a glass of wine and a slow evening.

  • Closer to a good book than a board game

    Take as long as you like, pause when dinner runs late, come back to it tomorrow. Once you've cracked the case, the dossier stays on your shelf and is fully resettable, ready to be passed on to a friend who needs an evening of their own.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does shipping take?

We ship orders on the next business day.

The estimated transit (shipping) times are:

  • Europe: 8 days
  • US/Canada: 14 days
  • Australia: 28 days

Please note that during the gift season, shipping times may increase.

Can the mystery be replayed?

Once you know the solutions, the mystery is solved for you.

But the game is made to be easily reset, so you can share the challenge with your loved ones and let them have their own unique playthrough.

How long does it take to solve?

This varies greatly per player group. Usually, it’s about 120-180 mins, but that largely depends on your familiarity with these kinds of puzzles, your interest in the narrative, and your willingness to use hints.

What is the ideal group size for playing the game?

The game is designed to accommodate 1 to 5 players, making it versatile for different group sizes. While it can be enjoyed solo, it truly shines when played with 2 to 4 players.

This range allows for a balanced mix of collaborative problem-solving and engaging discussion, enhancing the overall experience. Whether you're playing with a partner, a small group of friends, or tackling the challenge alone, the game adapts well to your preferred group size.

How challenging is the game?

We’ve received a variety of feedback from our players about the difficulty. If this is your first time playing a game like this, you may find it quite challenging, and most players use one or more hints. More experienced players and reviewers, however, often describe the difficulty level as moderate.

Are the games colorblind-friendly?

Mostly, yes. The Vandermist Dossier and the Dream Journal don't have any puzzles that depend on distinguishing colors.

The Medusa Report has one color-dependent puzzle. If you're colorblind and considering Medusa, get in touch before you order and we'll talk you through it so you can decide.

My friends and I aren’t exactly master detectives. Can we solve this?

Don’t worry, the game comes with a comprehensive hint system. You can find help for every puzzle, delivered in small steps to nudge you along. And if something just isn’t clicking, the solution is always there if you want it.

Can I play this with kids?

The game was designed with adults in mind, but there are no heavy themes. It isn’t easy though, and it requires some patience and reading. If you believe your 10-year-old would be into that, you’re probably right!

Does the game include any digital components?

The only online aspects are the hint system and the solution form. Other than that, everything you need is right there in the box. You could (try and) put away your phone for the whole night, if you wanted to.

Are the games available in languages other than English?

Currently, our games are only available in English. However, we may consider offering other language options in the future. In the meantime, we hope you'll enjoy our English versions!