THE JOURNAL

Field notes on mysteries, real and invented.

Essays, guides and history from the people who write the cases: how detectives think, where the genre came from, and what to play next.

  1. METHOD · 5 MIN READ

    How to solve a murder mystery: a detective's method

    A step-by-step method for solving any whodunit: read the case file, build an alibi timeline, find the contradiction, weigh means, motive, and opportunity, and avoid the obvious-suspect trap. Works for mystery novels, detective games, and escape rooms.

  2. GAMES · 3 MIN READ

    Free murder mystery games you can play online right now

    A short, honest guide to the best free browser-based murder mystery games in 2026, including Her Story, Strange Horticulture, PLAY INQUEST, and more, with what each is good for and how long you will be there.

  3. GAMES · 4 MIN READ

    The best murder mystery games for 2 players

    The best 2-player murder mystery games for couples and friends in 2026, comparing physical mystery boxes like Hunt A Killer with digital co-op detective games like PLAY INQUEST, with prices and what to expect.

  4. LETTER · 2 MIN READ

    Welcome to PLAY INQUEST

    An introduction to PLAY INQUEST, a murder-mystery detective web game where every witness lies and you only get one accusation.

  5. GAMES · 3 MIN READ

    The best detective games to play right now

    A curated list of the best detective games in 2026, including Return of the Obra Dinn, The Case of the Golden Idol, Disco Elysium, and PLAY INQUEST, ranked by how much real deduction they ask of you.

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