CASE 001 · Murder mystery
Five people gather for dinner at The Gilded Hour. By midnight, the owner is dead. Meet the four guests before you begin, without giving away the answer.
The story begins
Rain catches the warm light outside The Gilded Hour. Inside, Arthur Bell has called four people together to discuss his restaurant's future. His plans could change each of their lives.
At midnight, five glasses rise for a toast. Then Arthur collapses. He dies before the ambulance arrives. The four people who shared his table now have questions to answer.
One restaurant. Four different futures.
Arthur owns the restaurant and is Nora's father. Felix has worked here for years. Inez created the menu, and Victor owns a share of the business. Arthur's plans could affect their work, homes and hopes for the future.
You will search the dining room and question these four people. Door staff kept everyone else away from Arthur's table from 23:45. Your case file also includes evidence gathered after his death.
The four people you will question
Nora Bell
The daughter
A painter whose father expected her to take over the restaurant.
Felix Reed
The waiter
A waiter who has worked here for twelve years and lives above the restaurant.
Inez Costa
The chef
The head chef, known for the menu Arthur wanted to replace.
Victor Hale
The business partner
Arthur's business partner. Arthur was pressuring him to sell his share of the restaurant.
Listen to every guest
Each guest has a reason to care about Arthur's plans. That makes the dinner tense, but it does not tell you who killed him. Listen to each person before deciding what their anger or fear might mean.
Keep track of what each guest says. Then compare it with the clues you find. To finish the case, you need to explain what happened and show which statement a clue proves wrong.
What to expect when you play
The opening lets you see Arthur alive and meet his guests. You then reach the case summary. During play, move between the room, interviews and notebook to build your answer.
This small restaurant is a good place to learn the game. You still need all parts of the answer: who acted, how, when, and which clue proves a statement wrong. A name on its own is not enough.
Choose your pace
Tap Begin investigation to start a new five-minute attempt. The clock keeps running if you leave or close the game. To play without a clock, choose Untimed practice on the case summary.
You can submit your final answer once per attempt. New to the game? Read how to play before you begin.
Content notes
This fictional story includes murder, a sudden death and worries about family, jobs and money. The opening shows part of the victim's still body. There is no visible injury.
Useful detective skills
These guides help you check clues and statements. They do not give away this case's answer.
- Reasons, clues and false leads
Learn why a reason to be angry is not proof that someone acted.
- Spot a false statement
Practise matching what someone says with a clue that proves it wrong.
Other cases to explore
- The Last Carriage
Board a waiting train where another owner's plans worry four people.
- The False Inheritance
Visit a country house where two versions of a will put a family's future in doubt.