Sunday, November 7-8:30 p.m. Eastern • Free to play.
Estimated end time. Game may finish earlier depending on questions and answers.
Sponsored By: Stone Soup Storytelling Institute
Your case begins here
An elegant charity masquerade at Ravenwood Hall has ended in murder. At 8:20 p.m. in the story, a server discovered host Julian Cross dead in his private study. A heavy decorative statue lay nearby. On his desk sat an empty cream envelope with a broken red wax seal. Julian had promised an announcement that would expose a betrayal. Four guests had private meetings with him. Each has something to hide.
Game status: Not started. Questioning opens at 7 p.m. Eastern on event night. Story times describe fictional events; the schedule below is the real playing schedule.
How to play
Read the case and suspects, then use the comments at the bottom of this page to ask questions. Each player gets one question OR one evidence request per round. Put your round number and the suspect’s name first. Everyone can read the host’s replies. Discuss theories freely, but save your official accusation for the private form below.
Each questioning round lasts up to 15 minutes. Each player may ask one question per round. If everyone’s questions have been submitted and answered, we may move to the next round early. The host will announce when each round opens and closes.
Example: Round 1 — Claire: What did you and Julian argue about? Evidence request: Round 2 — Investigators: Can you check when the envelope arrived?
Suspects may lie. Confirmed investigator findings are truthful. There is one killer acting alone, with no unknown accomplices, disguises, supernatural explanations, or secret passages.
Refresh this page to check for new replies and evidence. Questions are reviewed by the host; your comment may not appear immediately. Use a consistent display name. Do not put phone numbers, addresses, or other private information in public comments.
Meet the suspects
Claire Cross
The wife — Julian wanted a divorce. Claire stood to inherit substantially more if he died before their marriage ended.
Nora Bell
The event planner — Julian suspected inflated invoices. He threatened to fire Nora and warn her other clients.
Eli Cross
The nephew — Eli owed money. Julian refused another loan, and their argument was overheard.
Adrian Vale
The charity treasurer — Julian commissioned an independent review of the charity’s accounts. Adrian’s reputation depended on what it found.
Evidence board
Confirmed at the opening: Julian was found in his study at 8:20 p.m. A decorative statue lay nearby. The cream envelope on his desk was empty, with its red wax seal broken.
Newly verified discoveries will be added here during play. No additional evidence has been released yet.
Evening schedule
7:00 — Welcome and case briefing
7:10 — Questioning round 1
7:25 — Round 2
7:40 — Round 3
7:55 — Final questioning round
8:10 — Questioning closes; submit final accusations
8:20 — Final accusations close
8:30 — Solution revealed
Questions and discussion
Ask official questions below. Start with the round number and suspect name. Submit final accusations privately in the form after the discussion.
Your private final accusation
Submit only between 8:10 and 8:20 p.m. Eastern on event night. One final accusation per player. Your name, suspect, motive, and evidence go to The Woodruff Times, not the public discussion. Your email is used only to administer this game.
Support community mystery nights
Interested in sponsoring a future game? Contact The Woodruff Times about sponsorship.
