Paper Alibi brings you a printable, escape-room–style mystery puzzle to solve at home. Step into the role of the detective and see if you can crack the case.

📄 Examine the evidence

Review letters, witness statements, maps, and other case documents to discover hidden clues.

🔍 Play solo or with friends

Tackle the case alone or work with others to piece everything together.

🎯 Solve the Case

Use your detective skills to solve challenging puzzles and uncover the truth behind the mystery.

Active Case

Murder on the Red Herring Express

Case #001

Jump on board the Red Herring Express where a body has been found. Can you help identify the victim, uncover the motive and find the killer?

⏱️ Duration: 1.5 - 2 hours 🎲 Difficulty: Hard
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Frequently Asked Questions

Visit the Paper Alibi Etsy store and purchase the game. You'll receive a PDF file with everything you need to start playing. Inside the PDF are instructions on how to play and what kind of puzzles you can expect to see. Follow the link or QR code in the PDF file to take you to the online part of the game.

The game consists of a variety of different puzzles, some directly connected to the theme, such as matching together information on two different pieces of evidence. Whilst other puzzles sit outside the context of the game and are often hidden in plain sight, such as forming a sentence out of all the bold words on a piece of evidence.

You'll need a copy of the game which you can purchase from the Paper Alibi Etsy store. It's recommended you print the PDF file out, but it's not necessary. You'll also need an internet connection so you can access the online part of the game. You're encouraged to take notes with a pen and paper, and some puzzles might benefit from a calculator.

The approximate duration of our first game is between 1.5 and 2 hours. This may vary depending on your skill set, how many people are playing and how many hints you choose to take.

Yes, the game comes with a hint system. Don't be afraid to take hints when you need them. A solution is also available for each puzzle if you get completely stuck, though we encourage you to try solving it yourself first.

Absolutely! The game can be solved solo or as part of a group. It's perfect for game nights, team building, or family fun.

Whilst the game is not designed for children, the content is family-friendly and would be suitable for children aged 12 and above. However, due to the difficulty level of the game, some children might find it too challenging.