Roses are red but mysteries are better
When it comes to Valentine’s Day, I think we can all agree the usual options are… a bit predictable. Flowers? Lovely, but they die. A cramped, overpriced meal? Romantic in theory, stressful in reality.
This year though? My man absolutely nailed it.
Instead of the usual clichés, he surprised me with a murder mystery date night from Cases and Clues – specifically their Love You to Death case.
I mean, it’s not a diamond ring… but I didn't have to put my make up on and I got to stay home with my dog and wear my pyjamas. Perfect!
What is Cases and Clues?
If you’re anything like me and love a good whodunnit – I’m talking cosy crime, twisty plots, and anything remotely like The Marlow Murder Club – then this is right up your street.
Cases and Clues create immersive, at-home murder mystery experiences. Think of it as a full detective case file delivered to your door – part game, part puzzle, part interactive story.
Each case is designed to feel like a real investigation, complete with physical evidence and digital elements to explore. You’re not just reading a story… you’re inside it.
What’s included?
The Love You to Death case is set in Venice on Valentine’s Day (very on theme), where a suspicious death needs solving.
Romantic? Debatable.
Entertaining? Absolutely.
Inside the box, you get over 40 pieces of evidence to work through, including things like:
Police reports and witness statements
Maps, photos and receipts
Text message logs and fake social media profiles
A suspect cork board to map everything out
Even a phone to unlock and investigate
It’s like someone took a crime drama and turned it into a hands-on experience. Every detail is designed to immerse you in the mystery.
How does it work?
You start with a briefing from a detective, then work through the case step-by-step:
Build a timeline of events
Investigate suspects and their motives
Cross-check alibis
Crack codes and unlock hidden clues
Piece everything together to solve the crime
When you think you’ve cracked it, you submit your answer and find out if you were right.
There’s no time limit, no pressure, and plenty of hints if you get stuck – which we absolutely did at one point.
Will I like it?
It’s not just a game – it’s an experience. You end up fully invested, debating theories, second-guessing everything, and getting way too suspicious of fictional characters.
It took us a couple of hours, a glass (or two) of wine, and a lot of “WAIT… that doesn’t add up” moments. And that’s what made it such a good date night. No phones (well… only for clues), no distractions – just the two of us working together, laughing, and occasionally arguing about who the killer definitely was.
If you love murder mystery books, crime series, or solving puzzles, it’s basically your dream night in. If you’re bored of the same old date nights or just fancy trying something different, I’d 100% recommend giving this a go.
