This story is part of 84 Days of Holiday, a collection that helps you find the perfect gift for anyone.
Cold cases? Crime podcasts? Detective procedural shows? Count me in. As a true crime enthusiast, I can’t get enough of a good mystery. That’s why the Hunt a Killer Murder Mystery Box is by far one of my top favorite items I’ve been gifted.
I devour Netflix Original true crime documentaries and thriller novels and can spend hours on a mystery video game, but I’m always left feeling unsatisfied. Hunt a Killer fills that gap. If you’re looking for something to take your true crime addiction to the next level, Hunt a Killer will put you in the middle of the action.
Why it’s a great gift: When my husband and I cracked open our first Hunt a Killer box, we were absolutely stunned at the level of detail that went into this product. Our first case, Curtain Call, included a letter from a woman named Julia Adler who found a mummified corpse hidden in her family-owned theater. The corpse winds up being that of a famous actress who disappeared in the 1930s, and Adler implores us to solve the mystery.
Over six boxes, delivered once a month, my husband and I combed through the original police report, coded notes from the stage manager, witness testimonies, newspaper clippings, secret letters, ciphers and the actress’s personal effects. We determined the murder weapon and slowly began checking alibis. We had to pay close attention, take notes and refer back to old boxes frequently because something as simple as a receipt or ticket stub could prove someone’s innocence.
With a wide range of mystery and horror seasons to choose from like Mallory Rock, Class of ’98, Starstruck, Dead on the Vine and The Moon Summit Mystery, there’s a case for everyone. You can play through the boxes by yourself or with friends. If you’re planning to share with friends, I definitely recommend getting all six boxes at once because the monthly wait can feel unbearable sometimes! I had so much fun teaming up with my husband. We bounced theories off each other, constructed a timeline of the crime, helped each other remember important details, and often different puzzles lent themselves more to one of the other’s particular interests and skill sets. It was definitely a fun shakeup date night.
Check out the Curtain Call trailer for a glimpse at the incredible narrative Hunt a Killer promises:
What you’ll pay: Hunt a Killer offers four different subscription plans, as well as standalone purchases, so you can get in on the fun no matter your budget. The subscription plans get you the latest featured Hunt a Killer game. Choose the Double Season plan, which includes two cases (12 boxes) delivered once a month for $360 annually. Choose a Full Season plan (one case, six boxes delivered once a month) for $195 every six months. The quarterly plan gets you half a season (three boxes) for $99 every three months. You can also subscribe to the basic monthly plan — one box a month for $40 every month. All subscriptions renew automatically unless you cancel them.
Don’t want to subscribe? No problem! Hunt a Killer offers older seasons as standalone box set purchases. That means you get all six boxes at once for one payment. Standalone box sets range from about $120 to $150, but prices vary from case to case.
You can also purchase from Hunt a Killer’s premium game selection. These are standalone, subscription-free cases that are only one box. For premium games, you’ll pay between $30 and $229, but prices vary from case to case.
Read more: 10 Best Family Board Games for 2022
