Death in the Christmas Window: a murder mystery game for couples
Christmas Eve, 1926. A grand department store is about to unveil its famous Christmas window at midnight, and the crowd is gathering in the snow. When the curtain is checked at 11:40, the store's founder is lying dead inside the locked window. Five suspects, three envelopes of evidence and one killer, and only the two of you to solve it before Christmas morning.
Death in the Christmas Window is a printable 2-player co-op detective game. One of you plays a sharp-eyed police sergeant, the other a crime reporter with a nose for a story. It makes a cosy date night in or an anniversary evening. No game master is needed, and either of you can take either role.
What's in the download
- Start Here Game Guide (8 pages): how to play, running orders for 60 or 100 minutes, setup, printing and a spoiler-free FAQ
- Detective Kit (8 pages): two role cards, a cut-out badge and press pass, case notebook pages, a timeline sheet, accusation sheets and a scorecard
- Three evidence envelopes (10, 9 and 7 pages): police reports, a floor plan, telephone records, letters, interviews to read aloud, a private lead for each player and sealed hints
- Sealed Solution (5 pages): a read-aloud reveal, the step-by-step proof and the full timeline
- Date Night Extras (10 pages): an invitation, 4 cocktail cards with alcohol-free versions, a 1920s supper menu, a playlist of song titles, place cards and a certificate
- 57 pages per size, in complete US Letter and A4 sets
How you play
Open one envelope at a time, read the evidence together and act out the interviews. Each envelope has a private lead for each of you, so you both bring something to the table. Play as partners, or as friendly rivals with the scorecard. Stuck? Sealed hints sit upside down below a fold. When you're ready, each of you writes an accusation in private, then you open the solution. Expect about 60 to 120 minutes.
The case is written to be fair: the evidence proves who did it. Print at home at 100% ("Actual size"); the evidence prints well in black and white. Content: an off-stage murder with no gore, plus 1920s drinking, gambling and money troubles. Best for ages 13 and up.
Buy Death in the Christmas Window for A$19.49. Instant download, nothing shipped.
More games for groups and families: mystery party games.
FAQ
Is it really just for two players? Yes. It's designed for 2: each player has a role and private leads in every envelope.
Do we need someone to host? No. There's no game master. The solution is sealed, so you both play.
How long does it take? About 60 to 120 minutes. The guide has running orders for 60 or 100 minutes.
What if we get stuck? Each envelope has sealed hints, printed upside down below a fold, so you can take a nudge without spoiling the ending.
What do we need to print? A home printer is enough. Covers are in colour; the evidence prints well in black and white. US Letter and A4 sets are both included.
Can we play it more than once? The mystery has one solution, so it's best played once per couple. The solution and timeline make a good read afterwards.
How we made it: the story, characters and evidence are original to this game. They were written with the help of AI tools, then checked and edited by us, including a step-by-step check of every clue, alibi and timeline. All artwork is drawn by code, not AI image tools.
Questions or refund requests: contact us.