Last Crossing at Saltmere: a printable cold case detective game for 1-6 players
Saltmere, June 1991. The much-loved curator of a small boathouse museum is found at the foot of the sail-loft stairs on a tidal island you can only reach along a causeway at low tide. The police call it a fall and close the file. Thirty-five years later, volunteers restoring the museum lift a floorboard and find her journal. The case is reopened, and your team has the whole file.
Last Crossing at Saltmere is a no-host cold case game: everyone plays, nobody needs to know the answer, and the evidence is revealed in three stages so it can't be solved too early. Play it solo, in pairs, or as a family group of up to six.
What's in the case file
- Case Briefing (8 pages): the story so far, the rules, how to play solo, in pairs or as a group of six, a session plan and a spoiler-free FAQ
- Detective Kit (7 pages): six team job cards, a suspect board, a timeline sheet, an evidence tracker and the Case Closure Form
- Three evidence stages (13, 13 and 12 pages): 29 documents, including police reports, witness statements, scene photographs, a map with distances, a tide chart, telephone records, a harbour log, letters, a newspaper cutting, the journal and a lab report
- Answer Check and Solution (6 pages): score yourselves, then read the full story, the step-by-step proof and the timeline
- 59 pages per size, in complete US Letter and A4 sets
How it plays
Each document is on its own page, so you can deal them out around the table and work through the file together. Each stage ends with a checkpoint and two sealed hints. Six optional team jobs, such as Map and Tide Officer and Document Examiner, give everyone something to own. When you're ready, fill in the Case Closure Form and check your answer. A session takes about 60 to 120 minutes.
It's a family-friendly mystery for ages 12 and up; younger detectives can play with an adult. The death happens years before the story begins, with no gore and nothing frightening. Print at home at 100% ("Actual size"); the evidence prints well in black and white.
Buy Last Crossing at Saltmere for A$11.99. Instant download, nothing shipped.
See our other mystery party games, including a large-group party game and a game for couples.
FAQ
Can I play it alone? Yes. The Case Briefing has rules for solo play, pairs and groups of up to six.
Does anyone need to host or read the answer first? No. It's a no-host game. The solution stays sealed until you've filled in the Case Closure Form.
What age is it for? Ages 12 and up. Younger children can join in with an adult.
How long does it take? About 60 to 120 minutes, in three evidence stages.
Can it be solved too early? No. Evidence comes in three stages, and no single page gives the answer away.
Can I use it with a class or club? Yes. Personal use covers your own household, classroom or group; print as many copies as you need. Please don't resell or share the files.
How we made it: the story, characters and documents 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 time, distance, alibi and document. All artwork, photographs and the map are drawn by code, not AI image tools.
Questions or refund requests: contact us.