Mystery subscription boxes like The Deadbolt Mystery Society and Sleuth Kings allow you to pour over witness statements, autopsy reports, codes, and more, and basically live out your dream of being a detective. Most of these subscriptions offer a different mystery to crack in each box, but some have in-depth cold cases that will take you several boxes to unravel with new clues arriving at your door each month. Let the investigations begin! Best Mystery Box Subscriptions for Amateur Sleuths:
Best Murder Mysteries: Hunt A Killer Best Adventure Mysteries: Finders Seekers Best Mysteries to Gift: The Deadbolt Mystery Society Best Detective Mysteries: Sleuth Kings Best Escape Room Mysteries: Escape the Crate Best Episodic Mysteries: A Killing Affair Best Cold Case Mysteries: CosyKiller
With these eight mystery subscription boxes, you can sort through evidence, unravel fascinating storylines, and solve cases that have stumped others who came before you. Grab your friends and family (and your detective badge) to get started. There are three plan options to choose from: half season, full season, and double season. The half season plan is $99 up front, or $33 per box. Because each mystery is spread out over six episodes, a six-month subscription is referred to as a full season. This subscription costs $195 upfront, but lowers the box cost to $32.50 each. The double season plan is an annual subscription featuring two different mysteries, so you pay $360 upfront ($30 per box) and essentially get three boxes for free. Shipping is free for the full and double season plans, and each comes with a cocktail recipe book and two detective drinking glasses. Subscriptions automatically renew, but you can manage your account on the website. Reviews: With an average 4.6 stars out of 5 from over 4,800 reviews, amateur investigators across the country say this mystery subscription box is “engaging,” has “authentic and cryptic codes,” and creates an intriguing experience for friends, family, partners, and solo crime junkies looking for a little thrill. If you’d prefer to pay on a monthly basis, the monthly plan costs $33 per box. The three-, six-, and 12-month pre-pay plans allow you to pay the total cost upfront—$89.10, $168, and $316.80, respectively—lowering the per-box cost each time (For example, 12-month subscriptions come out to $26.40 per box). All subscriptions automatically renew, but you can cancel at any time through your account. Reviews: Customers say the boxes offer a variety of puzzles, including word puzzles, visual puzzles, anagrams, and more, and that it’s “worth the price for some quality family time!” Need more convincing? Purchase a singular box from the archives if you want to try out a mystery prior to committing to the subscription. All Deadbolt Mystery Society cases require Internet access. Reviews: This box has an impressive 5 out of 5-star rating based on more than 1,110 reviews. One reviewer wrote, “We ordered Sanitarium as a trial and we are for sure going to be monthly subscribers. Thanks for the fun!” If you’re new to mystery boxes, Sleuth Kings offers one free sample mystery involving a curse, a lawn gnome, and a postcard. For even more fun, dive into the archives to shop individual mysteries that can be purchased between your monthly subscription arrivals. Shipping is free for all subscriptions, but only available within the U.S. Reviews: One reviewer wrote, “Sleuth Kings is our absolute favorite subscription box. We look forward to long brunches where we forget all about the food and work to solve a case. It’s creative, challenging, and engaging. We appreciate that when we struggle, help from Sullivan is just an email away.” Boxes are shipped every other month, and the base plan costs $30. Four-month, six-month, and yearly prepaid subscriptions are priced at $58, $84, and $159, respectively. You can also buy individual boxes from the retired collection for $40 a piece. Boxes take a few weeks to ship, so you’ll want to place your order sooner rather than later. Reviews: Customers have praised Escape the Crate for its creative and engaging missions that keep people on their toes for hours at a time. One reviewer wrote, “[My husband and I] love going to escape rooms and this crate gave us the same experience as [one] of those physical ones. Can’t wait for the next one! Highly recommended!” In each box, you’ll have access to crime scene drawings, police reports, newspaper articles, interviews, and more, so you can get into the nitty gritty of what’s really going on. There’s also an online component to this mystery subscription box, so Internet access is needed. While your monthly subscription does automatically renew, you can always manage your account to pause or cancel at any time. Seasons one, two, and three take place in the fictional city of Lovely, Florida. The story lines follow an Independence Day killer, an arsonist, and an elusive figure responsible for the disappearance of residents across town. Subscription options include a monthly plan for $35, and prepaid plans for three months ($100), six months ($199), and 12 months ($390). Reviews: Customers love the “immersive stories,” “top-quality evidence,” and the ability to engage in detective work while solving a mystery. One reviewer wrote, “I have or have had a subscription to pretty much every single mystery solving and escape room-type of game available, and A Killing Affair is my all-time favorite!” The base monthly subscription is $45, with prepaid three-month, six-month, and 12-month subscriptions that each reduce the monthly cost (as low as $41 per box). These boxes come with many physical artifacts and documents, and internet access is not required to participate. The company is based in the U.K., so international shipping rates apply when ordering from the U.S. and delivery can take anywhere from two to three weeks. Reviews: The armchair sleuths have spoken, and they love how authentic the characters come across and how the plot lines are interwoven. One reviewer wrote, “My sister and I love, love, love Cosy Killer! We’ve tried four different mystery boxes and this one is by far the most engrossing and entertaining!”
