The Deadbolt Mystery Society

What's in the box: Each box holds one standalone mystery with printed evidence, suspect materials and puzzles, plus QR codes that open online story content.

The Deadbolt Mystery Society is a US-focused murder mystery subscription that sends a new standalone case every month. Each case has you examine evidence, question suspects, search for clues and solve puzzles. Some parts are online and open by scanning QR codes, so you will need a smartphone, tablet or laptop and an internet connection. There is no timer, so you can stop a case and come back to it later. The company recommends the boxes for ages 13 and up and for groups of up to four players. The upcoming November case, The Phantom Murders, borrows from Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera and follows a missing opera singer into catacombs under an opera house. That gives a fair idea of the theatrical, story-driven tone. Pricing is simple: $34.99 month to month, dropping to $31.24 per month on a 12-month prepaid plan, with free US shipping shown at checkout. You can also send a box as a gift or buy one-time boxes, and the brand sells separate letter-based series and printable mysteries. Each monthly case has its own order window, so you need to order in time if you want a particular story. The main drawbacks are the four-player limit and needing internet access for part of the experience. If you enjoy narrative detective work at home, it is a clear and easy option to start with.