Mini-Mystery Game

The Wessex Manor Murder Mystery

A 1930s Detective Adventure

The Scene: Lord Wessex has been found dead in his study at 9:30 PM, slumped over his evening brandy. The family physician, Dr. Helena Marsh, determines he died from cyanide poisoning approximately 20 minutes earlier. The bitter almond scent was masked by the strong aroma of his imported cognac. Six people were in the manor that evening, each with opportunity and motive.

Your Mission: Examine the suspects, analyze the clues, and solve the murder!

Note: The servants whisper that the manor's infamous ghostly monk—who has haunted these halls for centuries—was seen lurking near the study earlier that evening. Could the ancient spirit have influenced the night's dark events?

👻 The Terrible Monk of Wessex Manor

Long before this murder, Wessex Manor was plagued by the ghost of a murderous monk who killed his own brother in the very room where Lord Wessex now lies dead. Some say the ancient evil still influences events within these cursed walls...

Read the Full Ghost Story →

🕵️ The Suspects

Click on each suspect to reveal their story

👩‍💼 Margaret Wessex

Wife of 25 years

Alibi: "I was in my chambers all evening, reading correspondence. I had a terrible headache and asked not to be disturbed."

Motive: Stands to inherit the bulk of the estate, but recently discovered her husband was planning to donate most of his wealth to establish a research foundation.

What she says: "Charles has been acting strangely lately, always lurking about the corridors at odd hours. And I saw Dr. Marsh arguing with my husband yesterday about some 'ethical concerns'. The servants claim they heard the old monk's footsteps in the halls again last night."

📸 Charles Wessex

Nephew & photography enthusiast

Alibi: "I was in the library from 8:00 to 10:00 PM, researching new photographic methods from books Uncle brought back from his recent trip to America."

Motive: Recently Lord Wessex threatened to disinherit Charles due to his gambling debts, and Charles desperately needs money.

What he says: "Uncle's been having heated discussions with Mr. Jenkins about missing funds. And Margaret's been meeting secretly with that solicitor from town. I thought I saw a dark figure in monk's robes near Uncle's study window around 9 PM, but it vanished when I looked again."

🏠 Mr. Jenkins

Butler, 20 years of service

Alibi: "I was organizing the silver service in the pantry from 8:15 to 8:45 PM. At 8:45 PM, I brought Master Charles his evening whiskey, then gave Lord Wessex his nightly brandy and sleeping medicine in his study."

Motive: Recently discovered embezzling from household accounts to pay for his sick daughter's medical treatment.

What he says: "Master Charles was definitely in the library when I brought him his whiskey. But Lady Margaret wasn't in her chambers at 9:00 when I went to check on her. The other servants have been on edge all week—they say the monk's ghost has been more active than usual."

🩺 Dr. Helena Marsh

Family physician & former student

Alibi: "I was in the drawing room reviewing medical journals until Margaret summoned me at 9:30. I could see the greenhouse from where I sat."

Motive: Lord Wessex accused her of stealing trade secrets and selling them to rivals. He threatened to ruin her career and have her struck off the medical register.

What she says: "When I arrived at 9:35, both Margaret and Charles were in the study with the body, along with Jenkins who had fetched me. Margaret was unusually alert for someone who should have taken her laudanum by that hour. I noticed a little mud on the top of her shoes. Charles seemed quite agitated and was pacing the study nervously. Thomas disappeared from the greenhouse sometime around 9:00, and I heard a noise in the hall and looked out just in time to see Eleanor going back into her room from somewhere a little after 9:00. The whole manor feels cursed tonight—even I sensed something malevolent watching from the shadows."

✍️ Eleanor Fairfax

Cousin & Margaret's assistant

Alibi: "I was writing letters in the sitting room all evening from 8:30 to 9:30. I had a clear view of the greenhouse the entire time and saw Thomas working continuously."

Motive: Desperately needs money for her ailing mother's care. Recently asked Lord Wessex for a loan which he refused.

What she says: "I'm certain Thomas never left the greenhouse—I was watching the gardens while I wrote. Around 9:15, I heard what sounded like heavy footsteps upstairs, but everyone was accounted for. When I heard a commotion down the hall later, I entered the study in time to hear Dr. Marsh declare Lord Wessex dead. The servants say it's the monk's ghost pacing the halls as he did centuries ago."

🌿 Thomas Hartwell

Groundskeeper, recently hired

Alibi: "I was in the greenhouse tending to Lord Wessex's prized orchids and medicinal plants all evening. These African specimens require constant attention."

Motive: Actually a former business partner who felt cheated by Lord Wessex in a failed botanical expedition and was reduced to working as his groundskeeper.

What he says: "From the greenhouse, I could see Miss Eleanor writing in the sitting room and Dr. Marsh reading in the drawing room. I was facing their direction while I worked on the orchids and I didn't see them leave their rooms. Someone's been tampering with the rat poisoning in the garden shed. I've worked in many old estates, but this place has an evil presence—they say a murderous monk still walks these grounds."

🔍 The Clues

Click on each clue for detailed examination

📷 Clue 1: The Photography Poison

A small vial labeled "Potassium Cyanide - For Photography Development" is found hidden behind books in the study. The vial is empty and has fresh fingerprints.

🥃 Clue 2: The Brandy Glass

Lord Wessex's brandy decanter shows no trace of poison, but his glass contains cyanide residue. The poison was added directly to his glass, not the decanter.

🔔 Clue 3: The Servant's Bell

The bell cord in Lord Wessex's study was pulled at exactly 9:10 PM, but Jenkins was returning to the pantry and didn't hear it due to the distance.

🚪 Clue 4: The Garden Doors

The study's French doors to the garden were found slightly ajar. Fresh mud on the study carpet suggests someone entered from outside, but the tracks stop near the body.

🔒 Clue 5: The Missing Items from Safe

Lord Wessex's private safe is open. The safe appears to have been searched, but nothing seems to be missing. Contains will, cash, research notes on toxic plant alkaloids, and personal papers. A new unauthorized will dated three days ago was found among the papers.

🌸 Clue 6: The Rare Orchid Petal

A petal from a rare white orchid (Angraecum sesquipedale) is found near the body. This species is grown exclusively in the estate greenhouse and has medicinal properties.

⏰ Timeline of Events

8:00 PM

Dinner ends, everyone disperses

8:30 PM

Last confirmed sighting of Lord Wessex alive

8:45 PM

Jenkins delivers evening whiskey to Charles and brandy/medicine to Lord Wessex

9:00 PM

Eleanor sees Jenkins coming from the library

9:10 PM

Study bell rings (Jenkins doesn't respond)

9:30 PM

Margaret summons Dr. Marsh, Lord Wessex found dead

Detective's Note: Pay close attention to who had access to what, when people were where they claim to be, and whether the obvious evidence might be too obvious. Sometimes the most sophisticated crimes use the simplest methods. The servants whisper that on nights when blood is spilled at Wessex Manor, the ghost of the murderous monk becomes more active, as if drawn to violence in the very halls where he committed his own ancient crime.

🎯 Make Your Accusation

Who committed the murder and how?

Select the murderer... Margaret Wessex Charles Wessex Mr. Jenkins Dr. Helena Marsh Eleanor Fairfax Thomas Hartwell

Select the evidence that supports your accusation:

Method & Opportunity:

Had medical/chemical knowledge to create poison Had access to Lord Wessex's sleeping medication Had access to photography chemicals Was last person known to see victim alive Delivered the poisoned drink/medicine

Suspicious Behavior:

Planted false evidence to frame others Gave false testimony about seeing someone Displayed nervous/agitated behavior at crime scene Had mud on shoes despite claiming to be indoors Unaccounted for during critical time period Pointed suspicion at multiple other suspects Acting strangely, lurking about corridors Meeting secretly with solicitor Having heated discussions about missing funds Arguing about ethical concerns regarding research

Motive:

Threatened with career destruction over stolen secrets Stood to inherit estate but threatened by charitable foundation Caught embezzling funds for daughter's medical care Threatened with disinheritance due to gambling debts Former business partner feeling cheated in expedition Needed money for mother's care, loan refused