Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: The Thames Murders & Other Cases
- Designer Raymond Edwards , Suzanne Goldberg , Gary Grady
- Publisher Sleuth Publications , Space Cowboys , Angry Lion Games , Asterion Press , Äventyrsspel
- Illustration Bernard Bittler , Arnaud Demaegd , Nils Gulliksson , Neriac , Pascal Quidault , Stefan Thulin
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
You investigate narrative cases by reading paragraphs, searching newspapers and consulting a city map to trace leads through 19th-century London. The game has no dice or randomness; success depends on deduction and interpreting evidence. Cases are text-heavy and require careful reading, discussion and note-taking to reach a solution.
Who Is This Game For?
Best for deduction fans and experienced players aged 13 and up; supports solo to group play (1–8 players). Good for players who enjoy long, narrative investigations rather than quick, luck-based sessions.
How It Works
As a cooperative deduction experience you follow Narrative Choice / Paragraph texts, interview suspects and research newspaper clippings to assemble the facts. Gameplay uses story-driven documents and a city map rather than dice; players decide where to investigate and piece together clues. The focus is on reasoning, storytelling and information management.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Raymond Edwards, Suzanne Goldberg and Gary Grady, the game won the Spiel des Jahres in 1985 and a Charles S. Roberts Award in 1982. Its unique selling point is pure, text-based deduction without random mechanics, rooted in Sherlock Holmes stories.
Awards
2012
2012
1985
- 2012 Lys Passioné — Finalist
- 1982 Charles S. Roberts Best Fantasy Board Game — Winner
- 1982 Charles S. Roberts Award — Winner
Pro
- Pure deduction with no dice or randomness
- Strong narrative and historically researched Victorian atmosphere
- Playable solo or cooperatively (1–8 players)
- Recognized award winner (Spiel des Jahres 1985)
Contra
- Very text-heavy; requires sustained reading
- Long sessions (around 120 minutes)
- Not suited for players seeking quick, tactical gameplay
Setting & Atmosphäre
Cases take place in Victorian London and draw on motifs from the Sherlock Holmes canon. Materials and maps recreate streets and locations of 19th-century London.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Read cases carefully and discuss leads with your group; take notes to track clues across long, text-based scenarios.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
Yes. The game supports solo play; players.min is 1.
How long does a game really take?
Duration is listed as about 120 minutes; reading and deliberation can extend playtime.
What prior experience do I need?
Some familiarity with deduction or narrative paragraph games helps, as the game targets experienced players.
How does this compare to similar games?
Unlike many deduction games, this title removes randomness and relies entirely on text-driven investigation and player inference.
Is this suitable for families?
Given the text load and the 13+ age recommendation, it's more suitable for families with older teens or adults.
What mechanic makes it special?
The mix of Cooperative Game, Deduction and Narrative Choice / Paragraph mechanics defines the experience.
Fazit
If you value careful reading and narrative deduction, this offers a deep, researched experience. If you prefer short or luck-driven games, look elsewhere.
