Hunt A Killer

Hunt A Killer is a murder mystery game in a box. You get a case file stuffed with letters, police reports, photos, maps, locked tins and odd little objects, and it is on you to figure out who did it. No app, no game master, no one telling you where to look. You read, you connect the dots, you argue with whoever is playing with you, and then you name the killer.

If you remember Hunt A Killer as a monthly subscription box, you are not wrong. That is how it started in 2016, with seasons told one episode a month. Today it works differently: every case is a standalone game you buy once, the old seasons are sold as complete box sets, and the only recurring piece is an optional $50 a year membership called Evidence Locker. Below we break down what you actually get, what it costs, which cases are worth your time, and whether the membership makes sense.

How Hunt A Killer works

Every case follows the same loop. You open the box and start with the cover letter, which sets the scene and gives you your first objective. Then you dig through the evidence looking for the three things that point to a killer: means (how it was done), motive (why) and opportunity (who could have been there). Only one suspect has all three.

Along the way you will crack ciphers, open combination locks, read between the lines of witness statements and build a timeline. When you think you have it, you check your answer. Stuck? The Hints and Reveals pages on huntakiller.com walk you through each case step by step, so you can take a nudge without spoiling the ending.

You can play solo or with up to six people. With a group, it plays a lot like a true crime podcast you get to be part of, which is honestly the best way to experience it.

Hunt A Killer prices

There is no monthly fee anymore. You pay per game, and the price depends on how big and how hard the case is.

Shipping is free in the US on orders of $59 or more before tax. Merch orders and international orders do not qualify. Most cases ship within two days, and every order comes with a 30 day money back guarantee.

The math that matters: a single $29.99 narrative case does not reach free shipping. Two of them plus a card game does. If you are buying for a game night or a gift, bundle.

What’s in a Hunt A Killer box?

This is where Hunt A Killer still beats most of the copycats. The evidence feels real. Cases come with things like:

• Typed police reports, autopsy notes and suspect profiles
• Handwritten letters, diary pages and receipts
• Printed photos, newspaper clippings and maps
• Locked tins and pouches with combination locks
• Ciphers and codes you have to work out on paper
• Physical props that matter to the story, from a matchbook to a wooden puzzle

The Bugman, for example, ships with a metal bug casting, a real bee house with clues tucked inside its tubes and a 3D wooden beetle puzzle. Smaller narrative cases have fewer props, but they still look and feel like a real case file you were not supposed to see.

The best Hunt A Killer games

There are dozens of cases, and they are not all equal. Here is where we would start, based on story, puzzles and what players say.

• Game Night Gone Wrong ($29.99): The classic first case. A party, a body and a group of friends who all have something to hide. The puzzles are fair and the story is fun, which makes it the one to buy if you have never played.
• Murder at the Motel ($29.99): A tighter, twistier mystery with a great locked tin moment. A good second case once you know the format.
• Death at the Dive Bar ($29.99): The owner of a small town tavern falls from a ledge, and the regulars are all suspects. Great props and easy to play with a group.
• The Salem Slicer ($29.99): Made with the Morbid true crime podcast and one of the best rated recent cases. If you listen to Morbid, this is the obvious pick.
• The Bugman ($99.99): Not a whodunit. You know who the killer is. You are his pen pal, and he tells you where the bodies are buried one coded package at a time. Creepy, original and long, with 4 to 6 hours of play.
• Box sets ($79.99 to $199.99): If you loved the original subscription seasons, sets like Royal Street, Curtain Call, Class of ’98 or the two Blair Witch seasons give you the whole arc at once. Better value per hour, but a bigger commitment.

Not every case lands. Rideshare Homicide, for instance, sits well below the rest on the official reviews. Check the star ratings on each case page before you buy, since they are a decent signal here.

Is there still a Hunt A Killer subscription?

Not in the old sense. You can no longer sign up and get a new episode in the mail every month. The closest thing is Evidence Locker, a $50 a year membership. Here is what it includes:

• Early access: each new case ships to members about two weeks before the public launch, as long as you order during the members’ window.
• Free shipping on new games, which stays free until the next new case starts shipping.
• 1.5x rewards points: 7.5 Killer Rewards points per dollar instead of 5.
• A bonus surprise in every new case.

Important: the membership does not include any games. You still buy each case. It auto renews every year until you cancel, and you can turn off auto renewal anytime before your renewal date.

Our take: Evidence Locker only makes sense if you already buy every new release, especially the bigger ones. If you play two or three cases a year, skip it and just bundle orders to hit the $59 free shipping line.

Killer Rewards points

Hunt A Killer also runs a free loyalty program. You earn 5 points per dollar spent on huntakiller.com, and you can redeem 300 points for $5 off, 575 points for $10 off, or 1,650 points for a free narrative case. In practice, that is a free case for about every eleven narrative cases you buy. Points expire 12 months after you earn them, and purchases at other retailers do not count.

Card games and family friendly options

Not every Hunt A Killer game takes a whole evening. Killer Next Door ($9.99) is a quick social deduction card game where you bluff and try to spot the killer among your neighbors, a great pick for parties. The brand has also done licensed cases like Nancy Drew: Mystery at Magnolia Gardens and Agatha Christie’s The Mystery of Hunter’s Lodge, which lean more cozy than gory.

Is Hunt A Killer worth it?

Yes, if you like true crime, escape rooms or puzzle hunts, and you have someone to play with. A $29.99 narrative case gives a group a full night of entertainment for less than a round of drinks, and the evidence still feels more real than most competitors. The Bugman and the Morbid collab show the team can still surprise people.

The downsides are real, though. Once you have solved a case, it is done, so replay value is zero unless you pass it on. Quality varies from case to case. And fans of the original monthly subscription may miss the slow burn of waiting for the next episode. If that is what you want, a box set gets you closest.

Pros

• Realistic, tactile evidence with locks, codes and props
• No app and no screen time
• Works solo or with up to six players
• Good entry price at $29.99 a case
• Step by step hints online when you get stuck
• 30 day money back guarantee

Cons

• No more monthly episode subscription
• Free shipping only from $59, US only
• One time play
• Uneven quality between cases
• Evidence Locker charges $50 a year and still makes you buy the games

Hunt A Killer alternatives

Browse more hobby subscription boxes and geek subscription boxes, or compare Hunt A Killer with these:

• Hunt A Killer vs Unsolved Case Files: Unsolved Case Files sells standalone cold case files and is usually lighter on props. Hunt A Killer has more physical evidence and more story. Unsolved Case Files is usually quicker to get through.
• Hunt A Killer vs Deadbolt Mystery Society: Deadbolt is still a true monthly subscription, with a new standalone mystery every month. Pick it if the monthly surprise is what you miss.
• Hunt A Killer vs Finders Seekers: Finders Seekers is a monthly puzzle adventure with a travel theme instead of murder. Less dark, more puzzle heavy.

Hunt A Killer FAQ

How much is Hunt A Killer?

Narrative cases cost $29.99. Premium cases run $49.99 to $139.99, complete season box sets $79.99 to $199.99, and the Evidence Locker membership is $50 a year.

Is Hunt A Killer a monthly subscription?

Not anymore. It started as a monthly subscription box, but today every case is a one time purchase. The optional Evidence Locker membership gives you early access, free shipping on new games and extra points.

How many people can play Hunt A Killer?

Anywhere from one to six players. It is great solo, but most people agree it is more fun with a group.

Which Hunt A Killer game should I play first?

Game Night Gone Wrong is the best intro. After that, try Murder at the Motel or The Salem Slicer. Save The Bugman for when you know the format.

Where can I find Hunt A Killer hints and answers?

On the official Hints and Reveals pages at huntakiller.com. Each case has progressive hints, so you can get unstuck without seeing the final answer.

Can I buy Hunt A Killer at Target?

Yes, several narrative cases are sold at big retailers like Target. The full catalog, box sets, Evidence Locker perks and rewards points are only on huntakiller.com.

How do I cancel Hunt A Killer?

There is nothing to cancel on regular case orders. If you joined Evidence Locker, turn off auto renewal in your account before your renewal date, or email [email protected].

Is Hunt A Killer appropriate for kids?

Most cases deal with murder and some dark details, so they are best for older teens and adults. For younger players, the licensed Nancy Drew case is a gentler choice.