The Mystery Agency: The Ghost In The Attic, Review

Reviewed by Alexander Wilde

In time for Halloween, an intriguing, and weighty, manilla box landed on my doorstep. Delivered direct from The Mystery Agency and branded with an ominous red ‘Open at Own Risk’, I was about to become immersed in a secretive world featuring the most intriguing of puzzles.

The lore of the secretive organisation, as the packaging teases, is that of an archive – deep below the streets of London – which stores the most sensitive objects pertaining to the most peculiar mysteries. When an ‘event that defied the laws of science’ or a ‘story too strange’ was deemed unfathomable, the artefacts of the inexplicable were securely stored away. Unopened, unseen… until now.

I’ve been a fan of Escape Rooms and play-at-home puzzles/mysteries for several years; with those received in the post significantly increasing in quality and creativity during the COVID lockdowns. Before I’d even unwrapped the packaging, I was deeply curious and eager to discover more, and I had an inkling that my expectations were going to be taken to a whole new level.

Upon opening the box, I was presented by a real chained and padlocked, aged boardgame ‘The Ghost in the Attic’, nestled with a yellowing page from the Columbus Evening Times, dated May 1956. The newspaper headline read: The ‘Real’ Ghost in the Attic. Jumping straight in, and sharing without spoilers, the report tells the story of the successful Laurence and Eddie Brogue, founders of the fateful Brogue Bros Entertainment company, and details the disturbing events prompting the recall of five-hundred copies of the initial launch of their latest game.

Simple instructions on the inside lid of the outer box inform you how to get started. You need a keen ‘eye’ from the outset as you login to the solution page of a dedicated webpage. There you can input the final answer to the puzzle, as well as access graduated hints and clues if you get stuck. A device is needed throughout the game, as gameplay blends the physical with online items. You have the option to play against the clock or in your own time. I am glad we chose the latter, as my wife and I would have certainly failed in an hour!

Clues within the newspaper led us to unlocking the chain and we were greeted with a fully playable game with rules of play, character counters, game cards, various objects and wooden dice. I wasn’t expecting this level of craft, and it seemed as if every item could be a piece of the puzzle. It was also so real and enticing, as if I’d discovered a dust covered gem at the back of my grandparent’s cupboard. Foreshadowing from the newspaper grew thicker and scratched warnings heightened our sense of foreboding. There was far more to uncover, but I wouldn’t wish to spoil the game for any reader.

We spent an incredibly enjoyable two hours exploring and solving the mystery; we were hooked from the onset and it was appropriately challenging. It required lateral and logical thinking skills and prompted detailed examination and discussions of the clues and artefacts. As we peeled back the layers of the mystery, it became increasingly satisfying, culminating in a perfect conclusion.

A mystery and puzzle box of the highest quality, with rich atmospheric story-telling and captivating interlinked game play. The pieces are skillfully and beautifully curated with an air of authenticity. The ability to reset and share the completed mystery, as well as the ongoing playability of the titular board game, further enhances the value. Conceived and designed by Henry Lewis, Olivier award winning theatre writer, producer and director, notably known for ‘The Play that Goes Wrong’, The Mystery Agency was launched as a Kickstarter in mid-2020. Supported by an equally talented team, including high-end graphic designers, the production values of theatre and TV have been applied to their creations. I will certainly be checking out their other products.

As this product was gifted for the sake of the review, I hadn’t visited The Mystery Agency website prior. Therefore, I was unaware of what I would discover inside the box – further adding to the pleasure of unlocking each stage. I recommend skipping past the photos when you place your order, you will not be disappointed.

Rating: A highly recommended and thrilling 5 out of 5 Stars.

RRP: £45

For more information or to buy direct, visit themysteryagency.com