Murder Mystery Games in Iowa City
Solve a murder on Iowa City's streets — 1 self-guided case, played on your phone, start anytime.
Pick your case
Every game below is a self-guided murder mystery you play on foot in Iowa City. Duo gives access on 2 devices; Fellowship gives access on up to 5.
📍 Iowa CityMurder Mystery: Death in the Shadows in Iowa City
You know the old saying, “The boyfriend did it” ? On an ill-fated night, love goes terribly wrong for Bella Wanderlust and Walter Bridges . Bella, a famous travel blogger, was found dead during a ghost tour led by the theatrical Percy Shadows . Now, it’s up to you to uncover the truth. Was it Walter, the obsessed boyfriend? Percy, the ghost tour guide with a flair for the dramatic? Or is someone else hiding in the shadows? 🔎 Gather clues, interrogate suspects, and expose the real murderer before they strike again. Make sure to have your pen and paper ready to jot down all the crucial evidence.
One case runs in Iowa City right now — more await in nearby cities. Scroll down for the ones closest to you.
How it works
Buy your case
Choose Duo for access on 2 devices or Fellowship for up to 5, unlock instantly, and replay whenever you like.
Head to the starting point
Travel to the case's fixed starting point, then begin whenever you're ready — 24/7, no booking, no guide waiting.
Follow the clues on foot
Your phone guides you stop to stop. Solve the puzzles, unmask the killer, and beat your friends' time.
Choose the pass that fits your team. Then race.
Duo gives access on 2 devices and Fellowship gives access on up to 5. Eligible players can chase the same killer across the city and compare times on the leaderboard. Great for dates, birthdays and small teams.
Live races need a connection · solo play works at your own pace.
The Iowa City crime scene
A crime has gone cold in Iowa City, and the trail runs straight through the city's own streets. Cases like Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows in Iowa City turn real corners of the city into a life-sized crime scene.
You'll start out around Iowa City — following clues on foot, questioning suspects, and reading the city the way a detective reads a room.
No two blocks tell the same story. In Iowa City, the streets do half the work — you just have to notice what everyone else walked past. Bring comfortable shoes and a suspicious mind.
What people have to say about quests in Iowa City?
Based on 7+ Local Reviews
Zach Courbat
Analisa Chiavetta
Frequently asked questions
No jump scares and no actors chasing you. It's a detective story — think clever puzzles and dark plot twists, not horror. If you want something genuinely spooky, try a ghost tour instead.
Yes. The stories are mystery-thriller, not gory, and the puzzles suit ages ~10 and up with an adult. Younger detectives often enjoy reading clues and spotting suspects. Choose Duo for 2 devices or Fellowship for up to 5 devices.
Most cases take 1–2 hours and cover 2–3 km on foot. There's no timer — pause anytime for food, drinks, or to argue about who did it, then pick up exactly where you left off.
A basic mobile connection keeps the story, clues and (optional) live leaderboard in sync. Solo play works fine at your own pace even on a weak signal — you just won't see other teams update live.
Your case never expires, so you can start on a clear day, or duck under an awning and keep solving. Many players pause for a coffee when the weather turns and resume when it clears. No booking to reschedule.
Duo gives access on 2 devices ($17.99); Fellowship gives access on up to 5 devices ($29.99). Choose the pass that matches the number of players/devices you need.
No. Buy the case, open the app, and start whenever you want — tonight at 9pm or Sunday at noon. There's no host waiting and no fixed schedule.
Duo gives access on 2 devices and Fellowship gives access on up to 5 devices. Choose the pass that matches the number of players/devices you need; the available access is shown before purchase.
Each case has a fixed starting point in Iowa City — you travel there, then begin whenever you're ready. The app shows the exact spot after you buy, and guides you stop to stop from there.
Yes. Stop for lunch, a drink, or the next day — your progress is saved and the case is yours to replay forever. No countdown, no pressure.