The Missing Hotel Key

A historical key has vanished from a locked display case.

The Grand Bell Hotel is preparing for its anniversary ceremony when the antique Founder’s Key disappears.

Only three people are closely connected to the incident. Each has a reason to look suspicious — but the records, timestamps and witness statements point to one provable solution.

Download the case file, examine the evidence and reconstruct what happened.

What you will investigate

• an incident report;
• three suspect profiles;
• an exhibition-hall access and key-control log;
• two independently verified alibi records;
• photograph metadata and visual evidence;
• a contradictory witness statement;
• an equipment transfer record;
• a detective answer sheet.

Game details

• Players: 1–4
• Recommended age: 12+
• Play time: approximately 20–30 minutes
• Language: English
• Format: printable and screen-friendly PDF
• Genre: family-friendly mystery and deduction puzzle
• Game master required: no
• Internet required during play: no

Included downloads

1. Player Case File — begin here.
2. Progressive Hints — open only if you become stuck.
3. Solution Guide — contains complete spoilers.

Public beta

This is the first public beta of CaseQuest. Public downloads and comments will be used to improve wording, difficulty, accessibility and visual presentation in future updates.

Version: 0.4 Accessible Beta

Generative AI disclosure

Generative AI was used as a development assistant and to create fictional evidence images. The scenario, evidence structure, editing, logic checks, layout and final product were manually curated and assembled by the creator.

Feedback

After playing, please leave a comment with:

• your completion time;
• whether you solved the case;
• whether you used a hint;
• the most confusing document;
• whether you would play another CaseQuest mystery.

Please write SPOILERS before revealing the solution.

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All characters, organisations, records and events in this game are fictional.

© 2026 CaseQuest / ProjectLab. Personal use only. Do not redistribute or resell the files.