Hunt A Killer

Hunt A Killer delivers 6-episode murder mystery seasons with monthly boxes containing physical evidence, autopsy reports, crime scene photos, audio files, and investigative materials. Solve crimes through immersive detective work. Founded 2016 by Ryan Hogan and Derrick Smith. $34.99/month or $171.30 for full season. Trustpilot declined from 4.6-4.7 to 3.5/5 after ownership transition.

Hunt A Killer has revolutionized at-home entertainment since 2016 by transforming subscribers into detectives solving immersive murder mysteries through physical evidence delivered monthly. Founded by childhood friends Ryan Hogan and Derrick Smith from Baltimore, the company pivoted from hosting annual live thriller events (attracting 600 participants at Camp Ramblewood) to launching a monthly subscription box in October 2016 with 56 initial subscribers. The concept, delivering tangible investigative materials including autopsy reports, witness statements, crime scene photos, audio recordings, and physical objects, creates tactile engagement unavailable in app-based mystery games.

The business operates on a 6-episode season structure, with each season telling a complete murder mystery story unfolding over six months. Subscribers receive monthly episodes containing case files and evidence to analyze, building toward solving the crime by the finale. This episodic approach differentiates Hunt A Killer from single-session games, offering narrative depth and progressive complexity. With offices in Baltimore (headquarters) and Seattle (marketing team), the company ships internationally and has expanded beyond subscriptions to offer standalone mystery boxes for one-time purchases.

Pricing Plans

Hunt A Killer offers flexible purchasing options for their 6-episode mystery seasons:

Monthly Subscription: $34.99/month + shipping

• Billed monthly as episodes ship
• Receive one episode per month for six months
• Can cancel anytime (though reviews suggest difficulty)
• Total cost: Approximately $210+ over 6 months

Full Season Purchase: $171.30 ($28.55/episode)

• Pay upfront for complete 6-episode season
• All episodes ship at once for binge-solving
• Saves approximately $38 compared to monthly billing
• Ideal for immediate gratification vs. waiting monthly

Standalone Games: One-time purchase pricing varies

• Non-subscription mystery boxes
• Complete games delivered at once
• No ongoing commitment required

Premium Experiences: Higher-tier pricing for advanced mysteries

• Additional evidence and complexity
• Pricing varies by premium season

Shipping costs separate from subscription pricing. International shipping available with additional fees.

What’s Included

Every Hunt A Killer episode immerses subscribers in detective work through comprehensive materials:

Physical Evidence: Tangible investigative items creating tactile engagement. Examples include autopsy reports with medical findings, witness statement transcripts, crime scene photographs, physical objects related to the case (fabric samples, letters, items belonging to suspects), police reports, forensic analysis documents, and newspaper clippings. The physical nature of evidence makes the mystery feel real compared to purely digital games.

Multimedia Components: Online access to audio recordings (911 calls, witness interviews, phone messages), searchable character databases with suspect backgrounds, video clips, social media profiles of characters, and interactive websites tied to the case. These digital elements complement physical evidence for comprehensive investigation.

Case Files: Organized documentation guiding investigation progress, including case summaries, investigation notes, timelines, and hints (if needed). The episodic structure means each month’s delivery advances the story with new revelations, suspects, or evidence that builds on previous episodes.

Investigative Tools: Some episodes include tools for analyzing evidence, UV lights for finding hidden messages, cipher wheels for code-breaking, magnifying glasses, or other detective implements needed for specific puzzles within the mystery.

The combination of physical and digital elements creates immersive experiences praised by mystery enthusiasts who successfully receive their boxes. However, recent reviews following an ownership change describe operational issues undermining the product’s quality (see “How It Works” concerns below).

How It Works

Subscribing to Hunt A Killer follows this process:

1. Select Mystery Season: Browse available seasons and choose based on theme, difficulty, and reviews. Each season tells a distinct murder mystery story with different characters, settings, and puzzle types.

2. Choose Purchase Method: Select monthly subscription ($34.99/month) or full season purchase ($171.30 upfront). Monthly allows cancellation flexibility; full season saves money and enables immediate binge-solving.

3. Receive Episode 1: Your first box arrives with introductory materials, case background, initial evidence, and instructions. Begin investigating by analyzing evidence, taking notes, and forming theories.

4. Solve Progressively: Each subsequent episode (monthly for subscriptions, all at once for season purchases) delivers new evidence, revelations, suspects, or plot twists. The mystery complexity builds toward a final solution in Episode 6.

5. Submit Solution: After analyzing all evidence across six episodes, submit your theory about who committed the murder, how, and why. Hunt A Killer reveals the official solution, explaining how clues pointed to the answer.

6. Start New Season: After completing one mystery, choose another season with different characters and storylines. Multiple seasons available for replay value.

OPERATIONAL CONCERNS (Post-Ownership Change):

The Trustpilot rating declined from 4.6-4.7 stars (2018-2024) to 3.5 stars (2026) following an ownership transition. Recent reviews document significant issues:

• Customer Service Collapse: Described as “atrocious” with emails going unanswered for weeks/months
• Broken Communication: Website “contact us” links reported as non-functional
• Billing Problems: Customers charged for years without receiving products, with refund requests ignored
• Ownership Transition: New ownership appears to have compromised operational capabilities
• Product Quality When Received: Mysteries still praised by customers who successfully receive boxes, suggesting content quality remains but fulfillment/support collapsed

Who It’s For

Best For:

• Mystery & Crime Enthusiasts: Fans of murder mysteries, detective fiction, true crime podcasts
• Puzzle Solvers: Those who enjoy analytical thinking, code-breaking, and investigative work
• Date Night Seekers: Couples wanting interactive shared activities beyond streaming
• Gift Givers: Unique gifts for hard-to-shop-for mystery lovers
• Solo Detectives: Individuals seeking immersive solo entertainment experiences
• Game Night Hosts: Groups wanting collaborative long-term activities spanning months

Not Ideal For:

• Customer Service Priority: Those needing responsive support when issues arise
• Easy Cancellation Need: Reviews suggest difficulty canceling despite policy
• Immediate Gratification: Monthly subscriptions require patience waiting for episode deliveries
• Casual Puzzlers: Some mysteries considered too easy by experienced solvers
• Risk-Averse: Post-ownership change operational issues create subscription risk

RECOMMENDATION:

The product itself, immersive murder mysteries with physical evidence and episodic storytelling, merits a higher rating than the current 3.3/5 Trustpilot score. When boxes arrive and content quality is good, mystery enthusiasts report high satisfaction. However, the ownership transition appears to have destroyed customer service and fulfillment reliability.

Consider purchasing standalone games (one-time purchases) rather than subscribing, reducing exposure to billing issues, difficult cancellation, and unresponsive support. If subscribing, use the full season purchase option ($171.30 upfront) rather than monthly billing to minimize ongoing subscription management. Monitor recent Trustpilot reviews immediately before purchasing to gauge current operational status.

The contrast between past excellence (4.6-4.7 stars through 2024) and recent decline (3.5 stars in 2026) suggests Hunt A Killer could recover if operational issues resolve. For now, approach with caution despite the appealing product concept.