The Last Guest
Everything you need to run the Blackthorn House mystery smoothly from one phone.
Before guests arrive
- For a venue edition, keep the reusable branded master game safe; do not rebuild the branding for each event.
- Charge the phone and switch off notification previews.
- Open the game in a modern browser and enter this event's date, occasion and 4–10 guest names.
- Seat guests where they can pass the phone privately.
- Have paper and pens available for private notes if wanted.
- Do not read ahead through the character cards; the host can play without knowing the killer.
Running order
0–10 min · Event setup
Enter the current event details and 4–10 guest names. The game assigns a different role to each guest.
10–20 min · Private roles
Pass the phone around. Ask everyone to remember their secret, motive and alibi.
20–30 min · Introductions
Read the case opening aloud. Each person introduces their character and states an alibi.
30–60 min · Evidence
Reveal one round at a time. Allow 3–5 minutes of questioning after each reveal; longer for lively groups.
60–70 min · Vote
Stop discussion. Pass the phone so every player can accuse one other guest privately.
70–75 min · Reveal
Place the phone in the centre and reveal the killer and vote result together.
Host prompts
- “Who benefits most if Aurelia never makes her announcement?”
- “Which alibi depends on nobody else being present?”
- “Who could recognise archival ink or binding thread?”
- “What detail in your story have you avoided explaining?”
If something goes wrong
A player accidentally sees another card: continue; ask them not to use the information directly. For a serious spoiler, restart before evidence one.
The page is refreshed: the current game resets. Re-enter the same names and treat the new roles as a fresh case.
Someone arrives late: add them only before sealing the guest list. After roles are assigned, they may observe or help host.
A player leaves: continue and allow the host to read that character’s public persona and alibi when questioned.
A tied vote: the app judges success by whether more than half the room identified the killer. A tied leading suspect does not change that rule.
Licence and safety
This edition is for one purchaser’s private, non-commercial party. Do not resell, publish or share the game link publicly. Keep fictional accusations inside the game; do not use personal secrets or sensitive real-life topics. The story contains a non-graphic fictional murder.