A Riff Too Far
New Orleans, 1947. On the opening night of jazz legend Silas Dubois's comeback show at a smoky Bourbon Street club, promoter Bartholomew Finch is found dead backstage. Five suspects — from a scorned former manager to a gambling-addicted charmer — each carry secrets tied to Finch's web of blackmail and broken promises. With the police closing in and the jazz still playing, the truth must come out before the final set.
Listen to the Introduction
- Instant PDF download
- Print & play at home
- Full English edition
- 5 players · 2–3 h
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Characters
V
Vivian Thorne
Vivian Thorne is Silas Dubois's estranged former manager, known for her sharp business acumen and bitter falling out with the legendary musician. She maintains a chillingly composed exterior while navigating the high-stakes world of Bourbon Street promoters.
Style
Dress like a sharp businesswoman whose power is barely contained by her tailored suit.
R
Reginald Holloway
Reginald Holloway is a stern and influential music critic whose sharp pen has made and broken careers across the New Orleans jazz scene for decades. He carries himself with an air of aristocratic disdain, hiding a fierce competitive streak.
Style
Look like an esteemed intellectual whose sharp mind is matched by his precise attire.
B
Beatrice Gable
Beatrice Gable is a sharp-tongued and relentless investigative journalist always hunting for the next big scandal in the New Orleans jazz underworld. She misses nothing and uses her charming wit to extract secrets from unsuspecting targets.
Style
Dress like an ambitious reporter ready to uncover the truth, with a hint of intrigue.
C
Claude Moreau
Claude Moreau is a charming and charismatic gambler whose debonair demeanor masks a life constantly lived on the edge. He knows everyone who matters in New Orleans, but his debts have a way of catching up with him.
Style
Embody a debonair gambler whose charm hides a dangerous edge and a taste for fine things.
J
Josephine Dubois
Josephine Dubois is a brilliantly talented singer whose soulful voice is matched only by her tragic history in the New Orleans jazz scene. Overshadowed for years, she carries a quiet, simmering resentment beneath her graceful exterior.
Style
Dress like a captivating singer whose glamour hides a past of struggle and a thirst for redemption.
What You Get
A solvable mystery
A complete storyline with fair clues, a believable killer, and a satisfying reveal.
Character dossiers
Individual character dossier for each player — with backstory, secrets, motives, and goals.
Dress guide
Spoiler-safe costume guide per character — so every guest arrives in character without giving anything away.
Host guide
Complete host guide with the full solution, round structure, and pacing tips.
Audio narration
Atmospheric audio narration — introduction, every round, and a dramatic conclusion.
Print-ready PDFs
Printable PDFs — download, print, and hand out to your guests.
Is This Your Kind of Mystery?
Best for
your group enjoys leaning into character and drama
you want the table talk to feel familiar fast
your group wants a stronger deduction angle, not just banter
Vibe
late-night glamour, smoky rooms, and noir pressure
the kind of mystery that gets sharper as the night goes on
refined setting, polished faces, and buried secrets
Not ideal if
you need the tone to stay very family-safe and gentle
you want something that wraps up very quickly
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Want something entirely your own?
Design your own murder mystery from scratch — pick the setting, era, story, and shape every character yourself: names, backstories, even the quirks. Our AI builds a fresh, unique game in minutes, tailored to the people at your table.
Create Your Own Mystery