Free Murder Mystery Case Files (UK)
Every genuinely free case file we know of — printable PDFs, online cold cases and pay-what-you-want downloads — so you can try the hobby tonight without spending a penny.
A boxed case costs £17–£30, and until you've solved one you won't know whether you love sifting witness statements or find it a chore. The freebies below are the answer: real, complete mysteries that publishers (including us) give away so you can find out what you like. We've noted what each involves, how long it takes, and any catches — like email sign-ups or pay-what-you-want prompts.
Free printable case files (download & print at home)
1. Print Mysteries — Deceptive Demise
The best-known free printable in the hobby, and deservedly so. Deceptive Demise is a complete murder case set on a Hollywood film set: you work through police reports, interview transcripts and access logs, cross-referencing suspect statements until the inconsistencies give the killer away. There are no characters to play and no scripts to read — it's pure armchair detective work, which makes it a fair preview of the whole case-file genre. It's also on itch.io as a pay-what-you-want download (£0 is fine), it's a small PDF that prints easily at home, and Print Mysteries reckon on 45–60 minutes to solve. If you only try one freebie on this page, make it this one — then see our full Print Mysteries review.
2. Unsolved Case Files — free mini cases
Unsolved Case Files is probably the biggest name in boxed cold-case games, and the publisher offers free mini versions of its format on its official site: Madeline Deparde and Jack Lumberski. Each is a condensed cold case — a summary, a suspect list and a handful of clues — that plays like a single chapter of the full £17–£20 boxes. Short and noticeably simpler than the real thing, but the most honest way to find out whether you'd enjoy one before ordering. Our full Unsolved Case Files review covers how the paid cases compare.
3. Min(d)gle Games — The Mystery of the BBQ
A free 31-page murder party case file on Gumroad. You read police testimony from five suspects in the death of Chloe Green, map out who's connected to whom, and work out who's lying. Gumroad downloads ask for an email address at checkout even at £0, which is the only catch. It's more of a social, read-aloud style than a solo evidence dig, so it suits a small group evening better than a quiet night in.
4. Annadiplosis — Whodunit
The opposite end of the scale from a fat evidence dossier: a murder mystery that fits on a single printed sheet. You meet the suspects in the death of Greta Granville and reason your way to the culprit in one sitting. It's a palate-cleanser rather than a full case night, but it costs nothing, prints on one page, and is a nice test of whether you enjoy deduction puzzles at all.
Free online case files (no printer needed)
5. Cold Case Inc — The Final Fare
Cold Case Inc makes browser-based investigations — witness statements, photos, CCTV stills, audio interviews and timelines, all served to your screen with nothing to print. The Final Fare is its free case, a streamlined investigation designed for solo or two-player co-op, and it exists openly as a taster for the company's bigger paid cases. It's one of the slicker free experiences here: if you like the idea of case files but hate printing, this is the one to try first.
6. The Lone Detective
The Lone Detective is a free browser detective game with a set of case files — reports, testimonies and evidence — where your job is to spot what the original investigators missed. It's an independent web project, so expect functional presentation rather than glossy props, but the cases are free, self-contained and quietly moreish.
7. Mystery-O-Matic
Mystery-O-Matic publishes a fresh logic-based murder mystery every day, free, in your browser — closer to a daily deduction puzzle (Wordle for whodunnits) than a narrative case file, but a lovely no-cost habit if you also like logic grids.
Where to find more freebies
8. itch.io's free print-and-play detective shelf
Indie designers publish free and pay-what-you-want case files on itch.io constantly — browse the free detective print-and-play tag and you'll find everything from earnest cold cases to comedy one-shots like The Brutal Boning of Buford Von Bartleby. Quality varies wildly, which is half the fun; the pay-what-you-want model means you can reward the good ones after playing.
9. Publisher freebies come and go
Most case-file publishers run a free sample at some point. If a brand you're eyeing isn't listed above, check its official site for a "free case" page before paying full price — and check our brand reviews to see whether the full games deserve your money once the freebie hooks you.
Free vs paid: what you're actually missing
Free cases are shorter, simpler, and almost always digital. What £17–£30 buys is physical evidence to spread across a table — sealed envelopes, photographs — plus a longer, twistier investigation. If the freebies hook you, our guide to the best murder mystery case files in the UK and our printable vs boxed comparison will help you pick a first paid case well.
Free case files: your questions answered
Are these murder mystery case files really free?
Yes — everything on this page is free to download or play at the time of writing. Some (like the itch.io and Gumroad titles) are pay-what-you-want, so you can tip the creator if you enjoy it, but £0 is a genuine option. A couple ask for an email address in exchange for the download, and we say so where that applies. None require a card.
How long does a free case file take to solve?
Most free cases are deliberately shorter than paid boxes: expect 30–90 minutes for the printable freebies and mini cases, and up to a couple of hours for the more involved online cases. Paid case files typically run 2–4 hours, which is the main thing you give up by going free.
Can I print these at home?
The downloadable ones, yes — they're standard A4/letter PDFs that print fine in black and white, though evidence photos look better in colour. The online-only cases (Cold Case Inc, The Lone Detective, Mystery-O-Matic) are designed to be played in a browser, so no printer needed at all.
Are free case files any good, or just adverts?
Both, honestly. Most free cases exist so you'll try a publisher's style before buying a full box — ours included. That doesn't make them bad: they're usually complete, solvable mysteries, just shorter and simpler than the paid versions. Treat them as free samples and you won't be disappointed.
Keep investigating
- The best murder mystery case files in the UK — our full ranked guide
- Printable vs boxed case files — which format suits you
- Unsolved Case Files review — the biggest name, tested properly
- Gift guides & best-for lists — date night, family and Christmas picks