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Deadbolt Mystery Society Review + Coupon – May 2019

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - Box Closed Top

Deadbolt Mystery Society
2 overall rating
1 Ratings | 1 Reviews

Deadbolt Mystery Society is a monthly subscription box service for lovers of mystery and suspense.

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - Box Open Front

Each box is a standalone mystery with puzzles written and designed by escape room creators with immersive scenarios, intriguing characters and original, compelling stories. Imagine yourself as a detective consulting on specific cases.

This box was sent to us at no cost to review. (Check out our review process to learn about how we review boxes.)

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - All Cards Clues Group Shot Top

About Deadbolt Mystery Society

The Subscription Box: Deadbolt Mystery Society

The Cost: $24.99 + $4.99 shipping

ACTIVE DEAL: Save 20% off your first box!
CODE: MSA20

The Products: Clues and puzzles to help solve a murder mystery

Ships to: the US

Deadbolt Mystery Society “Infected” Review

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - introduction page Top

Right on top of my box was an introduction page that gave a general explanation of the contents in the box. It starts off with a link to a checklist to ensure we have everything in the box to solve the mystery, instructs us to read everything, look for things that connect to each other and to solve all the puzzles in order to solve the mystery. It also has a link to the hint files (which is VERY resourceful). It also explains that there are QR codes in most of the boxes, so I made sure to download a QR scanner on my phone before starting the mystery. Lastly, it tells you what any good detective tells you: follow your instincts. Let’s dive into the mystery!

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - collector’s card Front TopDeadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - collector’s card Back Top

My box also came with this collector’s card of Edward Mayfield High School. Initially, I was unsure if it had anything to do with solving the mystery so I put it aside.

Clues & Information

Every box comes with clues and vital information required to solve the case. A good detective reads everything one, twice and then a third time. We aren’t just looking at words, but symbols or pictures. Everything is a clue.

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - Mail From Police chief Top

The first item I received is this email to the Chief of Police from the Detective. This was the first step and the opening into the case we are working on: somehow, we are stuck in a quarantine zone and we need to find out why. Since we are in the quarantine zone, may as well investigate.

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - signs Top

There are signs around the Quarantine Zone warning that we are inside of it. If we leave, we will be warned then shot.

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - Map Top

This is the map of the Quarantine Zone we are in. Is that blood splatter in the corner?

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - 911 transcripts Top

I am 100% a murderino; with that obsession becomes a love for transcripts so I was psyched to see this 911 transcript. Many clues come from those calls to emergency services and shouldn’t be ignored.

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - picture of happy newlyweds Front TopDeadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - picture of happy newlyweds Back Top

This is interesting. A picture of happy newlyweds Clayton and Marguerite, wed in ’99. Who are they? And what does it mean, that “cells are the foundation of life?”

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - Note from Clayton 1 TopDeadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - Note from Clayton 2 Top

Note from Clayton – wait, Clayton our newlywed?! After reading this, it is clear he is our suspect and that he is losing his darling wife to cancer despite treatments. He has written that he is doing some sort of trials with women who resemble his wife. Is that a motive? What is this guy up to?! There is so much here, I put it aside to read over and over.

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - periodic table 1 TopDeadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - periodic table 2 Top

There are also these notes on the back of a periodic table. The writing is different and says they are Benjamin’s. I know Benjamin is the detective who wrote the email and made the 911 call. I put these aside, they contain a lot of information regarding cells and things he found.

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - card for the Valley Falls Police Top

There is also this card for the Valley Falls Police department (nothing on the back.) I also put this aside. It has significance, I just need to learn more about what I’ve got to learn what it could be.

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - Patient Zero Top

And this card. I think this is what I am trying to solve! Who is patient zero?!

Pictures from the crime scene

My box came with pictures from the scene of the crime. Like the clues above, everything is significant no matter how small. It is my job to make sure I review these photos, understand where they came from, who is responsible and ultimately discover their significance. Anything can be the key to solving this mystery.

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - series of numbers and letters Top

Interesting. A series of numbers and letters, 4 columns written in marker on what appears to be a wall. The blood is creepy…

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - Some missed and some crossed letters Top

More letters and numbers, this time mixed up and some even crossed out. Also in black ink. But the writing is different than the writing in the other picture; it must come from two different persons though it appears to be written on the same wall? The writing is over the blood; are the victims being hurt then returned to this room?

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - Letters in Blood Top

More letters, but this time they are written in blood and on a different wall. What could this mean?

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - Sort of Chemical And Mask Front

This picture seems like it is taken in a locker with some sort of chemicals and a mask. What is the significance of this?

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - Hash Marks Top

Hash marks. So many hash marks. Kidnapped victims tend to do this to know how many days they’ve been missing. There is so many – is this how long this victim has been missing? It is on the same wall as the bloody letters; is this the same person?

QR Code Cards

To solve the mystery, Deadbolt Mystery Society gives us interactive QR codes. Before I started divulging int this case, I downloaded an app to read these. To keep the mystery mysterious, I have either blocked the code or didn’t take a picture of it; I don’t want to give it away!

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - Walkie Talkie QR code Top

A walkie talkie. The QR code is on the back.

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - A Computer Screen QR Code Top

A computer screen.

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - A news alert QR code Top

A news alert (QR code on the back).

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - scene of a car accident QR code Top

The scene of a car accident.

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - a lock QR code Top

And a lock.

The Victims

Most every crime has a victim. Victimology is crucial to cases; many unsubs (Unknown Subject, credit to Criminal Minds) choose victims for a reason. In this case, we know that the unsub is Clayton and his victims are similar to his wife in height, weight, and age and that he is performing experiments on them to somehow help rid her of her cancer. Let’s meet our victims and learn more about them.

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - VICTIM 1 Pam Caldwell Top

Pam Caldwell, 43, a teacher. Last seen August 29, 2018.

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - VICTIM 2 Amanda Gurley Top

Amanda Gurley, 41, a librarian. Reported missing February 23, 2018.

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - VICTIM 3 Brandy Clingan

Brandy Clingan, 41, a teacher. Last seen April 6, 2019.

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - VICTIM 4 Lynn Price Top

Lynn Price, 42, works in retail. Last seen February 3, 2019.

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - VICTIM 5 Sally Stallings Top

Sally Stallings, 42, dance instructor. Missing since March 2, 2019.

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - VICTIM 6 Stacy Forbus Top

Stacy Forbus, 45, realtor. Missing since May 14, 2018.

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - VICTIM 7 Michelle Camp Top

And finally, Michelle Camp, 43, hairdresser. We don’t have a missing date, but a reference number.

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - Evidence 1 TopDeadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - Evidence 2 Top

My case file also included some evidence: a playing card, a bobby pin, a ticket stub, a charm, a makeup sponge and a ponytail holder. Where were these found? Will they lead me to patient zero?

Now that I have reviewed all of my information, it is up to me to analyze it. Crack it and solve it. I initially started by sitting on the living room floor and had the contents of the case spread all around me. I had a notebook and paper and made notes. Beware – below are images of me working the case. I am not providing clear answers on how to solve this case, but you may see something that will make this easier to solve the case should you subscribe. If you haven’t worked this box out yet, I suggest skipping on down to the Verdict.

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - Linking Clues 1 TopDeadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - Linking Clues 2 TopDeadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - Linking Clues 3 TopDeadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - Linking Clues 4 Top

I referred to the link for the clues. They gave me a starting point and lead me through the investigation. Clue one = puzzle 1. My husband and I worked on it for an hour and a half, into the wee hours of the night and had to stop. I went to bed and thought of a better, more organized way to solve the mystery.

Deadbolt Mystery Society May 2019 “Infected” Review - Plot Chart Top

The next day, I took it to the dining room where I laid it out. I knew I had to figure out where Clayton placed the victims, so I made cells using Clayton’s notes and determined where the victims where based on both Clayton and Benjamin’s notes. Once I did this, we were able to solve the mystery in about an hour, hour and a half (we started from the beginning, new notes – everything). I found out who Patient Zero was and felt so proud knowing I had cracked this case.

Verdict: This was my first box from Deadbolt Mystery Society, and let me tell you – I haven’t stopped thinking of it and I cannot wait for the next one. Everything about this box is realistic, puzzling and really fed into my sleuth appetite. I loved the different kinds of clues I got: 911 transcripts, picture of the unsub with an important quote, a map of the quarantined area, Benjamin’s notes and Clayton’s notes. I cannot get over the realistic missing persons flyers and the pictures of the crime scene. I also loved the QR codes and the interaction they brought to my experience: they really brought the case to life. This box was created by escape room creators – in my city, Escape Room tickets start at $28 a person! This box is $24.99 plus $4.99 shipping, almost the cost of one ticket to the Escape Room. Deadbolt Mystery Society brought me and my family this experience for nearly the same price! I think this box is well worth the value and is perfect for office-chair sleuths and murderino’s everywhere! Want to know who Patient Zero is? Subscribe and figure it out!

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, you will receive the June box. From Deadbolt Mystery Society:

We take subscriptions through the month. The cutoff is the last day of the month. We then mail out all boxes by the 4th of the following month.

Deadbolt Mystery Society also has their past boxes for sale.

ACTIVE DEAL: Save 20% off your first box!
CODE: MSA20

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

What do you think of Deadbolt Mystery Society?

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"The Deadbolt Mystery Society Monthly Box is for lovers of mystery/suspense & for those who love puzzle solving. Each month subscribers will receive a new stand-alone case file with everything needed to close the case & SOLVE THE MYSTERY! Brought to you by the creative minds behind Deadbolt ... read more.
Carol Castaneda
Carol Castaneda
I am a mother of 2 going on 3 soon and enjoy the little things in life, especially in surprise form! Monthly subscription boxes give me that surprise every time I see the mailman delivering them! My favorite boxes include beauty boxes, lifestyle boxes and anything pregnancy-related boxes; my all time favorite is my FabFitFun subscription.

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6 comments

Kay

Awesome to see this reviewed! Deadbolt is our (kind of) local escape room company (an hour and a half away in Tupelo, MS), and they are great. If any of you ever find yourselves in the area, I heartily recommend them!

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Lisa Pastori

I’m interested in doing this activity with the youth in our church. How long did it take to solve? Could it be done with 12-15 people, or should we get two kits?
thank you,

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Carol Castaneda

Hi Lisa! This box took us about an hour and a half the second time since the first time we were not organized with it and it got late. For that group amount, I would probably get 2 kits. They have this one for sale on the website!

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Kimberly

This box looks so fun! Can’t wait to see more reviews

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Sheila

Great review! I’d love to see more reviews of this box and similar subscriptions.

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Connie

Great review! This box looks fascinating and would be so fun for a family night or holiday party. Am going to keep an eye on this one.

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