Solve a Mystery, Together

Quick Win

Have fun — and challenge your brain — by gathering with friends or family to watch or read a mystery. If you choose a movie, each player can follow the steps below in one sitting. If you’re reading a mystery novel, create a schedule that works for everyone.

Try This Today

1. Gather the suspects. Make a list of anyone who might have committed the crime and write down what each suspect’s motivation could be.
2. Dismiss the obvious. Writers often intentionally make a character look guilty to throw readers off course.
3. Deduce and conquer. Keep asking, “Why?” Who has the best reason for committing a crime? Having a keen eye for detail and strong analytic skills are essential for solving mysteries.
4. Generate a preliminary hypothesis. After you’ve read a few chapters or watched about 15 minutes of the movie, sift through the facts you know so far and try to connect the dots. At this point, what’s your best guess about who did it and why? Everyone playing can present their initial argument. 
5. Throw back red herrings. Mystery novels and films are full of clues intended to throw you off. Examine each suspect’s behavior and consider secondary reasons for it. Was the character acting cagey because she’s guilty, or because she is keeping a secret that’s unrelated to the murder?  
6. Evolve your hypothesis. A good mystery tests your deductive reasoning skills. Assess and reassess the evidence every so often. Eliminate possibilities that no longer make sense, sift through the facts again, and adjust your hypothesis. 
7. Present your final theory. Before the truth is revealed, each player can present their final theory, along with a rationale. 

Why

Mystery novels and movies turn you from a passive bystander into an actively involved sleuth. Besides being loads of fun, working to solve mysteries may benefit your brain: Spending leisure time with cognitively challenging activities is good for brain health, according to “Engage Your Brain,” a 2017 report from AARP’s Global Council on Brain Health. And when you turn it into a group activity, you may glean extra benefits. Socializing regularly is important for good health, including brain health.