A Date Night Of Crime & Cuddles

From DIY murder mystery kits and crime-solving subscription boxes to elaborate role-play nights and Instagrammable dinner party mysteries, solving fictional crimes has become the hot new way for couples to connect. The trend is part play, part therapy, and part “can-we-crack-this-before-dessert?” tension.

Mystery Date Nights

It just like any normal date night, except with a package that says, “Detective, we’ve got a problem.” “It’s like watching a crime show, except you’re in it,” says Meera Bhatia, a Hyderabad-based architect who does monthly mystery nights with her boyfriend. “We put on fake accents, dim the lights, and interrogate each other like suspects. It’s dramatic, weirdly intimate—and really fun.”

Couples are dressing the part too: Trench coats, red lipstick, magnifying glasses, even fake moustaches. Some go full Sherlock Holmes; others are Nancy Drew with wine and murder playlists.

The obsession makes sense. We live in the golden age of true crime podcasts, serial killer documentaries, and murder re-enactments. And now, couples are going from passive watchers to active sleuths. Several Indian startups now offer themed subscription boxes—including general “mystery boxes” at `999–1,899 per month—suggesting a growing appetite for surprise and experiential gifts.

“There’s a psychological thrill in solving something together,” says Priya Vyas, a relationship counsellor. “It boosts dopamine, requires communication, and can even reveal your partner’s problem-solving style. You learn how they think—and how they crack under pressure.”

According to her, it’s also a sneaky relationship test. “Do they pay attention to detail? Do they let you take the lead? Do they blame you when things go wrong?” she laughs. “It’s a soft launch into couples’ therapy.”

The X Files

You don’t need fancy setups—just a flat surface and some curiosity. Each box typically contains newspaper clippings, fake police files, photographs, voice notes, alibis, and the occasional coded message in lemon juice.

“We started during lockdown,” says Ritika Khanna, a homemaker based in Delhi. “We wanted to make staying in feel like an adventure. Now, we have couples doing themed date nights, even proposals hidden in the case files.”

Some kits come as monthly

subscriptions, others as one-off stories, often with titles like “Death in Dadar” or “The Biryani Poison Plot.”

Yes, it’s that desi now. Hash-

tags like #MysteryDateNight, # PartnersInCrime, and #LoveYou-ToDeath are gaining traction. “It taps into playfulness, roleplay, and team-building—all things that sustain long-term love,” says Dr. Tanya Sinha, a psychologist. Relationship experts say that while the trend is fun and playful, it’s also sneakily therapeutic. And unlike actual therapy, you walk away with a solved case and leftover snacks. “It also diffuses serious energy. Couples who argue in real life suddenly become allies in fake crime scenes.” says Sinha.

Clues & Connection

If you’re bored of movies, tired of overpriced restaurants, or just want to see if your partner can keep cool under pressure, murder mystery games might be your next obsession.

In a world full of dating fatigue and digital burnout, couples are craving connections that feel real—even if the murder isn’t. Murder mystery games offer something dating apps can’t: face-to-face fun, shared curiosity, and the chance to say “we cracked it” without needing therapy after.

Because sometimes, the best way to keep love alive… is to fake a death together.