A Fourth of July Murder Mystery You Solve Together
The cooler's stocked, the grill's going, and the fireworks are an hour out. Drop a murder case in the middle of the party and let your group play detective — everyone on their own phone, no printing, no host reading from a script.
This holiday's case is Rockets' Red Glare: a festival director is shot during the grand finale at Liberty Lake, and the killer used the fireworks to cover the sound. Can your cookout crack it before the real fireworks start?
Start a Room — First Case FreeGet the July 4th Case
First case free · No download · 45–60 minutes · 2–8 players
The case: Rockets' Red Glare
It's the Fourth of July at the Liberty Lake festival. As the grand finale lights up the sky and the whole crowd is looking up, Gus Hartwell — the festival's long-time director — is found dead behind the control tent. At first it looks like a firework accident. It isn't. He was shot, and the killer timed it to the loudest shells of the night so no one heard a thing.
Your group works the evidence together: the coroner's report, gunshot-residue analysis, the restricted-zone access log, a reporter's panoramic photo of the finale crowd, and a festival ledger that doesn't add up. Six suspects, one timed shot, and an alibi that only falls apart if you read the badge log closely.
How it plays
One person starts a room in the browser and shares the link or QR code. Everyone joins from their own phone, tablet, or laptop — no downloads, no accounts. Evidence drops in stages, and different players catch different details, so the table fills with theories fast. Interview suspects, pin clues to the shared board, debate the timeline, and submit your answer when the group thinks it's solved.
Built for the holiday crowd
- 2–8 players — works for a small porch gathering or a full backyard cookout; 4–8 is the sweet spot.
- Done before the fireworks. A case runs 45–60 minutes — start it after dinner and wrap up right as the sky show begins.
- A diverse cast of suspects — the pyrotechnician, the deputy director, the marina owner, the widow, a reporter, and a volunteer intern, each with something to hide.
- Plays in person or apart. Gather around a TV, or share the link with friends celebrating in another city.
Frequently asked questions
What is a July 4th murder mystery game?
It's a party game where your group solves a fictional murder set at a Fourth of July celebration. In ColdCase Party, everyone joins a room from their own phone or laptop, examines evidence together, and works out who did it — no host script to read aloud, no printing kits.
How many people can play?
2–8 players per room. It's perfect for a backyard cookout, a lake-house weekend, or a holiday party — and it works just as well over a video call for friends who are celebrating apart.
Do we need to download or print anything?
No. It runs in any browser. One person starts a room and shares the link or QR code; everyone else taps in.
How long does the case take?
About 45–60 minutes — long enough to feel like a real investigation, short enough to finish before the fireworks start.
How much does it cost?
Your first case is free for the whole group. The Fourth of July case, Rockets' Red Glare, is a one-time $4.99 unlock for the host — everyone else plays free. Detective Club members get it at no extra cost.
