THE GUESTBOOKA new fictional dinner case inspired by HAP’s October Altstadt Vienna review. Four invented guests, a paper trail, and fair evidence.
A case for an observant solo guest, or a dinner table of amateur detectives.
Inspired by Altstadt Vienna · HAP October 2026 reviewEntirely fictional. The guests, death, investigation, side room, and events are invented. Inspired by HAP’s recent hotel review; this is not an account of anything that happened at the hotel.
One host reads each course aloud. Four players may read the suspect cards; everyone else is a detective. Share the evidence at each course, discuss, then make one collective accusation before reading the solution. About 25 minutes, or one leisurely dinner.
Read only the statements and answers printed on your card. The culprit is not named until the solution, so everyone can investigate.
At 7:40 I began a live demonstration in the salon. I did not leave until 8:00.
If asked: Who watched the whole demonstration?
The workshop camera recorded one continuous wide shot. It shows me, the clock, and both doors.
I was alone in the archive from 7:42 until 7:56. I used my red claim ticket when I left.
If asked: Did you collect anything at dinner?
Only an empty portfolio. I never entered the small reading room.
I helped the caterer unload from 7:43 until 7:57. A delivery camera recorded us together.
If asked: Did you have a dispute with Elias?
He had withheld payment for a catalog. I wanted the invoice paid, but I did not leave the delivery entrance.
I joined Clara’s demonstration at 7:39 and stayed in view of the workshop camera until 8:01.
If asked: Who could enter the reading room?
Only the four of us had access during the private event. The organizer checked that no one else entered its corridor.
At an entirely invented private dinner inspired by an artful Vienna townhouse, dealer Elias Brand is found dead in a fictional reading room. Nothing graphic is described. This is a closed fair-play case: one of these four guests acted alone; there are no accomplices, secret passages, delayed devices or unknown visitors.
The fictional examiner establishes that the responsible guest was physically with Elias between 7:47 and 7:51. Elias was seen alive at 7:46.
The workshop recording shows Clara and Jonas continuously from 7:40 through 8:00. Neither leaves. The camera and time are independently verified.
Case progress saves on this device. A cozy, nongraphic fictional mystery; no supernatural elements.
Tell us which diversions deserve a return visit.