Dispatch is a monthly "subscription-based mystery" from Breakout Games that "tests your detective skills each month with a new delivery of clues."
This is a review of the first series called On The Run:
"Murder, romance, scandal—this story has it all. Once you open your delivery, you'll find yourself entangled in the strange disappearance of your closest childhood friend, who also happens to be suspected of killing his wife, a well-known heiress. With the aid of physical clues and details embedded online, you'll follow each thread to deduce what is fact, what is fiction—and finally the truth—in this new experience from the creators of Breakout escape rooms."
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About Dispatch: On The Run by Breakout Games
The Subscription Box: Dispatch
The Cost: $24.99 a month + free shipping
ACTIVE DEAL: Save $10 off your first box!
CODE: dispatchsignup10
The Products: Physical clues to help solve a mystery.
Ships to: USA
Dispatch: On The Run by Breakout Games #6 Review
The 'what's inside' guide is a good checklist to make sure you have all the items. It's also handy when you're going through past boxes to make sure all the items stay with the right box.
The first thing I read was this article about the Van Kress curse:
Nearly a dozen dead in fiery accidents. Who will the curse claim next? The Van Kress legacy is one of blood, greed, corruption and madness. While the same can be said for some others that move in similar circles, the Van Kress family is unique for one special reason. They're CURSED!
The article goes on to mention several suspicious car accidents, including one that is said to have taken the life of Lydia Van Kress, granddaughter of the family patriarch, Martin Van Kress.
This clipping reports the death of Martin's wife, Francisca. Was it the family curse?
I love jigsaw puzzles, so I was happy to find this in the box.
It took me a surprisingly long time to put together.
Once finished, the puzzle revealed some potential clues!
This mysterious letter seemed to be from the killer:
They are waiting for me to finish the dance started long ago. The Peddler of Death, the Breaker of Families, and I.
Hmm, if I could figure out who the death peddler and family breaker are, perhaps I could figure out the identity of this mysterious third person!
This domestic assault report says that Andrew Van Kress was both physically and verbally abusive towards his wife, Ginny. Interestingly, Ginny is one of the cursed Van Kress family members who died in a car crash.
This is a domestic assault report that Andrew Van Kress violently grabbed his previous wife's arm when she tried to leave the room after a disagreement. Looks like he has a history of violent behavior, but is he a killer?
Hey, who's this autopsy report for? The document has burn marks, so all we know is that this female victim's middle initial was M. Unsurprisingly, she died in a car crash.
This adorable little scroll is a guide to the Greek alphabet. There's also a hint at the bottom about a special URL.
The last items arrived in an envelope addressed to James, our best friend who is trying to solve this mystery.
The letter explains that the detective who's helping James has gotten the contents of a safety deposit box!
Here's what was in the box – a fingerprint slide! Actually, I've never heard of a fingerprint slide before, but that's what it's called on the checklist. There's something unusual about this fingerprint though...
The detective also included this little KenKen puzzle snippet. When you visit the website mentioned in the puzzle, you're asked for a keycode...
I'm not sure whether the KenKen puzzle can be solved, but it should be possible to work out the code.
There were also some interesting clippings, all from different dates, but all referencing box 412 and fishing boats. What could it mean?
Verdict: I'll admit that some of the puzzles are getting a little hard for me at this point, but I'm starting to think I have some ideas about the broader mystery, which is quickly drawing to a close. I particularly enjoyed the jigsaw puzzle in this box, and I like how each new box always sends me back to past boxes to make sense of certain things.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? This is the sixth box in the On the Run series. Although everyone receives a new box each month, subscribers will receive different boxes depending on where they are in the story. New subscribers will receive box #1, but will eventually receive this box when the time is right.
Coupon - Use code dispatchsignup10 to save $10 off your first box!
Value Breakdown: I'd say there are at least three main puzzles to solve in this box, in addition to other clues in the text. It's impossible to give a retail value for the items, but the entertainment value is high.
Check out all of our Dispatch reviews and the Geek + Nerd Subscription Box Directory for more mystery and crime-themed boxes!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
What do you think of the sixth installment of Dispatch?
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