Read deeper
Beyond the Headlines publishing
Books and research-led stories explore the context that a headline leaves out.
Motive & Mystery / Open the file
Go beyond the headlines.
Follow the evidence.
Fictional investigations for your inner detective. True crime stories for your curious mind. Discover case files, books, and games in one place.
Read. Question. Connect the dots.
Our editorial promise
Fictional cases. Real curiosity.
Facts distinguished from speculation.
Respect for the people behind real stories.
01 / Inside the investigation
Nothing is just a detail.
A statement that doesn’t add up. A gap in the timeline. A clue hiding in plain sight. Start with the evidence, not the answer.
The Case File ChallengeFictional mystery
Think like a detective.
Our flagship concept puts witness statements, suspects, a timeline, and an overlooked clue in your hands. Build a theory before you open the solution.
- 01
Read the file
Get familiar with the people, places, and evidence.
- 02
Test your theory
Compare accounts. Find contradictions. Question your assumptions.
- 03
Reveal the explanation
See how the clues connect, then discuss your reasoning with friends.
In development: The Last Witness, a short fictional cold case. Check the catalog for currently available releases.
Play your part
Scorpion Lair Games
Detective challenges, card games, and RPGs turn a mystery into a shared experience.
Keep questioning
Podcast & magazine
Long-form conversations and The Year in True Crime offer another way into the story.
02 / Choose your next mystery
The case starts here.
Browse available downloads and their current prices. Product pages detail exactly what is included.
Your next lead
Curiosity is the first clue.
Find your next investigation. Bring an open mind—and a healthy suspicion of the obvious.