Have Your Say

Mystery Figure - latest gossip

The Mystery Figure lurking at the top of the agathachristie.com homepage has finally made their move and murdered a member of the community. Police are powerless to stop the killer from striking again, until somebody can identify them.

Stay tuned to agathachristie.com over the coming weeks and see if your little grey cells can make sense of proceedings. In the meantime discuss who you think it is with other members of the community below - though get too close to the truth and you might wind up MURDERED!   

Mystery Figure 2011

Moderator2 27 Oct 10 at 4 p.m. GMT

We want to hear your ideas for next year's Mystery Figure game. What did you like about this year's game? What did you dislike? Did you feel something was missing? Was it too slow? Too difficult to play? We want to hear it all!

Login or register to add posts and reply

42 replies

Reverse order

GKCfan 17 Jun 11 at 9:19 p.m. GMT

Really?  Thanks for informing me about that!  I appreciate that.

Delicious_Death 17 Jun 11 at 8:15 p.m. GMT

GKCfan

For example, a short mystery could be:

"Sven Hjerson walked into the parlor where the four suspects waited for him.  He had never met any of them before, but he had already deduced that the killer had to be a man.  As he entered the room, he saw the victim's chauffeur, the victim's cook, the victim's uncle, and the victim's secretary.  Without a word, he arrested the killer.  Who was it?"

The answer would be the victim's uncle.  We know that the killer is a man.  The uncle is the only one who was unquestionably male– the rest were all women!

This one doesn't work, because in fact the chauffeur is also unquestionably male.  The female would be a chauffeuse!

LauraPoirot 14 Jun 11 at 8:40 a.m. GMT

Thanks GKCfan!

That sounds great but I myself don't think I could find it out.... Do we find the first victim in the category "latest on the site"?

GKCfan 14 Jun 11 at 5:33 a.m. GMT

LauraPoirot, last year's game is over and some of the clues have been removed.  Hopefully, this year's game will start soon!  For more information on last year's game, see http://agathachristie.com/insight/papers/2010/11/24/solution-mystery-figure-game/

LauraPoirot 13 Jun 11 at 6:06 p.m. GMT

Hey I'm new and I've actually never heard of the "mystery figure" can anybody tell me how it works? it sounds really interesting, (how) can I take part?

tudes 05 Jun 11 at 11:25 p.m. GMT

I´m very excited!  I can´t wait ...

Pat_september 21 May 11 at 6:32 p.m. GMT

svcodeman

is there going to be one this year?

Moderator2

svcodeman - Yes, absolutely, to coincide with the new site, watch this space!

Moderator2 

YAY!!!

mr_ease02 04 May 11 at 11:53 p.m. GMT

I played the game by myself just in the last few days and I thought it was brilliant! I wouldn't change a thing. This is THE Agatha Christie fansite, after all. Definitely don't make it easier to appeal to those who haven't read all of AC's works.

Eirini_violin 21 Apr 11 at 10:28 a.m. GMT

I'm new here...but I played the previous game and I like it sooo much!!!! I agree with SpearmintHippo, if we not picking a murderer from one of her novels we have not a Christie Mystery Figure game!!!

SpearmintHippo 12 Apr 11 at 8:07 p.m. GMT

GKCfan

I loved the Mystery Figure game, but I have some concerns.  Last year, you could have read fifty Christie novels, but if you hadn't read the one that the Mystery Killer appeared in, you couldn't win. 

but I don't see how you could run an Agatha Christie Mystery Figure game without picking a murderer from one of her novels?  You can't have an Agatha Christie Mystery Figure game with a murderer from someone else!If it is an Agatha Christie-based game, the answer has to be a figure from one of her novels. Yes it's a bit of pot luck assuming everyone has read the book the murderer is from but how else would you chose who the mystery figue is? 

For what its worth, I thought the game was brilliant mainly because of the forums and the help / hints that all the posters gave.  I'd like to see it return in the same format only longer!! 

I'm really looking forward to the next one!

Moderator2 12 Apr 11 at 4:20 p.m. GMT

svcodeman - Yes, absolutely, to coincide with the new site, watch this space!

Moderator2 

svcodeman 30 Mar 11 at 7:06 p.m. GMT

is there going to be one this year?

GKCfan 26 Mar 11 at 8:20 p.m. GMT

Players could send the answers to an e-mail address, and for each question they got right, they'd get a series of clues back, like "doorstop," "violets," "cheese straws," "cake," "scar," "pan," "ducks," "laundry," and "newspaper."  All the clues would lead to one book: A Murder is Announced.  Of course, this would replicate the problem of "you have to have read this book..."  There might be another way of doing it, but this is just my suggestion.

GKCfan 26 Mar 11 at 8:12 p.m. GMT

For example, a short mystery could be:

"Sven Hjerson walked into the parlor where the four suspects waited for him.  He had never met any of them before, but he had already deduced that the killer had to be a man.  As he entered the room, he saw the victim's chauffeur, the victim's cook, the victim's uncle, and the victim's secretary.  Without a word, he arrested the killer.  Who was it?"

The answer would be the victim's uncle.  We know that the killer is a man.  The uncle is the only one who was unquestionably male– the rest were all women!

GKCfan 26 Mar 11 at 8:07 p.m. GMT

Of course, the new mystery game would have to be Christie related.  A series of puzzles, acrostics, and other games involving Christie trivia would help. 

It would be interesting if a creative writing aspect were involved. 

It might be fun if there were a series of mini-mysteries to solve.  For example, a 900-word mystery starring Sven Hjerson (or someone like that) could be released weekly.  Each week, Sven would solve a murder with four or five suspects.  The players could send the name of the killer to an e-mail address, and if they were correct, they would receive a clue, leading to the ultimate solution to the game, which could be a Christie book or character. 

GKCfan 26 Mar 11 at 7:57 p.m. GMT

I loved the Mystery Figure game, but I have some concerns.  Last year, you could have read fifty Christie novels, but if you hadn't read the one that the Mystery Killer appeared in, you couldn't win.  Also, there's a problem with some prizes being determined by the "first-one-to-correctly-enter," like the second prize.  Remember, people around the world participate it.  In some parts of the world, the clues are released at noon, when some people can access them immediately, some people are at work or school, and others are asleep.  I think that prizes should all be determined by either random draw or picked by judges, since the worldwide time difference affects some people differently.

oodelally3 17 Feb 11 at 6:29 p.m. GMT

I didn't get to play this one--but I see I can start from the beginning, even though it won't be for competition. That'll allow me to dust off my detective skills!

I think there should be more of these through the year...and probably more victims in each one, too. But I think the suspects can be us members, as well. Maybe you can notify the suspects ahead of time, so they're aware of that, as they play. But they don't actually know which one of them is the killer, either--until you decide to clue that person in on it later in the game.

I loves me some good AC mysteries! Most other stories pale in comparison and start to bore me. But I never get tired of her books or the TV versions!

I just did a scene from "Poirot Loses a Client," for my actor reel. It had such delicious lines, I had to put it on film!

GKCfan 10 Jan 11 at 6:38 a.m. GMT

From May to September of 2010, we followed clues and used our knowledge of Christie books to catch a "serial killer" who was actually a killer from one of Christie's novels. Clues were hidden throughout the website, and the winner got a prize.

To play the game for fun, go here: http://www.agathachristie.com/mystery-figure/It-Begins/

Bunch_Marple 10 Jan 11 at 2:48 a.m. GMT

Im sorry, Im new, just wondered what this game was/involved and will there be one this year? Thanks! :)

Pat_september 07 Jan 11 at 7:08 p.m. GMT

Happy New Year to ALL!  Cheers! Here’s to a new – and hopefully soon beginning of a new Mystery Figure Game

I thoroughly enjoyed the game; the hints were very clever and so diverse build, the clues skilfully hidden throughout the website. The pace might have been a bit slow at times, but then it allowed many others to catch up – I think.; also, enjoying the game so much, of course I would have gobble it all up – mostly like a slice (two or three, why not..) of Delicious Death Cake

It would be interesting for the new game to have a couple of different ways of getting from clue A to clue D; let’s say through clue B (for some) OR through clue C (for others) depending on the path/clue followed– just to make it a little bit more challenging. Especially since contestants would, inevitable and enjoyably, discuss it all in the forum.

Also narrowing the suspects to just a few might be interesting, but before that, why not first narrow the “theme” of the game first? Let’s say the first couple of clues will only tell us if it’s a Marple OR Poirot story in the end

Looking forward to the beginning of the new Mystery Figure game! Or has it started already...  Better look arround again!

Thomasino66 29 Dec 10 at 11:05 p.m. GMT

I absolutely loved this years game, but for next years game what i would love even more is to be a trick to whom the mystery figure is, sought of like a trick question and I all so thought maybe you could involve a nursery rhyme in the game such as Ten Little soldier boys, one two buckle my shoe ETC.

Hope next years game is even better! 

A_N_Omynous 28 Dec 10 at 6:48 p.m. GMT

I think it would be a good idea to have a similar format but have an extra clue that you do not have to look at so it can be a challenge for intelligent Christie fans but for the people who do not know as much about Christie books (like me) there would be an extra clue to help them. I agree that there should be some specific suspects. I am quite knew to this website and have not read many Christie books but it was enjoyable reading other people's ideas on who the mystery murderer was. 

InspectorGrant 26 Nov 10 at 3:44 p.m. GMT

I liked the format very much as it was, but can understand that it would have been extremely difficult if you hadn't read most of Agatha Christie's novels. 

Having specific suspects is a very good idea for 2011 but I do hope that there will be something very similar to this year's game in 2012 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of The Mousetrap. 

Agathasmykid 25 Nov 10 at 6:24 p.m. GMT

Hi, I very much enjoyed the game and hope it isn't too long until it starts again.  I don't have really any suggestions other than it did seem slow at times, however it was still very enjoyable.  I do like the idea of narrowing down the suspects if there was a way to do that.  Just like in a Christie novel, you typically have 8 to 10 suspects, and among them is the murderer.  If the game started with specific suspects, I think it would make it very interesting, it would be like being in a Christie novel.

garfyboy 18 Nov 10 at 6:46 a.m. GMT

Just completed this all in about 4 hours (with the help of all the threads and all the information at once...)

I liked the twists and turns and the way the clues panned out. Would maybe be interesting to have more "off-site" excursions like clue 4.

I also like MissQuin's cluedo style idea.

jgoetsch 08 Nov 10 at 3:15 p.m. GMT

I'm also kind of new and would love to take part in another game such as this one.

ratchet149 06 Nov 10 at 2:40 p.m. GMT

Im new to this but I'd like another Mystery Figure kind of thing.It looks so much fun.And it really needs your "grey cells" working hard.

HarleyBarley 29 Oct 10 at 5:12 p.m. GMT

Well, as long as no-one mistakes me and my avatar as a character, I'm all for it.

MissQuin 29 Oct 10 at 5:01 p.m. GMT

Well you know the avatars? Well those would be ok if there were just male and female sillouttes in different colours. Each one a different character with a little bit of background info behind them. Have to see what others think of the idea though.

HarleyBarley 29 Oct 10 at 4:58 p.m. GMT

That's certainly an interesting idea to try. Hear, hear, officials!

Mysterious Mr Erudito indeed! Last time he sent an in-game e-mail saying only " :) ", so I replied with a " XD " and he hasn't replied back.

MissQuin 28 Oct 10 at 8:10 p.m. GMT

Yes, the suspects all presented, one by one. Maybe with little pictures of each one. To make it more colourful.

The Mysterious Mr Erudito? Interesting

HarleyBarley 28 Oct 10 at 6:10 p.m. GMT

I never knew you'd like that word, Miss Quin! Funnily enough, I've recently started playing a Facebook game, and I received an (in-game) e-mail from a mysterious man named...Erudito.

Ah, you mean like our little mystery games, but in official AC Forums form?

MissQuin 28 Oct 10 at 4:59 p.m. GMT

Well  erudite isn't a word in common use in Britian. But maybe by frequent use on here, it will soon be! Ive gotten a liking for the word since you used it Harley

I think the game worked well, the clues were so cleverly hidden. One of the best points was people helping each other out, that was very good.

I expect there's some possible variations on the mystery game. One is a short version.

One is a group of made up characters, each character has a profile. A story is set, someone's killed everyone has a motive. Each week or month a new profile is added.Each character has their own version of events, but clues will be hidden in their statements.  AC forum members have to work out which one is correct. Maybe this idea is a bit basic, but it might be able to tweaked a little?

HarleyBarley 28 Oct 10 at 4:16 p.m. GMT

Why, thank you, Miss Quin. And apparently, you caught up with my little linguistical slip-up there. Erudite indeed!

MissQuin 28 Oct 10 at 9:49 a.m. GMT

I think our erudite Harley Barley summed it up very well. I think the timing between clues was good. I would want to play again next year.

It would be great to have clues but ones that anyone can work out whose not read all the books, as Harley rightly say's.

HarleyBarley 28 Oct 10 at 9:07 a.m. GMT

It was fun while it lasted, the Mystery Figure game. It was rather slow, but it gave the chance for everyone to catch up. And as for making another one right away, I'll have to say I disagree. It is the infrequency of such games that keep them fun - if they are played out often, then they will grow stale very quickly.

A thought for any future games: something that requires extensive knowledge of Christie (like this one) was fun, but perhaps we can have something more accessible?

GKCfan 28 Oct 10 at 7:38 a.m. GMT

I loved this game, but it could only be played by people who had a thorough knowledge of Christie's work (like me).  In the future, such a game ought to be crafted so newcomers to Christie can participate fully.  

chris_14 28 Oct 10 at 5:03 a.m. GMT

I enjoyed Mystery Figure, but I agree, it was too slow. My other suggestion would be a writing (crime-fiction, or even poem, etc) contest, but I also support the ideas by the other fans (cooking and costume contests).

knottyceltic 27 Oct 10 at 11:15 p.m. GMT

Not "mystery figure" but another idea...  how about a "COSTUME photo CONTEST"? and  another baking/cooking contest? 

Gilatar 27 Oct 10 at 10:25 p.m. GMT

A new game next year like this one would be absolutely outstanding!

It was enjoyable and fun. I dont think it was too slow or anything, it was perfect.

I was stuck at some points, so maybe you should do like one game for some "less intelligent" ( I don't know any other way to put it ) and one for the smarter ones. So that you could choose 

Marcia96 27 Oct 10 at 7:21 p.m. GMT

i ENJOYED so much playing the game with the mystery figure.... it was quite fun looking around for clues and helping each other.... please dont wait until next year to make another game like the mystery figure game!!!!!..... i had so much fun playing this game with the cluesss... it wasnt slow or too short it was just the right game with the right clues.... i hope the next mystery game will be as interesting and enjoyable as the mystery figure game!!!!!!!!

maryofscots 27 Oct 10 at 5:40 p.m. GMT

Too slow (perhaps) but also too short! Please don't wait until next year. At least have smaller games run through out the year. But for the next "big bang" do something more like an alternate reality game a la "The Lost Experience"