Detective: Smoke and Mirrors

Van Ryder Games, Game Harbor, Lavka Games · Board game · 2020
9.5 Ludopedia 8.5 BGG 1–5 Solo 45–120 min Weight 2.7/5
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9.5 rating Ludopedia
8.5 rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you're a fan of noir mystery and want to test your detective chops, this expansion is for you.

Highlights
  • Intense challenges
  • Engaging narrative
  • Strategic movement
  • Fun cooperation
Keep in mind
  • Requires English language
  • Limited replayability
  • Extensive components
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Detective: Smoke and Mirrors is the boldest expansion yet for the Detective: City of Angels universe. If you’ve already tackled Los Angeles mysteries from the 1940s and think you’ve mastered the base game, get ready: the new expansion brings the toughest cases, with storylines full of twists and clues that demand quick reasoning. The game remains cooperative, but each player receives limited action points to decide their next moves, while area movement forces you to plan routes between iconic neighborhoods and locations. The narrative is enhanced by audio narration, adding rhythm and noir atmosphere. However, the expansion is a LongPack: extra components and rules require more space and set‑up time. Replayability is limited, as stories repeat over a few rounds, so the recommendation is for those with time who want to deepen the universe. If your goal is to test deduction skills in intense scenarios, Smoke and Mirrors is the right pick, but remember the game is in English and may need translation for non‑English speakers.

Expansion for

Published additional content

1 items

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–5 players
1 REC
2 OK
3 OK
4 OK
5 OK

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Cities: Los Angeles (California, USA) Decades: The 1940's Game: Detective – City of Angels (Van Ryder Games) Misc: Forteller Audio Narration Misc: Limited Replayability Misc: LongPack Games Theme: Mystery / Crime Theme: Police
Publisher Van Ryder Games, Game Harbor, Lavka Games, Pegasus Spiele
Designer Evan Derrick
Artist Vincent Dutrait

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

2,777owners
161wishlist
42want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions
How many players can play?
1 to 5 players, best with 2 to 5 for full cooperative experience.
What is the average playtime?
Between 45 and 120 minutes, depending on case difficulty.
What is the complexity level?
Moderate to high, requiring attention to detail and good action‑point management.
What components are included?
Case cards, character tokens, action tokens, a Los Angeles map, audio pieces and support materials.
Who is this expansion for?
Advanced players of Detective: City of Angels looking for deeper challenges and a more immersive noir experience.
Does it require translation?
Yes, the game is in English; a translation or English play is recommended.
How does it differ from the base game?
It adds harder cases, new movement rules, more narrative content and audio narration, while keeping the cooperative and action‑point mechanics.