# Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Carlton House & Queen's Park

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2017
- **BGG Rating**: 7.7
- **BGG Rank**: #1643
- **Players**: 1-8 (Best with: 2)
- **Duration**: 90 min
- **Weight**: 2.24 / 5
- **Designers**: Gary Grady, Raymond Edwards, Suzanne Goldberg, Thomas Cauët
- **Artists**: Arnaud Demaegd, Bernard Bittler, Neriac, Pascal Quidault
- **Publishers**: Space Cowboys, asmodee, CrowD Games, Ystari Games
- **Categories**: Deduction, Murder / Mystery, Novel-based, Post-Napoleonic, Puzzle, Spies / Secret Agents
- **Mechanics**: Cooperative Game, Narrative Choice / Paragraph, Storytelling

## Verdict
If you love Victorian mysteries, this game offers cooperative sleuthing with rich storytelling.Stunning historical immersionSmooth cooperative playWell‑crafted casesLimited replay valueLow learning curveRECOMMENDED

## Description
Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Carlton House & Queen's Park brings back the charm of Victorian London and drops you into two iconic locations: the elegant Carlton House and the leafy Queen’s Park. The game offers ten brand‑new cases, including two classic out‑of‑print expansions that have been updated for modern players. Each investigation starts with a newspaper article describing the crime, a city map, and a set of clues scattered across handouts, newspapers, and documents. You and your group (or you solo) will scour the streets, visit cafés, police stations, and mansions, jotting down everything in a notebook. Decisions are made together, and the choice of where to go or which document to read determines which paragraph of the narrative is revealed, guiding the story along branching paths. The goal is to solve the mystery before the time limit expires, beating Sherlock Holmes himself. The game blends cooperative play, interactive storytelling, and deduction puzzles, requiring players to compare testimonies, cross‑reference information, and make logical inferences. Components include detailed maps, character cards, ten case packs, a notebook, and a guidebook with solutions. Its low weight (2.24/5) signals simple rules, yet immersion can be deep, especially for detective‑story fans. While replayability is limited—cases are fixed—the experience of tackling a different case each session keeps the group engaged. Perfect for a 90‑minute, chilly‑evening session and for anyone who wants to feel like a true Victorian investigator.

## How to Play
Game Objective
The objective of the game is to solve a mystery presented in the chosen case by following clues, interviewing characters, and answering questions at the end. The victory condition is to answer the questions correctly and compare the number of leads followed to Sherlock Holmes's. The closer to Holmes's lead count, the better the final score. The game emphasizes cooperation among players to unravel the enigma, with the challenge of not exceeding or falling short of the master's lead count.

Setup
To begin, players choose a case together, ideally in chronological order to avoid spoilers. The London map is centered on the table, along with the directory, the informant list, and the newspapers for the case (and previous ones). The player chosen as the "lead investigator" reads the case introduction and starts the game. Everyone cooperates to follow leads, consult the directory, and newspapers. Using pen and paper for notes is allowed, delegating this task to a specific player if desired. The lead investigator chooses one lead per turn, reads its description, and marks it as followed. If the lead does not exist in the case, the player must choose another. The turn ends after this, and the book is passed to the player on the left.

Game Flow
The game progresses in turns, with the lead investigator choosing one lead at a time. Each player can only read one lead per turn, even if other players are discussing or consulting information. After following a lead, the player reads the description aloud and notes that the lead has been followed. The game continues until the players believe they have solved the case. Discussions are permitted, but the lead investigator has the final say on decisions about the next destination. Newspapers, the directory, and already visited leads can be consulted freely at any time.

Actions and How to Play
The main actions are:

Follow a lead: The lead investigator selects a lead from the case, consults the directory to find the address, and goes to the indicated location on the map. If the lead does not exist, another is chosen.
Consult informants: Informants (such as the coroner or the criminologist) can be called upon for specific information, depending on the case. Not all are available in every case.
Consult newspapers: Newspapers from the case and previous ones can reveal useful clues or advertisements. Newspapers dated after the case are not used.
Discuss: Players can debate strategies, but the lead investigator decides the next step.


End Game and Scoring
The game ends when the players answer the questions at the end of the case. The score is calculated by summing the points from the questions and the number of leads followed. If players follow more leads than Holmes, 5 points are subtracted for each extra lead. If they follow fewer, 5 points are added for each missing lead. Holmes always has 100 points. The final score is compared to Holmes's, with the goal of surpassing or getting close to his result.

Tips for Winning
1. Prioritize relevant leads: Focus on leads that directly connect to the case's plot, avoiding following too many without purpose.
2. Use informants strategically: Call informants only when necessary, as not all are useful in every case.
3. Avoid excessive leads: Following more leads than Holmes reduces the score, so balance exploration with efficiency.

## FAQ
### How many players can join?
From 1 to 8 players; works great solo or as a cooperative group.

### What is the typical playing time?
About 90 minutes per case, depending on the group's speed.

### How complex is the game?
With a weight of 2.24/5, the rules are straightforward, suitable for newcomers to deduction games.

### What components are included?
London maps, character cards, 10 case packs, a notebook, assorted documents, and a solution guide.

### Do I need prior knowledge of Sherlock Holmes?
No, but fans will enjoy the nods and atmospheric details.

### Does the game have high replay value?
Cases are fixed, so replayability is limited; however, different choices create varied story paths.

### Can I play just one case per session?
Absolutely, each case fits comfortably into a 90‑minute session.

## Price Comparison
### Best International Offers
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 47.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6186765&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
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