The Mysterious Case of Hugh Dunnitt

The Mysterious Case of Hugh Dunnitt begins as a tidy murder mystery and then slips sideways into something much stranger. That turn is the room’s main trick, and it gives the whole experience a mischievous edge rather than a gloomy one. If you like your whodunnits with a bit of theatrical nonsense and a proper sense of personality, this one earns attention.

The puzzle work is more logical than brutal, with a flow that should suit pairs and small groups nicely. It is not built to batter seasoned teams, but it does offer enough variety to keep the case moving, and the non-linear structure means people can split up without losing the thread. In Escapemark terms, it is “fun, inventive and easy to follow, with a fresh spin on a familiar setup.”

What sets it apart is the clueing. Cryptology has clearly aimed for something more distinctive than a standard hint feed, and the result is a room that feels interactive in a way many murder mysteries do not. Video-led storytelling and some automated touches help the case unfold with a bit of flair, though the second-half shift is not for everyone. The clue system can also become a touch tangled once the story starts wandering off its original track.

Atmosphere is good rather than knockout. The set dressing sounds clean and neatly finished, but a little less immersive than the venue’s strongest rooms, and the opening apparently takes a moment to warm up. Even so, the pacing improves as the game goes on, and the overall shape is satisfying once the team gets its bearings. This is a room that settles into its stride rather than exploding out of the gate.

For the right group, that is exactly the appeal. Beginners, mixed-experience teams and anyone who enjoys narrative-first escape rooms should find plenty to like here, especially if they want something witty, low on physical effort and very light on scare factor. Enthusiasts may clear it quickly, but they should still appreciate the originality. It may not be the hardest case in Sheffield, but it is certainly one of the more memorable ones.