Introduction
If you’re looking to turn a casual visit to Saint John into something a bit more thrilling, the Murder Mystery Detective Experience from Hearo offers a playful and interactive way to explore the city. This activity combines storytelling, problem-solving, and outdoor exploration, making it a lively alternative to typical sightseeing tours. It’s designed to keep your brain engaged while you see some of Saint John’s streets and outskirts, all from the perspective of a detective solving a gripping murder case.
What we particularly like about this tour is how flexible it is — you can choose to walk or drive, making it accessible regardless of the weather or your energy level. Plus, with professional voice acting and a built-in scoring system, it feels both polished and fun. The only potential downside? It’s not suitable for all ages due to mature content, so families with young children might want to consider other options.
This experience is perfect for mystery enthusiasts, groups of friends, or couples who enjoy interactive adventures and want to add a twist of intrigue to their time in Saint John. It’s also a clever way to see different parts of the city at your own pace.
Key Points

- Flexible format: Choose between walking or driving to suit your preferences and weather conditions.
- Immersive storytelling: 16 professional voice actors bring the characters and plot to life.
- Self-paced adventure: Approximate duration of 2.5 hours allows for breaks and leisurely exploration.
- Interactive challenge: Gather clues, solve puzzles, and get evaluated with a Case Performance Score.
- Affordable: Priced at just over $11 per person, offering a fun value for the money.
- Age considerations: Not suitable for children due to mature content.
An Engaging Way to Discover Saint John
We loved the way this experience makes you part of an unfolding story, turning a typical stroll or drive into a detective mission. The tour’s main attraction is its interactive storytelling — 16 characters voiced by professional actors, each adding depth and humor to the mystery. Whether you’re walking the downtown streets or cruising through the outskirts, you’ll be following clues, listening to audio snippets, and analyzing evidence.
The price point of $11.02 per person is surprisingly reasonable, especially considering the quality of the production and the inclusion of a built-in scoring system. For that modest fee, you’re getting an adventure that lasts approximately 2.5 hours, with the flexibility to pause and take breaks whenever you need. We think this is a smart choice for budget-conscious travelers who want more than just sightseeing — they want an interactive experience that sparks their curiosity.
The experience is delivered via a mobile ticket, with instructions sent after booking, so you can start whenever you choose. This flexible timing suits different schedules, whether you’re an early bird or a night owl. Plus, since the experience is private, only your group participates, making it more personalized and less chaotic than large group tours.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Saint John.
Breakdown of the Itinerary and Experience

Starting Point & Route Options
Your journey begins at 100 King St, Saint John, where you’ll receive your initial instructions. From there, you can choose either a Walking Map to explore the downtown core or a Driving Map for the outskirts. Both options are clearly outlined via the mobile app, which provides live GPS and turn-by-turn directions.
The Walking Map takes you through 10 carefully mapped locations, each linked to audio clues and character interactions. This makes it ideal if you enjoy being outdoors and discovering local sights at a leisurely pace. If you’d rather stay warm or have limited time, the Driving Map lets you listen on the move, ideal for a quick, focused investigation.
The 10 Locations
While the exact locations are not detailed here, the tour’s design encourages you to visit each spot, listen to the story, and collect clues. The experience is crafted to keep you engaged, with a narrative that unfolds as you move through different parts of the city or its outskirts. The stops are designed to capture the feel of Saint John’s streets and neighborhoods, adding authenticity to your detective work.
Characters and Audio
What makes this adventure stand out is the 16 unique characters voiced by seasoned actors. You might find yourself chatting with a suspicious shopkeeper, a nervous witness, or a secretive informant — all brought to life through high-quality audio. The recordings are clear and immersive, which is especially important in outdoor settings.
Difficulty Modes & Competition
You have the option to play in Normal Mode or Hard Mode, which adds a layer of difficulty for seasoned sleuths. The game also features a scoring system, so you can work as a team or compete against friends to see who solves the case most accurately and quickly.
Clue Gathering & Making Deductions
As you gather clues, you’ll be piecing together evidence, making deductions, and ultimately issuing an arrest warrant. The system evaluates your detective skills, giving you a Case Performance Score at the end — a fun way to compare your sleuthing prowess.
Final Notes on Experience Quality
The experience is designed to be outdoor-friendly with flexible start times, and its self-guided format allows you to customize your adventure. It’s a good fit for those who enjoy puzzles, storytelling, and exploring at their own pace. The price includes customer service help if needed, which adds reassurance for first-timers or those unfamiliar with mobile apps.
Why This Tour Offers Good Value

Compared to traditional guided tours in Saint John, this murder mystery experience provides a unique, story-driven exploration at an excellent price point. For about $11, you are getting a two-and-a-half-hour interactive adventure that combines entertainment, outdoor activity, and a chance to see parts of the city from a different perspective. You won’t find this kind of engaging, self-paced activity in standard sightseeing itineraries.
The inclusion of professional voice acting and the flexible format make it well worth the cost. Plus, since it’s a private activity, you’re not sharing your experience with strangers — ideal for groups or couples seeking a more personalized outing.
Who Should Consider this Experience?

This tour suits mystery lovers and those who enjoy puzzles and storytelling. It’s also perfect for groups of friends or couples who want to add some fun to their time in Saint John. If you prefer guided tours with a fixed schedule, or if you’re traveling with young children, you might want to explore other options. But if you’re looking for a memorable, engaging, and affordable activity that gets you outdoors and thinking, this is a strong choice.
FAQ

Is this experience suitable for children?
Due to adult material such as profanity and mature references, it’s not recommended for children.
How long does the experience last?
It lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, giving you plenty of time to enjoy at your own pace and take breaks.
Can I start this activity at any time?
Yes. After booking, you receive instructions and can start whenever it fits your schedule, since the booking is flexible.
What equipment do I need?
A charged smartphone is essential, and earbuds or headphones are recommended for clear audio. Transportation is not included, so plan to walk or drive to the start point.
How many devices do I need?
The number of tickets purchased equals the number of devices you can play on. If two people share one device, buy one ticket; for more participants, buy accordingly.
Is there a group size limit?
The activity is private, so only your group will participate, regardless of size. Just remember that larger groups might need multiple devices.
What if I have technical issues?
Customer service help is available if you encounter problems during the experience.
Can I switch modes during the activity?
The experience offers a choice between Normal and Hard modes; switching during the game isn’t specified, so it’s best to select your preferred difficulty beforehand.
What’s the starting point?
The activity begins at 100 King St, Saint John, NB, and ends back at the same location, making it easy to plan your day.
Final Thoughts

The Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Saint John is a clever and engaging way to explore the city while testing your sleuthing skills. It offers a good balance of storytelling, outdoor activity, and interactive fun, all at a budget-friendly price. Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with a small group, it’s an opportunity to enjoy Saint John’s streets with a new perspective — as a crime solver rather than just a tourist.
If you appreciate immersive games, enjoy puzzles, or just want to add an element of mystery to your trip, this experience is well worth considering. It offers a memorable, hands-on way to understand the city and have some fun along the way.
The Murder Mystery Detective Experience is a smart addition to your Saint John itinerary, especially if you’re craving something interactive and memorable. It’s best suited for curious travelers who enjoy storytelling, solving puzzles, and exploring at their own pace.
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