A Haunting in Hartwick

Name: A Haunting in Hartwick
SKU: 86
Price: 39.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.00 (3 reviews)

Cover to A Haunting in Hartwick, a ghostly murder mystery game

The Hartwick Gazette with background info for A Haunting in Hartwick

Map of Hartwick, for A Haunting in Hartwick

The Hartwick family tree - A Haunting in Hartwick

Playtesting A Haunting in Hartwick, our ghostly murder mystery game.

Rated 4.00 out of 5 based on 3 customer ratings

(3 customer reviews)

$39.99

Turn your friends into 1920s scientists, mortals and ghosts for an unforgettable evening of supernatural antics and laughter!

A Haunting in Hardwick is a murder mystery game in which inventor wants to transform Hartwick Manor into a “spirit sanctuary” where ghosts can be communicated with! But will their crazy device work? Written by Mark Schaefer.

Key features:

11-13 players and one host
Aged 15+
3-4 hour party
Download instantly
30-day money-back guarantee

Over 20 years of murder mystery games enjoyed by thousands of groups worldwide.

SKU: 86 Category: Murder mystery games Tags: 15+, 1920s and 30s, For 10-15 guests, Halloween, Magic, Mark Schaefer, No combat or poison

Description
Reviews (3)

A Haunting in Hartwick

A Haunting in Hartwick is a ghostly murder mystery game for 11 to 13 guests and one host. It is set in a grand manor house in the 1920s.

Quinn Hartwick is selling the ancestral home to Blake Crowley, an entrepreneur with unusual ambitions. Crowley plans to transform Hartwick Manor into the Crowley Spirit Sanctuary, dedicated to capturing, housing, and displaying spirits. With their protégé Skye Isis, Crowley has developed a device to lure ghosts to the manor, where they will be kept in “gentle captivity”.

But what do the ghosts think about this arrangement? And are there secrets in the Hartwick family history that would be better kept hidden?

Not your traditional murder mystery party game!

A Haunting in Hartwick isn't a traditional murder mystery.

No script to read
Everyone has their own goals
The murderer knows they did it - and has goals of their own
Players can negotiate, bluff and scheme
Multiple storylines
The ending is determined by the players

Please note that solving the murder does not play a major role in A Haunting in Hartwick, as many characters will be focused on their other objectives.

What people say

"Murders, ghosts, and dark family secrets await you in Hartwick! A great game which anyone can play, and everyone can enjoy. We had a great time!" - Emma Cunliffe

Click here for customer photos!

What do you get with A Haunting in Hartwick?

Our pdf download includes:

✓ Host guide
✓ Character booklets - 8 pages long
✓ Item cards
✓ Ability cards
✓ Rules
✓ Solution and ending materials
✓ Invitations
✓ Name badges

Suitable for anyone

Characters are mostly ungendered (apart from one female character), so it doesn't matter who plays them.

Easy to host

Download instantly
Simple host guide included
No acting ability required
Works with mixed experience levels of guests
Most hosts prepare in a couple of hours - if you're new to our games, we recommend allowing a little longer
Suits a buffet or finger food to allow guests to mingle

During your party

Guests arrive in character
Guests form alliances
Secrets are investigated - and sometimes revealed
The murder is investigated
The solution is revealed - along with other secrets!

Free introductory file

Discover more about A Haunting in Hartwick in our free introductory pdf file.

Read the Hartwick Gazette, which sets the scene.

Recommended for ages 15+

We recommend A Haunting in Hartwick for those aged 15+, as it contains adult themes (affairs, mental health and references to bigamy) and references to the supernatural.

Cast of characters

The family

Quinn Hartwick: Eldest remaining Hartwick heir, the responsible one
Dana Hartwick: Youngest remaining Hartwick heir, the irresponsible one

Other citizens of Hartwick

Cam Collins: Ambitious reporter for the Hartwick Gazette
Blake Crowley: Eccentric entrepreneur, local millionaire
Sloan Crowley: Blake’s only child
Skye Isis: Scientist, inventor, Blake’s protégé
Jordan Tierney: Chief, Hartwick Police Department

Guests from the city

Andromeda: Psychic and host of the popular radio show, Andromeda Speaks
Robin Lapine: President, North American Paranormal Society (NAPS)
Dr. Sasha Palermo: Psychiatrist
Parker Poe: FBI agent

Ghosts

Eleanor Hartwick: Family matriarch, grandmother of Quinn and Dana
Kit Hartwick: Eleanor’s youngest child

The A Haunting in Hartwick is for 11 to 13 guests, most of them are ungendered.

11 guests (11 any)
12 guests (12 any)
13 guests (1 female, 12 any)

You also need a host – someone to organize the party and ensure everything runs smoothly.

Extra characters

Sometimes you have too many guests and need more characters. So most games have free extra characters (written by us or previous hosts) included in the download when you purchase the game.

Sal Bourbon – a city lawyer. (Any)
(by Freeform Games)
J.P. Delacroix – a Hollywood producer. (Any)
(by Freeform Games)

Please note that we haven't always tested these – and they may not tie in exactly with our games.

Cast Iron Guarantee

We offer a Cast Iron Guarantee on all our murder mystery games.

If you're not completely satisfied with A Haunting in Hartwick then please let us know within 30 days and we will refund you. See our full terms and conditions, and our refund policy.

Trouble downloading?

If you have trouble downloading the game files, please first check your spam folder.

If you still can't find the download email, contact us with the name of the game and the email address you used to purchase it, and we'll resend it.

3 reviews for A Haunting in Hartwick

Rated 3 out of 5

Conrad (verified owner) – 7 November 2026

The mystery itself was well-received and enjoyed by the participants, and didn’t require too much preparation as the host. However, the use of AI art in the Tarot paintings was really disappointing, and has dissuaded me from running Freeform Games mysteries in the future. Especially since Creative Commons-licensed tarot cards are readily available without much cost or effort.
Rated 5 out of 5

Anonymous (verified owner) – 5 November 2026

Great game! Everyone had a blast
Rated 4 out of 5

Fredrik Fornänger (verified owner) – 20 April 2026

Genereally good. Some players said it was a little difficult. Maybe you could include a map.
- Steve Hatherley (store manager) – 12 May 2026
  
  Thanks for your review. And we agree, a map is a great idea, so we’ve now included that in the game.