Deception - Murder in Hong Kong

Name: Deception - Murder in Hong Kong
Brand: Jolly Thinkers
Price: 59.0 AUD
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Deception: Murder in Hong Kong is a light social deduction game for 4–12 players, played in about 20 minutes and recommended for ages 14+. One investigator at the table is secretly the killer, and the Forensic Scientist, who knows the solution, may only point to scene tiles while the Murderer works to mislead the group.

Players: 4–12 players
Play time: Up to 1 hr
Age: Teens
Complexity: Easy

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About the Game

A murder has been committed, and the killer is sitting at the table. In Deception: Murder in Hong Kong, one player secretly takes the role of the Murderer while everyone else investigates. The Forensic Scientist knows the solution but cannot speak, gesture or hint, communicating only through special scene tiles. Meanwhile the Murderer, sometimes aided by an Accomplice, injects misdirection. Investigators must correctly identify both the Means of Murder and the Key Evidence to win, while an optional Witness adds further tension in larger groups.

The game supports 4–12 players, plays in about 20 minutes, is light in complexity and is recommended for ages 14+. Notable mechanics include hidden roles, deduction and communication limits.

Designed by Tobey Ho and published by Grey Fox Games in 2015 after a successful Kickstarter campaign, it earned the Dice Tower Seal of Excellence.

History

Deception: Murder in Hong Kong was designed by Tobey Ho and published by Grey Fox Games in 2015. The game was originally released via Kickstarter, where it raised more than US$65,000.

It received positive reviews on release and was awarded the Dice Tower Seal of Excellence.

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Watch: How to play

Rules of Deception - Murder in Hong Kong

Setup: Deal secret roles — one Forensic Scientist, one Murderer (optionally an Accomplice, and a Witness in larger groups); everyone else is an Investigator.
Each player lays their Means of Murder and Key Evidence cards face up in front of them for all to see.
Investigators close their eyes while the Murderer secretly reveals themselves to the Forensic Scientist, who learns which two cards are the solution.
The Forensic Scientist guides the group by placing markers on scene tiles — they cannot speak, gesture, or hint in any other way.
Investigators discuss the tiles openly and try to match the clues to one player's cards, while the Murderer blends in and sows misdirection.
An Investigator may spend their accusation token to formally name a suspect, identifying both their Means of Murder and Key Evidence.
Winning: Investigators win by correctly naming both cards together; if the accusations run out without a correct solve, the Murderer (and Accomplice) wins.

Strategy

Investigators: pay close attention to where the Forensic Scientist places markers first — early tiles often carry the clearest information.
Compare every player's displayed cards against the tiles before accusing; a wasted accusation can cost the team dearly.
Remember you need both the Means of Murder and the Key Evidence to match one player, so avoid accusing on a half-fit.
Watch who steers discussion toward a particular suspect with weak reasoning — confident misdirection can hint at the Murderer or Accomplice.
As the Murderer, stay active in the conversation and deflect subtly; going quiet tends to draw suspicion.
Use the discussion time to narrow options as a group rather than rushing an early accusation, but don't let indecision stall the round either.
If you're the Forensic Scientist, aim for marker choices that clearly separate one player's cards from similar-looking options on the table.