Death off the Cuff

In this work of interactive fiction, players direct the investigation of Antoine Saint Germain, the great French detective, into the murder of Colonel McClaren at the Seafront Hotel. Just like as in any great mystery novel, the suspects are all gathered around in the hotel's lounge for the big reveal, in which the detective's keen mind exposes all secrets and lays bare the killer's motive and the holes in their alibi. Unfortunately, in this case, Antoine has absolutely no idea who is responsible for the crime. Rather than own up to the overrated nature of their own hype, instead the detective's approach here is to extemporize, free-associating and thinking out loud before the suspects, in hopes of tricking one of them into revealing some salient clues enabling the solution of the case. Everyone present has a secret that is relevant to the investigation, and hopefully the investigator will stumble upon them through careful observation -- or perhaps enjoy an early retirement from the solving of crimes.