Level 2 · Detective Poisoning
The Bitter Spoon
At a mushroom festival cook-off, the judge takes one bitter spoonful and falls ill. The printed programme says whose stew it was. Or does it?
At the Fernwood Mushroom Festival, food critic Basil Thorne was judging the stew contest when one spoonful made him ill. He is recovering – but someone did it on purpose. Find all 6 clues, compare the statements and the evidence, and work out who did it.
Print the six postersA4 or A3, with a QR code on every poster. Hide them in six places.
Play on screenFlip through the six clue posters on your phone, tablet or TV – no printer needed.
Name the poisonerReady? Submit your answer and see the solution.
The suspects
- Bart EllisFestival organiser
- Hilda GroveStall 1 – wild garlic broth
- Lucy FairweatherJudge's assistant
- Martha QuillStall 3 – porcini soup
- Owen TateStall 2 – chanterelle stew
- Pip AdairStall 4 – forest pie
Hosting tips
- Number the hiding places, or write a little hint to the next spot in the box at the bottom of each poster.
- Works for 2–30 players. Let teams compete, or play as one big detective squad.
- Allow 30–60 minutes for level 1 and up to 90 minutes for level 3.