Cumbrian murder mystery company put on a show in Carlisle!

Alongside around 25 other guests, spread between four tables, we were assembled on the premise that the famous detective, Sherlock Holmes, was dead (spoiler alert, he wasn't).

While we worked our way through a beetroot tartare starter and some frankly gorgeous focaccia, Dr Watson, Inspector Lestrade, Mycroft Holmes, Irene Adler and Mrs Hudson all came to our tables to introduce themselves. 

First, we had to prove ourselves as worthy sleuths, as we investigated the curious murder of Inspector Scott Lanyard, one of Scotland Yard's finest. 

A wide range of documents, including case reports, a code, map, letters, and newspaper cuttings (sadly not from the News & Star) were distributed throughout the tables.

With wine flowing freely with other guests, no suggestion was deemed too ridiculous, apart from one slightly tipsy guest who exclaimed that they must have escaped through the non-existent hole in the floor.

After a helping hand from Mycroft during the main meal, I had a lightbulb moment and cracked the case, massively boosting my own ego in the process.

We then collectively moved on to a far more complex second murder, and were reliably informed that one of our five 'helpers' was behind the ingenious killing.

Having wolfed down a beautiful chicken breast with mash and green beans, my mind was, perhaps for the first time in my life, not focused on dessert, as we continued to work hard to work out the who, how and why.

Before dessert, we were allowed one-minute of questioning with one of Sir Arthur's most memorable characters, although that did little to confirm our theories. 

In the end, we settled on our choice of killer and got it right, meaning I left feeling very satisfied, with a Highly Suspect sticker proudly brandished on my chest, even if our motive and method of murder was way off.

For £40, this was truly fantastic value event, that provided high-quality food and was never short of entertainment.