We bring a variety of snacks to a haunted house in Detective Conan Episode 20 with our mystery guest -- Theodosia Mayfield, creator of Delve Immersive and experienced haunted house performer. We return to Detective Conan for a Halloween special and our last episode of 2021. The Detective Boys investigate the creepy house at the end of the street, and we investigate the creepy lack of waffle ice cream sandwiches in our lives. Plus: how hard would it be to get away with murder ... in space? Podcast cover art by Myriam Bloom. Music excerpted from "Solve the Damn Mystery!" by Jesse Spillane. Thank you to our mystery guest, Theodosia Mayfield, creator of the virtual, walkable, fantastical escape room, The Ghastly Gourd. Learn more at delveimmersive.com

We all examine our seats for any unsavory surprises in Rampo Kitan: Game of Laplace Episodes 1 and 2 with our mystery guest -- Nate May, improviser and member of Daddy Issues Improv. We investigate a shocking and strange adaptation of the mystery and thriller stories by classic Japanese author, Edogawa Rampo. There are a lot of bizarre choices in this very detective-y anime -- some are delightful, some are confusing, and some are dreadful. We talk about the emo lyrics of the opening song, the artistic use of shadows, and what it means for a serial killer to also have a DIY hobby. Please make note of the content warning at the top of the episode. Podcast cover art by Myriam Bloom. Music excerpted from "Solve the Damn Mystery!" by Jesse Spillane. Thank you to our mystery guest, Nate May.

We swashbuckle from rooftop to rooftop in The Castle of Cagliostro, along with mystery castle expert: comedian and writer, Drew Kramcsak. This week we follow Lupin III to the vaguely European and beautifully animated countryside in the classic anime film, The Castle of Cagliostro, the directorial debut of Hayao Miyazaki. Noah pretends to be blonde, Michael remembers things about Inspector Gadget, and everyone goes out to a diner to get cheesecake once it's all over. Plus: Drew puts in a plug for Esquire magazine circa 1957 and shares a strange story about a smelly factory. Podcast cover art by Myriam Bloom. Theme music excerpted from "Solve the Damn Mystery!" by Jesse Spillane. Thank you to our mystery guest, Drew Kramcsak.

We deploy misdirection to steal a precious sapphire in Magic Kaito Episode 2, joined by mystery magic expert, Fred Siegel. The Dying Message Podcast is still missing! This week we track down the elusive Kaito Kid, a Detective Conan character who has a spin-off origin-story series. He uses flashy magic in his heists, and we are bringing it to you via the magic (haha) of podcasting. Plus: Fred reports on the anime he remembers from the local Philadelphia TV program "Wee Willie Weber's Colorful Cartoon Club", including Speed Racer and Astro Boy. Oh, and much more! Podcast cover art by Myriam Bloom. Theme music excerpted from "Solve the Damn Mystery!" by Jesse Spillane. Thank you to our mystery guest, Fred Siegel. Find Fred's weekly magic tricks, "Fred Does A Trick", on the fredasiegel YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/fredasiegel/videos.

We rollerskate and jazzercise our way to freedom in Cat's Eye Episode 1, joined by mystery art expert, Karen Coleman Hinners. The Dying Message Podcast has been stolen! We're on the case to track down the thieves by watching thief/heist anime starting with the amazing 80s anime - Cat's Eye. Along the way, we'll learn about the mischeivous reputation of the tanuki and also that there are a lot of Culkins out there in the world. Plus: Karen provides amazing insight into what it's like to have your art stolen as well as tips for keeping escape room spaghetti from sticking. Podcast cover art by Myriam Bloom. Theme music excerpted from "Solve the Damn Mystery!" by Jesse Spillane. Thank you to our mystery guest, Karen Coleman Hinners. Find Karen's art on Instagram: @KColemanHinnersArt. For upcoming Philly NCrowd shows, go to www.phillyncrowd.com

On a new Dying Message Extra*, we look at the first life action Detective Conan prequel,The Letter of Challenge, with returning funny movie-folk, Kai Bobbi and Jim O'Donnell, co-hosts of the Rotten Treasure podcast. To celebrate the 50th episode of our podcast, we dive right in to the first live action Detective Conan TV special. In this prequel story, Ran and Sonoko are kidnapped, Shinichi is full of himself, Kogoro has a fake mustache, and Megure is possibly played by three kids in a trenchcoat. Also this week: find out where this movie falls on the milk scale (skim, 2%, whole) and whether you need an "overly elaborate sack-dropping device." Podcast Cover Art by Myriam Bloom Music excerpted from "Solve the Damn Mystery" by Jesse Spillane Thank you again to our extra special guests, Kai Bobbi and Jim O'Donnell. Find Rotten Treasure on all the podcast services. *How can we cover something that's not anime on our detective anime podcast? That's what makes this something extra, a little mini spin-off that no one asked for.

We reveal pertinent information while riding motorcycles in The Crimson Love Letter (Detective Conan Movie 21) with mystery guests Kai Bobbi and Jim O'Donnell of the Rotten Treasure podcast. We're gearing up for Episode 50 next week by bringing back two fantastic mystery guests to watch a full-length, shiny, exciting, complicated, character-full movie. We do a ton of research on the traditional Japanese card game Karuta and try to figure out whether it's a good motive for murder. Plus: we let our jaws hit the floor during some of this movie's breathtaking action sequences. Podcast cover art by Myriam Bloom. Music excerpted from "Solve the Damn Mystery!" by Jesse Spillane. Thank you to our mystery guests, Kai Bobbi and Jim O'Donnell of the Rotten Treasure podcast (IG: @Rotten_Treasure) and Daddy Issues Improv (IG: @DaddyIssuesImprov).

We take the express elevator to murder in Detective Conan Episode 19, joined by mystery guest, Rachel Benjamin When a high school karate champion gets a once in a lifetime opportunity to be a fashion model, what could possibly go wrong? Just a meticulously planned murder with a devious elevator alibi trick. Along the way, we learn about Rachel's high school yearbook, that even fancy carpets should be disposed of, that Alan works as a security guard, and that Michael has never taken the time to Google why ABC has a weak brodcast signal in the Philadelphia area. Podcast cover art by Myriam Bloom. Theme music excerpted from "Solve the Damn Mystery!" by Jesse Spillane. Thank you to our mystery guest, Rachel Benjamin.

We fail to recognize a woman after she changes clothing in Detective Conan Episode 13, joined by mystery guest, Gina Gennari, who is taking a break from the world of True Crime to talk with us about fictional crime. It seems like a simple case of a girl looking for her father (and then a shrunken detective accidentally tripping and planting a tracking device on said girl [and then going to look for her after her "father" is murdered]). In reality, we had a hell of a time talking about this episode with Gina, including every kicked in car window, overturned hotel luggage cart, and cleverly constructed horse name. Podcast cover art by Myriam Bloom. Theme music excerpted from "Solve the Damn Mystery!" by Jesse Spillane. Thank you to our mystery guest, Gina Gennari. Listen to Gina's new podcast -- Ruthless: A True Cirme Podcast (https://tinyurl.com/j6ffswx8) -- and catch her twice weekly on Crime and Cookies at https://www.twitch.tv/crimeandcookies.

It's time to crown a new Detective Champion on Part 2 of this year's hottest competitive book club -- Dying Message Challenge: The Inugami Curse. We'll be revealing the secrets of this classic Japanese murder mystery, along with fun games and surprises along the way. Last week, amateur sleuths Sam, Kate, and Michael guessed the ending of The Inugami Curse and now that they've finished the book, we'll see who was closest to the actual ending. It all builds up to the biggest surprise of all -- who won this arbitrary comedy game show? Spin-off podcast cover art by Myriam Bloom. Music excerpted from "Face Punch" by Jesse Spillane. Thank you to our amateur sleuths Sam Abrams, Kate Esposito, and Michael Savitski. Check out Kate's podcast Blue Sky Ed: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue…ed/id1482203969.

Is it a book club? Is it a game show? Our spin-off: Dying Message Challenge is a little bit of both, and it's back better than ever! Three contestants try to solve the murders in the novel The Inugami Curse before reading the end of the book. They'll earn additional points in a series of challenges posed by host Noah Max Levine, and compete for the title of "Detective Champion." Part 1 spoils the beginning of the book -- but not the solution to the murders. If you enjoy our coverage of mystery anime, hear us cover the classic detective novel that inspired The Kindaichi Case Files and countless other detective stories in anime! Spin-off podcast cover art by Myriam Bloom. Music excerpted from "Face Punch" by Jesse Spillane. Thank you to our amateur sleuths Sam Abrams, Kate Esposito, and Michael Savitski. Check out Kate's podcast Blue Sky Ed: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue…ed/id1482203969.

We skateboard across the surface of a river in Detective Conan Episode 12, with fantastic mystery guest -- comedian Fran Fortunato Buckle up for an exciting car/skateboard chase as Detective Conan takes to the streets. There's a lot of strange behavior by six-year old kids in this episode including: climbing into the trunks of car and declaring their love for each other. Plus: Fran brings us a mysterious and bloody mystery and gives us the low-down on what she's learned from hours of Dragon Ball. Podcast cover art by Myriam Bloom. Music excerpted from "Solve the Damn Mystery!" by Jesse Spillane. Thank you to our mystery guest, Fran Fortunato.

We play the piano as flames dance around us in Detective Conan Episode 11, joined this week by mystery guest, Jesse Spillane -- the musician who created our theme music! This week we tackle an all-time classic of Detective Conan: The Moonlight Sonata Murders. An island with a cursed piano that holds a terrible secret? Sign us up! Plus: There's extra music in this episode! Hear the Moonlight Sonata as we talk about it. Wow! That's fancy! Podcast cover art by Myriam Bloom. Theme music excerpted from "Solve the Damn Mystery!" by Jesse Spillane. Moonlight Sonata movements 1, 2, and 3, performed by Paul Pittman for MusOpen, an online library of public domain music. Thank you to our mystery guest, Jesse Spillane. Find Jesse’s newest music at: https://jessespillane.bandcamp.com/

On a new Dying Message Extra*, we look at a recent manga, i tell c, that promises "a unique take on the crime-suspense genre" with returning troublemakers, Katie Cwirko and Nick Elmer. As if the manga we're reading wasn't wild enough (with a twist you've got to hear us talk about to believe), Katie and Nick bring opinions on a variety of topics including: crepes and pretzels, Barnes and Noble bathrooms, literary drinking games, and Cats (the movie). This is an absolute wild ride that will make you question: "What is a manga? What is a podcast?" Podcast Cover Art by Myriam Bloom Music excerpted from "Solve the Damn Mystery" by Jesse Spillane Thank you again to our extra special guests, Katie Cwirko and Nick Elmer. *How can we cover something that's not anime on our detective anime podcast? That's what makes this something extra, a little mini spin-off that no one asked for.

We solve a mystery backwards and light the hillside on fire in Detective Conan Episode 9, joined this week by mystery guests, Michelle Reap and Dean Wilhelmi. In this episode of Detective Conan, we see the murder take place (just like Columbo or that train episode of Detective Academy Q). But the murderer's alibi is broken because of how embarassed everyone is when brushing their teeth -- except for Noah who would brush his teeth in front of a total stranger. Plus: Michelle and Dean try to help out a stranger but cause more trouble in the end. Podcast cover art by Myriam Bloom. Music excerpted from "Solve the Damn Mystery!" by Jesse Spillane. Thank you to our mystery guests, Michelle Reap and Dean Wilhelmi (turnup_turnip on Twitch).

We receive unwanted gifts on a regular basis in Detective Conan Episode 7, joined this week by mystery guest, Sarah Carter. Three main plot threads this week: 1) a surgeon is plagued by deliveries of toys, flowers, and money 2) Ran pretty much figures out her teenage sweetheart has become the child, Conan 3) Sarah Carter joins us for this plot heavy episode and asks a lot of important questions Plus: We all reveal our ages, we start selling mac and cheese, and we talk a bit about Sailor Moon. Podcast cover art by Myriam Bloom. Music excerpted from "Solve the Damn Mystery!" by Jesse Spillane. Thank you to our mystery guest, Sarah Carter.

In our first ever Dying Message Extra*, we dig up the gay detective film Third Man Out (2005) to celebrate pride month with Steve Kleinedler and Harrison Scantling. We have a good time going into all the strange bits and pieces of this movie -- every single candy dish and husband-poured margarita. We also ponder queer representation in this and other mystery films, and rack our brains trying to think of other queer murder mysteries. (Does that Golden Girls episode count?) Podcast Cover Art by Myriam Bloom Music excerpted from "Solve the Damn Mystery" by Jesse Spillane Thank you again to our extra special guests, Steve Kleinedler and Harrison Scantling (@hjscollages on Instagram). *How can we cover something that's not anime on our detective anime podcast? That's what makes this something extra, a little mini spin-off that no one asked for.

We defy gender norms to make our own Valentine's Day chocolate in Detective Conan Episode 6, joined this week by mystery guest, Megan Edelman. No one is acting their age on the first Valentine's Day in Detective Conan. High school girls go on dates with college boys, a mother crashes her son's valentine's day, and a six-year old boy acts much more like the jealous teenager he secretly is. But by the end of it, we do find a short and delicious mystery to unravel. Plus: Michael critiques chocolate making techniques, and Megan shares a mysterious poem. Podcast cover art by Myriam Bloom. Music excerpted from "Solve the Damn Mystery!" by Jesse Spillane. Thank you to our mystery guest, Megan Edelman.

We are very knowledgeable about the trains in Detective Conan Episode 5, joined this week by mystery guest -- Joe Wendrychowicz, host of Fair Deal: An Improvised Mediation Podcast. In this episode, Conan tries out two new gadgets/accessories to his outfit: the Power-Enhancing Kick Shoes and the Glasses Microphone. Meanwhile, everyone on this train is carrying a black briefcase, and one of them has a bomb inside! It's not even ten minutes into the episode when we accidentally solve one of our guest's personal mysteries. This is a great episode to listen while riding a train -- or anywhere! Podcast cover art by Myriam Bloom. Music excerpted from "Solve the Damn Mystery!" by Jesse Spillane. Thank you to our mystery guest, Joe Wendrychowicz, Fair Deal: An Improvised Mediation Podcast.

We straighten out a painting and inherit a big pile of gold in Layton Mystery Tanteisha episode 1 with our mystery guest -- Jack O'Keeffe, comedian and host of the Good Quiz. We investigate the pilot episode of the spin-off anime series of the Professor Layton spin-off game: Layton's Mystery Journey. There's plenty of time for tea amid the refreshingly light mystery of a man whose entire family has disappeared -- were they eaten by a house? Plus: We reveal the secret origin of Batman, I attempt to solve an aggravating clock puzzle, and Jack throws his trash into the wrong person's dumpster. Podcast cover art by Myriam Bloom. Music excerpted from "Solve the Damn Mystery!" by Jesse Spillane. Thank you to our mystery guest, Jack O'Keeffe (@JackOakLeaf on Twitter).