The Strand Files

From the Private Memoirs of Dr. John H. Watson

In 1929, the estate of Dr. John H. Watson was settled by the firm of Hartley, Halford & Baines, Solicitors. Among his effects was a locked dispatch box containing dozens of case files—investigations deemed too sensitive, too scandalous, or too dangerous to publish during his lifetime.

For nearly a century, these documents remained sealed. Until now.

The Strand Files is an AI-powered interactive fiction game that lets you experience these "lost" cases firsthand. You play as Sherlock Holmes. The AI plays everyone else—Watson, the suspects, Scotland Yard—generating unique narratives in authentic Victorian prose.

A Moving Picture

How It Works

A client arrives at Baker Street
I

Receive a Case

A client arrives at Baker Street with a mystery. The AI generates unique cases with suspects, motives, and interlocking clues.

Holmes examines evidence
II

Investigate Freely

Type natural language commands. Travel to locations, question characters, examine evidence. The AI responds in real-time.

Holmes reveals the culprit
III

Solve the Crime

When you've gathered enough evidence, make your accusation. Name the culprit, the method, and the motive.

Features

Hand writing in journal

Dynamic AI Narration

Dr. Watson chronicles your adventures in authentic Victorian prose. Every response is generated in real-time, maintaining the literary style of Arthur Conan Doyle.

Evidence and clues

Procedural Mysteries

Cases are generated with interconnected characters, alibis, and evidence. Each playthrough presents a fresh puzzle to solve.

Multiple paths

Open-Ended Investigation

No dialogue trees or predetermined paths. Ask any question, try any approach. The AI adapts to your investigative style.

Victorian London skyline

Period Authenticity

Immerse yourself in 1890s London. The game maintains historical accuracy in locations, technology, and social customs.

The Technology

The Strand Files uses large language models to create a narrative experience that responds intelligently to player actions. The system maintains consistency across characters, locations, and evidence while generating prose in the distinctive voice of the Holmes canon.

Unlike traditional interactive fiction with branching paths, every response is dynamically generated, allowing for truly open-ended gameplay within a coherent mystery structure.

The dispatch box is open. The cases await.

Begin Investigation