Someone in Chinatown has been murdered and, in one of the worst policing decisions ever made, the case has been entrusted to us, a group of five sexy detectives known more for their youth and smouldering good looks than smarts.

Solving the crime will require diligence and a sharp mind. At 10am in the morning, just outside Chinatown MRT station, surrounded by cafes and hawker stalls from which delicious smells are wafting, both are in short supply.

The mystery-solving walkabout, called Chinatown Murders, is a new one organised by Tribe, a tour company.

Keeping us focused on the case – and stopping us from wandering off to eat – is Ms Elaine Low, our guide and storyteller.

As our two groups of five detectives move along Sago Street, Pagoda Street, South Bridge Road and Temple Street, she tells us stories of her childhood here, when it was a busy centre of commerce and worship, and bullock carts transported water along its streets.

I deduced that she was speaking in character, as she is only 42, not 110 – proof that maybe we are not so dumb after all.

From time to time, we stop to solve puzzles.

These are based on our surroundings – the colours of shophouses, the designs of temples – and each successful solution prompts the game masters following us to hand us a new piece of information that eliminates a suspect from the provided list.

This walking form of Cluedo will not finger the killer as the butler who did it in the library. More in keeping with the district's history, it is more like the coolie who did it close by the temple.

There are two teams of five participants each. Do you know what happens when there are two teams comprised of mostly Singaporeans in a game of mental prowess?

That is right, you get a duel. A showdown. All is forgotten as we relive our school years.

We start by playing it cool, reading the questions and acting casual. We are told to keep it fun. But our Singaporean instincts kick in. We cannot help it.

I begin eyeing the other team, seeing if they are getting ahead. When we are told to prowl an Read More – Source

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