Killer Date NightThe annual Vancouver Mysteries Couples Competition takes place every Valentine’s Day – couples compete for prizes (there are usually flowers, chocolates and tickets to other Vancouver activities involved). This event is usually posted in early January and sells out every year so we’d recommend you book your spot now.
Otherwise, buy a gift certificate and you can have your own private game for two (three games to choose from at the time of this article – more games in development for 2020!).
Local Flavour
Support local writers by gifting one of these books: Aaron Chapman‘s Vancouver After Dark: The Wild History of a City’s Nightlife, Eve Lazarus ‘s Blood, Sweat, and Fear (the story of Inspector Vance, Vancouver’s first forensic investigator and known internationally as Canada’s Sherlock Holmes), or- for the truly non-squeamish- Michael Slade‘s Headhunter or the newer version Headhunter: Re-Imagined (Criminal lawyer Michael Slade has acted in over a hundred murder cases. The Slade books have developed a strong following among police officers because of their strict adherence to proper police procedure. – specialx.net)
Get in the Holiday SpiritsEvery private eye needs a bottle of something in their desk drawer, preferably whiskey or rye.
You can stock up at Odd Society in East Van.
If martinis are more your detective’s style, we will recommend North Van’s Stealth craft vodka even though we haven’t tried it yet (we just love the name!).
A Head Start
A true detective won’t leave home without their fedora.
Some detectives <ahem!> may even wear them when they are at home binge-watching their favourite detective movies.
The Granville Island Hat Shop has been in business for over 30 years and has a fantastic selection of detective-worthy hats.
Food for Thought
Hercule Poirot knew how important those little grey calls are for detective work – detectives of all ages can find books, project materials and events to nourish their curious brains at the Learnary. Gift certificates available. (They also host a regular jigsaw exchange if you like to work on puzzles!)