How Do You Do a Murder Mystery Party?
A murder mystery party is a fun and entertaining way to spend time with friends and family, with a unique twist – the guests become detectives themselves and have to solve a whodunit! Organizing a murder mystery party is relatively easy, requiring minimal setup and planning, yet providing hours of thrill, excitement, and conversation among the guests. If you’re interested in hosting one, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you do it.
Planning Your Murder Mystery Party
Contents
**Inviting Guests and Setting a Budget**
Before you start, consider the following:
• Set a date and a limited number of guests, around 6-10.
• Decide on a theme, such as 1920s speakeasy, medieval castle, or modern-day office. The theme will help set the tone and guide character costumes and decorations.
• Calculate the budget, depending on the number of guests and the level of involvement in the mystery. On average, you can spend between $50-$150 per guest.
Roles, Characters, and Assigning Tasks
**Creating Characters**
- Assign roles and create characters: Each guest receives a character sheet outlining their role, backstory, motive, and potential victims/ suspects. You can download pre-made character sets online or create your own custom characters.
- Character profiles: In advance, send out profile templates or character sheets to allow guests to fill in and practice their roles.
Sample Character Profile:
• Name: Detective Emily Warner
• Occupation: Crime Scene Investigator
• Motive: Trying to solve the murder for glory and recognition
• Connection to the victim: Unaware of the identity before the party
**Setting Up the Scene**
- Mansion, castle, or office: Choose a central location for the party to mimic the setting. Create ambiance with decorations, props, and lighting.
Setup Ideas:
• Set up a crime scene with police tape, fake blood, and evidence markers.
• Dimmed lighting and candles add ambiance to a medieval theme.
Gameplay: Before and During the Party
**During the Party**
- Introduction and briefing: On arrival, guests learn that a murder has been committed, and they receive an initial briefing on the facts.
- Time to investigate: Assign timed intervals for guests to visit the crime scene and each other’s characters for discussion and gathering clues.
**Rules to Follow**
• Murder is committed: Time starts ticking, and it becomes clear that the body isn’t just a prank; it’s a murder that needs solving.
• Guests investigate and talk: Encourage all conversations and interactions between characters during the investigation.
Penalties for Non-Secret-Keeping:
– Guests who reveal a hidden clue or their suspicions: 1-minute punishment by the "hosting Detective"
– Guests sharing characters’ secrets: a longer, 5-minute penance
**Solving the Case**
- Initial results: After the investigating round, gather the clues revealed by each guest to eliminate suspects and narrow it down.
- Time for final clues and presentations: Allow guests time for last-minute discussions or reviewing clues before presenting solutions in a final round. Set a timer for these short presentations.
Closing: Awarding the Solution and Wrapping Up
**Rewards and Recognition**
- Best detective: Host picks the most accurate theory/ solution and awards points according to the number of details solved correctly.
• Team-based rewards: Offer special props, like a Murder Mystery Party trophy or unique titles (e.g., Detective Extraordinaire) **Sharing Pictures and Memories**
• Record conversations, photos, or witness statements to create post-murder mystery notes
Tips and Tools:
• Plot devices: Use props or simple puzzles to add interest.
• Mistresses and butlers: Keep track of clues as messengers or attendants of the hosting Detective, enhancing the mystery.
Clue Examples:
Letter from the Mansion Guest:
"Dear Detective, I saw the gardener arguing with the vic"
Phone Call at Crime Scene:
‘Text from the victim’: Meeting with the killer now!
• Time keeping: Assign a "Chief Deputy" to manage clues collection and timekeeping. Adjust as needed.
This Murder Mystery Party guide sets up a fun and dynamic night with friends and family, filled with excitement and wit. With these hints, you’ll be fully armed to create an exceptional adventure that will leave lasting impressions and memories. Plan with ease, and sit back to enjoy the intriguing results of your guests as amateur detectives!
