Embedded Files
There are three parts to having a murder mystery evening:
Click on the links above to get ideas and instructions.
How to successfully host the evening
How to successfully host the evening
The key to the evening is to have fun.
Fun Fun Fun
Fun Fun Fun
Don't forget to thank the guests!
Thank you for hosting one of our murder mystery parties. The game is designed to be played online where the characters read from a script like a play. But it can just as easily be played at a party or dinner party.
The first thing that you need to do is choose a game. The games all have different numbers of characters and different numbers of males and females. All of the games have some characters which can be played by a male or a female to allow for variety. It can also be fun to assign cross gender roles anyway. Generally, it doesnt matter if you dont have quite enough players for the characters as one person can play several roles with the clever use of hats and accents and this can add to the fun.
Once you have bought the game you will be able to download the files for the game. There is one file per character; the character files, as well as an instruction file for you, a script file and some templates to help solve the murder. These template files can also be found here.
The character cards contain information about each character including suggestions on how to dress, talk and act. They also contain a floor plan of where the murder takes place and an artist's impression of the crime scene.
The script file contains the written text to be read by the players. It will be split into two, three or four scenes depending on the complexity of the mystery.
During the final scene, the murderer is denounced and punishments are suggested. No one will know who the murderer is until the denouncement; that is unless they figure it out by reading the script and working out the clues.
Send out the assigned character file to each guest ahead of time (at least a couple of days). You can also send them a link to this site for them to read the instructions on how to take part.
The script file and the other files can be sent out with the character cards or separately on the night of the party. This is up to you, it may be too easy if the players are allowed more time to analyse the script and of course they can cheat by reading the last scene if they are bad people.
During the evening, you will start the game by telling everyone to open the script file. The script file is then read out loud like a play by the characters. As the script file is split into scenes, it is suggested that refreshments are taken between scenes, whilst questions are being asked and notes taken.
When the penultimate scene has been completed, the host will be prompted to ask the guests to make their accusations.
Once all the accusations have been made, the host should ask everyone to read aloud the final scene where the murderer will be revealed. Cake is expected during the final scene of course.
How to take part
How to take part
So, you have been invited to take part in a murder mystery evening?
Congratulations
you have friends.
You should have been sent a character card and you should receive a copy of the script on the night of the party. (If you haven't, contact the host and ask for your character card.)
Read your character card a few times to get a feel for who you are, plan your dress up and practice your accent. Don't worry, everyone else will be dressed up too. (And if not, remember; there is no such thing as over dressed; just better dressed.)
On the evening, when your host asks you to, open the script file. The game is scripted like a play and your character will have lines to read. Sometimes quite a lot of lines, so take it slow and don't forget to take notes on who was where, with whom and when.
At the end of your character card file there are some templates to help you take notes during the evening. They can also be found here.
Check what was said by whom, do the accounts marry up? if not, ask yourself why not; one of them may be lying. Who or what can validate their story? No one? Perhaps they did it? Check if they have motive, means and opportunity...
At the end of each scene, there is a list of questions that can be asked and feel free to ask your own. These should help reiterate key points or clues that have been exposed during the scene. Make a note of what the answers are as they should be a good guide to solving the mystery.
How to successfully solve the murder
How to successfully solve the murder
If you manage to follow the clues and identify the murderer, well done you!
Hooray
Hooray
Don't forget to thank the host!
Each mystery follows the simple rules below:
1. The murderer is one of the characters being played by the guests
2. The murderer will have the motive, the means and the opportunity
3. The murder follows the rules of time and physics
4. The clues in the text allow the murderer to be identified
5. The murderer may lie in the script but the game will always give clues as to the correct turn of events
To find the murderer there are two keys to successful sleuthing:
Firstly, eliminate those characters who have no motive, no means or no opportunity
Secondly, determine out of the rest of the characters, who has motive, means, opportunity and no alibi
Remember
The character playing the murderer doesn't know they are the murderer until the final scene. This allows all the characters to play the game fairly.
You should only give out information on your character card or that has been already exposed in the script; do not make stuff up and do not lie. If someone asks you a question for which there is not an answer on your character card or in the script already played, avoid giving a direct answer and try to steer the conversation in a different direction e.g. 'I think that might be answered in the next section' is a good fob off. If they are persistent, tell them politely to mind their own business, whilst staying in character obviously.
There are some templates here that you can use which may help you keep track of who was where when and what they were doing there with whom!
Examples of rules:
If the character is not in the place of the murder at the time of the murder then that character is not the murderer.
The way the murder was carried out is possible by using the items mentioned in the script and they are available to the murderer at the time of the murder
The murderer will always have a strong motive, i.e. it is never a moment of madness or on a whim. If the character doesn't have a strong motive then you can discount them as the murderer.
The laws of physics apply. If the murder victim is 7 feet tall then the dwarf is not going to be able to stab him in the ear without a means of raising themselves off the ground or a means of bringing the victim down to their level. Likewise the tiny fairy character with the broken arm isn't going to be able to wrestle the giant strongman to the ground.
Cake
There is nothing more satisfying than denouncing a murderer whilst eating cake
🧁
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