Step1
Set a date for your murder mystery party. The average party runs between two to three hours so set a time when your guests can relax and don’t need to run off.
Step2
Purchase a murder mystery game. A game typically included invitations, instructions, guide books for each characters, clues and peripherals such as an audio cassette tape, printed map, schematics or police reports.
Step3
Read through the hosts’ instructions. This will explain the theme and location of the game such as luau, wedding reception, wine tasting or old west saloon. It also usually includes menu, decoration and costume suggestions as well as brief biographies of the characters.
Step4
Determine your guest list. Most parties require six to eight players, frequently in couples. The host is usually permitted to play since everyone is in the dark about the murderer’s identity, including the murderer. Choose friends that will enjoy play-acting and banter.
Step5
Send your invitations. You can use the preprinted invitation or you can create your own. Assign characters to each of your guests so they can read their bio in the invitation. This will help them decide what to wear. Encourage guests to embrace their character. A flamboyant lounge singer might wear a boa and a slinky dress while a secretary might wear a business suit and glasses.
Step6
Plan the menu. There are often menu suggestions in the murder mystery game but you can venture out on your own as well. These types of parties can also be arranged so each guest brings a dish to pass.
Step7
Decorate the location. The setting can be a castle, a class reunion, a wedding reception or a yacht. Plan some simple decorations that enhance the mood. For a 50s diner, purchase some hamburger and fry baskets and serve milk shakes in cups with straws. Tape some pendants on the wall and play 50s music on a record player. Simple touches add a lot.
Step8
Make last minute arrangements. Make sure you have enough seating. Put finishing touches on the room and the food. Confirm the time with your guests and encourage them to wear costumes. Set out the guide books for each character at their place setting. Read through the hosts’ guide one last time.
Step9
Welcome your guests when they arrive by their character’s names. Provide name tags if necessary. Offer an appetizer while everyone reads the first page of their guidebook, which tells them a little more about their character. There is usually some public knowledge about the character and some private knowledge that the character doesn’t want to get out. Everyone at the party has a motive and it is the fun-filled banter and questioning that helps everyone determine who the culprit is.
Step10
Follow the instructions to the game as described in the hosts’ guide. There can be 3 or 4 acts in the game, where all the characters read in their guide to discover new and secret information about themselves and others. Other clues are factored in such as police reports or a recorded telephone conversation. It is not until the last page is turned that the real murderer knows she did it.
Step11
Guess who the murderer is after all the clues and information has been thoroughly discussed. Once everyone has guessed, have the murderer reveal himself.
