What is a Murder Mystery Dinner Game?
Hey sleuths!
I am so damn happy to blog about this because of course, I love being a detective and I know you do to! With anything in life really.
Tons of people have asked me, what is a murder mystery dinner game - therefore let me explain this in the most unconventional and exciting way that I can while smoking my imaginary pipe!
 |
| Detective Thinking about the murder mystery |
Y'all ready for this?
OK.
Today…I am not me.
I’m Esmeralda Anne Griffith, a 25-year-old
telephone operator.
It’s the year 1926 and I’m with a group of my
closest friends at a speakeasy party in a friend’s house basement. It’s
essential that we be discreet; we don’t want the police to find out that this
type of party is going on because according to the prohibition act, alcohol is banned!
Yet, the bath tub is immersed in a variety of
alcoholic drinks. So, do we care about the prohibition act? No, we do not! For
this is the age of defiance and ebullience!
I look especially hotsy-totsy (attractive) in my
knee length shift dress, white stockings and cloche hat. Plenty of dancing,
drinking, smoking, and laughing is had by all.
That is until, someone gets murdered! What’s even
more shocking is that the murderer is among us; a so-called family or friend
that’s been partying in our midst.
We cannot go to the bulls (police) and report the
tragedy so it’s up to us to find out who the murderer is!
Thank goodness there is a snooper (detective) that
has been partying with us as well. Together with his help, each one of us is
required to mingle with the others in the name of investigating.
Questions are asked and alibis given, most of them
truths but a handful of them cleverly concocted lies. The murderer knows
exactly how to cover his / her tracks so attempting to find out who the killer
is proves to be challenging.
That does not stop the rest of us though. Justice
must prevail!
Jazz music permeates softly in the background while
the mingling and investigation continues. We munch on snacks and sip on
cocktails as explanations and accusations are thrown about.
Throughout the conversations, dirty secrets and
juicy lies are revealed, some of which have nothing to do with the murder.
Still, it’s fun to know. I mean who have thought that Susan makes her husband
do the family’s ironing! The shame!
Darker secrets than that are exposed but I cannot
possibly bring it to light now.
After an approximate two hours, each person has an
idea in their head of who the murderer is. But who guessed right and who was
led astray in this intricate weave of a murder mystery…?
I step out of the colourful and rebellious 1920’s
and back to my time, back to the real me.
I have just played my first murder mystery dinner game and thoroughly enjoyed it!
This is me and this is what I love doing. Mystery
and writing.
I’m a huge fan of mystery! Anything from mystery
novels, crime and mystery television shows, unsolved mysteries of the world, even
the beautiful enigma of the universe –: space- time, blackholes etc.
There’s something about the unknown that appeals to
my thirsty mind.
With that being said, I also consider myself a
fashionista.
So, when I first heard about murder mystery dinner games I
was immediately intrigued. I mean here was something that partnered mystery with
fashion (from any era)!
Add to that
food and drinks (and yes I’m talking about alcohol; although non -alcoholic
drinks are also served), music, friends and laughter - and we have an ideal
recipe combining all my favorite elements into one activity!
So what exactly is a murder mystery dinner game?
Using the 1920’s example I provided above, that is
more or less how a murder mystery dinner party is played.
But let me explain further:
Each murder mystery has a set number of players
that are required. The numbers vary from
game to game.
Larger mystery games allow for players from 20 –
100 players, even 200 or more.
More intimate murder mystery games cater for around 4 – 20 players.
Depending on the game and the number of players
that each game caters for, murder mysteries can be played at functions, by companies,
by friends and families, at birthdays parties, showers etc.
Now, with this types of game there is a need for a
host and their role, (depending on the writing style of the brand game,) is to host
only, or they have a choice to host and play.
Most mysteries incorporate a manual for the host to
utilise. This manual guides the host on
how to prepare for the big night as well as do’s and don’ts of hosting on game
night so even first time hosts will have no trouble arranging the mystery. Yay!
One of the exciting aspects of murder mystery games
is the theme! Each mystery has its own theme and these themes can be set in any
decade - past, present, future and anywhere in the world!
Like having a murder mystery game that occurs in
the pyramids of Egypt or maybe in a museum in France or a murder mystery that
takes place in the 1950’s. Imagine that!
Dressing up according to the theme is equally
exciting. Once the hosts sends out the invites and once players have confirmed that
they are attending, the guests can then focus on sorting out their costume while
the host prepares for the big night.
On game day:
The venue is usually decorated for
the game according to the theme. Players enter the venue dressed as their
character and once all players are present, the game begins.
Most mysteries break the game down
into rounds and on the night of the game, players are given character booklets
/ sheets or scripts to use as a guide for the duration of all the rounds.
During the early part of the game a
victim “dies.” (Some murder mysteries have the murder occur first and then the
game begins.)
A coroner’s report is read and this
where things get even more heated up! The next few rounds consists of:
-mingling
-players asking questions,
-giving alibis,
- investigating
-and maybe jotting down any notes if
they need.
In between it all secrets and
fascinating truths, some that have nothing to do with the murder but rather
about the characters themselves, are revealed.
At the end of the game, everyone
guesses who the murderer is. The murderer is finally revealed and award
certificates are handed out to best detective / player in solving the case!
Awards are also handed out for best costume and most convincing actor/ actress.
The dinner part of a murder mystery game is when food is served as
characters mingle with each other throughout the game.
Dinner can be served as a two or
three course meal, or served as finger foods. Food is not always an option in
these games, but since the approximate time for the games can be anywhere from
1 – 3 hours, it’s nice to have some snacks on the table at least!
Note: *With Jade Brey Murder
Mystery Dinner Games, I decided to add a fun and unique touch to my
mystery games, known as the dance off. Since I do love dancing
as well, all my mysteries have an option of a music and dance segment.*
So there you have it, the basic
explanation of a murder mystery game.
I LOVE playing murder mysteries, but
more so I enjoy writing them!
My aim in writing all of my murder mystery games is to create a challenge for the detective in us to
solve, (I mean, there is a detective inside every one of us and where’s the
enjoyment of an easy mystery?) Most of all, I write all my mysteries with the
goal of having each player enjoy themselves to the fullest, with loads of
laughing and imprinting a memorable night for all!
Murder mystery dinner games
really are the bee’s knees!
PS: If this has intrigued you, and you want to host or play an interactive mystery game simply go online and search murder mystery games and choose the best one that fits your liking! Due to Covid-19 there are also some murder game sites that offer a zoom version including my store as well.
Or if you want, take a look at my Etsy store for murder mystery games like this one:
Happy sleuthing everyone!
Comments
Post a Comment