Assigning Characters
Getting the right character into the right guest's hands is one of the quiet secrets of a great murder mystery. When a role feels like a natural fit, guests loosen up faster, commit to the story, and do the heavy lifting that makes the night sing - so it's worth a few minutes of thought before you hit send on those character reveals.
Here's how I'd approach matching each guest to a character in our Crime by Candlelight murder mystery game:
Consider personality type: Think about whether each guest is a spotlight-lover or a quieter observer. Big, theatrical roles reward your extroverts, while the more watchful, investigative characters suit guests who'd rather work the room than command it. Every profile below includes an extroversion level to take the guesswork out of it.
Think about public speaking comfort: A couple of characters deliver a short speech to the group during the night. Hand those roles to guests who won't break a sweat with a few eyes on them.
Leverage relationships: This kit is full of rivalries, secrets and simmering tension. Where two characters are closely tied, it plays beautifully to cast guests who already know each other - the familiarity makes the drama land and keeps things playful rather than awkward.
To help you get started, here's a quick rundown of every character in Crime by Candlelight - their personality, gender, relationships and how central they are to the story. You'll also find host recommendations along the way, but remember: you can always play whichever role sounds like the most fun to you.
Character Profiles
Lord Slate: The host of tonight's celebration and Lady Lavender's husband. This role includes a short speech and is associated with affairs.
- Personality: Wealthy aristocrat, indulgent and self-serving
- Gender: Male
- Extroversion Level: High
- Level of involvement: High
Lady Lavender: The wife of tonight's host. This role includes a short speech and is associated with affairs. Lady Lavender is heavily woven into the first half of the night, though her part eases off after the murder. If you're the host and female, she's an ideal character to play - just make sure this role goes to someone happy to be in the thick of it early on.
- Personality: Worldly, high-class and charming
- Gender: Female
- Extroversion Level: High
- Level of involvement: High until the murder
Captain Sable: A weathered sailor with a lifetime of stories from the sea. Any guest can play this character.
- Personality: Hardened, weathered and resentful
- Gender: Any
- Extroversion Level: Medium
- Level of involvement: High
Doctor Marigold: A disbarred doctor with an intense interest for experimental medicine. Any guest can play this character, though it suits someone happy to be a little larger than life.
- Personality: Eccentric, reckless and intense
- Gender: Any
- Extroversion Level: High
- Level of involvement: High
Chef Souffle: The manor's resident cook, all warmth and good cheer on the surface. Any guest can play this character.
- Personality: Jolly on the outside, secretly guilt-ridden and haunted
- Gender: Any
- Extroversion Level: Medium
- Level of involvement: High
Missy the Maid: The manor's maid. This character is associated with affairs. Any female can play this character - it's a fun, flirtatious role, so it's best given to a guest who won't shy away from playing it up.
- Personality: Charming, bubbly and flirtatious
- Gender: Female
- Extroversion Level: High
- Level of involvement: High
Butler Buchanan: The manor's butler. Any guest can play this character. If you're hosting and would rather a lighter role that leaves you room for hosting duties, Butler Buchanan is a great choice - present all night, but less demanding than Lord Slate or Lady Lavender.
- Personality: Observant, formal and discreet
- Gender: Any
- Extroversion Level: Medium
- Level of involvement: Medium
Governor Lockhart: A charismatic politician with an election on the horizon. Any guest can play this character. Note: Governor Lockhart and Professor Pluto are closely entwined, so keep these two together - Professor Pluto carries a good chunk of Governor Lockhart's storyline.
- Personality: Charismatic, vain and paranoid
- Gender: Any
- Extroversion Level: High
- Level of involvement: High
Professor Pluto: An excitable researcher with a devoted (and slightly out-of-hand) following. Any guest can play this character. As above, Professor Pluto and Governor Lockhart are heavily linked.
- Personality: Eccentric, excitable and relentless
- Gender: Any
- Extroversion Level: Medium
- Level of involvement: Low
Emery Inkwood: A quiet, watchful character who keeps some interesting company. Any guest can play this character.
- Personality: Paranoid, observant and secretive
- Gender: Any
- Extroversion Level: Low
- Level of involvement: Low
Marlo De Louvre: A refined art dealer. Any guest can play this character - it's a fun fit for someone who enjoys turning their nose up at everyone else.
- Personality: Refined, pretentious and snobbish
- Gender: Any
- Extroversion Level: Medium
- Level of involvement: Low
Sergeant Flint: A disciplined, no-nonsense character with a military background. Any guest can play this character.
- Personality: Disciplined, military-trained and guilt-ridden
- Gender: Any
- Extroversion Level: Low
- Level of involvement: Low
Matching characters to your guests can make the night flow, but don't get too precious about it - the real aim is to have a brilliant time. Lean into the twists, the accusations and the laughs, and let the mystery do the rest. Whether this is your tenth murder mystery or your first, Crime by Candlelight is built for an unforgettable night with your favourite people. Here's to a night to die for with your My Mystery Kit party!
