Hosting a murder mystery party adds an exciting twist to your dinner gathering, transforming an ordinary evening into an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re looking to throw the event of the year or just add a little spice to your get-together, a murder mystery party is the perfect choice. In this guide, we'll walk you through how a murder mystery works and how to host one effortlessly with My Mystery Kit.
Step 1: The lead-up
The key to a successful murder mystery party begins well before the night of the event.
Here’s how to set the stage:
- Invite your guests: First, ensure that the number of people you're inviting matches the capacity of the game you’ve chosen.
- Get RSVPs: Knowing who’s coming helps you plan the evening and customize the experience.
- Customize your kit: Tailor the murder mystery kit to suit your guests, making the night more personal and enjoyable.
- Send out character profiles: At least one week before the party, send out the character profiles to your guests. This gives them ample time to find costumes and get familiar with their character.
Step 2: Party preparation
Once you’ve got the RSVPs and customized your kit, it’s time to prepare for the big night:
- Plan your menu: Organize the food as you normally would, whether you’re opting for a sit-down dinner, canapés, or a simple takeaway.
- Themed foods: It can be particularly fun to choose foods that match the era of your murder mystery, enhancing the overall ambiance.
- Decorations: Set the scene with decorations that match the theme of your mystery. Whether it’s a 1920s speakeasy, a haunted mansion, or a glamorous Hollywood gala, the right decor can transport your guests into the story.
- Detective props: Consider buying detective props, like a magnifying glass or hat to signal who the detective is.
Step 3: Guests arrive
As guests start to arrive, you’ll want to help them slip into character seamlessly:
- Name tags: Set up a table near the entrance with name tags that have been pre-pinned. This helps guests get into character right away.
- Character Summary Cards: Summary Cards are included with all My Mystery Kit games. Provide these Summary Cards, along with the name tags, to each guest so they can quickly refresh their memory about their character’s backstory. The full character profiles are more for preparing your guests before the night, and are not essential to supply or use on the night.
Step 4: Mingle and speeches
Before the night formally kicks off, allow your guests to warm up to their roles:
- Mingle in character: Encourage guests to stay in character while they mingle as you wait for everyone to arrive.
- Introductory speech: As the host, you should deliver an out-of-character speech to kick things off, as outlined in the Host Guide.
- In-character welcome speech: The game officially begins with this speech. Afterward, hand out the envelopes containing pre-murder objectives, giving your guests 15-30 minutes to complete them.
Step 5: The murder occurs
This is the most dramatic part of the evening, so make it memorable:
- Plan the murder: The host knows who the victim will be. Coordinate with the victim on when to stage the murder.
- The murder scene: This moment sets the tone for the rest of the evening, so encourage everyone to get involved. Capture the drama on video if you’d like to share it on social media—don’t forget to tag us!
- The detective arrives: After the murder, allow the victim to re-enter as the detective, who will read their introductory speech. Guests should then collect their next set of objectives.
Step 6: Post-murder objectives
This phase of the evening is where the murder unfolds:
- Continue the game: Guests work through their post-murder objectives while you introduce the first round of evidence.
- Analyze and accuse: Give your guests time to discuss, accuse each other, and evaluate the evidence before introducing the second round of clues. This will occupy a significant part of the evening as they try to solve the mystery.
Step 7: Accusations
As the night draws to a close, it’s time to reveal everyone’s suspicions:
- Accusation forms: Set out forms and pens so guests can make their final accusations.
- Tally votes: After everyone has submitted their forms, tally up who voted for whom and prepare for the final reveal.
Step 8: The solution
Finally, the mystery is solved, and the awards are handed out:
- Reveal the solution: The detective reads out the solution file, revealing the murderer’s identity.
- Awards ceremony: End the night by awarding the certificates for the best dressed, best performer, and best detective.
At My Mystery Kit, we make hosting these parties a breeze. Our kits are designed with an easy-to-follow folder structure, pre-made Spotify playlists, character assignment guides, and instant digital downloads. Plus, with our free customizations, you can keep the excitement going all night long. Happy sleuthing!