Murder Mystery

How To Play

• Step 1.

  This game can be bought off the shelf but it's better to DIY if you have a little creative imagination. You will need to invent a scenario, characters with back story, and a murder with multiple explanations (some red herrings) and motives. Provide each person with a murder motive plus 2 or 3 questions to ask other characters, who in turn need to be vaguely informed of the answer. For example: "You envied Jenny's beauty, didn't you Jill?!" But Jill could be told that people think she envied Jenny, but actually she was attracted to her!

• Step 2.

  Choose your most witty and crazy friends and write to them assigning them a character and some information about their costume and back story. Tell them there has been a murder and they are a suspect, and need to assemble to solve the crime. INFORM ONE PERSON THAT THEY ARE THE MURDERER BUT TO TELL NOBODY.

• Step 3.

  Prepare adequate drinks and finger food for the meeting and start proceedings by informing them who has died, where and how. Tell them that nobody leaves the house until the crime is solved.

• Step 4.

  Invite all the guests to introduce themselves, their background and describe their whereabouts at the time of the murder. Throw in a vague clue or allegation and let discussions begin.

• Step 5.

  From this point onwards, it's all improvisation. A few bottles of wine will ensure that all the hard work was worth the effort and as things spiral out of control the laughs come thick and fast. With 75% of the party passed, throw in a clue that might provide the solution. But nobody should make their allegation until the end when you ask them to!

• 

  On the remote chance that someone correctly identifies the murderer, they win the game.