How to Host a Mystery Murder Investigation Party

Murder mystery parties are gaining popularity. While you can hire professionals who provide the venue, actors, and props for a real show, we will give you tips on how to organize such a party by yourself at home. You and your guests will play all the roles, so the success and excitement of the event depend on your guests' personalities and acting skills. The more time and money you invest in organizing the party, the better the results.

Planning the Murder Mystery Party

Step 1: Decide whether to buy a murder mystery kit or create your own.

Decide whether you will buy a murder mystery kit or create your own. Most kits come with a script, game rules, costume ideas, and recipes. Therefore, you should try to incorporate these elements into your own production.

• If you choose to create your own game, the story should be somewhat believable, spooky, and interesting.
• Divide the story into scenes that will be enacted throughout the evening.
• Give each character a backstory that is unique and fits with the clues.
• Make sure the villain can actually be discovered by paying attention to clues, asking questions of other main characters, and piecing together all the information. Of course, there will be several suspects, but only one guilty party should meet all the criteria.

Step 2: Choose a theme for the party.

Select a theme for the party. Don’t be afraid to experiment with unconventional ideas, such as a detective in a traditional fantasy setting or in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. If you want to use a ready-made kit, you'll have to choose from a limited number of themes, but even then, you can find a theme that suits your needs.

Step 3: Choose a location for the party.

Choose a location for the party. For a small group (no more than 8–10 people), your apartment or house should be sufficient. For a larger group, a dining hall (for example, at a university) or another public space would be more suitable.

• The location choice also depends on the time of year. You probably wouldn’t want to host a party outdoors in winter unless you live in a mild climate, such as Sochi.

Step 4: Gather props and decorations for the party.

Gather props and decorations for the party. Your theme will determine what items you need to create a detective ambiance. Often, you can use items found around the house (for example, old shoes to make footprints or knives as murder weapons). If you need something, thrift stores, second-hand shops, and flea markets are great places to find props (plus they are relatively inexpensive).

Step 5: Determine how you will distribute prizes.

Decide how you will award prizes. Some choose to give a single prize to the person who solves the murder, while others also award prizes for achievements. A single prize works better for fostering a competitive spirit among guests, while multiple prizes encourage more creativity and cunning.

• Here are some prize ideas: best costume, best acting performance, richest player (if the game includes earning play money), and so on.

Step 6: Develop the menu.

Develop the menu. Murder mystery parties tend to go more smoothly if they include a buffet or potluck rather than a full multi-course dinner. The main reason is that the host can focus on the action of the game knowing that the food is prepared and served.

• Plan as many dishes as there are scenes in your murder mystery.
• If you decide to host a full dinner, either find a helper to prepare for the party or take on a minor character role to avoid exhaustion.

Step 7: Choose a date for the party.

Choose a date for the party. Before that, check with your friends to see if they can make it. This is particularly important if you want to host the party at a time of year when people have many other plans, such as during the New Year holidays.

Step 8: Create a guest list.

Make a guest list. Invite only those who will truly engage in the game. Everyone present needs to enthusiastically play their roles. They don't have to be amazing actors; they just need the willingness to shed their inhibitions and pretend to be someone else for a few hours.

• You should understand who among your guests would enjoy playing a character with lots of lines and actions and who might prefer a smaller, less noticeable role.
• The best way to ensure everyone has a good time is to ask your friends who would like to participate. Base your invitations on their responses.

Step 9: Send out invitations.

Send out invitations. Do this at least 3–6 weeks before the party, or even earlier if you are hosting it during a "busy" time of year. The more time you have, the easier it will be for both you and your guests.

• Arrange for those playing roles to arrive before the other guests so that the performers are ready when the rest arrive.
• Remind actors to keep their roles a secret even from partners and spouses! If no one knows who is who until the last moment, it will truly set a great tone for the party.

Preparing for the Party

Step 1: Prepare the venue in advance.

Prepare the venue in advance. If you are hosting at home, you can set up and hang decorations the day before. If you are hosting at another location, you need to arrive early to decorate and prepare everything.

Step 2: Set the table(s).

Set the table(s). Create a more intimate setting instead of just gathering everyone around one long table. Throughout the story, guests will need to share ideas with each other.

• Consider putting candles on the table(s) to create a mysterious atmosphere.

Step 3: Place clues where people can find them.

Place clues where people can find them. Most of the action will happen around the dining table or another chosen spot, so it would be good to hide clues under guests' plates or chairs or even beneath couch cushions. If you want guests to move around, place clues in other locations, such as on bookshelves or in desk drawers.

Step 4: Prepare the food.

Prepare the food. If you will have a full dinner rather than a buffet or potluck, try to prepare most of the dishes ahead of time. After all, you will also need to circulate among the guests and participate in the game.

The Party

Step 1: Greet guests as they arrive.

Greet guests as they arrive. Offer drinks and snacks. Ideally, gather them in one place so that the detective story can start as soon as everyone is present.

Step 2: Allow regular guests to mingle with those in character.

Allow regular guests to mingle with those in character. Let them figure out who is who by moving around and asking questions. This is a great way to lighten the mood and help everyone get into the story.

Step 3: Give guests time to think.

Give guests time to think. Don’t rush during the meal. Allow guests to sit with their food and discuss among themselves who they think the murderer is.

• Make sure conversations don’t stray to other topics. Discussions tend to drift off, but try to keep this to a minimum.

Step 4: Keep guests in suspense until the end.

Keep guests in suspense until the end. You can allow actors to interact with regular guests between scenes, and depending on their roles, they can either provide helpful hints or lead them down false paths. Don’t let anyone be completely sure they’ve solved the murder!

Step 5: Play background music.

Play background music. The right music will not only enhance the atmosphere but also fill pauses in conversations. Setting your player or smartphone to continuous playback is a great way to ensure the music doesn’t stop.

Step 6: Gather all guests once the murder is solved and prizes are awarded.

Gather all guests once the murder is solved and prizes are awarded. Guests will surely enjoy sitting down and sharing their secrets or schemes.

• Everyone will be amazed at how much has been happening right under their noses all this time!