Last-minute murder mystery parties

If this is you, planning to host one of our games, this is how to do it in under two hours.

You will need:

• A printer and paper
• Some thin card (for items – but you can manage with paper if that’s all you have)
• Envelopes
• A paper cutter or scissors

#1 Purchase one of our games (five minutes)

If you’ve not hosted one of our games before, click here to see our list of printable murder mystery kits suitable for a last-minute party. These are our simpler games as this is not the time to be grappling with our more complex kits!

#2 Print the instructions (five minutes)

Print just the instructions at this stage. You don’t need to read everything – right now, you need to read the last chapter of the instructions, which tells you how many copies of each document you need to print.

#3 Print the rest of the game (thirty minutes)

Using that last page of the instructions, print the rest of the game. If you also plan to play the game (because you’ve bought one of our games where the host can play a character), try not to read anything.

#4 Seal the solution (five minutes)

The solution to the game is revealed in a speech that the detective reads aloud at the end of the party. We put this at the end of the file containing the cards. Locate the solution, put it in an envelope, and seal it. (And then write “The Solution” on it so you don’t forget where you’ve put it.)

#5 Assemble the character packs (sixty minutes)

#5 Assemble the character packs using the instructions in Chapter 5 (Preparing the game).

As the host, you will have some announcements, other handouts, and cards. The most important of these is the quick reference sheet, which gives you a summary of the game you can refer to without looking at the full instructions.

#6 Cast your murder mystery party (five minutes)

Chapter 4 (Casting) contains details of how to cast your party. However, don’t worry too much about that – just concentrate on the table of casting hints, which tells you which characters are related or are in a relationship. Cast those characters carefully, particularly considering family members and your younger players.

Once you’ve cast the tricky characters, put all the others into gender-specific piles (suited to your party) and let your players pick randomly.

With a bit of luck, no more than two hours should have elapsed since purchasing the game.

#7 Start reading (game timetable starts now!)

On the Host’s Quick Reference Sheet, make a note of the time. This is the start of the game. (We put an example time of 7:00 p.m. alongside space to write your own time.)

Your guests should open their character packs and start reading their characters. This will take them about 30 minutes.

While they are reading their characters, you need to read the following sections of the instructions:

• The timetable for the evening (chapter 8)
• The rules (chapter 9)
• The plots (chapter 10).

Much of this is summarised by the quick reference sheet.

#8 Start your murder mystery party!

Once everyone has finished reading their character, you can start the party with the welcome announcement.

And you’re off!

Last-minute murder mystery parties

So that’s how you host a murder mystery party at the last minute!

Click here to see our printable murder mystery kits suitable for a last-minute party.