How to Play

The complete guide to hosting your first murder mystery party — from "what is this?" to "the killer is revealed."

1. What is a murder mystery party?

A murder mystery party is an interactive game where a group of friends play characters at the scene of a fictional murder. One person is secretly the killer. Everyone else tries to figure out who did it, how, and why.

Think of it like stepping inside an Agatha Christie novel. Each player receives a character with a backstory, secrets, and goals. Over the course of an evening, you'll interrogate each other, uncover evidence, form alliances, catch people in lies, and ultimately vote on who you think the murderer is.

It's part dinner party, part improv theatre, part detective game. No acting experience is required — just a willingness to play a role and have fun accusing your friends of fictional murder.

2. What you need

3. Choosing your game

Each game pack is built around a theme — a 1920s speakeasy, an Egyptian dig, a space station, a cruise ship, and dozens more. Pick the one that sounds the most fun to your group.

Player count

Every theme works with 4 to 8 players. The game automatically adjusts — fewer players means a tighter core cast, more players adds extra suspects and red herrings. Six players is the sweet spot, but every count plays well.

Tone

Each theme comes in two tones:

• Serious — Atmospheric and dramatic. Characters have detailed backstories, complex motives, and morally grey secrets. Best for groups who want to really inhabit their roles.
• Campy — Fun and theatrical. Characters have catchphrases, exaggerated mannerisms, and over-the-top personalities. Best for groups who want to laugh as much as they sleuth.

Narrator mode

When you configure your game, you'll choose how the narration is delivered:

• Human Host — A live host reads the script aloud and runs the game.
• Audio Voiceover — Pre-recorded audio handles the narration. No dedicated host needed.
• Hybrid — Audio for the big dramatic moments, human host fills in between.

4. Host preparation

The host is the person who sets up the game, knows the solution, and guides the evening. The host can either be a dedicated game-runner (not playing a character) or can play a character while also running the game.

What the host does before the party

1. Read the entire host guide — at least twice. Know the crime, the timeline, the clues, and which character is the killer.
2. Assign characters — Send each player their character assignment at least a week before the event. The murderer should go to your strongest roleplayer.
3. Print materials — Character cards (one per player, sealed in envelopes), clue cards (sorted by round), voting sheets, and the sealed solution envelope.
4. Send invitations — Each game pack includes a themed invitation you can send to players. It sets the scene without spoiling anything.
5. Set up the space — Themed decorations, music, and lighting transform the experience. Each host guide includes specific ambiance suggestions.

What the host does during the party

• Read the host scripts aloud at the start of each round
• Distribute clue cards at the right moments (the host guide tells you exactly when)
• Keep time — gently move the group between rounds
• Drop hints if the group gets stuck (the host guide provides three levels of hints)
• Run the final vote and read the sealed solution

5. Before the party

For players

1. Read your character card thoroughly. This is the most important thing. Know your backstory, your secrets, your relationships, and your goals for each round.
2. Plan your costume. Each character card includes costume suggestions. Even a small effort — a hat, a scarf, a pair of suspenders — makes a big difference.
3. Think about your character's voice and mannerisms. You don't need to be an actor. Just decide: are they loud or quiet? Nervous or confident? Do they have a habit or a catchphrase?
4. Don't research the answer. The fun is in the discovery. Resist the urge to peek at the solution.

For the host

1. Sort clue cards into round groups (Round 1, Round 2 early, Round 2 late)
2. Seal the solution in an envelope and label it dramatically
3. Set up a timer or use your phone — you'll need to track round durations
4. Have the host guide open on a phone or tablet for easy reference during the game

6. How the three rounds work

Every murder mystery unfolds in three rounds, each with a specific purpose. The host guide tells you exactly what to do at each stage.

7. Player guide

The golden rules

1. You may lie. In fact, you should. Misdirect, deflect, omit. This is expected and encouraged.
2. You may not fabricate evidence. You can't claim to have seen something that your character card doesn't mention, or invent clue cards that don't exist.
3. You choose what to share. You're never required to reveal your secrets — but sharing them strategically can shift suspicion away from you.
4. Stay in character. If you need to say something out of character, signal it clearly ("Out of character for a second...").
5. Play to win — but play to entertain. The best players make the game fun for everyone, not just themselves.

How to interrogate

Good questions are specific. Instead of "Did you do it?" (everyone will say no), try:

• "Where were you between 2:00 and 3:00 PM?"
• "You were seen near the supply table. What were you doing there?"
• "Your handwriting matches this document. Explain."
• "If you're innocent, why did you lie about knowing the victim?"

How to defend yourself

• Have an alibi ready. Your character card tells you where you were during key moments. Know your timeline cold.
• Deflect with evidence. "You're focusing on me, but have you looked at what Clue #5 says about the handwriting?"
• Reveal a lesser secret. Admitting to something embarrassing but non-murderous ("Fine — I was stealing photographs for my book. Happy?") makes you look more honest.
• Accuse someone else with conviction. The best defense is a good offense.

If you're the murderer

Your character card includes a special "How to Bluff" section with specific strategies. General tips:

• Stay calm. The guilty person who panics is the one who gets caught.
• Have a prepared explanation for every piece of evidence that points to you.
• Actively participate in the investigation — a quiet suspect draws more suspicion than a loud one.
• Subtly redirect attention toward other suspects with strong motives.
• If cornered, admit to a minor transgression that isn't murder — it makes you look transparent.

8. Host tips

Pacing

• If energy is high and players are engaged, let the round run a few minutes long.
• If the room goes quiet, prompt specific players: "Professor, you seem very quiet about that last clue. Anything you'd like to share?"
• Distribute clue cards with gravity — pause, make eye contact, and present them like evidence at a trial.

Hints

Every host guide includes three levels of hints, from a gentle nudge to a near-giveaway. Use them if:

• No one suspects the actual killer by halfway through Round 2
• The group is fixated on a red herring and can't move past it
• Players seem frustrated rather than challenged

Managing different player types

• The quiet player: Ask them direct questions in character. "You've been awfully quiet this evening. What do you know?"
• The dominant player: Redirect. "Interesting theory. But let's hear from someone who hasn't spoken yet."
• The off-script player: Gently bring them back. "That's an interesting idea, but based on the evidence we have..."

The reveal

The sealed solution reading is the climax of the evening. Make it count:

1. Collect the voting ballots in silence
2. Pause. Pour a drink. Let the tension build.
3. Open the envelope slowly and dramatically
4. Read the solution with conviction — this is the final performance
5. After the reveal, invite the murderer to give their confession in character
6. Then resolve all the other subplots — let every player share their secrets

9. Frequently asked questions

Can the host also play a character?

Yes. The host will know who the murderer is, but they can still play one of the non-murderer characters. Just don't give away the solution through your gameplay.

What if we have fewer than 6 players?

Every game scales from 4 to 8 players. At lower player counts, some characters are automatically removed and their associated clue cards are set aside. The core mystery remains fully solvable. The host guide includes a "Player Count" note explaining exactly which characters to include.

What if we have more than 6 players?

Select 7 or 8 players when configuring your game. Extra characters are included with their own subplots, secrets, and red herring clue cards. Larger groups add more suspicion and more drama.

Do players need acting experience?

Absolutely not. The character cards give you everything you need — your backstory, your personality, even costume suggestions. If you can have a conversation, you can play. The campy tone is especially beginner-friendly.

Can we eat during the game?

Yes, and you should. Serve dinner or snacks between rounds, or eat during Round 2 (the longest round). Themed food and drinks make the evening even more immersive — each host guide includes suggestions.

What if the group guesses wrong?

That's perfectly fine — and it happens often. The sealed solution reveals the truth regardless. Getting it wrong is part of the fun, especially when the real answer surprises everyone. A well-designed red herring that fools the table is one of the best moments in the game.

Can we play the same game twice?

With different people, absolutely. With the same group, try switching to the other tone (serious vs. campy) — the characters, plot, and murderer are completely different.

How do I assign the murderer role?

Give the murderer character to your strongest roleplayer — someone comfortable with lying convincingly and thinking on their feet. The host guide identifies which character is the killer. Don't tell the player they're the murderer — let them discover it when they read their character card. (The card includes a special "How to Bluff" section with strategies.)