Whether you’re planning your next themed birthday party, or are simply looking for an excuse for a unique get-together with your nearest and dearest, a murder mystery celebration is bound to be a hit.
But how do you host a murder mystery party if you’ve never done so before? Well, this is where we come in! We’ve pulled together a step-by-step guide on how to pull off the ultimate murder mystery party, right down to the very last detail…
From character planning to story writing, plus party bag and decoration inspiration, we’ll cover it all. So, whether it’s a grand affair or a simple murder mystery dinner party, here at thortful, we’ve got you.
Just quickly before we dive into it, make sure to check out our wonderful range of birthday cards! Then, if you’re heading to a murder mystery-themed birthday celebration, you won’t have to turn up empty-handed:
What is a murder mystery party?
First things first, if you’ve never attended or hosted a murder mystery party, you might be curious about exactly what goes down at one. Well, murder mystery parties can take many forms, ranging from large-scale events with a huge guest list, to more intimate dinner parties with a small circle of friends.
There will usually be a specific theme, ranging from a gruesome murder in a spooky mansion to a glamorous (yet deadly) roaring 20s party. The choice really is yours, so simply settle on a theme you know your guests will enjoy!
Next, each guest will be given a role (perhaps an innocent witness or the murderer themselves), and then the evening will be spent decoding the clues to eventually reveal the culprit.
How to host the ultimate murder mystery party
From picking out your theme to crafting a fun plot and assigning your characters, below you’ll find our step-by-step guide on how to host a murder mystery party.
1. Settle on the perfect theme
The first and perhaps most important step is picking out a theme and settling on a mystery. From prohibition-era-inspired parties to spooky haunted mansions, there’s a variety of options out there. So, here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Murder at the manor: a murder has taken place at a dinner party in a vast manor house… who’s the perpetrator? And might you be sitting next to them?
- Roaring 20s: whether it’s at a speakeasy or a Gatsby-esque party, a roaring 20s theme provides plenty of room for suspense. We’re thinking glitz, glamour, and of course some gore…
- Festive murder: All is merry and bright! Or is it? Set your murder mystery at the happiest time of the year, then watch as horror erupts as a crime takes place…
- Masquerade ball: A murder has taken place at a glamorous ball, but with identities hidden, finding the culprit isn’t going to be a simple affair…
The possibilities are endless when it comes to choosing a theme, and you know your guests best. So, get creative, and pick one the whole gang will get super involved with!
2. Plan your plot and assign your characters
Once you’ve settled on a theme, it’s time to channel your inner storyteller. You’ll need to come up with a scenario and motives, plus plenty of clues to keep guests entertained throughout the night.
First, start by pulling together a guest list, then assign each guest a role in the murder mystery. Your roles will depend on your theme, but you’ll typically have a victim, detectives and witnesses, your red herrings, and of course the murderer.
Next, to make it as immersive as possible, you’ll need to come up with names and backstories for your characters. Then, have fun weaving together your plot!
If you’re struggling to come up with a murder mystery plot, there are plenty of pre-made kits you can find online. These come with characters, clues, and even handy scripts too.
3. Set a date and send out your invites
Next, you’ll need to set a date for your epic murder mystery party. It’s important to plan ahead with plenty of time to spare, giving your guests time to RSVP and plan their costumes.
On your invitations, include the date, time, and location of your party. Next, make the theme super clear, and ensure each guest understands their role in the mystery. Encourage them to turn up ready for an evening full of fun (magnifying glass in hand or poker face at the ready). And why not pop a riddle on the invite, or set the scene with a suspenseful opening sentence?
If it’s a birthday murder mystery celebration, dive into our birthday invitation messages for ideas on how to summon your guests!
4. It’s time to set the scene
Your scene setting and decorations play a huge role in how immersive your murder mystery party is. So, we’d recommend making a list, then heading out on a fun shopping expedition!
For a roaring 20s theme, we’re thinking gold and black décor, plenty of streamers and feathers (and don’t forget the atmospheric jazz music). Or for a murder at the manor theme, how about dim lighting, pillar candles, and antique looking artwork dotted around your home? And don’t forget to hang cobwebs for an authentically eerie feel.
It really is up to you how you decorate, so our only tip would be to have tons of fun with creating an immersive, believable world. This way, your guests will be inspired to remain in character all evening long.
5. Stock up on food and drinks
When hosting a murder mystery party, it’s important you’ve covered all bases when it comes to food and drinks.
If you’re hosting a murder mystery dinner party, why not go all out with a three-course menu? Or for a masquerade theme, a few nibbles might just do the trick!
For a 1920s theme, you could serve prohibition-inspired drinks, or for a Halloween murder mystery, simply stock up on some gruesome delights. You could even make food part of the storyline, bringing dishes out at opportune moments, then revealing the murderer only after the last bite has been eaten…
6. Welcome your guests and let the fun begin!
Finally, it’s time to welcome your guests and let the evening of suspense commence! As the murder mystery host, your role will be to guide the flow of the game. So, you’ll need to introduce the scenario, prompt characters to share their alibies, and eventually reveal the culprit.
To make things interactive, why not host a mid-evening scavenger hunt? Simply hide clues around your home for guests to find and solve. Or, why not instigate a series of interrogation sessions, where you quiz guests on their alibies in an attempt to crack their façade?
However you choose to lead the party, make sure the plot keeps moving (but at the same time don’t worry if your guests veer off track at any point). Spontaneity will make for an enjoyable but most importantly memorable murder mystery!
7. Reveal the murderer
After a night filled with puzzlement and fun, it’s finally time to reveal the murderer…
So, after the clues have been gathered and the accusations have been made, reveal the culprit in a dramatic announcement (we’re thinking a sudden confession or a shock discovery!).
Then, have fun diving into a post-reveal debrief where you can discuss any missed clues or glaring red herrings.
8. Party bags and tokens
Finally, why not give your guests a small token to remember the night by? We’ve got a guide on adult party bag ideas which is full of great suggestions.
And, what’s a murder mystery without a few plot twists, hey? Why not drop a note in each guest’s bag revealing a final bombshell plot twist? Perhaps a seemingly innocent character had more involvement in the murder than it seemed…
So, there we have it, our top tips on how you can host your very own murder mystery night at home! Before we go, we’ll leave you with a few final reminders: make sure there’s plenty of twists and turns in your plot, and don’t forget to infuse the evening with a healthy dose of suspense…
Finally, why not head over to the thortful blog for more fun insights? And if you want to return the favour by turning up with a gift for the hosts, definitely check out our guide on what to take to a dinner party!
