Any mystery lover can easily get wrapped up in the excitement of hosting a murder mystery party, but may end up overwhelmed by the event if they don't properly prepare. Knowing how to choose the right game, set up properly, and keep the story going is vital to creating an event that keeps guests engaged without making you want to pull your hair out. Here are some questions you should answer before sending out the invites (or stabbing anyone in the ballroom with the pen knife.)
1. Do you want to play?
If you're like us, the answer is a resounding, "YES!", but depending on the layout of the game, this might not be possible. Depending on the style of game, someone may need to know the answer to the mystery ahead of time to ensure it ends correctly. In addition, there could be certain plot points that need to occur between (or in front of) other characters, which your guests may not execute properly without a little guidance. You could, of course, ask for a volunteer to help with these aspects, but there are also mystery games that allow for everyone (including the host!) to play without ruining the fun.
2. Do your guests want to act?
When we think "Murder Mystery", we immidiately imagine our friends and families donning hilarious outfits and good-hearted attempts at foreign accents as they take on the role of a character in the story. While this is a fabulous way to play (that everyone should experience at least once), it's not the only way to have a mystery party. If your guests (or you!) tend to be more introverted, prefer a more low-key event, or simply don't have time to create and develop their characters effectively, you can still have an awesome and mysterious event. There are several mystery games, especially board games, that incorporate an exciting story and allow players to assume the roles of "detectives". The most basic example is the game "Clue", but there are many options beyond that with more complex and challenging storylines that are usually a better fit for older audiences. These games can be cooporative, where everyone works together to solve the crime, or competitive, where the most clever deductor wins the game.
3. How important is the story?
Sometimes we just want a fun, light-hearted evening, where we can sip some cocktails and don't have to think too hard. Other times, we want to be shocked, devastated, confounded, and challenged to think critically and read between the lines. Neither option is wrong, and there are plenty of games available for both scenarios. For more simplistic mysteries, check out games that have kid-friendly ratings or are are part of a quirky series of themed games (think "Tiki Catastrophe" and "Murder at the Grand Gatsby".) For a more engaging story, look for games targeting older teens or adults, and which feature more original storylines. In general, board game style mystery games tend to be the most challenging, but we always recommend checking reviews before settling on your game.
4. How much prep can you handle?
You have three major options when it comes to game prep: create the whole game yourself (exhausting and not recommended for beginners), purchase an online game kit (which will require a heavy amount of printing/cutting, but is otherwise complete), or buy a full game in a box. The choice depends on how crafty you are, how much free time you have before the party, your patience level, and your budget. Also, keep in mind that this also impacts whether or not you can play the game; the more involved you are in the prep, the less you'll be able to participate in solving the mystery.
5. Will you want to play again?
The biggest flaw in mysteries is that once you've solved the case, you can't solve it again. (Unless you're exceptionally forgetful, but that might get in the way of your detective work.) If you only plan on having a mystery game night once a year (or less), it might not be a big deal to buy/create a new game each time... but if you fall in love with mystery games (like we have), you may want to invest in a game with multiple endings, a series of games, or a subscription-based mystery that regularly adds new content.
