Who Dun It?

Inspired by the Murder Mystery dinner my friends attended this past weekend, I bring to you some ideas in hosting one yourself! Invite your closest friends over for some thrills and kills (figuratively speaking of course). It will surely be a night to remember!

First it would be helpful to acquire a Murder Mystery script. Party411 gives an awesome list of scripts that can be downloaded for free! They also offer some great advice to follow when assigning characters and how to keep the night alive (pun intended).

• Put some thought into your guest list. Make sure you invite people who will enjoy this type of event and really get into it. Assign the more outgoing characters to the least shy of your guests, and the less involved parts to the more timid people in the group.
• As the host of the party it is your job to keep the script going. Don't let the group get sidetracked with conversation about the last episode of such and such or "did you see what that coworker yada yada". Keep the ball rolling and encourage guests to stay in character.
• Encourage guests to come in costume. Let your guest know ahead of time who their character is so they can prepare.
• Tell your guests to keep their characters an absolute secret, (even partners or spouses!)
• Do a buffet instead of a sit down meal. It will let you focus on the guests and the mystery at hand.

http://www.party411.com/Partygames/MurderMysteryDinner.aspx

Next, send out the perfect invitations and give a great first impression of what the night entails.

 

http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/beautiful-invitation-cards/

Setup an eerily awesome atmosphere by dimming the lights and incorporating candles to set the mood! Use a variation of table décor height and place-settings to make a mysterious tablescape.

 

http://inspired-design.tumblr.com/post/34774969334

Have a signature cocktail like this 'Hawaiian Homicide' that fits the theme. It will get your guests ready to solve some crime!

1/4 oz Coconut Milk or Cream of Coconut
1.5 oz your favourite gin
.5 oz lime juice
1/4 oz maraschino liqueur
Fresh Mint or Sliced Lime for garnish (optional)

 

http://www.shotinthedarkmysteries.com/a-hawaiian-homicide-signature-cocktail/

If you wanted, you could actually have a plated dinner menu or just let your guests pick from a dessert table (feel free to even have some passed hors d'oeuvres). Here are examples of both.

 

http://www.hwtm.com/index.cfm?page=albums/view_album&albumid=9549&categoryid=12,13,16,20,14,15,17,18,19,21,88

 

http://catchmyparty.com/photos/41177

Don't forget to represent the victim! If you don't want to have a live person act dead, a 'chalked' body outline will do.

http://livingdink.blogspot.ca/2012/08/10-things-i-learned-while-writing-my.html

Capture the night with some mugshots and Murder Mystery props. Make the night part of your guests' permanent record!

http://www.nightofmystery.com/blog/party-of-the-month-3/party-of-the-month-october-2011--14

 

http://www.pinterest.com/reinaheather/

There's a crime to be solved and we are counting on your to devour the Murder Mystery details!