Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about the Murder Mystery Party Kits
 

How many people can participate in your murder mysteries?

Each mystery has a fixed number of suspects. However, MANY MORE people can participate in the investigation. In the instructions that come in each kit, you'll be given a system for dividing your group into teams that will work to solve the case. My biggest audience (of course, I do this professionally and get a lot of big clients) was 527 - and everyone had a great time.

Everyone without a formal role becomes an investigator who must use effective investigative techniques to figure out the intricacies of the crime. Since the guilty party doesn't know who did it (unless you want that person to know), everyone can attempt to figure out "whodunit."

If you organize a larger event, an additional role player (the Undercover Detective, the Police Chief, or the Marshal) will lead the investigation. Yet, you can also use the kits with a close-knit small group of your friends to orchestrate a mystery that will be remembered for a long time. 

How long does a murder mystery party last?

Since the kits are designed to be "an evening's entertainment," give yourself two-and-a-half to three hours for the event. The instructions tell you exactly what to do and when to break for a meal or refreshments.  

What will I get when I order a murder mystery?

You'll get everything you need, including:

murder mystery party gamesComplete step-by-step instructions on how to conduct the investigation of the murder. Most of the kits include a copy of the local newspaper, describing what happened. If you purchase one of the large-group mysteries, you'll be told how to stage the murder in front of your audience. Click HERE to download the Sample Instructions for Death in them thar hills. Although your set of instructions will be be unique to your murder mystery, these Sample Instructions will give you a good idea of what to expect.

murder mystery party gamesAdditional instructions on how to facilitate the investigation if you decide to organize a larger party. 

murder mystery party gamesRoles for all suspects that include backgrounds and recollections of events that led up to the murder. You'll find the that individual roles incllude an abundance of information that might or might not be needed. Since you never know what questions will be asked by you investigators, your suspects will have sufficient information to answer most of the group's queries. To review a Sample Role from Death is a Cabernet, Ol' Chum, click HERE. 

murder mystery party gamesA series of written clues that are handed out to prepare the group for the murder mystery. 

murder mystery party gamesKey supporting information, such as investigative reports, coroners reports, and last wills and testaments that provide clues about what happened.

murder mystery party games"The Denouement" ties the event together. Remember: MOTIVE, MEANS and OPPORTUNITY will point to the guilty party.

Can the same mystery have several solutions?

Since this isn't "Colonel Mustard in the study with a wrench," only one solution is possible for each mystery. After all, if the clues can be interpreted in several ways, your guests will feel cheated. The challenge of any good mystery is to follow all of the the clues to arrive at the only possible solution.

Think of it as a game of dominoes. Everything is set up in such a way that the dominoes must fall in the correct direction achieve the desired result. If even one domino is moved, all that follow must also be moved to ensure success. The plots in my mysteries are the same way. If even one key fact is changed, many other facts must fall in line to point to a different killer. 

Is an invitation included in the kits?

Invitations are included in all of my mysteries except the three "Classic Mysteries."

Can I use an adult murder mystery for a group of teens or preteens?

The answer is a little tricky. None of my murder mysteries have any content that would be offensive to those groups. However, the complexity and length of the mysteries become an issue. The roles in the murder mysteries are longer, require greater comprehensive of what's going on and are more difficult to stage.

In general, older teens can enjoy the adult mysteries, but younger teens and preteens should stick with the kids mysteries. However, you know your group of kids better that I do. The call is really yours.

If I have any questions, can I contact you?

ABSOLUTELY! Since my Investigative Offices in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, are located in the bowels of the earth, (OK, so it's the basement of my home) I am readily available to respond to your needs. Crime never sleeps, so you might be surprised to find me awake and working at 2am when you call with an early-morning query. Some of my Australian clients have been pleasantly surprised to find me there when they called. My office phone number is (262)377-7230 - or simply email me. I'm always pleased to hear from you and will be overjoyed to help you ensure the success of your memorable murder mystery party.

Questions about the Kids Mystery Party Kits
 

Does everyone have a role?

The plot include a set number of suspects that the kids can play. They are the only ones with assigned roles. Everyone else becomes an investigator who figures out the details of the crime. Since the guilty party doesn't know who did it, all of the kids can attempt to solve the case.

How long does a kids mystery take?

Give yourself 60 to 90 minutes to solve the case. However, since the questioning of the suspects can be "freeform" (all taking place at the same time), you can shrink or expand the timeframe based on your group and your situation.

How will the kids know what questions to ask?

The suspects in the mysteries all have the answers to specific questions that are given to the investigators. (Remember: the suspects can also try to figure out what's happening.) Plus, the suspects have additional information that the investigators need to ask about if they are to solve the case.

What will I get when I order the mystery?

You'll get everything you need to conduct the investigation, including:

Complete instructions on what to do to solve the case.

Roles for all of the suspects that includes information about who they are and why they might have committed the crime.

Support material, that will help the kids investigate the case.

"The Solution" that is revealed at the end of the investigation and ties the event together. Remember: The kids will have to ask a lot of questions to identify the guilty party.

Can I use these mysteries for classroom or youth groups?

Many of my customers are teachers who use the mysteries as rainy-day activities or to enhance a particular lesson. And, both youth and church groups have used the kits with great success. Kids love the challenge and the competitive environment of figuring out what happened and solving the cases. You'll find that the mysteries are flexible enough to adapt to a variety of uses.



Mystery Writing Boot Camp

Write A Kids Mystery

Mystery Writing Workbook