Do you enjoy cozy mystery novels or true crime podcasts? Have you ever imagined yourself as a small town sleuth? Do you want to host a memorable evening with your friends? If the answer to any of those questions is yes, then you’ll love my custom and immersive murder mystery games. Unlike some games where an unlucky guest has to play the victim, Killer Parties tasks each player (in character, of course) with finding the killer in their midst. Each game includes: the opening story to set the scene, assigned character cards (designed to fit the theme) with descriptions and clues, a chart to keep track of everyone’s accusations, and a sealed envelope with the identity of the murderer. Sign up here to get the ball rolling!
Here are a few of the games I’ve created in the past:
Rubies in the Snow: a 1960’s Ski Mystery
Eleven socialites in the snow— what could go wrong? Their ski weekend uncovers a web of debts and deceits that lays the darkness beneath their cool veneers bare.
It’s 1967 in Park City, Utah, and a massive snow storm has descended upon a chalet nestled in the mountains. On this cold, dark evening, a group of Dallas socialites lounge in the large living room, enjoying drinks and each other’s company. They’re friends from their country club, and none of them could imagine that such a genteel crowd would stir up such chaos as what’s about to ensue. They hear a loud pop, and the lights cut out. There’s a scramble in the darkness-- a scream-- a shout-- and by the time the emergency lanterns are lit, they realize that Clementine Van Brune has been killed with an ornate pocket knife. Her ruby necklace has been stolen off her neck, and the woman lies dead on the carpet. The blizzard conditions mean that help won’t come until morning at least, and in the meantime, our intrepid group is locked in for the night with a murderer. Can they figure out who did it before the snow clears, or will they have to spend the night wondering who’s next?
Camp Wannagetaway: a 1980’s Camp Mystery
When 9 staff members arrive at camp, they think they’re in for another summer of fun. Unfortunately, Junior Detective Poppy has an unusual case on her hands:
Okay, y’all. Let’s go over the facts. Two days ago, you all arrived at Camp Wannagetaway to set up before the campers arrive next week. All of you were here last year, so you had some catching up to do. Y’all had some fun last night at a wild party, and then you all went about your business the next day until someone noticed the canoe anchored in the middle of the lake. Turns out it was Sally Omen, the camp director, who had apparently sustained multiple stabbing wounds before succumbing to death. I put the time of death as late last night. So then y’all looked around for clues before calling me, which yall, that was a little suspicious, but I’ll chalk it up to panic. So the body was in cabin 13, which is secluded and kind of abandoned… and, yeah, for those who didn’t see it… It’s a 10/10 yikes. Blood everywhere, signs of a struggle. But of course, the body was moved. To the lake. Which is weird.
Dare 2 Win: a Y2K Reality Show Mystery
Ten Contestants… Over Twenty Challenges… One chance to win $100,000. This is DARE TO WIN, exclusively on MTV.
In the early hours of the morning, the contestants and crew enter the set of DARE TO WIN as usual, only to discover their host, MTV legend Matt Murphy, face down and motionless in the slime pit. He is dead. Between the slime and a massive wound on his head, it’s unclear whether he died of asphyxiation or blunt force trauma. But the fact remains that the culprit is among them. Because all the contestants stayed on site in trailers, anyone could’ve done it… but who?
As The Tumbleweed Turns: a 1950’s Hollywood Mystery
seven actors, six bullets, one accidental death. Or was it an accident, after all?
It was a sunny day at the Paramount Ranch. The crew and a small number of cast members were on set to film the final scene of “As The Tumbleweed Turns.” During the only rehearsal for the scene, all of the weapons properly fired blanks. Afterwards, director B.B. Bickenbocker called action. Leading actor Chet Laurence as “Sheriff Winston Lockstock” fired his six-shooter prop gun in the air once, and then, as his blocking commanded, he fired the weapon at his co-star Sam Goodman, “The Golden Bandit,” who fell backwards into the dirt. As everyone got ready to shoot the scene again, they noticed Mr. Goodman wasn’t getting back up. His stunt double, Jimmy Gringold, walked over to help him up and saw the bullethole in Goodman’s shirt. The man was dead.