Family Mystery Games

Clue

• A classic board game, Clue is appropriate for ages eight and up and for between three and six players. At the beginning of the game, cards are chosen to determine the murderer, the weapon and the location of the crime. The remaining cards are then dealt to the players. Each player moves through the house, accusing other players of the crime, who then must show their cards in order to eliminate certain aspects of the accusation. The players function as independent detectives, racing to be the first to solve the whodunit.

Mystery of the Abbey

• Mystery of the Abbey is appropriate for a slightly older group as it requires more advanced deduction and requires an hour to an hour and half to play. Players compete to solve the murder of a monk in a Medieval abbey. They collaborate to reveal aspects of the perpetrator and strategically question each other to further their own standing. Luck is not necessary to win Mystery of the Abbey, and players can win without making the final correct accusation by contributing to the collective effort.

Mystery Express

• Mystery Express is based on the legendary novel "Murder of the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie. In this board game, players assume the character of a passenger on the train and compete to be the first to determine the truth. Players are dealt five categories of cards: who, what, when, where and why. They must answer each of these questions to win the game. The game is capped at five players and is recommended for ages eight and up.

Murder Mystery Party

• Murder Mystery Parties allow for great creativity and customization by the players and organizers. Several kits are available for purchase with various historical settings, but all contain the same structure. Players are notified in advance and required to create a character of their choosing for the event. One player is determined in advance to be the murderer and tries to remain unsuspected by the others. Players are soon embroiled in schemes and interrogations to solve the mystery. These games can continue for hours with an unlimited number of players.