Things You'll Need
Instructions
Create a cast of characters and write down their traits and background information on index cards. Be descriptive so that your party guests will be able to easily get into character. Make sure to note what aspects of their character they may share with others. Also write down any information that the character knows about other characters.
Make a character who is the murderer. The key is giving enough pieces of information about the murder to other characters so that the crime can be solved.
Create a scenario for characters to play out. This can be done by listing certain objectives characters need to meet before they can guess who the murderer is.
Pass out the index cards to your party guests as they arrive. Make sure everyone is aware of the information that they are allowed to disclose and the information that they are not allowed to disclose about their character and other characters.
Have the murderer "kill off" one character in the party every fifteen minutes. The murderer should inform the host of the person they intend to "murder" and when and how they will do so. The murderer and victim must be in the same place at once. The murderer should then inconspicuously notify the intended victim.
Allow the victim to lay out comfortably in the "murder" location. Allow a few minutes for discussion and hand the victim a red button or scarf to signify they are deceased. Dead characters may no longer talk about their character but can chit-chat as they wish. You can also allow the collection of dead characters to discuss the game in private as well.
Continue to host the party and drop hints as to who the murderer is if your guests are having difficulty figuring it out.
Allow characters to make one guess about who the murderer is. If the guess is incorrect, that character may not make another guess for half an hour. Only one guess may be made every five minutes. Gather the party together when someone is making a guess.
Reward the person who makes the correct guess with a reward. A gift card is an excellent choice for this. You may then start up another mystery or allow the party to continue on without a mystery.