On New Years Eve, inside the Moxey Estate, a very special celebration is taking place, and the world is watching. At the stroke of midnight, a time-locked safe will be opened, revealing the biggest secret of infamous adventurer and archaeologist Holt Moxey’s life. But when the lawyer who holds the code to access the safe is found murdered and the code for the safe is discovered missing, the guests find themselves suspects in a murder mystery investigation with a deadline – as at midnight, the opening of the safe is to be broadcast live worldwide online!
So You’re Attending a Mystery Party…
Mystery parties are a lot of fun. If you have been invited to a mystery for the first time, you’re in for a real treat.
How to play a murder mystery game at a party
There has been a murder or a theft! (*gasp*!) But we all know that – that’s the reason we’re getting together, after all. The suspects, anywhere between 6 and 18, will quickly make themselves known. Perhaps you’re a suspect yourself, but you may just be an ‘investigator’ or ‘sleuth’, questioning the suspects, gathering intel and piecing together the puzzle in order to correctly cast your accusation at the end.
If you’re merely attending as an investigator, this sleuthing is the extent of your role. In preparation for the big event we recommend screening old episodes of Murder She Wrote and Agatha Christie movies. Plan out some questions in advance, like ‘where were you at the time of the murder?’ ‘can anyone verify your whereabouts?’ or ‘did you have anything against the deceased?’. From there as you ask the suspects questions, their answers will lead you to more questions. Regardless of your current experience or comfort level, you will quickly find yourself cross-interrogating suspects to identify holes in their stories.
What Are Angel Ratings?
Are you playing a suspect?
If you are attending the party as a suspect, your role is slightly more complicated – but not by much. Either before the party or as you arrive you’ll receive an information booklet, either printed or via a .PDF file on email.
This guide will tell you about your character and motives, instructions for how to play and more. All the information you will need at the party will be in your guide.
As the party begins you will be questioned by others. You will answer these questions based on the information in your guide. Feel free to bring your guide to the party to refer to. You don’t have to memorize your information – unless you want to, of course! While answering questions you will also be interrogating others.
Guess what! If you’re the killer, you won’t know it. There are a number of reasons for this that are explained further in your guide. Trust us, it’s waaaaaaay better this way.
Regardless of whether you are playing a suspect or attending a mystery party as a sleuth or investigator, you’re going to have a fantastic time, and you’ll be talking about this event for years to come. Just remember to relax and enjoy it! Have fun!
What Do I Wear?
Your host will decide the overall theme of the party if it is costume casual. If your party theme requires a costume of some kind, we have many pinterest boards here with some great ideas for you!
We RARELY specify that a character uses a specific style of dress to make things as easy as possible for you to dress within your comfort level and budget. You may find a vague reference to perhaps your character is known for the cane he uses to get around, or your character loved hats and always wore a different one, but these are few and far between and even then, very generic. We find this makes it easier for you, as a guest, to find a costume no matter where in the world you live, even if it’s from your own closet, and gives you the freedom to be as creative (or uncreative!) as you like!
Son of Holt Moxey’s lawyer, Gordon Fairchild, Russell began working at his father’s law firm as soon as he had his law degree. Eventually he became a partner in the firm, and following the sudden death of his father a short time ago, Russell took over the firm. Russell was attending the New Years Eve party at The Moxey Estate with a special purpose: it was Russell who had the codes to open the safe at midnight after the time lock expired. While he told some guests he had the code for the safe on a piece of paper in his pocket, no code was found on his person when the body was discovered.
