How to plan a mind-bending murder mystery party in 12 easy steps
Intrigue, suspicion, and murder most foul—as long as it’s all fictional, these elements can come together to create a fun-filled evening your guests will never forget.
Anyone who’s ever attended a murder mystery party knows how thrilling they can be. Putting on a persona, dressing up, and play-acting with friends can be both freeing and hilarious. Whether it’s a themed dinner party, a birthday bash, or a kids’ party, these immersive events offer the perfect mix of drama and delight—and they work just as well for milestone occasions like a 50th birthday party as they do for a casual Friday night with friends who love a little cosplay.
Fortunately, you don’t have to be a seasoned sleuth to throw one. We’ll outline how to plan a murder mystery party that will have everyone talking, even after the case is closed.
Hosting a murder mystery party is like staging a play: you’ll evoke a setting through design and décor, assign your cast, and let the mystery unfold in acts. Here’s how to do it, step-by-step.
Table of Contents
1. DIY your plot—or pick out a kit
If you want to host a successful murder mystery party, you’re going to need a plot. There are a few different ways to achieve this:
- Create the plot of your murder mystery yourself: Feeling ambitious? This can be a more labor-intensive option, but if you’re the creative type, the challenge can be almost as fun as the party itself. If you’re a true crime enthusiast, a Dungeons and Dragons game master, or a mystery-genre hobbyist, this may be the best option for you.
- Purchase a pre-planned murder mystery kit: These kits vary in setting, number of characters, included materials, and price. While murder mystery party kits leave a little less room for creativity, there are plenty of options out there, so you’ll likely be able to find one that suits your vision. For example, kits from Masters of Mystery offer options for various themes and party sizes.
2. Hire a murder mystery company
If you really want to knock this event out of the park and bring it to the next level, consider hiring a company that’s dedicated to hosting these types of parties.
Depending on where you live, there may be a murder mystery party purveyor nearby. Some have their own dedicated venues in historical houses, some will send performers to your home, and some operate out of hotels, restaurants, and theaters. For instance, Jest Murder Mystery Co. offers a number of options at the location of your choice. Because they can be more costly and might cause you to go over your event budget, working with a company may be a better bet for parties on a grander scale.
3. Choose a killer theme
Most murder mystery party ideas hinge on the setting and tone. If you’ve bought a kit or are hiring a company, it likely comes with a theme. But if you’re creating your own or choosing between options, have no fear—here are a few ideas for murder mystery party themes to consider:
- Murder in the city: Modern-day glitz and glam fit right into this party theme.
- Holiday murder: This theme is perfect for a family party or a gathering around a certain holiday, as your existing holiday décor will fit right in.
- Horror in Hollywood: If your guests would enjoy dressing up in old Hollywood glamour while debating the identity of a killer, this is a clear choice.
- Death of the decade: If you want to combine the thrill of a murder mystery party with nostalgia for another time, simply combine your party theme with a ’60s, ’70s, or ’80s party theme—or any other decade of choice.
- Train tragedy: Say all aboard to your guests with this vintage voyage-themed party.
- Mad Hatter tea party: If your guests are all a bit mad (and enjoy a good tea party), an “Alice in Wonderland”-inspired murder mystery party with spiked “tea” and eerie characters with questionable motives might be the perfect choice.
4. Find the perfect venue
Your venue sets the stage for the drama, so choose wisely. For smaller parties, your living room or dining area may be all you need. Just make sure there’s space for guests to move around and mingle in character.
For larger groups or more elaborate murder mystery party games, consider renting a private room at a restaurant, booking a historic house, or hosting in a garden or outdoor pavilion—especially if your theme lends itself to dramatic scenery. Wherever you host, think about acoustics (can everyone hear?), lighting (moody or bright?), and places to hide clues or props.
5. Send invitations to build suspense from the start
Start setting the tone for your event well before guests step into the venue with festive invitations. A well-designed invitation can give guests a glimpse into the theme, hint at the mystery, and get them excited to play their part.
Online invitations from Paperless Post make this step easy and stylish. Choose from themed murder mystery invitations like our Miss Scarlett in the Library or Raven Cards, then customize the messaging to reflect your plot and characters. You can also utilize our tools to:
- Track RSVPs, which is essential for a party like this, where you’ll be assigning each guest a specific role to play
- Share the dress code and photos of costume ideas within a Details Block and a Photo Gallery Block
- Share the party schedule and timing of events with a Schedule Block
- Send updates or reminders to guests leading up to the big night
6. Collect RSVPs and assign roles
Unlike casual parties where mingling is optional, murder mystery parties require full participation. When selecting your guest list, prioritize people who are outgoing or game for a little theater.
After the RSVPs roll in, assign characters to each guest—either based on the kit’s suggestions or your own creation. Choose wisely: you want each guest to feel like they can naturally embody their role and play their part with enthusiasm.
Pro tip: Send out detailed character bios in advance so guests can plan their costumes and start building their backstory.
7. Coordinate and encourage costumes
Imagination is essential for a murder mystery party, but costumes will certainly help complete the illusion. Provide guests with costume ideas or inspiration for their characters’ outfits in a Photo Gallery Block on your invitation. You can ask your guests to come in costume, but you may also want to provide them with essential pieces to help ensure they fit the character description of your murder mystery script. For example, you might have a lab coat on hand for the kooky professor character, a long cigarette holder and feather boa for the femme fatale, or a monocle for the mysterious widower. Get creative—the possibilities are endless!
8. Stock up on props and tools
The right extras will help bring your party to life. Here are a few things that will propel your game forward:
- Mystery-solving tools: A kit may come with a few props like magnifying glasses and fingerprinting kits, but you can also provide these yourself. You can also give each guest a small notebook and pen to write their observations in so they can channel Dr. Watson and Captain Hastings.
- Props: If your storyline involves a murder weapon, make sure to source a prop replica to use in place of any object that could be dangerous to guests (no real knives at the party, please!). Costume shops and toy stores can be superb sources for these.
9. Prepare your space with chilling décor
Murder mystery party decorations can elevate the entire experience. You don’t need to go overboard, but a few key touches can make your space feel immersive.
On the day of the party, make sure that your home or venue is appropriately decked out according to your theme. Most importantly, hide essential clues and props around the space where they’ll be easy to track down later. Make sure to keep your plot details somewhere out of reach of party guests. You wouldn’t want the big reveal to be spoiled!
10. Craft a menu that matches the mood
Since you’ll be too entranced in the plot to whip up any refreshments in the moment, you should pre-plan snacks, drinks, and the meal menu for your murder mystery party. You don’t need to have a sit-down meal, but it can add a level of immersion in the plot that is truly exciting.
If you’re sticking with finger food, choose snacks that are easy to grab while solving clues.
Consider the following options:
- A pre-batched cocktail or two to match the party theme
- A cheese and charcuterie board
- Mini sandwiches or sliders
- Fruit skewers
- Themed cupcakes and cookies
- Bowls of mixed nuts
If you’d rather not worry about what everyone’s eating, consider choosing a murder mystery kit that includes food suggestions. Alternately, cater your event and let someone else handle the food.
11. Set a schedule for the key moments
Murder mystery parties require a bit more scheduling than your typical get-together. After all, there are a few key events that need to happen throughout the night. Consider structuring your party into sections with a general timeframe. You’ll want to customize the schedule depending on your plot, but here’s an example of what we mean:
- 6pm — Guest arrivals: Serve a pre-murder cocktail and encourage guests to get acquainted with each other’s personas.
- 7pm — The murder is revealed: The night takes a thrilling turn with the discovery of a (seen or unseen) body.
- 7:30pm — Dinner and first clues: Serve food and give each guest a clue in a sealed envelope.
- 9pm — Interrogations and roleplay: Serve after-dinner drinks and have guests begin to confront each other with jokes, bits, and cross-examinations.
- 9:30pm — Dessert and second clues: Time the discovery of the murder weapon, a letter from the deceased, or a suspicious bloodied clothing item with a delicious dessert.
- 10pm — The big reveal: Gather everyone to announce their guesses and reveal the true identity of the murderer.
A fine-tuned schedule can help you keep the event on track, but what if something goes awry? Channel a piece of classic stage wisdom: the show must go on. If someone forgets their essential line or an important prop goes missing, just improvise. As long as you’re having a good time, your party is sure to be a success.
12. Award a prize for the savviest sleuth
End the night on a high note with a small prize for the best detective or best in-character performance. Fun and affordable prize ideas include a magnifying glass trophy, a paperback mystery novel, a bottle of wine labeled “poison,” and a custom certificate for “Most Likely to Solve a Crime.”
Spark anticipation for any party with Paperless Post
Now it’s time to get the mystery started before the doorbell even rings.
Send out customized invitations with Paperless Post to set the tone, share character roles, and get guests hyped. From mysterious mansion soirées to quirky themed birthday bashes, Paperless Post has designs that fit any murder mystery aesthetic.
So when you’re ready to throw a really killer party, you know where to start—at Paperless Post.
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