On October 10 we threw a 1920s murder mystery party in our house. Eleven of us, a casino called the Velvet Ace, and a boss who never finished his rounds. Three people named the killer. The last guests left at 4:30 in the morning. Here is how the night went, what worked better than I…

First find out whether the night leans on their character. If it does not, pull their cards and carry on. If it does, you play the part yourself. Either way the mystery still solves, and nothing has to be rewritten at the door. That is the short answer. It works because the question was settled…

For eight people you need one table, a theme everyone can dress for from their own closet, three courses, and a mystery in which all eight have something to hide. The ideas below are themes, dinners and a plan that work at that size. We know the size well. Our own party had eight suspects,…

Start three weeks before the party, with the invitations. One week out, print the kit, or open it on your phone, and send each guest their character. The day before, make dessert and seal the envelopes. On the night, plan on three hours from the door to the reveal. The body is found fifteen minutes…