What It Is

A murder mystery is a role-playing group activity. There is a storyline with a theme and various characters. One or more of those characters have been or are about to be murdered! The rest of the characters are assigned to your guests. Guests become actors and dress up for the role and pretend to be that person (often in very funny and ridiculous ways).

At some stage someone is murdered and the mystery is: who done it? It is up to your guests to find out. But beware, for amongst them is the murderer! Each character has a background, secrets to keep, and possibly motive for murder as well. Only by interacting with each other can guests try to uncover the truth. While they are at it, they will also be trying to get rich by wheeling and dealing.

The murder mysteries we run are interactive. This means that guests aren't just following a rigid structure of rounds and reading out from a sheet of paper. Our events are more exciting and involving than that. Characters are given secret background information, kind of like a profile, and then allowed to apply that knowledge however they wish. It's more about being that character, and then stepping into a make believe world. There are usually many ways that things can be done, and lots of sub plots to uncoverer. Some people get a real kick out of doing some very naughty things to get ahead, like stealing, blackmailing, and bribing each other. But it's all good fun and highly recommended if you've never tried it before!

Services & Pricing

A good place to start is to download the Function Pack and read through it. There's lots of information in there about what is available and how much it costs. Feel free to call us on 1300 783 138 for a friendly chat and more information.

Venue

The venue can be a private home or a commercial establishment with a private function room so that we don't disturb other customers. It will also need to be free from noise. The host will need a table for equipment and access to a power outlet for background music. For Murder at the Four Deuces we will also need to be able to turn off the lights and black out the room.

Bookings

When you're ready to Make a Booking tell us what you'd like in your package and we'll send you a Quote/Contract. A deposit is required to confirm your booking, and the balance is due before the event. Payments can be made by cheque, bank deposit, or credit card (VISA, MasterCard and American Express. A surcharge applies for credit cards).

Casting & Info Packs

Our Party And Event Planner website makes it easy to match up each of your guests with their most suitable character. Character information and casting tips are also provided. You have full control of the casting process!

Once the casting is done and we've double checked it, you can download or send out the Info Packs. There is a custom PDF file for each guest, ready to distribute via email or print. These have all the information guests need to prepare themselves for the murder mystery event, including plot background, character information, event details, dress suggestions etc.

Help on Getting Ready

And because we like to be thorough, we also give you (our main contact) a Preparation Guide. This is a helpful little booklet that explains exactly what will happen and what things you need to do at your end.

As you can see, there is quite a lot that goes on before the event even begins. So our aim is to help you right from the start, not just for a few hours on the day. We're very experienced and organised in what we do, and many happy clients have commented on how easy we've made it for them.

On the Day

As they arrive guests are greeted in character and given name tags. The exact structure of the event varies with each Murder Mystery, but they have some common elements:

• Introduction speech
• Secret Envelopes are handed to guests
• Wheeling and Dealing
• Revelations and More Information
• Accusations and Solutions
• Prizes

The duration of the event is about 3 hours, although this can be shortened if needed. The Auction also contains, of course, an auction of 4 valuable relics that characters can bid for. In the Cudham Riding Club guests can buy and sell horses and put a bet on a horse race: The Isle of Mann Handicap. There is lots of surprise and excitement in Murder at the Four Deuces with the ability to kill other guests (good screaming fun) and a scavenger hunt.

During your Murder Mystery food and drinks can be served. It can be a sit down meal or finger food. Alcohol is allowed and very useful in bringing out the inner actor.

And always, your experienced Host will be there all the way through to direct the action and guide you along. Your host will also be a character, in costume, playing along with everyone else and helping them to get the most out of our excellent Interactive Murder Mysteries.