Getting Away With Murder ... by Bryan Hallett
Ever since Edgar Allen Poe and
Wilkie Collins helped begin formalizing the genre of crime fiction,
writers have leapt upon their ideas. The genre takes up vast shelf
space in any public library and bestseller lists are regularly stuffed
with world-weary detectives, criminal pathologists and investigators of
every ilk. The world, it would seem, is full of budding Miss Marples,
Hercule Poirots and Kay Scarpettas, and there is an ever-increasing
demand for murder mystery parties and weekends where the guests
themselves can become murderers, victims or detectives.
Maybe you've toyed with the idea of hosting your own party, but haven't
known where to start. Perhaps you've reasoned that it's hard enough to
host a dinner party, let alone having to wrestle with complex rules,
deliberately difficult guests and an outrageous accent. This article
sets out to allay your fears, and maintains that provided you can read
(and you seem to be doing well so far!) and have a good sense of fun,
then you can host a murder.
So, where to start? I would recommend that you first ask yourself why
you want to host an event. Do you want to reward or encourage your
coworkers with a special event? Perhaps you would like to raise funds
for charity, celebrate a special event, or is it simply to have fun
with friends or family?
Once you know what the event is for you can begin to think about the
possible guest list, and think about what interests them. Their
interests will help you determine a theme for the event and the
Internet is full of companies offering ready-made packages which you
can browse to get ideas. Can you cook a mean curry? Why not set the
murder in India? Are your friends into mediaeval history or science
fiction? Both are suitable springboards for nefarious dealings. It's
also a good idea at this stage to get a rough idea of where you want to
hold your event - it could be anywhere from your dining room through to
a castle - and make a provisional booking.
Having decided on who you would like to invite and what the theme will
be, you're well on your way to hosting a teh event that everyone will
talk about for months to come.
Now go back to the guest list, and divide it into Talkers, Jokers and
Listeners. If you can put at least six guests into the Talkers or
Jokers camp, then you set these up as key characters in your murder
mystery, and the game is afoot! If you can't find six outgoing souls,
then don't despair as we will discuss some further options below.
Now comes the tough part: how do you weave your characters into a
coherent story? Well, fortunately there are several ways of making this
task easier by turning back to your list of ideas for themes. Many
companies will sell you a ready-made scenario, and you will receive
everything you need to make the party go with a bang. Typical packages
include guest invites, character summaries and a set of cue and clue
cards which guide the guests through the evening in bite-sized chunks.
Contrary to belief, these are rarely complex to run, as everyone is
given clear and simple instructions, and the main rule is to throw
yourself into the scenario and have fun. You may find that you cannot
simply buy a game with your chosen theme and number of guests, but
again there are companies who will tailor the scenario to fit your
ideas. This service may be slightly more expensive, but it does ensure
that everyone is involved in the action. If you feel like taking things
really easy then it is possible to hire a troupe of performers to enact
the scenario in your midst. Your guests still don't miss out on the
fun, however, as these groups are skilled at weaving everyone into the
story, and will certainly bring a sparkle to the proceedings.
Having picked a package that suits you, it is time to prepare those
invitations. If you make your invites mysterious and stress that guests
will not be made to look a fool unless they want to, then you'll
probably be surprised by the number of positive replies you get. Book
your venue if you need to, and finalize things with your chosen mystery
supplier. Give your guests as much information as you can about their
characters, dress-code etc. - if you have bought a package then all
this information should be included.
Plan your meal, and since the main event is going to be the murder,
there is no reason not to keep it simple. You may have hired caterers,
but if not, it's a good idea to make starters and desserts in advance,
or to stick with things that don't need constant attention. You may
also like to decorate your venue in an appropriate manner, so make sure
you plan this in advance too.
The big day arrives, and soon so do your guests. Everyone will be a
little unsure at first, but as things unravel you'll soon all be thrown
into a tangled web of intrigue and suspicion and you are guaranteed a
night to remember.
About the Author
Bryan Hallett is a successful Murder Mystery writer and performer with Murder to Measure, based in the South West UK. He has hosted dozens or murders himself and is still without a criminal record.