Playing the murderer
So - you're about to play an interactive murder mystery game, and you've just found out that you're the murderer? Don't panic - here are a few tips to help you:
Don't tell anyone you're the murderer: First of all, don't admit that you're the murderer to anyone - especially at the start of the game. That will spoil it for you and the other guests.
You're a villain: Also remember that you've committed a murder - you're a villain. You should be unrepentant even when found out - indeed, you should probably cackle with glee instead.
The imperfect murder: Don't expect the murder you've
committed to be the perfect murder. It isn't - there are clues that
point in your direction. You personally might have chosen a different
way to murder your victim,
but that's not how your character has done it. (That's because murder
mystery parties are puzzles - and part of the puzzle is solving the
murder. It wouldn't be possible to solve a perfect murder, so it
wouldn't be much fun for everyone else.)
Motive-means-opportunity: The way that a murder is normally solved is to determine the motive (why you murdered your victim), means (how you committed the murder) and opportunity (when you did it). Your job is therefore to deflect suspicion away.
Blame someone else: The best way to deflect suspicion away from yourself is to find someone else to take the blame. You should be able to find at least one other person with reasons for committing murder, so see if you can get them to take the blame instead of you.
Expect to be found out: Ultimately though, you should expect to be found out. You're the murderer and everyone else is looking for you - you're going to be caught, it's inevitable. However, if you're good and can deflect enough suspicion away from yourself, nobody will realise that you're the murderer until the solution is read out.
Have fun: Overall, don't forget to have fun. The murderer you may be, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't have fun in your villainy.
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Article by Steve Hatherley. Find out more about hosting interactive murder mystery games for your friends and family at http://www.great-murder-mystery-games.com.