Safe Murder Mystery PArties

By Steve Hatherley

Please remember that murder mystery parties are just that – parties.

Sometimes it’s too easy to get carried away in the excitement and before you know it you’ve broken a prop or an ornament.

Or if you’re really unlucky, you’ve hurt someone.

An in-game (pretend) first aid kit in case of in-game (pretend) injury. Just make sure you don't need a real one!

Remember - it's only a game

Your friends and colleagues won’t necessarily be behaving in ways you expect. They will be playing characters with their own secret backgrounds and agendas...

Somebody will probably be working against you, others may have been told to snub you, or have been told lies about your character...

Don’t take anything personally – it’s only a game!

be careful!

Finally, be careful.

Don’t do anything that could injure or harm yourself or anyone else. You want an entertaining evening – not a painful one.

No replica weapons

While props are great, replica weapons are not. Replicas can be mistaken for real weapons - and that can lead to tragic consequences.

So please don't include replica weapons as part of your costume, or as props.

Let's stay safe and well and have ourselves a great murder mystery party.

I’m Steve Hatherley, an experienced designer of interactive murder mystery games, creating and hosting them since the 1990s. I co-founded Freeform Games and Great Murder Mystery Games to bring this distinctive, character-driven style of game to a wider audience. My work—including Death on the Gambia, Hollywood Lies, and
—has been enjoyed by thousands of players worldwide. I’ve also written a book sharing my approach to creating immersive, freeform mystery experiences.