How to host a murder mystery dinner at home
Created: 12/28/2022, 8:58 am
By: Omer Kayali
A murder mystery dinner can also be organized in your own four walls.
© Vitalik Radko/PantherMedia
A crime dinner at home is a fun and exciting event with friends and family.
Here are some tips on how to host a murder mystery dinner at home.
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Whether in books or films: detective stories never go out of style.
It's great fun to guess who the perpetrator is and how exactly he could have committed the crime.
It's even more fun as part of a murder mystery dinner.
It is like an interactive culinary play in which the participants slip into predetermined roles and try to solve a mystery or a murder.
Each character has their own personality and backstory.
During the crime dinner, the participants interact with each other and try to solve the case by collecting clues.
Usually crime dinners take place in restaurants, hotels or other venues - but you can also host such a fun dinner at home.
A crime dinner is ideal for a fun and exciting evening with friends and family.
But how can such a murder mystery dinner be organized at home?
This is how a crime dinner at home works
Pick a Crime Dinner Script
: There are many different crime dinner scripts on the web that you can buy online.
There are a variety of themes to choose from - see some recommendations further down in the article.
Familiarize yourself with the instructions
: In order to understand the gameplay, first read the instructions carefully.
Some variants require you to send invitations to your guests.
Explain the basic game principle and the process to your guests in good time.
At the latest at the dinner table, you give each guest a script that contains all the information about the role.
Give them enough time to settle into their role.
Setting up decorations and determining the dress code
: Create an appropriate atmosphere that corresponds to the theme of each event.
With suitable props, the "crime scene" becomes more atmospheric.
A dress code is also common for a murder mystery dinner.
Let your guests know what the theme is and, if necessary, what roles they will be taking on - then they can dress accordingly.
Cook or order dinner
: Of course, dinner is an essential part of a murder mystery dinner.
Some games have suggestions for the menu.
Here, too, it is advisable to select dishes that fit the theme.
Check the guide to see if each course should be served at a specific time during the Crime Dinner.
The murder mystery dinner begins
: greet all the guests once more and introduce the play.
Often each character has fixed passages of text.
During the murder mystery dinner, the guests try to solve the mystery and find the culprit.
Culinario Mortale: Murder Overboard - Crime Dinner for the Home
Culinario Mortale Crime Dinner © Culinario Mortale
Order from Amazon for €22.95
Theme: yacht trip
For up to 5 to 7 players
7 booklets with role descriptions and hints are included
The murder mystery dinner lasts 3 to 4 hours
Process, history, events and the resolution are in the event booklet
Murder at the table: The Berghotel case - crime dinner for at home
Murder at the table crime dinner © Murder at the table
Order from Amazon for €22.95 instead of €29.95
Topic: Charity event in the mountain hotel
For up to 6 to 8 players
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
1 host's booklet for the course of the game
8 invitations with role information
8 role books for the dinner evening itself
8 clue cards
Link to a Spotify list of matching music
Recipe recommendations for dinner
Murder at the Table: The Backstage Case - Crime Dinner for the Home
Murder at the table crime dinner © Murder at the table
Order from Amazon for €22.95 instead of €29.95
Theme: concert
For up to 6 to 8 players
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
1 host's booklet for the course of the game
8 invitations with role information
8 role books for the dinner evening itself
8 clue cards
Link to a Spotify list of matching music
Recipe recommendations for dinner
Murder Mystery Party: Deadly Wine - Crime Dinner to take home
Deadly Wine Crime Dinner © Kosmos
Order from Amazon for €17.99 instead of €24.99
Theme: Wine Festival
For 6 to 8 players
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Party planner instructions included
8 invitations with envelopes for guests
8 booklets with role descriptions
8 place cards
6 clues
With companion audio app - optional narrator
Murder at the Table: The Las Vegas Case - Crime Dinner at Home
Murder at the Table Las Vegas © Murder at the Table
Order from Amazon for €22.95 instead of €29.95
Theme: Las Vegas
For up to 5 to 7 players
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
1 host's booklet for the course of the game
7 invitations with role information
7 role books for the dinner evening itself
6 clue cards
Link to a Spotify list of matching music
Recipe recommendations for dinner