Murder mystery party ideas, sorted by mood

Start with the mood, not the theme

Decide how you want the night to feel, then choose the setting. A group that likes dressing up wants a different party from a group that mostly wants to laugh.

Think about your guests too. Shy players do better with a familiar setting where costumes are easy. Confident talkers can handle a tougher, more dramatic story. If you are new to hosting, our guide to the best themes for beginners at /blog/best-themes-for-beginners is a good place to start.

Spooky and glamorous

For spooky, a haunted gothic mansion gives you a séance, candlelight and a storm outside. It suits October, but it works any night of the year.

For glamorous, go for the 1920s. A speakeasy or a Venetian masquerade gives guests a clear dress code and a reason to stay in character. Both look good in photos.

Funny and modern

For laughs, pick a modern setting and set the tone to Campy. Campy means over-the-top and full of laughs, and it gives everyone permission to ham it up. Reality TV is a strong choice, because the drama is already silly.

You can also choose a Dramatic or Dark tone for the same settings if your group prefers a serious mystery. The tone is a separate choice from the theme.

Sci-fi, historical and holiday

For sci-fi, a space station or a Mars colony traps everyone in one place with no way out, which is ideal for a mystery. Costumes can be as simple as a jumpsuit.

For historical, a medieval castle or a Wild West saloon gives you a strong look with props most people can borrow. For a holiday, Christmas, New Year's Eve and Thanksgiving themes all exist, so the mystery matches the occasion.

When no preset fits: describe your own

If you have a setting in mind, describe it. A murder at a cat café, a book club gone wrong or your own office party are all fair game. The kit is still written for your headcount and your guest list.

You can also set the length (Quick 1 to 2 hours, Classic 2 to 3 hours, Epic 3 to 4 hours) and the difficulty (Casual, Standard or Expert) to match your group.

Themes that fit

• Haunted Gothic Mansion: The spooky pick: a séance, a shattered mirror and an heir who joins the family ghosts. Create this one
• Venetian Masquerade Ball: The glamorous pick: masks hide every motive, and the dress code is half the fun. Create this one
• Reality TV Show: The funny pick: one contestant got eliminated for good, and the drama writes itself. Create this one
• Space Station Omega: The sci-fi pick: a crew member is dead and nobody can leave. Create this one
• Wild West Saloon: The historical pick: a showdown at high noon turned deadly, with costumes that are easy to put together. Create this one
• Christmas Manor: The holiday pick: someone will not be opening presents this year. Create this one

Questions hosts ask