A murder mystery for the office holiday party

Will colleagues be comfortable with a murder theme?

Yes, if you choose a light tone. Pick Campy, which is fun, over-the-top and full of laughs, and set it in a fantasy or glamorous world such as a Hollywood premiere or a holiday manor. Nobody is playing a real coworker getting hurt.

Let people opt in. Invite the team ahead of time, explain the format and tell them the roles are playful. A short note along the lines of "come in costume if you like" gives shy people a way to join at their own level.

Keep it inclusive

Details about each person are kept affectionate: teasing, never embarrassing. At work, take that further. Use safe details such as a favorite coffee order, a famous mug or a love of spreadsheets, and avoid anything about performance, personal life or office politics.

Mix the teams. Seat or assign people so managers, new hires and different departments work together. A mystery makes everyone equal, because nobody knows the answer.

If someone does not want to play a suspect, the host can run the game or help another player. For ideas on bringing quieter people in, see /blog/handling-shy-guests.

• Use light, safe details only.
• Mix departments and seniority.
• Give every guest a role, so nobody sits out.

Fit it into a time box

Quick is made for a time box. It has 2 rounds and runs 1 to 2 hours. Classic (3 rounds, 2 to 3 hours) suits a longer afternoon or evening party. Epic (4 rounds, 3 to 4 hours) is too long for most office events.

Set a start time and tell the host to read the guide once beforehand. The host guide walks you through each round, so the facilitator does not need to memorize anything. In party mode, the host steps through the evening on their phone and each guest's phone page unlocks round by round.

Team building and pricing

A mystery makes colleagues talk across their usual groups. For a longer look at the team-building side, read /blog/team-building-murder-mystery.

A standard kit is $19.99 and a premium kit is $29.99, and you print everything at home. For a company event, the team package adds a setting tailored to your company, emailed character invites for everyone and an invoice: see /team-building.

Setup

The kit includes a host guide, a character booklet for each guest, name tags and table cards with QR codes, and accusation ballots. Print on letter or A4 paper. Send the booklets a week or two ahead if you want people to plan costumes, and remind them not to share secrets.

Themes that fit

• Christmas Manor: A holiday setting that fits the season, with a country house, a snowy night and a will reading. Create this one
• Tech Startup: A workplace comedy that most teams find funny, with a story about launch deadlines and office rivalries. Create this one
• Hollywood Premiere: A glamorous night that gives colleagues a reason to dress up and play a role. Create this one

Questions hosts ask