Murder Mystery Starter Pack
THE SET UP
Depending on the amount of guests you have playing the game, the guests must have a copy of the case file containing all the clues (letters, reports, gossip columns, prescriptions, coded messages, and the obituary.) You will need your guests to figure out the following:
The murderer is Gwyneth, the weapon was the poisoned cake, and the motive was jealousy.
You will need to set up the following scene:
- A case fileclue/biography pack for each investigator
- A table dressed for tea, with small plates and cutlery, and a tea or coffee for each of your players
- A Victoria Sponge cake - with a slice taken out of it
- A menu for the tea
- Biscuits - keep slightly out of reach as they will contain a clue. On the clue, you’ll want to write ‘every ********* has a rose’
- The song ‘My Dearest Heart’ by Arthur Sullivan playing
- A napkin with ‘try a different flavour’ written on it, hidden out of view.
On your person we suggest holding onto a police report and the gossip columns so you can reference the same information as your players. These can also be given to guests at any point during the evening.
BIOGRAPHIES:
GWYNETH HAWTHORNE
Age: 25
Gender: Female
Occupation: Sole heir of the Hawthorne household.
Biography
Gwyneth is well known in social circles due to her being a member of the Hawthorne family. Living with her recently widowed mother, being the only daughter (and child) of the Hawthorne family, Gwyneth is troubled by expectations of finding a husband to remain in wealth.
There had long been a friendship between the Hawthornes and the Greens but, after the Greens fell out of favour with society, Gwyneth and her mother cut all ties and shunned them.
Despite this, a part of Gwyneth still holds dear to her time with the Greens - Ada in particular - and wishes that she could have some sense of independence that they now enjoy.
GERALD WARREN
Age: 75
Gender: Male
Occupation: Head of Warren Manor
Being the head of the Warren estate comes with a lot of responsibility, a responsibility that Gerald has been more than happy to take ownership of for many years. With Warren manor hosting regular balls and evenings for those privileged in society, Gerald never really has a moment's rest.
Those around him argue that he has control issues - especially with the running of the annual Winter High Tea where he picks every tablecloth design, every piece of cutlery, and every ingredient and dish that will be served to guests. Though some will insist it’s due to an incident with his son ten years prior, Gerald himself will never talk about it.
Though still, he has a soft side. Taking in Ada for work after the fall of the Green estate, she would always speak highly of him arguing that his need for perfection is simply in the interests of the guests. There were murmurings that once Gerald retires he’ll give the house to Ada, but so far, he doesn’t seem close to stopping work.
ELIJAH WARD
Age: 35
Gender: Male
Occupation: Socialite
Elijah is the town's hot shot. Coming from nothing, Elijah managed to work his way up through society through hard graft and a bit of luck. It’s common knowledge that Elijah was an orphan - though if you ask him that himself, he’ll never admit it. In his own words his parents ‘left one day and didn’t come back’ - a half truth that’s helped him make his name.
But still, Elijah Ward’s life has been filled with stories of scandal and scheming. Rumours that he inserted himself into families and killed to gain wealth, whispers that he wooed the wives of estates…but really there’s been very little evidence.
Still, these rumours haven’t damaged Elijah’s reputation, and those closest to him will insist they’re nothing but jealous society members seeing him as an outsider.
ADA GREEN
Age: 27
Gender: Female
Occupation: The Victim
Ada hasn’t had the easiest life, and unfortunately things continued that way. No-one talks about what happened with the Green family. Having been pushed out of society - shunned by even those closest to them - the Green family had to find work in other places, with Ada finding herself working as a maid at the Warren Manor.
Described as a sweet, sensitive girl, Ada was well liked amongst social circles. Though never finding a husband or partner, she was never short of suitors wanting to seduce her. However, she wasn't rude in her rejections, simply sending a yellow carnation as an apology.
She found a second father in Gerald, who she would describe as one of the only people to see her for who she truly was. She would attempt to quash rumours that Gerald was going to hand the estate to her upon his retirement, but it seems that many didn’t believe her denial.
CLUES
NEWSPAPER: A report the day after the incident
LETTER: A love letter from Elijah to Ada
MENU: A menu from the night of the murder
GOSSIP COLUMN: A piece of gossip posted about the Hawthorne family
A LETTER: From Gwyneth’s Mother to Gerald
POLICE REPORT DETAILING FURTHER DETAILS OF THE NIGHT:
CODED MESSAGE: From Gwyneth to Ada
A REJECTION: From Ada to Gwyneth
OBITUARY: A notice of the death of Gerald’s son, and Gwyneth’s father
CASE FILE:
THE MURDER OF ADA GREEN
INSTRUCTIONS for guests
TASK SUMMARY
The scene was set, the plot was murder and unfortunately a maid at Warren Manor, Ada Green, was the target. This Festive Season, you’ll need to uncover who murdered Ada by the end of the evening. But beware, all may not be as it seems.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Look through the case file. In this you’ll have biographies of all the people that were at the manor plus a few clues that have already been found. However, clues could be anywhere so don’t be afraid to have a dig around.
- Someone must be in the know…If you are ever stuck, the one that set up the mystery may be able to guide you in the right direction. Just ask them ‘has anything else been uncovered?’
- Under each character, there is space to write some notes about things you’ve uncovered. By the end of the game you should have a name and a motive so make sure to make as many notes as possible!
NOW, HAVE FUN AND CRACK THE CASE!