Ever since Edgar Allen Poe and Wilkie Collins helped begin formalizing the genre of crime fiction, writers have leapt upon their ideas. The genre takes up vast shelf space in any public library and bestseller lists are regularly stuffed with world-weary detectives, criminal pathologists and investigators of every ilk. The world, it would seem, is full of budding Miss Marples, Hercule Poirots and Kay Scarpettas, and there is an ever-increasing demand for murder mystery parties and weekends where the guests themselves can become murderers, victims or detectives.



Maybe you've toyed with the idea of hosting your own party, but haven't known where to start. Perhaps you've reasoned that it's hard enough to host a dinner party, let alone having to wrestle with complex rules, deliberately difficult guests and an outrageous accent.

This article sets out to allay your fears, and maintains that provided you can read (and you seem to be doing well so far!) and have a good sense of fun, then you can host a murder.

So, where to start? I would recommend that you first ask yourself why you want to host an event. Do you want to reward or encourage your coworkers with a special event? Perhaps you would like to raise funds for charity, celebrate a special event, or is it simply to have fun with friends or family?

Once you know what the event is for you can begin to think about the possible guest list, and think about what interests them. Their interests will help you determine a theme for the event and the Internet is full of companies offering ready-made packages which you can browse to get ideas. Can you cook a mean curry? Why not set the murder in India? Are your friends into mediaeval history or science fiction? Both are suitable springboards for nefarious dealings. It's also a good idea at this stage to get a rough idea of where you want to hold your event - it could be anywhere from your dining room through to a castle - and make a provisional booking.

Having decided on who you would like to invite and what the theme will be, you're well on your way to hosting a the event that everyone will talk about for months to come.

Now go back to the guest list, and divide it into Talkers, Jokers and Listeners. If you can put at least six guests into the Talkers or Jokers camp, then you set these up as key characters in your murder mystery, and the game is afoot! If you can't find six outgoing souls, then don't despair as we will discuss some further options below.

Now comes the tough part: how do you weave your characters into a coherent story? Well, fortunately there are several ways of making this task easier by turning back to your list of ideas for themes. Many companies will sell you a ready-made scenario, and you will receive everything you need to make the party go with a bang. Typical packages include guest invites, character summaries and a set of cue and clue cards which guide the guests through the evening in bite-sized chunks. Contrary to belief, these are rarely complex to run, as everyone is given clear and simple instructions, and the main rule is to throw yourself into the scenario and have fun.

You may find that you cannot simply buy a game with your chosen theme and number of guests, but again there are companies who will tailor the scenario to fit your ideas. This service may be slightly more expensive, but it does ensure that everyone is involved in the action.

If you feel like taking things really easy then it is possible to hire a troupe of performers to enact the scenario in your midst. Your guests still don't miss out on the fun, however, as these groups are skilled at weaving everyone into the story, and will certainly bring a sparkle to the proceedings.

Having picked a package that suits you, it is time to prepare those invitations. If you make your invites mysterious and stress that guests will not be made to look a fool unless they want to, then you'll probably be surprised by the number of positive replies you get. Book your venue if you need to, and finalize things with your chosen mystery supplier. Give your guests as much information as you can about their characters, dress-code etc. - if you have bought a package then all this information should be included.

Plan your meal, and since the main event is going to be the murder, there is no reason not to keep it simple. You may have hired caterers, but if not, it's a good idea to make starters and desserts in advance, or to stick with things that don't need constant attention. You may also like to decorate your venue in an appropriate manner, so make sure you plan this in advance too.

The big day arrives, and soon so do your guests. Everyone will be a little unsure at first, but as things unravel you'll soon all be thrown into a tangled web of intrigue and suspicion and you are guaranteed a night to remember.