July 18, 2008
How to Host a Murder
Written by Anne Mallory in Jaunty PostThis past weekend our neighbors hosted a “How to Host a Murder” party. Have you ever played?
Verrrry fun. And if you play it while dining, it becomes a whole party experience. 
So, for those of you who may be scratching your heads, here are the rules…
You get a character and a playbook. I think there were nine characters in our game - so nine players each with his/her own book. The playbook gives your character synopsis and perhaps one or two unsavory traits about your character that you might want to keep quiet. You do not share the contents of your book with any other character. And you do not turn the page until told to do so.
After you read your synopsis, it’s game on! The murder scenario is read from the view of the police/Scotland Yard/etc. Clues abound in the scenario. A map is also provided of the grounds/house/train/plane (wherever you scenario is taking place) so that you can visually track clues and character or victim movements as they are revealed. Four rounds are played, each round revealing new clues about each player and what they observed during the time/weekend surrounding the murder (in your playbook you get a couple of clues that you MUST share with the others - which means that sometimes other people reveal unsavory things/actions about your character too). As a character it is your job to try and put people off your scent (you don’t know IF you did it until the end though!) without lying. No lying allowed. But it is quite fun to try and explain sketchy actions and redirect attention elsewhere, all the time questioning other people and putting the clues together as to who YOU think did it. 
At the end of the four rounds everyone takes a guess as to who they think did it. After the guessing/accusations are complete, each character turns to the last page in her booklet and reads a synopsis of her character’s less savory aspects and actions, how she “might” have done it had she really done it, and then gives her motivation. The murderer is revealed when the last person reads.
So, have you played before? Or played a similar type of game (like Mafia)? What did you think?
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Margo Maguire Says:
I always wanted to try this game - in fact, I bought one maybe 20 years ago! Never used it. Must get it out and dust it off.
Shana Says:
I’ve never played, but that sounds really, really fun.
RobynDeHart Says:
I did the same, Margo. I got my copy at a garage sale years ago and have never hosted a party, but always have wanted to. So tell us, Anne, were you the killer??
Sarah Says:
I haven’t played in YEARS! I’ve done it twice. My brother and sister used to do it all the time with a group in high school. They would get all dressed up as the characters. It was so much fun! And then they let me join them a couple of times when there was someone who couldn’t attend.
So much fun!
Jane Says:
I’ve never played, but I would love to one day. I heard that the Hollywood stars in 40’s used to play these kind of games.
Emily McKay Says:
I played one years ago and it was so much fun. I’d love to do it again sometime.
Anne Says:
Jane, I bet the Hollywood stars in the 40’s used to be awesome at this game!
Robyn, I totally thought I was going to be at the beginning, but nope, I didn’t do it.
Sarah, that sounds really fun!
We should play at National.