I've been doing a bit of research and managed to find some information on murder mystery games. All of the ones I've selected below are available for purchase and download over the intarweb so would require minimal effort to turn into an event. I couldn't find any free ones unfortunately. I don't want to railroad the discussion down one track, there are other ideas we could decide to run with, but here are some to get the discussion going.
The following games are available on the websites referenced below.
[b:9nz4g69h]Murder Made Merry[/b:9nz4g69h]
[url:9nz4g69h]http://www.murder-mystery-party-game.com/games_list.php[/url:9nz4g69h]
[b:9nz4g69h][i:9nz4g69h]Fashionably Dead[/i:9nz4g69h][/b:9nz4g69h]
Setting: A party at a popular Fashion Magazine
Number of Players: 5-12+
Plot: When Blair Hilliard, the world famous fashion designer, comes home after taking the European fashion industry by storm, she could never suspect that someone would want her dead. Is it jealousy, revenge, misogyny or some dark secret that has put her life in peril? Somewhere in Viceburgh, USA, the publishers of the fashion magazine "The Fashion Paige" are hosting a party celebrating the release of its 50th issue. Started just over four years ago by a husband-and-wife team, the magazine has seen amazing success and has become the hottest fashion magazine in the business. The magazine has a reputation of propelling some designers and models to the highest realms of success -- while crushing the hopes and dreams of others with equal ease. ??All the magazine's management and staff have gathered for the party to celebrate their success. Though everyone seems pleasant and cheerful on the surface, things are not as joyous as they seem. Dark souls sometimes lurk behind beautiful faces, and the kindest eyes can harbor the most dreadful deeds. In this case, the deed is murder.??So prepare for an evening of murder, mystery, mayhem, and merriment. You may soon find yourself "Fashionably Dead".
US$20
[b:9nz4g69h][i:9nz4g69h]Storm of '76[/i:9nz4g69h][/b:9nz4g69h]
Setting: The year is 1976 and outside the Hayden Mansion a terrible storm is brewing.
Ideal number of players: 5-13+
Plot: Millionaire playboy Herman Hayden has made a lot of enemies over the years. Now, on a dark and stormy night, all of his past evils will come back to haunt him. This one has it all ... addiction, prostitution, blackmail, bastard children, corruption and all manner of excess.?On the night of one of the worst storms in Viceburgh history, a particularly gripping and surprising murder will take place. ??Storm of ’76 is a story of corruption, greed, lust, revenge, and addiction that is not for the faint of heart.
US$20
[b:9nz4g69h][i:9nz4g69h]Prescription for Murder[/i:9nz4g69h][/b:9nz4g69h]
Setting: Company party for Quantum Phamaceutical Corporation
Ideal Number of Players: 5-12+
Plot: The miracle drug created by Quantum Pharmaceutical Corporation for the fight against cancer may not be all it is cracked up to be. Rumors of addiction, falsified claims and inhumane animal testing permeate the halls of the company. When the Vice President of Sales is murdered, is there a cover-up or are there more dastardly forces at work??One of the major businesses in Viceburgh, Quantum Pharmaceutical Corporation (QPC), is throwing a party to help celebrate the approval of its newest drug by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The drug, known as RCT-5A, has proven effective in curing lung cancer, and the company anticipates millions of dollars of sales within the first few months. Everyone is very excited about this new drug and sees the future of QPC as bright and prosperous ... all but ONE.Â
US$20
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[b:9nz4g69h]Murder Mystery Games[/b:9nz4g69h]
[url:9nz4g69h]http://www.murdermysterygames.co.uk/[/url:9nz4g69h]
[b:9nz4g69h][i:9nz4g69h]The Reading of the Will[/i:9nz4g69h][/b:9nz4g69h]
6-8 players
The Duke of Felthorpe has suffered a tragic accident while locked in his bathroom. Was his death as innocent as it seemed? And will his last will and testament remain challenged?
The Reading of the Will is a ‘sealed room’ murder mystery. When the Duke of Felthorpe is found dead in his bath, everything suggests that his death was accidental. The room was locked from the inside and, to gain entry, the door had to be broken down. So surely no one could have got in there and killed him!
Everyone taking part plays a character who is here for the reading of the duke’s Last Will and Testament. The contents of the will are a surprise to almost all of them. So why did the duke make these last-minute changes? Was he being blackmailed? Was he mad? Should this will be thrown out – and replaced with an earlier one? The murder mystery usually takes place during a meal. Fresh clues are introduced as the plot gradually unravels and evidence of murder emerges. One of the characters is the duke’s butler – did he do it? Or was it the duke’s maid? His idiot son? His idiot son’s scheming wife? By the time all is revealed, everyone will have had a great time playing their parts, working out whodunnit and trying to prevent other people accusing them.
£20 (approx US$35)
[b:9nz4g69h][i:9nz4g69h]Murder at Farthingay Manor[/i:9nz4g69h][/b:9nz4g69h]
6 players
"Murder at Farthingay Manor" is a murder mystery for 6 people, all of whom are given a character in the plot. They have been invited to attend a country house weekend in England in August, 1924. They do not know their host, Lord Farthing. They do not know each other. So why were they invited? As the plot unfolds, they gradually find out… The characters include a vicar, a nun, a countess and a butler. All, of course, have dark secrets to hide. But who is the murderer? How is the King of Ruritania involved? And how many characters survive till the end?
£20 (approx US$35)
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[b:9nz4g69h]Dinner and a Murder[/b:9nz4g69h]
[url:9nz4g69h]http://www.dinnerandamurder.com/[/url:9nz4g69h]
[b:9nz4g69h][i:9nz4g69h]Murder At The Four Deuces[/i:9nz4g69h][/b:9nz4g69h]
A rip roaring 1920's gangster murder mystery party game with lots of murder, bribery & back stabbing to be had.
10-20 players
This game is loosly based on some of the very first Chicago & New York Gangsters, their rivalries, speakeasies and love lives. Al Capone was just moving up in the 'Family'.
Don Wannabe is hosting a grand opening celebration for his new speakeasy The Four Deuces and you are invited to attend. The Four Deuces is a lavish joint serving booze and music in the front. In the back is the game room and upstairs is a very high class and exclusive brothel. The cream and not so cream of society will be here. With gangsters, hit men, politicians, opera singers, molls, flappers and many other interesting guests in attendance there are sure to be a lot of big deals being made here tonight.
US$ 39
[i:9nz4g69h][b:9nz4g69h]The Immortal Murders[/b:9nz4g69h][/i:9nz4g69h]
Political Intrigue among the Vampyr Houses, Mage Guild, Were Clans & the Fae Court. Not your normal ghouls & goblins!
8-20 players
It is time for the Hidden Councils Annual Costume Ball. It is the social event of the year. The Royal Courts of the Mage, Were, Vampyr & Fae will be in attendance. It is whispered that there will also be a special meeting of the Hidden Council to address the recent Watcher murders. Watchers are important to the Immortals and help keep their existence hidden from humanity. The Immortals in turn have sworn to protect the Watchers for their service.
We think you will be really pleased with the additional activities we have added to this unusual game! It is a little different then our previous games in the following ways: In this game there will be 5 Artifact Weapon Cards. The host will get instructions on where to hide these. Then at a certain time guests will get riddles that will be clues to where the weapons are hidden, then it is a race to see who finds a weapon. The weapons can only be used once & no one can commit murder without a weapon card. These will be very valuable commodities.
Next we will have 20 Spell Cards. Each guest gets to draw one from a hat. If there are any cards left over after the draw guests will roll dice and the highest rollers get the cards! 10 spell cards are helpful game wise & the other 10 are funny spells that will provide a lot of entertainment.
US$39
[i:9nz4g69h][b:9nz4g69h]The Santa Clause[/b:9nz4g69h][/i:9nz4g69h]
A contemporary murder mystery game that takes place at the Christmas Party of the law firm Lie, Cheat & Steal. With this many lawyers & politicians involved there is sure to be plenty of back stabbing going around.
10-15 players
It's time for the annual Christmas Party for the law firm Lie, Cheat and Steal, a powerhouse law firm with influential ties to business, government and politics. This party is one that everyone is just dying to attend. Quite literally that is. Mr. A. Big Scam, who was the next in line to become Partner in the firm, was found stuffed up his chimney in the Santa suit he was going to wear to the party!
Someone leaked a statement to the press stating that Mr. Lie will be announcing his retirement and replacement at the party tonight. With Mr. Scam dead who will be the one to get this lofty and very sought after partnership?
Note: While there is a murder that takes place before the game, in keeping with our standards there is also a murder that takes place at the party.
US$39