How to host a fabulous murder mystery party
Lights dim, a gunshot echoes, and a silver tray crashes as a string of pearls scatters across the floor. And just like that, your little dinner party turns into a scene straight out of a noir film. While potluck parties and wine-and-cheese nights have their charm, a murder mystery dinner takes things up a notch. From Gatsby-inspired soirées to dress codes dripping with Mafia girl glam, this is a party where everyone dresses to kill—literally.
A few weeks ago, when my balikbayan in-laws flew home, we ditched the usual laid-back dinner for something far more dramatic: a theatrical night of make-believe murder.
The plot thickens: How the game works
At the start of planning our murder mystery dinner, I intended to merely bring out Hasbro’s board game, Cluedo (Miss Scarlet and Colonel Mustard ring a bell?). A little later, I attempted to write my own murder mystery on paper. This proved impossible. So after a little research, I discovered the company, Night of Mystery, which had the best reviews for ready-to-play murder mystery dinner kits that can be ordered online and delivered to you in a printable, multi-page PDF.
While there was a range of themes, from ’80s prom gone bad to Y2K chaos, I chose “Murder at Gatsby’s Gala,” which I felt was most appropriate for a first-time murder mystery dinner.
It was a lifesaver for anyone who wants all the drama without writing a 20-page script. The package came with character descriptions, objectives, evidence, and even printable props. All I had to do was hit print and distribute envelopes, holding detailed instructions for each player.
The cast seemed to match each guest’s personality perfectly. Every person received their character descriptions before the dinner, and dove into acting out their roles.
Two glamorous rivals, the sultry songbird Jazzy Jordan and silver screen star Billie Love, raged into the room, immediately at each other’s throats. Gatsby himself arrived in a shimmering silver suit, our very own Filipino Gatsby, whom we nicknamed “Jun” Gatsby for fun. My husband slipped into the role of Chief Curtis, the delightfully corrupt cop, while the cunning bookie Arnie Rothgreen circulated bets. As the host, I took a supporting role as Eddie, the alcohol bootlegger. Anytime someone lifted a glass, I winked and said, “You’ve got me to thank for that.”
The night unfolded in two acts, punctuated by a perfectly timed gunshot sound effect, courtesy of YouTube. Printed clues appeared throughout: a photo of a gun, a suspicious telegram, secret betting slips. Each guest had personal missions and secrets to guard, creating a constant hum of schemes and side-eye glances.
At the end, we handed out Who Dunnit cards, where everyone accused their prime suspect and voted for Best Actor and Best Dressed. The killer’s name was tucked in a sealed envelope for a dramatic reveal, and when we opened it, there was a big shock! But with all the clues laid out, it all made sense.
What’s on the table
Originally, I had grand plans for a glamorous spread: homemade hot crab dip, porchetta, roast beef, and a bright, lemony sardine pasta. But we had a last-minute venue change, so we pivoted to something more chill.
Served on silver trays, Vito’s BBQ delivered, literally. We ordered their scrumptious, smoky skewers and unique, circular-shaped lumpia. The hearty food was paired with an easy-to-assemble charcuterie board of smoked salmon and tinapa, cold cuts, cheeses, grapes, and oranges. My helper whipped up a very pretty salad—colored with apples cut into tiny star shapes, and jewel-like pomegranate seeds from fruits given by my mother-in-law.
For the drinks, we popped open icy-cold limoncello as an aperitif and served an effortless but dangerously strong Cosmopolitan mix that only required filling vodka into a pre-made concoction of powder and berries.
It wasn’t the original menu, but it ended up being a stress-free feast that kept everyone happy. And with all the acting, plotting, and clue-hunting, it worked out well, without having to be stuck in the kitchen.
How to style the stage with drama
If the game is the plot and the food is the fuel, styling sets the stage that makes the mood. And for this production, the creative direction aimed for effortless elegance with small nods to Gatsby’s excess.
We dressed the table with a silver three-pronged candelabra for height and drama, then pulled out vintage silver trays from my grandmother’s closet to hold charcuterie, desserts as well as the envelopes with all the clues.
There’s nothing quite like silver, and the few pieces of polished silver shimmering against soft candlelight set the tone without feeling overdone.
As for the costumes, our guests’ wardrobes were eclectic and all on-theme with their characters. Most of the men came in suits, some even sporting old-school suspenders for that speakeasy touch. The ladies got creative, with low-rise polka-dot dresses reminiscent of the flapper era, makeshift headbands, and stockings paired with heels. All in all, everyone put effort and improvisation into the jazz-age glam that made the night feel like a real throwback in time.
Like all good dinners, it doesn’t have to be perfect. Even if it means subbing porchetta for barbecue and lumpia, imperfection often makes everyone feel more relaxed. And a good murder mystery dinner leaves your party with two things: full stomachs and a new story to tell, with memories of lots of fun and laughter in between.
And really, isn’t that what the best parties are all about?
