🚫 Hosting a Murder Mystery Party? Here’s What Not to Do

Because the only thing worse than a fake murder… is a real party flop.

Murder mystery parties are the champagne of game nights: bubbly, dramatic, and prone to wild accusations. But while these events can be unforgettable (in the best way), they also have a dark side—especially when the host makes a few rookie mistakes that leave guests confused, bored, or tragically underdressed.

So if you’re planning a night of intrigue, deception, and fabulous death scenes, here’s a list of what not to do. Trust us—skip these, and your party will slay (figuratively).

🕵️‍♀️ 1. Don’t Send Out Last-Minute Details

This isn’t poker night—it’s murder. People need time to prepare their character, their costume, their motive, and their accent (if they’re brave). If you send character info and plot points the night before, you’re setting the scene for chaos… and not the fun kind.

DO: Give guests at least a week with their roles, bios, costume suggestions, and basic instructions. Drama needs rehearsal time.

👗 2. Don’t Skip the Theme Details

Telling people “just wear something fun” is a fast track to a party where one person is in full 1920s flapper glam… and someone else shows up in jeans and a hoodie.

DO: Be specific. Set the tone. Whether it’s a haunted manor, mafia speakeasy, or vampire coven, give examples or Pinterest boards. Costumes are half the fun—and no one wants to be the only one not dressed like a suspicious widow with a secret will.

📝 3. Don’t Wing It Without Reading the Materials

Look, we get it. Hosting sounds easy when it’s “just a game.” But if you haven’t read the host script, reviewed the order of events, or figured out when the murder actually happens… you’re in trouble.

DO: Run a quick rehearsal—or at least skim your materials so you don’t accidentally reveal the killer during appetizers.

🎭 4. Don’t Force Shy Guests Into Lead Roles

Introverts deserve murder too—but maybe not as the main suspect with five monologues and an emotional breakdown scene.

DO: Assign roles based on personality. Give spotlight characters to your theatrical friends, and lighter, supporting roles to those who’d rather solve the case from the sidelines (while sipping wine and whispering “I knew it was her.”)

🕯️ 5. Don’t Neglect the Atmosphere

Fluorescent lighting and plastic folding chairs do not scream “murder at the manor.” Your party needs mood.

DO: Dim the lights. Light some candles. Add dramatic music, a themed playlist, and some props. Crime scenes love ambiance.

🍽️ 6. Don’t Forget to Feed People (Seriously)

No one can solve a murder on an empty stomach. A hangry detective is a dangerous thing.

DO: Provide snacks, dinner, or a themed menu. Bonus points for punny names like “Backstabber Brie” or “Dead Man’s Dip.” People need fuel for sleuthing and shade-throwing.

🔇 7. Don’t Be the Only One Talking

Yes, you’re the host—but don’t turn the whole night into a one-person show. A good mystery party thrives on interaction, not lectures.

DO: Set the scene, guide the structure, then let the guests take over. Think master of ceremonies, not dictator of drama.

🩸 8. Don’t Rush the Reveal

The final accusation and big reveal are the climax of the night. If you fly through it or forget key details, it’s a buzzkill.

DO: Let everyone make their guesses. Build suspense. Then reveal the killer with dramatic flair. Bonus points if someone gasps and faints.

🎉 Final Tip: Don’t Take It Too Seriously

At the end of the day, it’s a party, not an FBI investigation. If people flub lines, mix up motives, or forget which character they’re playing—it’s fine. Lean into the chaos.

Because the best murder mystery parties aren’t perfect… they’re delightfully unhinged.