The Roaring 20’s are in full swing, giving birth to the rise of jazz music, flappers and, with the end of the war, a renewed feeling of hope and joviality. It’s the era of prohibition, and organized crime is at an all-time high.
The Half Moon Club is one of just two Speakeasys in town, fighting prohibition by serving alcohol illegally and offering patrons the type of fun that can’t be had when the sun is up. Despite the constant threat of a raid, business at The Half Moon Club is lucrative, as men and women stream through the doors each night.
When a flapper is found shot to death outside the club, the management and loyal patrons of The Half Moon Club scramble to identify the killer before the police catch wind of the killing and shut down the juice joint for good!
Victim Fanny Birchwood is a “Flapper”, who, most nights, could be found at one of two of Charles “Lucky” Coleman’s Speakeasies – The Half Moon Club or The Caterpillar Club. The Caterpillar Club was recently shut down due to a shoot-up that left everyone inside dead. Fanny was troubled recently; her fun-loving side had taken a back-seat, and her close friends believed she was afraid for her life. Found shot outside the back door of The Half Moon Club, Fanny’s death is a true mystery which needs to be solved to avoid a police raid on our beloved speakeasy, The Half Moon Club!
So You’re Attending a Mystery Party…
Mystery parties are a lot of fun. If you have been invited to a mystery for the first time, you’re in for a real treat.
How to play a murder mystery game at a party
There has been a murder or a theft! (*gasp*!) But we all know that – that’s the reason we’re getting together, after all. The suspects, anywhere between 6 and 18, will quickly make themselves known. Perhaps you’re a suspect yourself, but you may just be an ‘investigator’ or ‘sleuth’, questioning the suspects, gathering intel and piecing together the puzzle in order to correctly cast your accusation at the end.
If you’re merely attending as an investigator, this sleuthing is the extent of your role. In preparation for the big event we recommend screening old episodes of Murder She Wrote and Agatha Christie movies. Plan out some questions in advance, like ‘where were you at the time of the murder?’ ‘can anyone verify your whereabouts?’ or ‘did you have anything against the deceased?’. From there as you ask the suspects questions, their answers will lead you to more questions. Regardless of your current experience or comfort level, you will quickly find yourself cross-interrogating suspects to identify holes in their stories.
What Are Angel Ratings?
Are you playing a suspect?
If you are attending the party as a suspect, your role is slightly more complicated – but not by much. Either before the party or as you arrive you’ll receive an information booklet, either printed or via a .PDF file on email.
This guide will tell you about your character and motives, instructions for how to play and more. All the information you will need at the party will be in your guide.
As the party begins you will be questioned by others. You will answer these questions based on the information in your guide. Feel free to bring your guide to the party to refer to. You don’t have to memorize your information – unless you want to, of course! While answering questions you will also be interrogating others.
Guess what! If you’re the killer, you won’t know it. There are a number of reasons for this that are explained further in your guide. Trust us, it’s waaaaaaay better this way.
Regardless of whether you are playing a suspect or attending a mystery party as a sleuth or investigator, you’re going to have a fantastic time, and you’ll be talking about this event for years to come. Just remember to relax and enjoy it! Have fun!
What Do I Wear?
Your host will decide the overall theme of the party if it is costume casual. If your party theme requires a costume of some kind, we have many pinterest boards here with some great ideas for you!
We RARELY specify that a character uses a specific style of dress to make things as easy as possible for you to dress within your comfort level and budget. You may find a vague reference to perhaps your character is known for the cane he uses to get around, or your character loved hats and always wore a different one, but these are few and far between and even then, very generic. We find this makes it easier for you, as a guest, to find a costume no matter where in the world you live, even if it’s from your own closet, and gives you the freedom to be as creative (or uncreative!) as you like!
Your host can tell you how many suspects of each gender will be part of your investigation. Simply select that option below to view the suspects for that version of the mystery!
Co Ed Selection
All Female Selection
More About the Flappers and the 1920’s
This game is NOT written in 1920’s Slang. Click here to find out why not.
Want to learn the language of the time? Click here to brush up on your 1920’s slang.
We have a section on how to complete your look with a Roaring 20’s Flapper, Gangster or Gatsby look! Check this page out.
