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“It was a dark and stormy night…” Blegh, how come every murder mystery has to start with a extreme precipitation and atmospheric electrical discharges? Why not have a murder mystery party California style? Complete with live actors and everything. Actually, that’s what Agatha Christy used to great effect. Pick a locale that at first seems normal, even cheerful, then begin adding elements until the cheeriness of the overall situation clashes so painfully with the dangerous reality so that the reader feels like they are on pins and needles.
Consider the movie Clue. At first, it seems like a friendly gathering sitting around for dinner. Then, we find out that nobody knows anyone else, or at least not with any positive sentiments. Finally, we discover that the host has been blackmailing each and every person at the table for years for serious indiscretions or socially unacceptable tendencies. At that point, the host is killed and we have a murder mystery. For those familiar with it, the movie is hilarious and has multiple endings, but the basic tension could easily be used to create a more serious movie.
It’s not wonder that with our natural love of mystery murder mystery parties have become quite popular recently. The simple premise treads in the footsteps of movies like Clue. A host invites a group of people, preferably half a dozen or more, and gives out personalities, sort of like a group attempt at improvisational acting. Depending on the skill of the participants, the setting comes alive as clues are presented and each person tries to determine who the murder really is. Adding to the enjoyment is the fact that even the murder doesn’t know they did it and if the participant acts well enough, will go to great lengths to create logical reasons to explain clues that would condemn them without admitting to the murder.
All in all, good murder mystery parties can fill a weekend evening, create new friendships, and provide an excuse for food and friendship. Best of all, taking on the roles of fictitious personalities often coaxes the actor out of their comfort zone and betrays their own character at the same time. So the next time you’re planning a group gathering, try out a murder mystery party. After all, everyone loves a good murder mystery.

In: Gardening | | #