How long does it take to prepare a murder mystery party?

Many people put off hosting a murder mystery party because they picture hours of preparation. In reality, with a ready-to-print kit, the essentials take about thirty minutes. You can buy your case in the afternoon and play that evening.

Express version: play tonight

1. In the afternoon (10 minutes): pick the roles for your number of guests (the host's book tells you which ones to keep) and send each guest their invitation by message. Everyone improvises an outfit with what they have.
2. Late afternoon (10 to 15 minutes): print the kit. Print the solution separately, without reading it.
3. Before the guests arrive (10 minutes): prepare the envelopes, light a candle, and you are ready.

Relaxed version: a few days before

If you have time, send the invitations a few days in advance. It is not required, but your guests will have time to find a real costume, and the waiting is part of the fun: the "who are you playing?" messages start straight away.

Printing (10 to 15 minutes)

Print the full kit on a home printer. Colour makes the case files look more real (photos, bank records, receipts), but black and white works very well. If you are playing too, take each page out of the printer face down so you do not read the others' secrets.

Envelopes (10 minutes)

• One envelope per character, with their file.
• One envelope per act, for the clues that arrive during the evening.
• One sealed envelope for the solution.

Add pens, keep the accusation sheet aside, and check that a phone can scan the voicemail QR codes. Done.

What really takes time (and is optional)

Decorations, food, music: all of that is a bonus, not a requirement. A candle, some dim lights and a playlist are enough to set the mood. A great evening depends first on the story and on your guests.

How long does the game itself last?

Allow about three hours of play, a little more with a meal. The Vernier Case is played in three acts, in about 3.5 hours. La Queimada du Pazo lasts about 3 hours, including the midnight scene.

At a glance

1. Choose the roles and send the invitations (on the day or a few days before).
2. Print the kit and the solution.
3. Prepare the envelopes and a few candles, then welcome your suspects.

Half an hour of work for an evening your friends will talk about for a long time. For the full method, read our guide to hosting a murder mystery party.