The popularity of murder mystery party games is on the rise, and if you haven’t given one a shot yet, you’re missing out. But, if you haven’t experienced a murder mystery before, you’ll likely need some guidance on how to choose the perfect game for you and your group.

Step 1: Start with Your Guest List

Before you look at themes or titles, the first thing to consider is your guest list.

How many guests will you have?

Murder mystery games are written with specific player counts in mind, and this matters more than most people expect.

Some Murder Mystery Co packages are designed for:

• Small events with 8-20 players
• Medium groups of 20–50
• Large events with 100-1000 guests

Choosing a game that doesn’t fit your group size can result in:

• Guests getting lost or confused
• A lack of available suspect characters
• People loosing focus in the game entirely

Pro tip: Always choose a game that allows flexibility. Real-life guest counts change, and a great murder mystery can adapt without falling apart.

At The Murder Mystery Company, our experiences are designed to scale, whether you have 10 guests or 500, so we’ve got you covered no matter what.

Step 2: Consider How Comfortable Your Guests Are with Role-Play

Not every group wants the same level of participation, and that’s okay.

Ask yourself:

Do your guests want to perform, or do they want to participate?

There’s a big difference.

Low-Pressure Participation

Guests receive clues, talk to suspects, and solve the mystery together, but they’re not required to act or stay in character.

Best for:

• Corporate events
• Mixed-age groups
• Guests who prefer conversation over performance

Guided Role-Play

Guests may dress up or play along lightly, but trained actors lead the story, deliver key plot points, and keep everything moving.

Best for:

• Birthday parties
• Holiday events
• Team-building experiences

Full Immersion

Everyone is in character, improvising and actively performing.

Best for:

• Theater lovers
• Very close friend groups
• Experienced mystery fans

Most groups fall into the middle category. That’s why The Murder Mystery Company uses professional actors to handle the heavy lifting, allowing guests to engage as much or as little as they’re comfortable with. We have plenty of packages that fit any group, and our extraordinary event planners are here to help you along the way.

Step 3: Choose a Theme Your Guests Will Love (and Understand)

Themes are one of the most fun parts of a murder mystery, but they need to be approachable.

Popular themes include:

• 1920s Speakeasy or Mobster
• 1930s Old Hollywood
• 1950s sock hops
• Modern Masquerades
• 1980s and 1990s throwbacks
• Holiday-themed mysteries

When choosing a theme, ask:

• Can guests easily dress for this?
• Does the tone fit the occasion?
• Is it age-appropriate for the group?
• Does it fit the venue?

A great theme should spark excitement, not confusion. If guests understand the vibe immediately, they’ll jump into the experience faster.

The Murder Mystery Company designs themes that are flexible, recognizable, and welcoming, so guests never feel like they’re “doing it wrong.” We can even highlight the guest of honor or throw in an improvisational joke about your group here or there! The beauty of murder mystery games in person is that each experience will be different from the last because each time, someone is playing a different or new character in their own way, but the rules will always remain the same.

Step 4: Match the Game Length to Your Event

Timing matters.

A murder mystery that’s too short can feel rushed. One that’s too long can lose momentum.

Common lengths include:

• 90 minutes: Streamlined, fast-paced mysteries
• 2 hours: Great for dinner theater experiences
• 5 hours: For folks who really love RPGs

When planning, consider:

• Meal service
• Speeches or presentations
• Guest arrival times
• Venue time limits

For most events, 90 minutes to 2 hours is ideal. It gives enough time for storytelling, investigation, and a satisfying conclusion without exhausting your guests. The Murder Mystery Company carefully structures each experience so clues, meals, and interactions flow naturally without awkward downtime. A lot of our former attendees enjoy the 2-hour version the best, as it gives them more time to investigate with their group.

Step 5: Look at How the Mystery Is Structured

Not all murder mystery games are created equal.

A strong mystery includes:

A Clear Setup

Guests should immediately understand:

• Who everyone is
• Why they’re there
• What just happened

If you have to explain the story yourself, that’s a warning sign that you’re missing something important.

Staggered Clue Reveals

Great mysteries release information in stages, keeping guests engaged throughout the event.

Avoid games that:

• Dump all clues at once
• Rely on guests to self-organize
• Leave long gaps with nothing happening

A Logical Solution

The ending should feel earned. The solution should make sense based on the clues provided, not rely on random guessing.

At The Murder Mystery Company, every mystery is carefully tested to ensure it’s solvable, satisfying, and fun for first-time and seasoned sleuths alike. Most of our carefully crafted scripts take about a year to write, test, and produce, and we are always updating our scripts along the way to ensure everyone can understand the story and center themselves in their roles.

Step 6: Decide Between DIY and a Professionally Hosted Experience

This is a major decision point.

DIY Murder Mystery Games

These are downloadable or boxed games you run yourself.

Pros:

• Lower upfront cost
• Total control over pacing
• Works for very small groups

Cons:

• Significant prep time
• The host can’t fully participate
• Easy for the game to stall or get confusing

Professionally Hosted Murder Mysteries

This is where a team of trained actors runs the event for you.

Pros:

• Seamless flow
• Professional storytelling
• Guests stay engaged the entire time
• No prep stress

Cons:

• Higher investment
• Requires scheduling

If you want to relax and enjoy your own party, a hosted experience removes the guesswork. That’s exactly why The Murder Mystery Company exists. We handle the story, pacing, characters, and surprises so you can focus on having fun with your guests.

Step 7: Read Reviews and Testimonials

Before choosing any murder mystery game or company, read reviews carefully.

Look for feedback about:

• Guest engagement
• Clarity of instructions
• Pacing
• Overall enjoyment

Be cautious if you see repeated mentions of confusion, awkward pauses, or unclear endings.

One of the biggest compliments The Murder Mystery Company receives is that our guests feel like the story is happening to them, and guests walk away with a feeling that they were really part of something.

Step 8: Confirm What’s Included

Always confirm exactly what your murder mystery includes.

Important questions to ask:

• Are character descriptions provided?
• Are clues printed or digital?
• Are costumes required or optional?
• Is sound equipment included?
• Is there a host or facilitator?

Surprises are great in a mystery. Logistical surprises are not.

Our events include professional actors, sound systems (for larger guest counts), custom soundtracks, structured investigations, and all materials needed for a smooth experience. We always provide character descriptions and physical clues to help keep screen time during our events to a minimum, and all guests costuming is optional (but we find that dressing up only makes our shows more fun).

Step 9: Plan the Space Around the Experience

A murder mystery works best when guests can:

• See the action
• Hear the dialogue
• Move comfortably

Think about:

• Table arrangements
• A central performance area
• Space for mingling
• A private area for actors if applicable

The Murder Mystery Company provides venue guidelines to ensure the space supports the story rather than working against it. Luckily, what we do is versatile and can be performed in nearly any location that has enough space for someone to fall down and “die” safely.

Step 10: Choose the Experience That Matches Your Goal

Ask yourself one final question:

What do I want my guests to remember?

If the answer is:

• Laughing together
• Feeling included
• Being part of the story
• Talking about it afterward

Then you’re looking for more than just a game. You’re looking for an experience. That’s what we do best.

Final Thoughts from The Murder Mystery Company

The perfect murder mystery party game isn’t about perfect acting or elaborate costumes. It’s about creating a shared experience where guests feel immersed, included, and entertained from start to finish.

When choosing your murder mystery party game, prioritize:

• Your guests’ comfort
• Clear storytelling
• Professional pacing
• A theme everyone can enjoy

And if you’d rather skip the prep and host a truly unforgettable event, The Murder Mystery Company is here to bring the mystery to life.