If the words “whodunit” make your heart race in the best way, you’re in for a treat. Murder mystery board games are a thrilling gateway to suspense, deduction, and dramatic finger-pointing—all without leaving your living room. Whether you’re playing armchair detective or testing your bluffing skills as a secret killer, these games offer mystery lovers a taste of the intrigue that comes to life in a full-blown murder mystery party.

But fair warning: once you’ve sampled the clues and chaos, you may find yourself wanting something even more immersive. And when that time comes? The Murder Mystery Company is ready to turn your game night into a night to remember. And you can still keep it right in your home! But to first set the stage, here are some compelling games that will whet your appetite for mystery.

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Clue: Where Mystery Beginnings Are Made

Let’s start with the classic—the game that taught generations how to accuse their friends of cold-blooded murder over dinner.

How to Play:

In Clue, players take on the roles of six suspects (Miss Scarlet, Professor Plum, and the rest of the unforgettable bunch), each trying to determine who murdered Mr. Boddy, in which room, and with what weapon. At the beginning of the game, one card from each category (suspect, weapon, room) is hidden in a confidential envelope. The rest are dealt out to players.

Each turn, you roll the dice, move your character through the mansion’s rooms, and make a “suggestion” about the murder—naming a suspect, a weapon, and the room you’re currently in. If another player holds a card that disproves your theory, they must show it to you (and only you). The first person to make an accurate accusation wins—assuming they don’t blow it and get eliminated from solving altogether.

It’s a perfect intro to the mystery genre, but it’s just the beginning. Purchase the classic 1986 edition of CLUE among other variations. If this is the direction you’re going, then The Murder Mystery Company would be the live-action version you’re sleuthing for.

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Mysterium: A Silent Ghost and Some Very Loud Opinions

If Clue feels too grounded, Mysterium adds a dreamy, otherworldly twist—and one player who doesn’t get to speak. At all.

How to Play:

One player is the ghost of a murdered individual who’s trying to communicate their final memories to a group of psychic mediums (the other players). The ghost uses beautifully illustrated, abstract vision cards to guide each player toward their specific suspect, location, and weapon. But here’s the catch: the ghost can’t talk, gesture, or otherwise indicate what the cards mean.

Players receive new visions each round and work together to interpret what the ghost is “saying.” As each psychic identifies their own set of clues, they move closer to solving the full mystery. Once everyone has reached their final suspect, the ghost provides one last shared vision to help determine who the real killer was. It’s a cooperative game, dripping with atmosphere and gorgeous visuals.

Purchase Mysterium and if you love it, maybe try its expansions. If you’d like to replicate the macabre atmosphere with The Murder Mystery Company, try the Midnight at the Masquerade theme they offer, dress in your spookiest mask or costume, and decorate the walls to match a sinister mansion.

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Deception: Murder in Hong Kong — Fast-Paced and Full of Deceit

This one’s for groups who love to stir the pot. Deception thrives on tension, table talk, and a killer who blends in just a little too well.

How to Play:

In this deduction game, one player is secretly the murderer. Another player is the forensic scientist, who knows the killer’s identity but can only communicate through a series of vague, preset clue categories like “Cause of Death” or “Location of Crime.” The remaining players are investigators trying to interpret these clues to uncover the killer—who’s actively working to mislead them.

Each player starts with four possible weapons and four evidence cards laid out in front of them. The murderer selects one of each, which the forensic scientist uses to craft their limited hints. Discussion is encouraged—heated debates and wild accusations are part of the fun—but only one correct guess wins the game.

Games are quick, usually 15–20 minutes, but loaded with drama. Just like in Deception, one of your guests will be the secret murderer when you’re have The Murder Mystery Company host your party; the catch? They just don’t know they did it…

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Chronicles of Crime: When the Case Goes High-Tech

For players who want a deeper dive and don’t mind pulling out their phones, Chronicles of Crime blends traditional detective storytelling with modern technology.

How to Play:

Using an app and a set of scannable cards, you’ll investigate cases by interviewing suspects, collecting evidence, and exploring crime scenes. Each action costs in-game time, and your goal is to solve the mystery efficiently and accurately. You can even pair the game with VR glasses for a 3D look at the crime scene.

You start each case with a brief from your boss at Scotland Yard and then jump into action—scanning QR codes to question witnesses, analyze clues, or visit locations. The app dynamically changes based on your choices, giving it the feel of an open-world detective adventure.

It’s immersive, smart, and full of surprises, so if that sounds up your alley, purchase Chronicles of Crime. It’s a perfect warmup to give you the upperhand when hosting a party with The Murder Mystery Company.

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Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective — For the True Crime Sleuth

If you dream of solving crimes with little more than your wits, a few maps, and some historical documents, this is your game.

How to Play:

In Consulting Detective, players are recruited to solve one of several cases inspired by the Sherlock Holmes universe. There’s no board or dice—just a map of London, newspapers filled with clues, case files, and a directory of possible people and places to visit. You choose where to go, whom to speak to, and what to investigate.

Each visit yields new information, and you take notes, form theories, and chase leads across Victorian London. After you feel you’ve solved the case, you answer a series of questions—then compare your solution to Holmes’ own (which is always annoyingly perfect).

Consulting Detective is intellectually satisfying and great for small, thoughtful groups. But if you’d rather be Holmes—solving a crime surrounded by suspects, music, laughter, and possibly a three-course meal—a mystery dinner party run by The Murder Mystery Company might be your speed.

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Ready to Go From Board to Breathtaking?

Board games are a fantastic way to dip into the world of murder mysteries. But once you’ve rolled the dice, sorted the clues, and mastered the twist endings, nothing compares to stepping into the mystery yourself.

The Murder Mystery Company brings the drama to you with themed mystery party experiences that are fully interactive, hilarious, and impossible to forget. You and your guests become part of the story—with professional actors guiding you through the laughs, the suspense, and the shocking final reveal.

Ready to make your next gathering killer? Call 888-643-2583 or fill out one of the contact forms on the page you’re currently viewing to start planning your own immersive event.