Well, like everything it all depends on meal service, serving, clearing, how many times you lose guests due to smoking breaks and toilet breaks. We usually say a standard event with a three course meal will take between two and three hours. But we know how things flex when you hit a fresh audience and a new venue. If you set arrival at 7pm for a 7.30pm start you can usually finish by 10pm. But just be aware this is reliant on guests and the venue’s serving and clearing speed. If you aren’t having a three course meal, expect things to speed up. 90 minutes is a common length of time for an event with no breaks.

In addition to printing out the game materials, you will often want props and costumes for the cast. Each game requires different props. Most are easy to source. If you would like to know the essential props for a specific script then please get in touch and we will forward you the instructions documents which contain the prop lists.

No. However most of our games are formatted in rounds to allow a three course meal. The only game format which works best without a three course meal is the Multi-room format.

We have adapted games in the past to work as “mix and mingle” affairs. If you’d like us to create something special for you to allow a mix and mingle event, then please email us.

Downloadable kit

If you’ve never bought a downloadable murder mystery game on-line before, or never played one (downloadable or otherwise) and want to find out more about it, then don’t worry – you aren’t the first.

We are so confident in the quality of our games – when you buy from us you are guaranteed a great night in or your money back!

All our downloadable dinner parties are supplied with:

• Full instructions Each game contains information on how to use the downloaded files including details on printing etc, instructions for running the mystery itself, as well as hints and tips from previous customers.
• Invitations. Designed for double sided printing, these invitations come with a colour cover design and all the information your guests need to know.
• Easy print guest materials formatted for double sided printing in full colour.
• Easy print scripts for the cast.

Printed kits

When you select the printed option – what you are asking us to do is print your game for you. Your game will arrive by post, printed, ready assembled and packaged in a box.

Printed kits are exactly the same as downloadable kits, in terms of content – it’s just that instead of you printing the game, we print the game for you and it will arrive ready to go.

If you aren’t sure whether you would like us to print your game for you – then we are happy for you to change your mind. Simply contact us after purchasing the downloadable game and we will arrange to print and ship your order to you after you make the additional payment.

Our content ratings are based on the ESRB rating scheme.

All of our games are suitable for a reading age of 10+ though they may contain language that is difficult for some children to comprehend.

All ratings are based on content NOT suitability, which means TEEN games are CLEAN games, rather than only being suitable for teenagers.

TEEN games are often games which are most suitable for mixed audiences, corporate and church groups.

It is worth noting that all our murder mystery games are rated TEEN or above as murder counts as violence for younger children. Some children younger than teens will handle the reading level of a standard murder mystery plot but parents may find the content inappropriate. Which is why we always detail the content of our games so you can make a determination of your own. If in doubt – take a look at the free sample booklet to check this is OK for your group.

It is possible for us to adjust the reading level on some games to make it possible for younger children to play – if you think you’d like this – please just email us for help.

TEEN games will contain “tame” plot lines. This can include plot lines like

• A game with a character who has had a string of monogamous relationships, where all relationships are kept “non-sexual” for the purposes of the game e.g. someone who is two timing a girl.
• There may be mild innuendo in the booklet, but when played this could be hammed up, or toned down depending on the person acting the role.
• Alcohol may be mentioned in the game, but it will not include references to drinking to excess.
• Illegal drugs will not be mentioned within the game, but legal drugs e.g. paracetamol, anti-anxiety tablets could be.
• There will be no explicit language, however where the odd mild swear word appears in song lyrics e.g. in Murder at the Music Awards, this will still be present in the game. The word “Sex” may crop up, but not in a sordid context. e.g. a character might say “don’t mentioned the “sex” word.”

MATURE rated games don’t necessarily mean the games contain explicit language, or sexual references. However the themes will be more gritty. To give you some examples:

• A character may have taken /dealt in illegal drugs.
• A character may reference overindulging in alcohol
• A character may gamble.
• A character may be the result of an illegitimate relationship, or is pregnant
• A character’s sexual orientation may form part of the plot or character description.
• A character may have been polygamous, or discusses relationships of a sexual nature. (e.g. having affairs)
• Other illegal behaviour, and content that you’d normally only see on TV after 9pm.

If you are unsure which game is appropriate for your group – there are two things you can try. The first is to open up the “trial booklet” which will give you a sample character from a 6 player game. The second is to call us on +44 (0)2030 112 215 and we’ll chat to you about the content of the games and help you find the one most appropriate for your party.

Sometimes it is possible to customise and amend genders of suspects in games, but not always. This is due to plot tangles and how involved certain characters are within a game. It is best to contact us to check what is and isn’t possible if you need a different skew of genders. If it IS possible, we can explain the costs it will be to amend it ourselves. But if budget proves to be a constraint – we can send you the game in MSword so you can modify it yourself once you know it’s possible.

We can take the stress out of party planning, and put the fun back into what can be a total headache by customising a murder mystery specifically to your party!

If you have an uneven mix of male and female participants, an unusual number of guests, or even just unusual guests, or a specific celebration in mind – then we are here to provide you with a personal service that will tailor a murder mystery game to your needs.

If you are looking for something fully bespoke then allow us to talk through with you what you are looking for and provide you with a free quote.

We are one of very few companies to supply both retail and commercial products as well as event management services.

We’ve always operated an honesty policy as we know our domestic and fundraising customers appreciate the ability to access murder mystery scripts at an affordable rate. HOWEVER we can only continue to do this if commercial customers order using the correct license.

We appreciate your honesty in this matter, and have put our key points below to help you decide if you are shopping on the correct license.
If after reading this you are still unsure which format you should be purchasing – just email us or call us on +44 (0)2030 112 215.

Finally, as you’re shopping with us, we are aware that not every option is available to you depending on your planned use. If you see something you would like to run commercially which isn’t available to you (e.g. you run a guest house and want to host a dinner party game for your guests) – please don’t try to cheat the system – just call us on +44 (0)2030 112 215 so we can chat to you – we will be able to work something out.

Your order confirmation email arrives straight after you pay, with a Download your game button. It signs you in to your account on our website, where each game is listed under Downloads: click a file to save it. Your games stay in your account, so you can sign in and download them again whenever you like.

If you were signed in when you paid, they’re in your account already.

When you click a file, your computer saves it, usually to its Downloads folder. If you can’t find it, search for the file name.

If you order a downloadable kit – the kit should be available instantly on a download link – and will also arrive via email with a link for you to download it.

If you order a printed kit or accessories and elect for standard service – this is shipped 48 tracked within the UK and Airmail outside the UK.

Approx arrival times for 48 hour tracked and airmail are:

• UK – 3-4 working days (the Royal Mail don’t guarantee 48 hours and it often enters the system at the end of the working day).
• Europe 7-10 working days
• Rest of World – 14-28 working days

If you elect for expedited shipping – we use a Courier or Royal Mail Next Day Delivery within the UK; and a courier outside the UK.

Approx arrival times on Expedited shipping are:

• UK – 1-2 working days
• Europe – 3-7 working days
• Rest of World – 3-9 working days