Murder mystery party sign-up
Guests claim a character, each one only once, and leave an email for their secret clues.
What's inside
Each character can be claimed once and then shows as taken; guests who want to act a lot are asked if they'd play the murderer.
- 1Your name
- 2Email for your secret clues
- 3Choose your characterVivian Ashby, the heiressMr. Graves, the butlerInspector HaleLola Fontaine, the jazz singerDr. Pembroke, the family doctorColonel Whitlock, retiredSurprise me
- 4How much do you want to act? 1 is a quiet cameo, 5 is the big scene
- 5Up for being the murderer?Yes, I can keep a straight faceI'd rather solve itOnly if “How much do you want to act? 1 is a quiet cameo, 5 is the big scene” is 4+
- 6Anything you don't eat at dinner?
Casting the night
Send the link three weeks before, so guests have time to find a costume. Put the year, the setting and the dress code in the intro: 1925 means pearls, braces and slicked hair.
One guest per character is what every boxed game assumes. Each role locks once claimed, so two people never turn up as the butler.
The acting scale tells you who wants the big moments. Give the detective and the loud roles to the 4s and 5s, and the quieter parts to anyone who picked 1 or 2.
Send each character's secret clues by email a week before. Guests read them at home and arrive already in role.
Murder mystery sign-up questions
How many characters should I list?
As many as your game's cast. This form has six roles plus Surprise me, which has no limit and suits guests happy to play a minor part. Add or remove options to match your box or script. Most boxed games run with six to ten players. Cast the Surprise me guests as soon as sign-ups close, so their clues still go out a week before.
How do I choose the murderer?
Pick from the guests who said yes to the murderer question, ideally the one with the best poker face. Tell only them, by email, and give them a clue sheet the others don't have. The question appears only for guests who rate their acting 4 or 5. If nobody says yes, ask your most outgoing guest privately before you send the clues.
Can couples sign up together?
Each person signs up and claims a role of their own. Couples often pick linked characters, like the heiress and the butler, which gives you a ready-made subplot. Ask them to sign up within a few minutes of each other, since each role is gone as soon as one person takes it. Both give their own email, so the secret clues stay secret.
- Cocktail party RSVPGuests reply, name their plus-one and vote on the signature drink, so the bar matches the crowd.
- Dinner party RSVPKnow who is coming, what they don't eat and who brings a guest before you plan the menu.
- Holiday potluck RSVPGuests reply, pick a course and name their dish, so the table plans itself.
- Graduation party RSVPCount party guests and ceremony seats in one reply, and collect advice for the graduate.
- Housewarming RSVPKnow who's dropping by and when, who's driving, and who will help hang the pictures.
- Anniversary party RSVPGuests reply with a headcount and a memory of the couple that ends up in the toast.
- Retirement party RSVPColleagues reply, offer a short speech and write a line for the memory book, coming or not.
- Going-away party RSVPFriends reply and leave a way to stay in touch, so the person leaving takes everyone's details along.
- Brunch party RSVPGuests pick their eggs and drink ahead, so you cook once instead of taking orders at the stove.
- Progressive dinner sign-upNeighbors volunteer to host one course, and each course closes once two homes have it.
- Backyard BBQ RSVPEach guest orders off the grill, so you buy the right number of burgers and veggie patties.
- Boat party RSVPThe boat has a fixed number of seats, and the form closes itself once they're taken.
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