You have been invited to Midnight Manor, in the midst of a ferocious storm. Unfortunately, the road has been blocked due to the weather... and the bad luck continues. Dr Midnight has been killed in his library - and you and your guests must work out who has committed the crime! Yet, alongside this, one of your guests will also be killed at some point later this evening.
Top tips
Keep up your theme throughout the night
Direct your guests to the floorplan in their booklets - on either the back page, or page 2, depending on your version
Use the audio evidence below
Characters & Costumes
CAPTAIN BRONZE
Can we see the Captain under his bushy beard, naval cap and pipe? You are used to weathering the elements: your warm brown turtleneck and tough old raincoat protect you.
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COLONEL CUSTARD
With notable War medals, a mighty moustache, and a trusty revolver, you look as if you have returned from battle this very day. Everyone feels safe when the Colonel and his mustard-outfit is around!
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PROFESSOR PERIWINKLE
The Professor likes to show that he always knows best – whether that is examining items with his pince-nez, adjusting his plum bow tie knowingly, or carrying his own published works around! You like to complete the look with your classic tweed suit and leather elbow patches.
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VICAR VIRIDIAN
You are the local do-gooder in the village. With your immaculate Clergy robes, your shiny crucifix, and equipped with your green Good Book – you are a sense of calm in this storm.
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CHEF CREAM
You are the Doctor’s long-standing Chef and we can still see traces of flour dusting your cheeks! With your rolling pin, white Chef’s hat and chequered trousers, you are not to be messed with.
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MISS CRIMSON
Why is the notable, radiant, film-star here this evening? Your tasteful blood-red cocktail dress, huge cigarette holder, and scarlett lipstick is a look – really - to die for.
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MISS ROSA
You are a beautiful and mysterious fortune teller with some tarot cards to hand. Wrapped in many rose-coloured materials, it is rather difficult to see you: scarves, belts, bangles, floating fabrics and huge hoops finish the look!
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MRS SAPPHIRE
The renowned socialite, you seem out-of-sorts compared with your usual cold, sneering presence. Your peacock-blue cocktail dress, and glittering jewels, display your high status.
Hosting Tips
At Mystery Club, we know a fundamental part of the party is the planning process! We have put together the below hints and tips to help inspire your events. Make sure you send us your photos so we can see how your evening went!
Ambience
The first step when planning your party is creating an atmosphere. Choosing a specific theme will immerse your guests and make your event come to life!
See our tips below:
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Consider the floor plan at the back of the character booklets to help create Midnight Manor in your own space.
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Pick the theme of your room/s. Use your own house to help: do you have a nice bookcase, which can be a backdrop for your photos and be the library? Likewise a piano for a ballroom, a pool table for a billiard room, or a conservatory in your house can really make it feel authentic for no extra cost.
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Decide what each room will do: the conservatory might be where most of the rounds happen, whereas the dining room could be just for eating.
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Perhaps hang a sign on the door to your room(s), making it match Midnight Manor.
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Hide any technology by putting dark cloths over them. Alternatively, put an image of a crackling fire on the screen instead. You can find multiple videos of this on sites like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgHKb_7884o
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Make the lighting match the theme of the room. As Midnight Manor is set in a storm, we would suggest adding background sounds of thunder and lightning!
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Opt for candles, or flickering light, to transport you back in time to Midnight Manor
Finally, ​use the Spotify player to sample the dedicated Midnight Manor playlist to immerse your guests further into this murder mystery.
To play in full on Spotify click on the 3 dots below and follow the link!
Hosting Tips
Decorations
Our favourite part of planning for a murder mystery party, without doubt, is the decorations. Whether you are on a budget, or have a little spare cash, there is something everyone can do to transform their space.
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See below for some of our top tips and tricks:
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Make your main space the library. Create a body for Dr Midnight: you could create a chalk outline, or even make a dummy body!
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Take this further, if you’d like, and add a crime scene tape around the body. You could even place crime scene evidence markers around it!
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Place the murder weapon, a candlestick, somewhere in the house.
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Make a drinks bar. Create a cocktail menu and place it in a frame to really add authenticity!
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Have a fireplace crackling – put it on a TV screen!
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Fresh flowers and doilies are always in keeping with a Manor theme.
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Props involving the characters are always useful: a crystal ball, a magnifying glass, a bible, or a stethoscope are great for guests to comment on!
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Use a bookcase as a backdrop for your photos. Or, buy some library wallpaper and pin it to the wall.
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Create, or buy, a fake animal head for the wall.
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Use feather plumes for decorations.
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Have a champagne tower as a backdrop for your photos!
Refreshments
How you serve your refreshments is completely up to you and can even be themed if you wanted.
Our top tips are as follows:​
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If hosting a sit-down meal, serve the courses just after the Dialogues in each round, but before the Questions and Answers section.
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Serve your starters or canapes during Round One, your main during Round Two, and dessert during Round Three.
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If hosting a sit-down meal, make it in keeping with the 1930s theme so everyone can stay in character whilst seated!
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For ease and convenience, serve a buffet. Alternatively, order a few takeaway pizzas and have them out on the counters ready for your guests to help themselves as they mingle!
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Have fun with the drinks! Consider getting out those cocktail glasses at the back of your cupboard and get them out for use, as well as decoration.
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Turn a table you don’t normally use into a bar - add a black tableloth and a sign. Perhaps even create a cocktail menu and place it in a frame to really make it authentic!
Activities
Don’t be afraid to have some ice-breaking activities during your event. You can do this during the different rounds throughout the night. Guests can ask questions, and answer them, as they play the different games!
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Activities we think work well:
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Examining the floor plans at the back of the booklet as a group
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Pool table
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A game of Cluedo or Guess Who
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Poker or bridge
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Ouija board
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Dancing on a dance floor
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Fireworks
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Voting at the end of the evening: have some blank sheets of paper to cast a vote for the murderer at the end!
