“It’s like clue IRL, but we are all obsessed with Sherlock Holmes.”
And that’s how I found myself describing my Sherlock themed murder mystery dinner party.
The guests were invited to to attend as an alter ego character who was a member of the Sherlockian Society.
The Case: The Sherlockian Societey of Utah State University investigates an “accidental suicide” on campus, but as the night wanes, their murderer begins investigating them, kidnapping a guest. They have until midnight before their friend is killed. What would Sherlock do!?
So the party began at this fake crime scene, where I had planted some really cheesy props and clues, that would ultimately lead the guests to finding the identity of the killer, who had been planted among them. I gave everyone a case file to collect evidence, and some water guns because “It could be dangerous”
The Killer was a British exchange student who had accidentally killed the victim. Pushing her from the top of the clock tower. He wouldn’t murder, but he wasn’t above blackmail, as it was an art that the British perfected. He was attempting to blackmail the drunken victim to back down from a scholarship offer that he was second in line for. The scholarship was the killers only chance to stay in the US. Plans went awry and the two fought for possession of the gun. The victim was accidentally pushed from the tower, and our killer fled.
Alls well when the murder is labeled as an accidental suicide, that is until the sherlockian society starts raising questions, to Logan Lestrade’s team. Our killer sets them as the next target to keep them quiet.
So the group met back at 221B Bakery Sweets for some Doctor’s pie (Shepard’s Pie) and ‘bored’ games, which the killer interrupted several times with provoking phone calls.
We played ‘The Great Cluedo’ which was a hybrid of Cluedo and The Great Game/Jenga. After each round of suggestions, everyone playing has to remove a Jenga block from the tower that Mrs Hudson is held hostage in. Can we solve the case before then?
The murderer was found out before midnight, and the great reveal monologue was absolutely spectacular! the Sherlockian Society members held him at watergun point until the police arrived!
The Crown with the chocolate went to the SS member who was able to deduce the murderer. The red king went to our killer, who all would not have been possible without.
Then there is my graphic designer tendency to do design stuff for everything. (Aside from the door, food and cupcake decorations) I made all these cool posters, and inadvertently branded a fictitious tea company in the making of party favors. You can see that here
Ultimately I encourage anyone who is a Sherlock fan to host or attend a murder mystery dinner party. It was great fun! I’m more than happy to answer any questions, give advice, or recommend what worked for me in planning! Just send me an ask!