As evidenced by the popularity of the Sherlock Holmes series originally featured in Strand Magazine, there is little more exciting than a good murder mystery. Trying to guess which character was the culprit while sitting in almost bone chilling anticipation of whether the hero will be able to find the killer in time is at the heart of delight when reading a good murder mystery. Classics such as Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None” are not only enjoyable the first time they are read, but can still have that sense of anticipation when finished a second or third time.

When a literary work continues to hold power to sway and emote on a deeper level with readers, it is well written. The one trouble with these literary wonders however, is the fact that in most novels it is expected that the hero win and do so in an admirable manner. This does not happen in every case, but most murder mystery novels would lack an important sense of satisfaction if they were to allow the villain to conquer or escape.

As a result, even though these works have a profound effect on the people who read them, they lack a depth of unpredictability that can be desirable. This is where murder mystery party games come in useful. Often when people gather for a social event there is a lot of small talk and mingling which takes place. Sometimes this roving open format is really effective for a gathering but in some cases it can lead to awkward pauses and stares where people pay more attention to their food than the others around them. In some cases, this is a natural lull in which people will work to find more commonalities and topics of conversation which multiple parties can participate in, but until those topics are found, it can be quite painful to watch as a host or hostess.

One of the ways which these lulls can be avoided and bypassed is through the use of murder mystery party games. Generally people love to participate in a good friendly competition of wits or skill, especially if it results in ample amounts of laughter. When a host or hostess offers and activity such as murder mystery party games, it gives the group a common focus on which they can begin to work toward. This will naturally cause them to interact in a more comfortable manner because they are paying attention to a common purpose and trying to be an active part of the entertainment. With murder mystery party games, guests will often be asked to portray a specific character in the plot of the scenario.

Since guests may not know each other well to begin with, one of the ways the host or hostess can help them feel more comfortable in their roles is to offer a prop or costume element that can be associated with the character they are portraying. Using a boa, top hat, cane, fake glasses, beard, suspenders, bottle of sherry, handkerchief, or boots can add an element of depth to the character that can make guests feel more comfortable portraying them. In addition, when the murder mystery party games are finished, guests will naturally associate the props used with other people attending the event which makes them easier to remember and provides conversation starters that can lead in to other topics of interest.

Using murder mystery party games to help guests become comfortable and mingle together also sets a good precedent for future gatherings. Once they have this common framework on which to build social relations, it is much easier to initiate conversation at future events. The natural unpredictability which murder mystery games offer is ideal for unique experiences that can be incredibly memorable for those involved.