Behind the Mystery: How We Write Our Murder Mystery Games

Ever wondered how a night of laughter, secrets, and betrayal comes together? We love the creativity of writing murder mystery games — part storytelling, part puzzle, and part party planning. Whether you're planning a dinner party to die for or just curious about the process, here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how we craft our murder mystery games from start to finish.

🔍 Step 1: Come Up with a Theme

Every good mystery starts with a vibe. 1980s Hollywood? Haunted mansion? A slopeside vacation gone awry? The theme sets the tone for the entire night, from costumes to dialogue. We always pick something fun and dramatic enough to let guests really get into character.

🎭 Step 2: Develop the Characters

Once we have the theme, we dream up the characters. We think of bold personalities, quirky traits, and juicy backstories. Who would be fun to play—and what kind of roles can people really sink their teeth into?  Every guest deserves their moment in the spotlight!

🔗 Step 3: Build the Character Dynamics

Now it’s time to add the drama. We decide who’s dating who, who secretly hates who, and who might be hiding a scandalous secret. These dynamics create tension and give players lots to talk about (and suspect!) throughout the night.

🔪 Step 4: Choose the Killer and Victims

Here’s where we plot the twist. We pick the killer first, then choose the unfortunate victims. We make sure the killer has a believable motive—but also that everyone else does, too! The best mysteries leave people second-guessing their instincts right up to the final reveal.

🧾 Step 5: Create the Evidence

We put together clues that guests can discover: notes, photos, correspondence, overheard conversations. Some are red herrings, some are vital. This is my favorite part—it’s like crafting an escape room and a murder mystery novel all in one.

📄 Step 6: Make the Physical Game Materials

Each guest gets a character sheet with their backstory, secrets, and goals. We also make evidence, name tags, invitations, and any other props that help bring the world to life. The more immersive, the better!

🎉 Step 7: Host—and Have Fun!

Finally, it’s time to play! Set the scene, explain the rules, and let the chaos unfold. Always encourage everyone to stay in character, ask wild questions, and go full dramatic. After all the laughs, accusations, and gasps, we wrap up with a reveal—and maybe a prize for the best detective (or best liar!).

Writing murder mystery games is such a rewarding blend of storytelling and social fun. If you’ve ever thought about creating your own, I hope this peek into our process inspires you to give it a try. And if you ever need a murder mystery with 80s glam, ghostly secrets, or over-the-top drama— We might already have just the thing at skillsmurdermysteries.com!