Murder Mystery Most Wicked in Wales

It was a quiet afternoon in Llandinam, Wales as our team set up the murder most horrid! The venue for such a crime - Plas Dinam, a Grade II listed historic country house set in the rolling hills of the Severn Valley.

The views from the manor were breathtaking, especially for the victim - the last view this character would ever see before their death!

The Murder Mystery Company run terrifying events all over the country for corporate and private clients alike. Tonight's event was going to be "Who Killed his Lordship?" and a group of 20 eager diners were to embark on solving the crime!

Lord John waits in the wings and checks his watch as the diners are shown to their tables. The blood red wine is flowing a plenty as Lord John bursts into the dining hall for the death scene of the century!

Event Manager, Zoe Taylor said,

"You could have cut the air with a knife as the diners looked on in amazement as Lord John staggered through the dining hall clutching his throat! The death scene will go down in history as one of the best in this spooky historic venue."

For more information on our Murder Mystery Evenings or other Team Building Events in Wales please call our Murder HQ on 0845 006 06 06 or visit the website.

Murder Mystery Days: CSI Team Building in London

Last week, The Murder Mystery Company put our clients' investigative skills to the test with a brilliant CSI:City event. Teams were tasked with training as CSI agents and solving a baffling murder case - a quest which found them meeting up with mysterious contacts all over London, analysing clues and exploring evidence.

Armed with their team iPads, radios and suspect case files, teams examined fingerprints, studied forensic clues and dissected witness statements in order to catch the killer. After plenty of teamwork and deliberation, the killer (and winning team) was announced, to the excitement of all!

Event Manager Katrina commented;

"CSI:City is a fabulous daytime Murder Mystery event because it gets the teams out and about, working together and having fun. Plus, who hasn't wanted to be an awesome crime-fighting detective, if only for one day?!"

Are you interested in making a Murder Mystery Day your team building event of the year? Visit our website or call 0845 006 06 06 to speak to a member of our lovely team.

Murder Mystery Parties Receive Royal Pardon

According to this article from Now Magazine's website (we read well and widely here at the Murder Mystery Company), the Duchess of Cambridge is planning a murder mystery party for Prince William's 30th birthday party.

Far be it for us to mistrust such a fine journalistic source - it has long been our go-to destination for horoscopes and online bingo opportunities.

That said, it seems murder mysteries are about to be launched back to the front of the public consciousness- which is just where they belong! While we would certainly recommend our own One Fatal Knight for the Duchess (long live the king...), the news made us consider another question entirely.

What is it about the macabre and mysterious that keeps captivating audiences year after year? What draws us away from the light and into the night?

From the Brother's Grimm to Doctor Who, evil and those that cause it have haunted our imagination and waited patiently for us underneath our beds since we had beds (before beds, evil had to wait in another room).  But it's not just the bad guys that get our attention - it's really the hero we're routing for, the quiet avenger, whether he comes with a deerstalker or a crumpled mac, a typewriter or a pair of sunglasses.

And perhaps that's part of the great appeal of a good murder mystery. The participants are the hero. They stand on the line between good and evil, the lone voices of justice in a world where the lights are dim.

A well executed participative murder mystery is like a great novel or movie, with the immersion jacked up to eleven. It is an opportunity to suspend disbelief for a few short hours, to imagine another world, another set of rules, and flit around the coat tails of danger from the comfort of your own home, venue, or, indeed, palace.

Like a roller coaster we know we are safe, and that all the peril is an illusion, all the danger merely smoke and mirrors...

But that doesn't stop us from screaming.

A Guide To Booking A Successful Murder Mystery - Step Five

So you've looked through the proposal and found the murder mystery you want. Hopefully you'll be feeling excited by now as you should have an idea of the theme surrounding the murder mystery and what it entails! As the organiser it's important for you to know the timings and logistics of the event. This means you can relax on the night, have fun, and let the event company take over. Make sure you ask your event coordinator any questions you have so you understand exactly how the events going to run.

Booking the event:

• Call or e-mail the company to book your murder mystery.
• Confirm your chosen event, date and venue with your dedicated event coordinator.
• They will finalise the arrangements, answer any questions and liaise with the venue you've chosen.
• Closer to the date, you will be introduced to your event manager for the day (or evening).

Final Planning:

Once you have confirmed the event and venue, you can begin to let the team know the plan (unless you’re planning on surprising them) and tick off your final check list.

• Catering - does anyone attending have dietary requirements? Vegetarian, vegan, halal, lactose intolerant, nut allergies
• Prizes - usually the company will supply a prize for the winning team. Think about whether you would like any additional for individuals.
• Teams - split the confirmed guests into teams/tables. Mix up the departments, seniority and put people together that maybe don’t know each other. Think about your key aims for the murder mystery, this should help.
• Invitations - make sure they include all (or as much of) the information you want the guests to know:
  • Date and Time (pretty important, I would recommend including this one!)
  • Location and Directions (as above)
  • Programme (if tied in with a meeting or conference etc..)
  • Transport information (if applicable)
  • What teams people are in/table plan (this is up to you if you want to let people know prior to the event)
  • Dress Code (this is particularly important if the murder mystery is a surprise)

  

  Remember that your event coordinator will help with the final planning. They will advise if any particular footwear is required, check whether you need additional prizes and even put guests into teams if you'd prefer it was completely random. However it's always good to have a think about the above beforehand; preparation is the key to success after all!

  Well, we're almost done. The guide is nearly complete. Next time we'll be discussing 'on the day and post event'. In the meantime, take a look at our website or give us a call on 0845 006 06 06.

TV Detective World Series Round 1 - Mulder vs Sloan

Here at The Murder Mystery Company we have been tasked with the momentous task of organising the TV Detective World Series - and now it's time for the fifth heat of the first round.

Another week, another battle. This one has been tipped by critics to go the distance, as two icons of television, one daytime and one evening, meet in the theatre of conflict for the first time. Who wins? You decide...

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Round One - Size of Torch

Mulder confidently strides to the back of his FBI issue Lexus and pops the trunk.  From inside he just manages to pick up a torch so big it doesn't even fit in the main part of the car. Honestly, this thing looks like seven 1990 era mobile phones taped together. He fires it up, and the resulting beam is so powerful it cuts a hole in the wooden wall of the Judges' portakabin, before running out of massive batteries in about three seconds - a confident start from this supernatural sleuth.

Sloan doesn't feel comfortable in this round, and the judges soon see why - he produces a small, thin torch from the front pocket of his white doctor's coat that is about the same size of a pen. He clicks it on and the resulting beam is just pathetic. Sloan tries to explain that it is fit for purpose, and enormous torches can make patients nervous about opening their mouths and saying 'ahhh', but there's no getting around it - a poor opener from the silver-haired detective.

Round Two - Sidekick Arriving Just In time

This is a bone of contention with Mulder and he doesn't mind letting the judges know it - his sidekick, FBI Special Agent Dana Scully, never arrives just in time. In fact she is absolutely brilliant at arriving just after just in time. Whether Mulder has just experienced a UFO taking off, or a Vampire turning to dust in the first rays of sunlight, or the government doing something shifty, Scully is always looking at something else, off at her godson's birthday or unconscious! Mulder has lost track of the times he has turned to Scully saying "See! There's your proof!" only to see Scully over on the other side of the secret research facility wrestling with a vending machine.

A good recovery here from Sloan - after following up on his initial suspicions of a potential murderer, he likes nothing more than to track the killer down in a deserted theatre or disused subway station for a revealing dénouement, safe in the knowledge that when the killer admits his crime and says "and all that remains is to kill you, you meddling doctor of medicine!" Sloan's son, Detective Steve Sloan, will arrive with some other law enforcement professionals to disarm and arrest the villain.

Round Three - Whether or not The Truth Is Out There

Mulder's ears prick up when this round is announced, as the truth being out there are the very words he lives by. But his hope of a strong performance in this round are dashed as the judges demonstrate, via 202 TV episodes and two movies, that the truth is not out there. Mulder's search for the truth is an ever changing web of contradictory conspiracy theories, bright lights in the sky, unreliable narrators and being knocked unconscious.

Sloan finds himself presented with a mysterious web of lies and deceit almost every week, but by the end of the episode has the truth in the form of a confession that is overheard by several members of the police department. Flimsy circumstantial evidence notwithstanding, the sheer fact that murderers are willing to give a full account of their guilt means that Sloan excels in proving the truth is indeed out there.

Round Four - Keeping Track Of Own Family Members

Mulder was hoping not to draw this round, and his frustration is palpable. He launches straight away into a diatribe about how he knows exactly where both of his parents are, thank you very much, and has come to see Scully as family as the years have progressed. But there's an elephant in the room, and the judges have to patiently remind an irate Mulder that it was the mysterious disappearance of his sister when he was young that became the inspiration for his entire detective career. A poor showing in this round.

Sloan, on the other hand, keeps excellent track of his family members. Not only does his son live with him in his Malibu beach house, they work together constantly - despite the fact that one is a doctor and the other a police officer! They don't let that simple fact stop them, and in fact find more and more elaborate ways to spend time with each other. Sloan also has a sister and a brother - and last time he checked, neither of them were abducted by aliens when he was young! A strong, confident performance from Sloan.

So there you have it. Another tough battle, and you tell us who should win. Voting closes Monday 25th June.

In the meantime, why not have a crack at solving your very own murder mystery?

Next Time:

It's Hasselhoff vs Hasselhoff with:

Mike Horner

TV Detective World Series Round 1 - Caine Vs Batman

Another week, another battle between two of TV's greatest detectives! That's right, it's not just award winning events from The Murder Mystery Company - we like to discuss the important issues of the day! This time...

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This match pits a man who uses hi-tech gadgets and cheesy dialogue to solve a series of far fetched crimes perpetrated by ridiculous villains... against Batman.

That's right - CSI:Miami's finest Horatio Caine has drawn the Caped Crusader himself in the first round. Who wins? You decide...

Round One - Realism

Caine takes off his sunglasses, says a few words, puts them on again, says some more, then sits down with what could possibly be described as a smile. He is, after all, a scientist. Part of his job is to use modern forensic skills to bring murderers to book. He would never be guilty of overstepping the - oh hang on, what's this? A security tape of the victim, with the killer just out of shot? What are you going to do about that, Horatio? What? You're going to... zoom in on the victim and then enhance so much you can identify the killer by the reflection in the victim's eyeball? Oh, Horatio...

Batman predominantly targets Supervillains and their goons. While at first glance it may appear that this is not realistic, they are clearly defined as Supervillains. Who are we to judge how realistic or not those portrayals are? Exactly. We're no one. He's Batman.

Round Two - Way Of Speaking

Caine does a good job here. As the father of 'Sunglasses Punctuation', he likes to begin a sentence, pause while he puts on his sunglasses, and then deliver those last crucial words. The only drawback here is that he relies heavily on being set up by a good feeder line, usually supplied by Frank.

For example, at the aftermath of a shooting from a passing boat that targetted a series of Miami party goers, Frank opines that it looks like a drive-by. Caine's response?

"A drive-by", (puts on sunglasses), "Miami style".

Batman, on the other hand... puts in PAUSES at... random stages OF EACH sentence and... emphasises RANDOM WORDS for no discernible reason. He also uses the word 'criminal' as if it is a swear word. He is... LOVELY.

Round Three - Car

Caine is proud of his gas-guzzling General Motors Hummer, based on the military Humvee and capable of performing in excess of half a mile to the gallon. It is the perfect vehicle to transport him, his sunglasses and his fingerprint dusting kit from crime scene to crime scene.

Batman has the Batmobile. This round actually defaults to the caped crusader.

Final Round - Sidekick(s)

Caine surrounds himself with assistants, each bringing their own skills and abilities to the crime lab. Whether it is beautiful Calleigh Duquesne with her gun fetish, beautiful Dr Alexx Woods with her prepensity to talk to dead bodies and call them 'sweetie' or beautiful Tim Speedle with his inability to clean his gun properly leading to it jamming on him and him being shot dead, Caine has the team to do the job.

Oh dear, oh dear. After such a strong showing in the previous rounds, Batman has to face facts - no matter how he tries to dress it up, his sidekick is Robin. The judges clear their throats awkwardly and try to overstate the role played by Alfred the Butler, but the massive drag factor Robin puts on proceedings is evident and Batman accepts crushing defeat in this round.

So there you have it. Two extravagant figures of TV Detection, but which is the best? As ever, you decide. Voting closes in one month, on Friday 15th June.

In case you were concerned when reading the judges report that the author has predetermined which combatant is best, let us remind you of our fondness for and close relationship with CSI based television shows!

Add your votes above, your comments below, and as ever, feel free to check out what we do when we're not doing this.

Next Time...

TV Detective World Series Result - Fletcher vs Lewis

Well it was a cracking first round fight and started the TV Detective World Series off with a bang.

The voting is now closed, and it gives us great pleasure to announce the winner is...

Of course it was! With just more than three quarters of the vote, Fletcher goes through to the second round in comfort.

Lewis shouldn't be disheartened by this, and a quarter of the vote against such a contender as Fletcher is a very strong showing indeed.

On the day though, judges felt he was a little too functional, too obvious. A policeman doing his job is never going to compare with being a kindly old lady who writes mystery novels and solves murders in her spare time.

Some of the judges commented that before the next World Series Lewis would do well to flesh out his character, maybe take up hang gliding or move to Jersey and develop a drink problem. Or get an exotic pet. Or a pipe.

Or become a magician.

Fletcher on the other hand can now take a breather and study the results for the other first round matches as they come in. She may even have time to visit a friend and find one of their relatives mysteriously dies, the police are out of their depth and it really is down to her...

A big thank you to everyone who voted, and don't forget that our own love of Jessica Fletcher inspired us to create a brand new corporate event!

A Guide To Booking A Successful Murder Mystery - Step Four

Step Four – Contacting Companies Next step you need to talk to a murder mystery company. You may want to talk to several to compare - hopefully if you talk to us you may not need to spend more time looking!

Whether you’re inviting 15 or 150, you are likely to know many of the guests; meaning the events success will reflect on you - making the buying decision pretty important. However with hundreds of companies out there all promising to deliver the murder mystery you want, how do you decide who will work best for you?

You need to have confidence in the company you are buying from, feel like you are in capable hands and most importantly, that you are getting value for money. Here are our top tips to watch out for:

Website

• Are they a specialist murder mystery company?
• Is their focus corporate events, hen parties or private events and does this match your needs?
• Does it look professional?
• Is it up to date?

Ideas

• Do their event ideas make you want to participate or find out more?
• Do the events work for your group size?

Track record

• Do they have an extensive client list?
• Are there lots of testimonials to browse?
• How long have they been going?
• Any awards?

On the phone?

• Do they sound like they know what they’re talking about?
• Did they ask about your guests and specific requirements?
• Any tailoring offered?
• How was their venue knowledge? Will they help source one?
• You should expect nothing less than experienced professional and friendly event coordinators.

What if it all goes wrong?

• Murder mysteries should be risk assessed and method statements in place where required.
• The company should hold public and products liability insurance policy.
• If you don’t get the above by return it’s a big red flag!
• Event managers and/or staff should be First Aid Qualified. Amazingly not all event companies have a first aider on every event.

To talk to us about your next murder mystery party, give us a call on 0845 006 06 06 or if you'd rather, complete a quick enquiry form and we'll get back to you.

Next step - booking the event and final planning!

Murder at Bracket Hall - Sherlock Prepares

Our very own Terry Bird practices his 'Sherlock' face behind the scenes of Murder at Bracket Hall.

Event Manager Zoe says "Terry completely throws himself into the role of Sherlock. He is one of the best at audience participation - getting everyone up, out of their seats and giggling into their napkins from his very first entrance. He once did a spectacular forward roll entrance to add to the drama - let's just say it left an impression!"

Learn more about Murder at Bracket Hall and our other evening murder mysteries at our main website!

A Guide To Booking A Successful Murder Mystery - Step Three

We're onto the third step and making good progress! Step Three - Setting the Budget

We understand that often at the initial planning stages budgets have not been set, however it’s worth considering what you will need to budget for.

Event Costs

This is our part in the process. Event costs will include:

• Actors
• Live event writers
• Props
• Costumes
• Theming (if required)

Venue Costs

All murder mysteries will require a venue. Costs could include:

• Room hire
• Syndicate rooms or ground hire (some murder mysteries may require break out rooms or outdoor space)
• Overnight accommodation costs (if required for your guests)

Catering & Refreshments

Whatever the type and timings of the murder mystery, food is likely to be required at some point during the day and/or evening (typically a three course meal). Think about the amount you want to spend per head.

It's also worth considering if you will have an open bar or if guests will purchase their own drinks.

Transport

Will guests arrive individually or will you be organising transport?

Tips

• Consider combining with another department as the price/head goes down with more guests - you'll get more bang for your buck!
• Consider incorporating with an upcoming meeting or conference
• If you are contacting the venue directly, ask for free room hire!
• Be flexible on dates

Knowing what you need to pay for will hopefully help set a realistic budget for your murder mystery. It's important not just to spend, but to invest - in your staff and your clients. For example, if you're rewarding staff or entertaining clients you need to exceed their expectations to make the event memorable. Would it be beneficial to do less events, but make the ones you do have an impact?!

The Bottom Line

Be realistic about the budget and what you get for your money!

£20/head = Cinema, Pop corn and a Drink £30/head = Meal with half bottle of wine £50/head = Venue with private dining, meal and half bottle of wine/head £80-£150+/head = Popular murder, meal, drinks and more!

Once your budget is set, we'll work hard to fit within it. We'll provide you with the best event options for your group and requirements. We also have over 22 years experience as a recognised venue booking agent and offer a Free Venue Finding Service - take advantage of it!

Next we'll be looking at one of the most important steps - calling us!

TV Detective World Series Round 1 - Fitz Vs Magnum

Here at The Murder Mystery Company we have been keeping track of the TV Detective World Series - it keeps us out of trouble when we are not running award winning murder mysteries! Round 1 continues in the tradition started by the face off between Jessica Fletcher and Inspector Lewis, so without further ado it's time to introduce the combatants:

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This match has been subject to massive speculation. Two heavyweights from different sides of the Atlantic meeting competitively for the first time...

Round One - Car

Fitz looks beaten from the outset of this round - and turning his head can just make out Magnum’s Ferrari parked outside; tactical parking from his opponent or just coincidence? Regardless, Fitz doesn’t drive, as he is almost permanently drunk, so prepares for defeat.

But what’s this? Despite Magnum driving around Hawaii in his iconic Ferrari 308GTS, closer examination of the registration documents shows that Magnum is not the owner - the car belongs to Robin Masters, Magnum’s ‘friend’, and he simply lends Magnum his car whenever he needs it. And his house. This means Fitz isn’t quite as beaten as he had feared, and Magnum is left blushing behind his perfectly sculpted moustache.

Round Two - Character Flaws

Everyone knows TV Detectives need character flaws to make them interesting, and Manchester based Fitz has them in spades; the obese, chain-smoking, adulterous alcoholic with a gambling addiction relaxes into a dominant position.

Magnum is a fair bit more clean living than Fitz. True, he once killed a chinese man for blinking, but on the whole his military background and frequent shows of friendship, loyalty and morality mean he is struggling to make headway in this round. Round Three - Being First Choice To Play Indiana Jones

A turn in fortune for Fitz sees him struggle in this round. Despite double checking, at Fitz’s insistance, with both George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, it turns out he was never first choice to play the iconic professor of archeology. He wasn’t even in the top five!

Magnum does quite well in this round, as he was Lucas's first choice to play Indiana Jones. In a wonderful display of commitment to being Magnum, Magnum refused! He even went on to create an Indy parody episode called Legend of the Lost Art to show how much better Indy would have been with a moustache (no better).

Final Round - Neatness of moustache

Fitz can’t believe his bad luck at drawing this as the final round, and turns to the bottle in dismay. Judges gather around and make sympathetic noises, but there’s no getting away from the simple facts; no matter how drunk Fitz is, or to what hour he was in back street casinos the night before, he is always clean shaven.

Magnum flashes his signature smile and basks in the glory of an easy win. Whether he is infiltrating a boat filled with hired goons, or pretending to be a butler to help Higgins out of a pickle, Magnum’s facial topiary is never called into question.

Conclusion

They have different styles, different skill sets, different girths and different amounts of facial hair. But who wins this round of the TV Detective World Series? It's over to you. As ever, voting is open for one month so will close on Monday 22nd May 2012.

It is statistically unlikely that your life depends on the outcome of this vote, but just in case it does... get voting!

Next Time...

Can't wait a week before your next hit? Take a look at our main site for all your murder mystery needs!

White... Kitchen... Rope

Part 3 in our series looking at the actual effectiveness of the 6 traditional Cluedo weapons focuses on... The Rope

In Cluedo, the rope is represented by a small piece of yellow string, backed up with an ominous photograph of a noose on the corresponding card.

At first glance, a rope doesn't seem to be a good choice for a murder weapon, particularly when you are in a house so filled with other potential tools of terror, like guns and knives. But don't let that fool you - in our exhaustive research we found that in the world of Cluedo the rope is used as a murder weapon exactly one sixth of the time.

The hangman's noose has been scientifically proven to be the most unsettling knot to tie in a piece of rope. Turn up at a loved one's house with a length of rope and tie a few reef knots or sheep shanks, at best you might pique their curiosity. But turn up and sit quietly in the corner tying a noose, perhaps while humming a lullaby and crying - well, you have yourself a situation.

But despite the macabre nature of the noose, is it believable as a murder weapon? Not as a form of suicide, or execution, but one-on-one kill-or-be-killed murder? Just how would one go about committing murder armed with a rope?

Option 1 - Wrap it around their neck and then squeeze until they stopped breathing. This is something the intended victim would be most disinclined to do. If you felt that you didn't have the strength or bucking bronco skills to hang on for the requisite amount of time then you have a couple of other options.

Option 2 - Build a gallows. This is quite labour intensive and difficult to conceal, but with enough lengths of two by four, a hammer and some nails, a hinge for the trapdoor and a basic grasp of carpentry this is possible. Then of course you would have to persuade your intended victim to put his or her head through the noose long enough for you to trigger the trapdoor. You may also halt construction in the early stages as soon as you realise that the hammer, the nails or even the bits of wood would all make much more effective murder weapons.

Option 3 - use a convenient beam or tree branch to hoist the victim into the air, using their own body weight to kill them. This option relies upon you both having the strength to lift your victim off the ground while simultaneously being heavier. Admittedly you could set up a pulley system to make the lifting easier, and hook your feet under a heavy piece of furniture, but you still have to get the noose around the victim's neck - good luck with that.

So is the rope a practical murder weapon? Well no, it's rubbish isn't it. There are many household objects that have basically the same killing power as a rope, the same kind of 'wrap around neck and squeeze really tight' functionality; bedsheets, trousers, snake themed draught excluders, your own arm, small but flexible children/animals, curtains, Peter Storm cagoules, his or hers towels - the list is practically endless.

Another list practically endless is the list of household items that would make far more effective murder weapons than a rope; knives, bottles, ornaments (including candlesticks), tools, most small items of furniture, windows (either shattered fragments thereof or means of exit from upper story), frying pans, irons, toasters, bathtubs, doors and bleach.

Pros: Has historical creepiness to it; with element of surprise and luck can be effective.

Cons: Requires more elaborate scheming than most murderers have time for; rope also haven for DNA, should you actually be successful - which you won't.

Behind The Scenes Of A Murder Mystery - Who Killed His Lordship?

Event Manager Dave Hall gets ready for his 'big scene' as Lord John in Who Killed His Lordship?

"I prefer it when the event is a complete surprise to the guests", Dave said. "That way, we get the greatest shock value from the opening scene! Soon enough I'm lying dead in the middle of dinner, and Sherlock takes over for his big intro. The hardest part is staying 'dead' throughout that section, and I have taken to falling on my front so that guests can't see me laughing!"

Learn more about Who Killed His Lordship? and our other murder mystery events at our main website!

Scarlet... Library... Revolver

Here at The Murder Mystery Company, we have been devoting vast time and resources into answering one of the most important questions in existence - just how effective are the 6 traditional Cluedo weapons? In the latest of our posts, it’s time to look at... The Revolver

It is perhaps strange that the revolver is only used as a murder weapon in Cluedo one sixth of the time; at face value, it has the benefit of range, ease of use and simplicity. Point and shoot.

So why is it that five sixths of the time would-be-murderers would rather use blunt, sharp or hessian objects rather than the combination of gunpowder and lead? The kind of mathematical certainty one gets when randomly selecting one of six cards? Or something more?

Guns are loud. Really, really loud. They weigh in at around 140 decibels, which is loud enough that in a confined space can easily cause permanent damage to your ears.

One way to catch someone who had just fired a gun inside a stately home would be to go up to everyone in turn and say, in a loud and clear voice, “Guilty people say ‘what?’” - case closed.

Silencers don’t silence, they merely reduce the sound from the volume of a gunshot to the volume of, say, a jet engine. Again, that’s something other party guests are going to notice.

Another way of solving the Cluedo crime quickly would be using Gun Shot Residue, which basically means every time you fire a gun your hand and arm get covered with little particles from the gunshot, that can be linked back to the exact gun you fired.

The revolver is an interesting choice of weapon for a would-be-Cluedo murderer, because the actual killing part is the easy bit - it’s returning yourself to a position of ‘reasonable doubt’ among the cast of suspects that is hard to do.

To stand a chance you would need to have a revolver, some ear protection, some disposable gloves, some kind of protection for your arms and the ability to hide all of this equipment expertly in the seconds you would have before everyone came running into the crime scene screaming “Was that a jet engine I just heard?”

Mind you, I suppose that’s what secret passages were invented for.

Pros: Simple to use; effective; ranged.

Cons: Noise; forensic evidence; bad for ears.

A Guide To Booking A Successful Murder Mystery - Step Two

So, you’ve completed step one and made your decision. You know the purpose and main aims of your murder mystery event; now it’s time to look into the particulars...

Step Two - Things to Consider

How many guests will be attending?

• If you’re not sure on exact numbers it’s better to overestimate than underestimate!
• Think about the maximum number of guests and the expected number of guests.

Who will be attending?

• How well do you know the guests? Think about ages, gender, departments, seniority.
• Are there any disabilities that need to be considered?
• Knowing characteristics and needs of the team will help with event suggestions; ensuring something suitable for all types.

Do you have a set date & time?

• It’s worth bearing in mind that specific dates in the year and even certain days of the week can be busier than others. More flexibility will often mean better venue rates.
• Are you planning an evening or day murder mystery?
• How much notice will you give guests? Short notice, Friday nights and weekends may not work so well if they have family commitments.
• Can the date tie in with other occasions? Team meeting, conference, product launch etc..

Location & Venue?

• Where is the group based?
• Do you have a set location or venue in mind?
• How will the guests get to/from the venue?
• Do you need any overnight accommodation?

Of course, you are welcome to use our Free Venue Finding Service at this point - you don't have to do it all yourself!

Having a detailed brief will help you get the best event options and venue suggestions for your murder mystery party. Although we understand it’s not always achievable to know all the key details, having as much information as possible will mean a better proposal with well-suited choices and accurate costings. Putting you on the right path to a great event and happy guests!

Next step - setting the budget!

Behind The Scenes of a Murder Mystery - Hollywood Homicide

Event Manager Katrina Shoesmith gets ready for her big scene in last night's Hollywood Homicide.

"Playing Marilyn is a lot of fun", Katrina said. "I love the big song and dance number entrance and the death scene is always brilliant! The guests always get really involved and the finale often reveals quite a few shocks - as well as a lot of laughs".

For more information on Hollywood Homicide, our other top murder mysteries or our client feedback, take a look at The Murder Mystery Company site!

Plum... Billiard Room... Candlestick

Since 1949 Cluedo has allowed us to investigate the death of Dr Black at the hands of one of six colourfully named characters, who did the deed in one of nine rooms and with one of six weapons.

It's a process of elimination exercise, and has been filling the time in between dinner and television admirably for millions of families for years.

But just how practical were those murder weapons? The revolver, the spanner, the candlestick, the rope, the dagger or the lead piping?

In the first of a series of posts, we are going to look at...

The Candlestick

It lacks the penetration of the dagger or the stopping power of the pistol, but the candlestick would appear to be favoured by murderers in the Cluedo world exactly one sixth of the time.

This heavy and relatively club shaped ornament would traditionally be made from brass, giving it a lot of weight and a reasonable amount of bludgeoning power. Readily available in most homes that have nine or more rooms in the ground floor, often in the Dining Room or Library, the candlestick makes up for in availability what it lacks in portability.

The primary weakness is the size, weight and shininess of the weapon.

In the criminal fraternity studies have shown that guns, knives and explosives are preferred to items of decorative brassware when dispensing 'street justice' - and with good reason. A staff member of the restaurant in The Godfather would no doubt have noticed if a massive brass candlestick had been hidden behind the cistern, and rumours that the first draft for Die Hard had Bruce Willis confronting the terrorists at the end with a candlestick attached to his back with Merry Xmas tape have been debunked by industry insiders.

In a lot of ways, the candlestick is the lightsaber of its day; an elegant weapon, for a more civilised age. It harks back to days of pomp and chivalry, tradition and class. If a Jedi would charge down blaster fire and cavalrymen would wave swords at musket balls, then surely it's perfectly acceptable for a gentleman to bring a candlestick to a gunfight?

Pros: Club-shaped; wipe-clean.

Cons: Fingerprint vacuum; heavy and shiny; hard to conceal in a prison shower or dark alleyway; is a massive candlestick.

Next time: the revolver... is the convenience worth the noise?

A Guide To Booking A Successful Murder Mystery...

Organising a murder mystery can seem like a long and daunting task but it doesn't have to be! We've put together a step by step guide for anyone looking to hold a private murder mystery using a passionate and professional company. We've got over 20 years experience and are happy to help from the very beginning all the way through to the bloody end...

Step One - Decisions

Generally perceived as ‘an evening of fun entertainment’ (which they absolutely are), murder mysteries are also great icebreakers and team building events. They stimulate creativity, encourage problem solving and offer a great opportunity to build relationships. The first thing we would recommend is deciding on the aim of your murder mystery. Have a think about the reason for the event and what you want to achieve.

• Is it purely for fun & entertainment?
• Is it a reward or celebration?
• Is it a team building event?
• Do you want to integrate new team members, increase communication, etc?
• Is it a bit of everything above!?

Different murder mysteries will be more effective for different objectives. If you’re looking for pure unadulterated fun then you may be swayed by the theming of the murder mystery. For example, Murder and the Mob is very popular due to the option of a  glamorous dress code. However if you want to really challenge your guests ensuring some serious teamwork, you may consider something trickier like The Da Vinci Files.

Knowing what you want out of your murder mystery can help us to advise you on which to choose. They are all great fun, but we have worked hard to provide events that focus on different priorities, whether it's an emphasis on audience-participation, lateral thinking, team based communication, creativity or problem solving.

We don't dress the same event up with a couple of different characters or settings. Rather, we meet your specific requirements - whatever those requirements may be!

Next we'll be looking at all the important things to consider and ways to keep all the group happy!

Welcome to The Murder Mystery Company!

The Murder Mystery Company are proud to announce the launch of our brand new website!

Part of award winning team building company CCC Events, The Murder Mystery Company has been running successful murder mysteries for 21 years.

We run murder mysteries throughout the UK and Europe, for groups ranging in size from just five or six right up to many hundreds. Our professional actors and well scripted scenarios have been well received by all who experience them, and we have the pleasure of having worked with more than half of the FTSE 100!

Take a look at some of our most popular murder mysteries, read more about where we work or simply start from the beginning and find your own way through our site.

And please follow our blog - not only will we be using it to announce new and exciting events, but we will also be exploring all things murder-related, in our quest to remain very much the best in the business.

Welcome to The Murder Mystery Company...We're dying to entertain you!