Murder Mystery

Welcome to a night of mystery, drama, & intrigue…

The year is 1922 and the Roaring 20s are just getting underway. The end of the war has meant the start of a renewed sense of passion and joie de vivre. Unfortunately, two years ago the government implemented prohibition — the ban of the sale, manufacture, and transport of alcohol — giving rise to smuggling, organised crime, and allowing enterprising members of “regular” society to become millionaires virtually overnight.

Welcome to Land’s End, a grand estate on the tip of Sands Point, Long Island. The owner, an elusive millionaire named Mr Foxx, throws lavish parties each weekend, but has never been seen. Tonight, he will break his silence and come out from the shadows to reveal himself to an exclusive, and bafflingly varied group of guests.

But when a guest is found floating in the pool, clearly murdered, the dinner party turns into an investigation, and every guest is a suspect! Become a sleuth and discover the killer, and, if you can, the identity of The Sly Mr Foxx – the killer could be you!

What to expect

All guests are encouraged to dress for the occasion, in 1920s glad-rags!

Your role during the game will be one of the below:

Investigator

If you have not been told in advance that you are a suspect, this means you are playing an investigator! Your role is sleuthing and investigating to find the killer.

To get into the sleuthing spirit, we recommend binge watching Taggart and Rebus.

Think about questions you can ask the suspects to find out whether they had the motive, means, and opportunity to commit the crime, like:

  • Where were you at the time of the murder?

  • Can anyone verify your whereabouts?

  • Did you have anything against the deceased?

You will receive a booklet to jot down anything you find out in your investigations. As you ask the suspects questions, their answers will lead you to more questions. Regardless of whether you have played a murder mystery game before, you will quickly find yourself cross-interrogating suspects to identify holes in their stories.

Suspect

If you have agreed in advance to play a suspect, your role is slightly more complicated – but not by much.

With your invitation you will receive a QR code to access an information booklet that will tell you about your character, their motives, and how to play. Don’t worry, we’ll have this printed out for you on the day of the party too. (Don’t forget to bring your reading glasses if you need them!)

There may be some suggestions for how your character might dress, but these are optional.

As the party begins you will be questioned by others. You will answer these questions based on the information in your guide. You don’t have to memorise all the details – unless you want to, of course! While answering questions you will also be interrogating others to find out their involvement in the crime.

Guess what? If you’re the killer, you won’t know it! You will take part in questioning and sleuthing like everyone else, and cast your accusations at the end of the party.

Suspect List

  • Wealthy and prestigious, Owen Sparrow is a member of the elite, and loves to show off his wealth. He is proud to a fault, and looks down on those not his equal or his better. His opinions are shared willingly, even to those who don't want to hear them, and he has been known to demean and bully others in public, especially his wife.

  • Ethel Bainborough is a flapper; a wild and impetuous young woman who loves to attend parties, dance, and drink. Stemming from a wealthy, well-respected family, Ethel's free-spirited personality and lack of respect for convention worries her parents, who fear for the shame her reckless flights of fancy could bring to their good name. Loud, boisterous, and selfish, Ethel seems to have no regard for anyone else - unless they can benefit her in some way.

  • Patrick Sullivan is rather unknown to the people in these parts. Charming yet reserved, Patrick is a deep brooding type of man with classic good looks. Well-mannered and polite, Patrick Sullivan is the talk of polite afternoon tea conversations, with many women wondering just where he came from, his lineage, and whether he is available for marriage.

  • Jane Halliday is a woman with a reputation – for being a gossip! A secret, once in the possession of Jane Halliday, is not a secret for long. In fact, her ability to gossip has actually made her a pariah from many up-scale events as of late, which is why she was thrilled to be invited to Mr Foxx's party.

  • Trent Pickering is a mystery man. Clearly stemming from lower class, Trent is not accustomed to the propriety of high society, and as such stands out among the rest of the rich guests. No one knows of him or has ever heard his name before!

  • Elizabeth Imbry is a woman struggling to be considered a professional in a male-dominated world. She is ambitious, almost to a fault, and won't accept the stigma that only men can be successful photojournalists. A true pioneer in the women's movement, Elizabeth does not take no for an answer. Despite all of her hard work toward a career as a serious photojournalist, she trades her photos for photo credits, not money, with local rag mag, The Tattler. Elizabeth is a determined and tenacious woman whose talent with a lens is far superior to any man's.

  • Mylena is Mr Foxx's personal secretary, and lives at Land's End in the Green Guest Room. Almost as mysterious as Mr Foxx himself, Mylena is a hallmark of discretion, and guards the secret of the elusive Mr Foxx well. Mylena handles most of Mr Foxx's communication, arranges meetings, and even organises the details for Mr Foxx's lavish parties. She is distinguished and poised, clearly a young woman of good breeding. Most who learn her true age of just nineteen are shocked that such a young woman could be so graceful and dignified. Mylena oozes glamour, and while many men have asked for her hand, she is fiercely devoted to one man and one man only: Mr Foxx.

  • Daughter of wealthy banker Christian Butler, Jules is no stranger to Land’s End. While she is a member of society's elite, she is quick to cast aside her social standing, don her favourite flapper dress, and spend her evening dancing and drinking with the local men. She is impetuous, tenacious and dangerously rebellious.