8 Best Murder Mystery Games UK | Talking Tables Unsolved Case Files and More
Brands like Paul Lamond, Cheatwell, and Red Herring Games have brought murder mystery party games into the mainstream; with sites likes Amazon and eBay offering some great options to choose from. If you’re hoping to host an Agatha Christie-style evening of suspicion and suspense at home, you can now buy a murder mystery in a box that comes with scripts, costume suggestions and everything else you could need. Deerstalkers at the ready.
Quick List - Top Murder Mystery Games
Inspector McClue
A Fun-Packed Night of Crime, Clues and Conjecture
Unsolved Case Files
Who Really Killed Jamie Banks
Ace Murder Mystery Parties
Detailed Game With a Pirate Twist
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How to Choose a Murder Mystery Game in the UK – Buying Guide
Choose the Setting of Your Murder Mystery Based On the Era or Location that Appeals to You Most
If you love the glamour and nostalgia of Agatha Christie mysteries, you can pick a game set in the 1930s – perhaps in a stately countryside home, bustling London or even a luxury Egyptian hotel. More modern day options are murder mysteries that take place on TV and movie sets, sports events or in Michelin starred kitchens! Simply choose based on the aesthetic you like best.
Scripts or Improv? Choose According to Your Space, Guests’ Willingness to Act and if You’ll Serve Food
Murder Mysteries With a Fixed Script Work Well With a Sit-Down Dinner and Suit Guests Who Love to Perform
Scripted mysteries also help everyone follow the plot more easily, allows space for discussion and can be structured around a dinner table with different courses served throughout the game. Murder Mysteries with a script are good for friendship groups who want to really get into character and are keen to actually solve the murder.
Some people do find scripts intimidating – if they are dyslexic or have English as a second language for instance – so keep those guests in mind when buying a scripted game.
Games which Encourage Improvisation Allow a Bit of Movement and Suit Guests of Different Acting Abilities
These games are free and fun, perfect to play around the house with nibbles and drinks, but the plot of the mystery can get lost (as can guests if you’re letting them roam free with a character card and a glass of wine!)
Some Murder Mysteries Come With a CD or DVD to Guide You – But it May Not be Necessary
The downside may be that you don’t have anywhere to play the audio or video, or it could be tough to gather up guests if you’ve had people milling about the house during each round. Depending on when and where you play it, this additional content can either add to or detract from the mysterious ambiance, so it’s worth thinking carefully about before you buy.
Menus and Costume Ideas Help With Scene Setting, Those Without offer More Impromptu ‘Whodunnits’
On the other hand, there are murder mystery games which can be played a little more off-the-cuff; closer to a board game than a role-playing improvisation session. These games are an excellent choice if your friendship circle is a little less flamboyant and simply prefer to puzzle out who was the murderer without putting on a questionable accent or a silly hat.
Murder Mysteries With Variable Outcomes Can Be Played Again; Games With Fixed Scenarios Can’t
Mysteries which have only one solution tend to be more detailed and will have a fixed script rather than improvisation and although they can only be used once, the benefit is they will usually create a more complex mystery plot which is a bit more fun to mull over and solve.
Check the Age Range the Game is Suited to and Pick Your Murder Mystery According to Who’s Coming
For “murder” mystery games, the youngest age recommendation is usually 13 plus, but it’s up to you whether you want to play it with any younger children. Keep in mind that there are other kinds of mystery party games available for kids online.
8 Best Murder Mystery Games
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Inspector McClue 1. Inspector McClue – Death by Chocolate | | A Fun-Packed Night of Crime, Clues and Conjecture | |
2 | Talking Tables 2. Talking Tables Host Your Own Murder Mystery Night | | Beautiful, Simple and Fun | |
3 | Unsolved Case Files 3. A Classic Agatha Christie Murder Mystery Dinner Party – A First Class Murder | | Who Really Killed Jamie Banks | |
4 | Ace Murder Mystery Parties 4. Ace Murder Mystery Parties – A Case of Treasure and Treachery | | Detailed Game With a Pirate Twist | |
5 | Culinario Mortale 5. Culinario Mortale – Recipe for Death | | If You’ve a Taste for Murder | |
6 | Cheatwell Games 6. Cheatwell Games – Host Your Own Murder Mystery – The Porthole Affair | | Murder at Sea | |
7 | Murder Mystery Flexi Party 7. Murder Mystery Flexi Party – Murder at the Disco | | Death on the Dancefloor | |
8 | BV Leisure 8. BV Leisure – Murder in the Thirties | | Who Shot Sam Shady? |
Inspector McClue1. Inspector McClue – Death by Chocolate
A Fun-Packed Night of Crime, Clues and Conjecture
Together, you and up to 7 pals must solve the mystery and bring the cold-blooded killer to justice. Anyone over 13 years old can play this murder mystery party game, and with a hilarious script and even a DVD with a sparkling cameo from none other than Michael Winner, this sickly sweet murder evening will be hard to forget!
Talking Tables 2. Talking Tables Host Your Own Murder Mystery Night
Beautiful, Simple and Fun
On top of the standard prompts for each character, there are also awards for the best detective, best costume and best acting! A thoroughly classy night which can be relived three times as there are three possible outcomes.
Unsolved Case Files3. A Classic Agatha Christie Murder Mystery Dinner Party – A First Class Murder
Who Really Killed Jamie Banks
This is a cold-case from the 1990s that has be re-opened for investigation. Using the evidence from the original case file, find out who really killed Jamie Banks. A unique point of this game is you must visit an online page to prove you've really cracked it; and if not, you keep investigating without spoiling the answer.
This game isn't scripted and can be played as an individual, to couples, groups up to whole parties! Work together or alone to solve the mystery and find out once and for all whether you're as good as those TV detectives!
Ace Murder Mystery Parties 4. Ace Murder Mystery Parties – A Case of Treasure and Treachery
Detailed Game With a Pirate Twist
The game is appropriate for anyone over 14, and has a fixed script so everyone can follow the plot easily. There’s a CD too, to help bring some cohesion to the evening, and the pirate motif makes a great change from the standard Agatha Christie style we know and love.
Culinario Mortale 5. Culinario Mortale – Recipe for Death
If You’ve a Taste for Murder
Perfect for between 5 and 7 players, the game provides name badges so everyone can mingle and find out who their fellow guests are and whether or not they consider them guilty of murder. A modern twist on the traditional murder mystery role-playing game.
Cheatwell Games6. Cheatwell Games – Host Your Own Murder Mystery – The Porthole Affair
Murder at Sea
Suitable for anyone over sixteen, the box includes detailed character descriptions, costume suggestions and a fully fleshed-out script. It can’t be reused but does have a CD packed with atmosphere-enhancing music and clues to keep your guests guessing.
Murder Mystery Flexi Party 7. Murder Mystery Flexi Party – Murder at the Disco
Death on the Dancefloor
Each character has a list of vital facts which help others to solve the mystery without simply guessing, and everyone is free to improvise around the theme as they chat to other guests. There is no CD or DVD, but there is an optional virtual reality scene accessible through the mobile app which can bring the story to life for those who fancy it.
Who Shot Sam Shady?
This scripted mystery is packed with lighthearted humour, from the silly names (pet shop owner Al DaBone being a standout example) to the ridiculous alibis each character offers.. The game is only suitable for those aged 18 and over and can’t be used again, but does come with a CD of clues and music to help the evening go with a swing.
Things Are About to Get Dicey
Do you find that you have nothing to do but watch the same TV shows on a Saturday evening? Well, we have just the remedy to get you out of that rut! We have a selection of fabulously fun and slightly cheeky games for you to play or fight over with your family; take a look.
Summary
From laid-back parties to intense feats of acting, from games with scripts to ones where you’re free to improvise, there’s something for everyone on our list. All that’s left to do is don your costume, get into character and prepare for an evening of laughter, lies and tracking down who on Earth dunnit!
Author: Annie Hopkins
Top 5 Murder Mystery Games
No. 1: Inspector McClue｜1. Inspector McClue – Death by Chocolate
No. 2: Talking Tables ｜2. Talking Tables Host Your Own Murder Mystery Night
No. 3: Unsolved Case Files｜3. A Classic Agatha Christie Murder Mystery Dinner Party – A First Class Murder
No. 4: Ace Murder Mystery Parties ｜4. Ace Murder Mystery Parties – A Case of Treasure and Treachery
No. 5: Culinario Mortale ｜5. Culinario Mortale – Recipe for Death
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