There are overdone party themes, and there are Murder Mystery dinner parties.
Far from tedious and gimmicky, attendees aren’t required to prepare for months in advance. Designed instead for overly meticulous and detail-orientated hosts, partygoers are merely required to don their best frocks and prepare for a dramatic evening filled with murder, mystery and mayhem.
If, like us, you’ve been glued to the screen watching Season 2 of BBC One’s The Traitors – you might just have more of a taste for murder mystery than ever before.
While the vast majority of us don’t have access to a Saltburn-like gothic mansion within which to plan epic masquerades and fortnight-long parties, that’s not to say we can’t attempt to recreate the aesthetic from the comfort of our own humble abodes.
The narrative routes you can go down as a host are surprisingly wide-ranging. From a miniature game of The Traitors through which you can take on Claudia Winkleman’s iconic and rather hilarious presenter role, to a Poirot-esque whodunnit in which one guest acts as the lead detective among an ensemble of quirky suspects, the potential dramatic roles to take on are endless. Likewise, a real-life game of Cluedo in which each guest dresses up as one of the iconic characters would make for a night to remember.
No matter the scale of the event you have in mind, we’ve got you covered with some Murder Mystery dinner party essentials. Keep scrolling to get a clue.
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4 TruGlow® Black Dripping Wax LED Taper Candles With Remote Control
Dramatic candles are a must for any murder mystery-themed dinner party. But with loud and semi-violent accusations inevitable, it’s probably not a good idea to have open flames on the dining table. These brilliant, incredibly realistic LED taper candles by Lights4Fun feature faux wax drippings and can even be controlled with a remote. That means you can turn out all the lights for dramatic effect when the game begins. Pop them into empty wine bottles if you don't happen to have a candelabra to hand.
Buy now £34.99, Lights4Fun
A Little Party Never Killed Nobody Neon Sign
Looking to go all out for your Murder Mystery extravaganza? Though on the pricier side, this neon sign will tie the entire room together. A phrase often associated with the Roaring 20s, the attractive, Tracy Emin-style piece of décor offers a contemporary twist on a vintage party theme.
Buy now £151.81, Etsy
Fake Blood Pill
For those looking to take dramatics to new levels, we highly recommend using fake blood capsules. Simulate a shocking murder by having one of your guests secretly bite down on a capsule and watch the fun and games unfold.
Buy now £4.16, Amazon
Rubber Knife
No simulated murder mystery is complete without a fake murder weapon. Candlesticks and lead pipes aside, an essential addition to the prop box is this eerie Mike Myers-style rubber knife.
Buy now £12.97, Amazon
Venchi Chocolate Cigars
While your guests sit back, relax and investigate the faux murder afoot, why not elevate the atmosphere with these sumptuous chocolate cigars by Venchi? Available in a variety of flavours, we recommend stacking a selection next to a dramatically decanted bottle of red wine.
Buy now £9.50, Venchi
Cluedo
If you’re not in the mood to invent your own murder mystery narrative, stick to a reliable classic. An intimate Cluedo-themed party would do well to take place over – well, an official game of Cluedo.
Buy now £26.99, Amazon
Baroque Spiral Notebook
When murder is afoot, clues must be gathered. What better vessel to collect your thoughts and musings than this delightfully morose baroque notebook?
Buy now £12.50, Etsy
Deer Stalker Cap Gold Rim Magnifier & Glasses
For those who don’t fancy dressing up as Colonel Mustard or Miss Scarlet, donning a Sherlock Holmes ensemble will certainly do the trick. This value-for-money three-piece set comes with a classic deer stalker cap, magnifying glass and a pair of gold-rimmed spectacles.
Buy now £14.99, Amazon
CSI Crime Scene Number Markers
Pop these brilliant crime scene markers across the party floor and next to conspicuous clues – such as blood splatters, fallen candlesticks, and chalk body outlines.
Buy now £4.89, Amazon
12 Photo Booth Signs for a Murder Mystery Party
Whether you’ve budgeted for an official, rented photo booth or are keen to capture the memories yourself, these Murder Mystery-themed photo cards will elevate the snapshots by providing tongue-in-cheek humour and a tinge of vintage glamour.
Buy now £4.99, Etsy
Movie Prop Detective Investigation Cosplay Files / 3 x Display Report Folder Set
Any decent lead detective should carry round a bustling case file filled to the brim with clues, evidence and all their deepest, darkest suspicions.
Buy now £19.85, Etsy