Murder in Manhattan

$49.95

(126 customer reviews)

Add intrigue to your next party with this murder mystery game, set at a Manhattan cocktail party.

Format:
Mystery Party Kit
Setting:
New York cocktail party
Time:
90+ minutes
Ages:
Adult
Players:
10-25 (Standard Game)
26-100+ (Expanded Game)
Gossip, treachery & murder at an upscale NYC party…

Backstory

You and your guests have been invited to the anniversary bash of Mr. Francis Fisk, a noted businessman. The attendees include a number of Fisk’s high-society friends, family members, and business associates. These high society sophisticates live in a world of intrigue, gossip, treachery and endless jockeying for social superiority.

Murder!

Things take a turn for the deadly when a rolling blackout provides someone with the opportunity to advance their social agenda in a more brutally direct fashion than most of the guests are familiar with. When the lights come back on, a grisly crime is discovered!

Solving the Mystery

Reputations are at stake and no one at the party wants to risk the scandal of press and police involvement. Now the guests must work together to sift through the evidence and identify the killer in their midst!

Customer Images

126 reviews for Murder in Manhattan

  1. Kyna Wilson


    Headline : My guest feedback was amazing!

    Nickname : Kyna Wilson

    Menu Highlights : Dollar tree has all sorts of mini serving-ware and we took full advantage. Meatballs with mini forks played on mini plates, we cut a premade cheesecake in birdied pieces and our college and a Ferrero Rochelle on top of each, we cut bite sized pieces of grilled cheese sandwiches and put on food picks as a garnish on top a mini bowl of tomato soup, and had fruit trays and self serve virgin mint mojitos all night long.

    Theme Highlights : We set the mood by covering all windows with shades and photography backdrop murals of the city. We covered our dining room chairs with chair covers and satin sashes and set a formal table with items from the dollar store. We borrowed a valet coat rock to place at the entrance along with empty hangers and a few prop fur coats. The NY marquee signs on the piano were a hit, and we made sure all the food we bug was served bite sized on platters offered all night long in the hands of the catering staff. And lots and lots of battery powered candles scattered everywhere both set the theme AND were perfect for the blackout. I projected the scream/thud of the murder over our loudest speaker when the lights went out and it was epic. Guests sincerely gasped, lol, as if they weren’t expecting it.


    The various phases made the night so fun. Mingle phase, lights out phase, scavenger hunt, fact reveals, arguments, then voting. As one would expect, it took guests time to sink into their roles and feel comfortable but once everyone did, it all played out so nicely! At the end we broke character and just sat and laughed about the highlights for another full hour or more! Our guest list was 16 total and 4 were teenagers.

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  2. sarah.koller16


    Headline : Huge Success!

    Nickname : Taylor Walker

    Menu Highlights : Steak and buratta crostinis, stuffed mushrooms, shrimp skewers, caprese skewers, crispy patatas bravas, assorted cheeses, and popcorn.


    I hosted my first Murder Mystery Party with Murder in Manhattan for my birthday and we had a blast! Very easy to run. Everyone came dressed true to character and took their roles seriously. We had one key player that didn’t show but we rolled with it. Would definitely recommend this game to others. I’m going to try it out with my coworkers as well. Please be sure to read the entire manual before to help with efficient party planning!

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  3. E Morg


    Headline : Too complicated

    Nickname : E Morg


    I picked this mystery because it said it was appropriate for teens. This was way too complicated and involved for the group of 16-17 y/o’s we had envisioned this for.

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  4. Kathryn


    Headline : Our first Murder Mystery event was a HUGE success!

    Nickname : Kathryn

    Menu Highlights : We wanted to serve heavy hors d'oeuvres to encourage mingling. We served black forest ham & swiss sliders, cranberry orange meatballs, chicken salad on naan bites, caprese salad skewers, vegetable crudite. For dessert we served strawberry shortcake skewers and chocolate & PB truffles. We served cranberry ginger beer mocktails and had sparkling cider.

    Theme Highlights : We used our formal dining room and living room/study for the event. We had 12 people attended so the space was completely sufficient. We purchased two large vinyl backdrops to place outside over two large windows in the party rooms to set the scene of a penthouse in New York. We used low lighting and had a lot of candles throughout. We had smooth jazz New York style music playing in the background throughout the party.


    It was our very first attempt of hosting a murder mystery dinner. And only one of our guests had ever attended a murder mystery event ever. We had high expectations and Murder in Manhattan didn’t disappoint! The guide covered everything and was very easy to follow. We look forward to hosting another one soon and will return to this site for our next selection!

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  5. Lx3


    Headline : A Party to Die For!

    Nickname : Lx3

    Menu Highlights : Lamb Skewers Arancini Chianti Prosciutto & Melon Cannoli

    Theme Highlights : Wax Envelopes, all the candles, italian music, bloodied evidence


    Everyone had such a great time. Party of 14 ages 7-70 and everyone showed up dressed to impress and in character! I wish there was a way for the host to assume more of an active role in the mystery, but I still had an amazing time watching the story unfold infront of me! Definitely want to do it again!

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  6. Hellohello


    Headline : Halloween party

    Nickname : Hellohello


    This party was super fun. I have never run a murder mystery party before (though I’ve participated in them), and don’t find myself to be particularly gifted in this arena, but even I could run this party with ease. It was a ton of fun for my guests, and people has a great time getting into character. It was also a great way to break the ice for a group of people that didn’t all know each other. So fun!

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  7. Alina


    Headline : A Unique Birthday Party!

    Nickname : Alina


    I hosted Murder in Manhattan for my birthday this year because I wanted to get my friends together for something different and had always wanted to throw a murder mystery party. Everything went so smoothly and I was surprised that everyone got really into it. I set the game up kind of like an escape room to add some more dimensions to it. It was challenging but not too difficult and everyone had a great time going through the clues to figure out the culprit!

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  8. Mark Z.


    Headline : Awesome experience!

    Nickname : Mark Z.

    Menu Highlights : Brisket, potato salad, and nachos. We also had a cake made with a knife going down the center.

    Theme Highlights : We rented a hall located inside a 100 year old building to set the mood. We decorated with police tape, old candles and murder mystery books as center pieces.


    15th Birthday Celebration

    Awesome outcome. We purchased the Murder in Manhattan and made it a costume party as well. The party goers were excited and out going for the mystery and it made the dance afterwards even better. Thank you Playing with Murder!

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  9. JT


    Headline : A celebration to remember!

    Nickname : JT

    Menu Highlights : A night of sushi and Taco Bell haha

    Theme Highlights : We stuck to black and gold, added wax seals to all the invites, and set the mood with string lights and candles.


    Murder in Manhattan was a great way to celebrate my 25th birthday with friends! A murder mystery has been long talked about and everyone went all out for this first experience. Looking forward to another very soon!

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  10. MurderMysteryMom


    Headline : A 21st birthday hit!

    Nickname : MurderMysteryMom

    Menu Highlights : We did finger foods during act 1 and birthday cupcakes and sparkling cider during act 2.

    Theme Highlights : We decorated in black and gold. We had a photo booth where we used black tablecloths and gold streamers. We had ambiance music playing in the background.


    Murder in Manhattan was our daughter’s 21st birthday party. It took a little prep ahead of time but the kit made everything so easy! The kids came dressed for the part and it was so fun watching them in character all evening! They had a great time learning about all the other characters and trying to figure out who the killer is!

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  11. MurderMom


    Headline : Whodunnit!

    Nickname : MurderMom

    Menu Highlights : We served finger foods for the first act and cupcakes during act 2.

    Theme Highlights : We decorated in black and gold. We used black table cloths and gold confetti with candles in the middle for the blackout scene.


    Murder in Manhattan was a success! It was my daughters 21st birthday and we celebrated with about 20 of her friends at college. The kit made it so easy! The prep work ahead of time made the evening go so smoothly! The kids came dressed for their part. It was so much fun watching them in character all evening!

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  12. PinkPartyPanda


    Headline : DINNER WITH A SIDE OF SECRETS

    Nickname : PinkPartyPanda

    Menu Highlights : Tri-tip dinner with a sweet salad and rolls. Red wine, Jack and coke, and non alcoholic sangria to drink.

    Theme Highlights : Plenty of candles around the room as well as flashlights. Very high fashion attendees. Played New York Bar Jazz playlist on Spotify.


    We had a reunion of friends and played out Murder in Manhattan. It was a blast and easy to follow. The scavenger hunt had everyone running around but unfortunately the killer got away!!

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  13. Heather R


    Headline : Murder in Manhattan: A bloody success

    Nickname : Heather R

    Menu Highlights : We made Manhattan cocktails of course!


    This was the second party kit I purchased from Playing with Murder and it was another hit. The info package may seem overwhelming at first but it really isn’t too complicated. The characters have great back stories that my friends loved and got really into. I would love if the character info and other info that I needed to print was in smaller font and easier to print double sided – I used a lot of paper and usually try to reduce my paper consumption. Other than, that I love these kits and would certainly recommend!

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  14. Kristian Keller


    Headline : High Work but Even Higher Reward! 10/10 recommend.

    Nickname : Kristian Keller

    Menu Highlights : We served food in two courses. I created an extra "role" the chef Helga von Schumann to coordinate the caterers and the food. Our first course was appetizers including mini quiches, teriyaki meatballs, and garnished cheese and crackers. Our next course was dessert where the servers brought out some chocolate cake with whipped cream and berries on the side.

    Theme Highlights : We used a navy blue and silver color scheme for the party. Our goal was elegant but not heavy handed. We used blue and silver streamers, table clothes, and balloons (Including a half balloon arch made by one of my guests who knows how to make balloon arches). We accented this with silverware and silver platters for the servers as well as navy blue napkins for the desserts.


    I hosted this party because my friends and I have always wanted to experience a murder mystery party. And let me tell you this did not disappoint. I ended up hosting the game with all of the characters in play which worked much better than I was expecting. All of the characters had compelling and interesting motivations and things to do. I would definitely recommend this for anyone looking for a higher level of murder mystery party experience. It took a lot more work on the part of the host and guests then any other product I have encountered, but all of that work paid off in making an unforgettable experience.

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  15. Rachel H.


    Headline : Great fun for adults!

    Nickname : Rachel H.

    Menu Highlights : Finger foods And appetizers. Crostini, cause skewers, cheese and crackers plates, wine, mini pastries


    We did Murder in Manhattan as a party for my husband’s 39th birthday over the summer. It was perfect for playing out on our patio, since we were concerned about having people inside due to Covid. There were 9 of us and we had a fantastic time! Our guests really got into character! The party kit was very simple to use, and included character descriptions, prompts, clues and audio clips, Which really gave the party the extra fun touches. We plan on doing more of these mystery parties in the future!

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  16. Nin


    Headline : It brought us together as one team with one goal

    Nickname : Nin

    Menu Highlights : We had canapes with a cheese and biltong platter for everyone to snack one between scenes

    Theme Highlights : We prepacked and prepared props for each person to get into character since it was a surprise event


    As part of our year end function we had a surprise murder in manhattan mystery event. The event encouraged all staff members to communicate with each other to try and solve the murder and to get to know each character. It was a great end of the year team building and communication exercise and we look forward to hosting the next one!

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  17. EG


    Headline : Great night had by all, only a few suggestions!

    Nickname : EG


    All in all, a great night was had for our Murder in Manhattan party. A lot of guests commented that they had been to other Murder Mystery parties before, but none had been this organized. There is a lot of work to go into planning this one out and you do need to take a few hours to read the story and the character backgrounds of all playing. Some guests will have studied their sheets, but others who want to drink and relax will come to you with questions on their character, so you need to know all backgrounds pretty deeply.

    Prep is key! The materials had everything needed, but I did find it a bit difficult to locate specific character sheets, and key story data in the long 170 page PDF. What would be helpful would be to have the pdf titled with sections on the left hand side in your PDF viewer that you can quickly click to when you need to locate something. I also think that a great document to include would be a summarized story for the Party Host on the backgrounds and motive for the killer to easier understand the arching story. I had to flip through the killers character sheets and few other spots within the PDF to actually piece together why the killer killed so that I could make it feasible for the guests at the end of the night. Make sure that everyone is pretty quiet when the lights go out! A few people gasped right away and started screaming and they could not hear the audio file for the murder. Best to play it on a good speaker, not your phone or computer. People immediately wanted to talk and ham up their character reaction during this part. I also found that the dead body clue is a bit redundant so feel free to leave that one out of the scavenger hunt. Guests are searching for things to give them more information, but at this point they have already seen the real dead body during the murder, so a few guests were confused that the dead body clue token did not have more information.

    A few things I would do next time is prepare a real locked cellphone with notes in it on the 4 clues, a real file folder with the files inside, and perhaps a plastic play knife with blood on it. Guests REALLY got into this part and while the paper tokens were helpful, it was hard to pretend they were a real item with information on them. You could even go as far as to pre record Jo’s camera footage and play it for all the guests! So many ways to be creative with this one, and everyone really enjoyed it.

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  18. Anne


    Headline : Fancy & Fun!

    Nickname : Anne


    Murder in Manhattan was an absolute blast. Guests loved the opportunity to dress extra fancy and have drinks at their beck & call. Overall the game was easy to conduct and by the end of the night, multiple people were guessed as murderers which was fun!

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  19. Mrs. Lundy


    Headline : Last day of school murder!

    Nickname : Mrs. Lundy

    Menu Highlights : cupcakes, fruit punch, and individual bags of chips


    I used the party as a last day of school activity for my 7th graders. We were able to complete it in a 90-minute block. The kids had a blast!

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  20. Laura D


    Headline : Sweet Sixteen Murder Mystery Was a Hit!

    Nickname : Laura D

    Menu Highlights : Fun finger food, set up a "bar" with "bartender" as per the script, catered pasta and salad for main meal served buffet style, and dessert birthday cake was white frosted and red velvet so when you cut in...murderous red is revealed!

    Theme Highlights : We had it in our home with a large window in the living room--pulled down the shade and voila--movie screen. So we projected film noir all night long. Also had black and white movie running on downstairs TV where we put up a backdrop for photos with paper props for posing. Dim lighting and little candles on window sill plus little lights strung out everywhere. Created different areas for eating, lounging both indoors and out. Outside we had chairs, fire pit, ping pong table. Everyone could mingle and have plenty of secret side conversations. Kids all came in costume. My younger son, husband and I dressed with white shirts and black aprons. We were the hired help "hosts" so daughter could play a role and she got an awesome red sequined dress online for cheap--the key to this party was PLANNING. So much in advance that I got most stuff on the cheap which made it all the better :) Best bit: drawing a chalk body on kitchen floor. We had JUST replaced it with slate tile so it was perfect.


    Pre-Covid, forgot to post a review for our daughter’s sweet sixteen–we did this murder mystery and it was off the charts fun. She is in a theater arts program and that made up guest list–about 18 or so. I have done quite a few murder mysteries over the years. The one really worked well. We decorated to the hilt, getting creative wherever possible. The story is terrific though–and only 3 people guess correctly at the end. People were engaged and enjoying all of it. Very adaptable to any setting.

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  21. Tbrewt10


    Headline : The Best Time Every

    Nickname : Tbrewt10

    Menu Highlights : Served finger foods, i.e. chicken, meatballs, chips and dip, shrimp cocktail, chicken cheese dip, etc Made a batch of rum punch cocktail to make serving drinks much easier

    Theme Highlights : I did not have the 2 week lead way, I did it in 48 hours. Very doable. sent the information to print, separated into packets and when guest arrived had a packet with their character name on it. Made a VIP list and sent a text in advance stating if they were not on the VIP list they could not get in. They gave their character name at the door and we had a VIP list on clip board, just to enhance the excitement of the "penthouse cocktail party" Decorated with VIP signs and other appropriate decorations. did not have to use a lot


    Birthday party for my son hosted at our home. We did Murder in Manhattan, everyone loved it. people were really in their character, we adlibbed a bit to make it more personalized. The special effects included in the packet were very helpful

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  22. CCB


    Headline : Engaging for every character!

    Nickname : CCB

    Menu Highlights : We served appetizers with a New York twist- reuben, pizza, mini hot dogs, etc.

    Theme Highlights : A pillar candle with the Manhattan skyline on each table on an upended wine glass ( see photo) with an apple ornament. (The candles were battery operated from discount store)


    This mystery was the theme for my 60th birthday party five years ago. It was a great success. I am glad the theme has held up over the years!
    Searching for a new party for this holiday I decided to share my review and photos.

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  23. Taylor Walker


    Headline : Murder at a 50th birthday

    Nickname : Taylor Walker


    Great way to celebrate turning 50 – a fun and silly night for all. Easy to follow and we were even able to involve kids who did really well too.

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  24. Gemma


    Headline : Eager to try another theme!!

    Nickname : Gemma

    Menu Highlights : We did mostly finger foods: sandwiches, quiches, cakes etc. Lots of red wine and champagne!

    Theme Highlights : The setting is very simple so I did minimal, nice paper decorations, lots of candles and posh glasses.


    Fab evening with the game Murder in Manhattan! I live in Paris so I had to translate the whole game (Google translate did the trick,) and customize/remake all of the printable material. The pack made this very easy to do and as a newbie I found the instructions simple to follow and organise. We had a wonderful evening and the guests loved it! The murderer got away scot-free, little bugger!

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  25. ecrawford


    Headline : Great for a family event!

    Nickname : ecrawford

    Menu Highlights : cocktail style finger-foods (shrimp, mini sandwiches, etc)

    Theme Highlights : Costumes and props!


    My family was all together for Christmas last year. I handed out their character sheets as gifts for everyone, and they were all so shocked and excited! A couple of days later, everyone showed up with props and costumes. We had a blast!

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  26. megroz36


    Headline : A great success

    Nickname : megroz36

    Menu Highlights : I made a ton of finger foods-think charcuterie. Lots of meat, cheese, fruit and veggies. We made lemon drop martinis and gin martinis.

    Theme Highlights : Silver and gold theme with lots of fairy lights


    We had this murder mystery party just because. Our friends really got into their characters and went all out with their outfits and acting. We had an absolute blast. The information they “knew” about other characters made the game so much fun. My guests really enjoyed spilling secrets about other people while trying to keep their own on the down-low. They surprised me by really getting into hunting for evidence and making accusations. Our ages ranged from 23-45. Part of what made this party a success was that I matched my guests’ personalities to the characters. They didn’t have to do anything they weren’t comfortable with and were able to lean into their character a little more. The highlight of the evening was all of the funny conversations that could be heard between characters. It was a wonderful evening.

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  27. Charlotte


    Headline : Murder in Manhattan

    Nickname : Charlotte


    I highly recommend purchasing Murder in Manhattan! I hosted a murder mystery party for my birthday this year, and it was an unforgettable experience. All of my friends dressed up as New York elite. If you purchase this, I recommend going all out with decorations and props. It makes the evening feel more “real.” I purchased a mugshot photo backdrop, so my friends and I took “mugshots” in front of it to create a suspect board. It’s fun to get into character, and I would definitely purchase another kit in the future.

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  28. Dutchman in Tennessee


    Headline : The most fun we have had with family in a long tim

    Nickname : Dutchman in Tennessee


    We had a family (14) 70th birthday party for my wife.
    We used the Manhattan Murder Mystery dinner party and loved it
    It was well worth the money, we purchased the full version and was glad we did.
    The package of materials was a download, it was was well done and very thorough. There was a lot to print, so that will be an extra expense for paper and ink.
    We did a lot with decorations to make our open floor plan look like a Manhattan suite.
    Everyone had a blast, they dressed the part and played their characters well.
    It was a lot of work to pull off, but the memories will last forever.

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  29. Brame versus brains


    Headline : Brains and beauty

    Nickname : Brame versus brains


    My party is not until September and I am thankful I have all of this planning time. There will be 16 family members together for 4 days so we will have time for the excitement to build.

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  30. Yeast Witch


    Headline : CANCELLED due to Covid-19

    Nickname : Yeast Witch


    Sorry, we had to cancel our event due to the Covid-19 crisis. Hope to reschedule.

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There are 25 primary suspects in this mystery, however only 10 are required to play the game. The host or hostess will play the role of Taylor Walker, the head caterer. Read the "How To Play" section for more information on how to play an expanded game with more than 25 guests.


* = Optional character


Male Roles


  • *Alexei Siranov - Security: Doorman at Fisk’s building and security for the party, Alexei is in charge of making sure none of the lower classes get into the celebration.

  • Chester Fisk - Playboy: The debauchery and indulgence of the life of the upper class run hand in hand with this well-known playboy, younger brother of Jonathon and Francis. He owns the Castle, a hotel known for ruining the reputations of many celebrities and socialites.

  • *David Kreig - Author: David published a biting satire on Upper East Side personalities—recently at the tope of the New York Times bestseller list—which everyone suspects is based on actual socialites.

  • Francis Fisk - Real Estate Tycoon: This party is being thrown by Francis in celebration of his company’s twenty-five years of success in real estate. He is very well known and always throws the most elegant parties.

  • *Grayson Kreig - Rock Star: A one-hit wonder, Grayson was once part of the band Eagle’s Rose, which has long since broken up.

  • *Isaac Corrington - Retired Senator: Although retired from government life, Isaac is the head of the politically active Corrington family. Easily the king of the Upper East Side socialites, Isaac has played the social and political scene for years.

  • *Jesse Corrington - Journalist: Editor of a biting online gossip site, Jesse is known for only publishing verifiable rumors. He comes from one of the most powerful families on the Upper East Side.

  • Jonathon Fisk - Outcast: Jonathon runs Fisk Enterprises in Australia and has been invited back to New York for his brother’s big celebration. Rumor says he left due to some scandal that was covered up.

  • Richard den Waldern - Philanthropist: A young but prominent philanthropist, he is known for giving generously to children’s charities around the country. He was recently in Florida on vacation.

  • *Sam Lily - Lawyer: Sam is an entertainment lawyer known for his famous clients and sharp sense of humor.

  • Zachary Wellington - Architect: A board member of Fisk Enterprises from Chicago, he is attending the event with his daughter Candice.

Female Roles


  • *Ashley LeBois - Editor: Up-and-coming queen of the younger generation, Ashley is the editor of Runway, a popular fashion magazine. She rules the younger generation with well-timed rumors and vicious social takedowns.

  • Candice Wellington - New Girl: Candice is both Zachary’s daughter and his assistant. This is her first time in New York.

  • *Davana Gudriov - Housekeeper: Ashley’s maid and housekeeper, Davana has been looking out for Ashley since she was a little girl.

  • *Francine (Frank) Rose - Debutante: A cousin of the den Walderns from Florida, Frank recently arrived in New York and is making her debut among the upper class.

  • *Gwen Kreig - Rising Star: New to the social scene, Gwen is a fashion designer with cutting-edge style and swift social-climbing ambitions.

  • *Helen LeBois - Designer: Helen owns and designs her own line of haute couture fashion, catering only to the rich and fabulous.

  • Irene den Waldern - Party Planner: Irene runs a very successful public relations firm that caters to the Upper East Side and numerous celebrities and socialites. She is throwing this party for Francis.

  • Jo Chase - Filmmaker: New to the scene, Jo makes documentaries and is filming the party for a new documentary.

  • *Mercy Neist - Scheming Socialite: A well-known socialite, Mercy mysteriously left New York a few years ago and has only just returned from traveling abroad. She is a troublemaker and a schemer who used to give Ashley a run for her money.

  • Rose den Waldern - Queen: Queen bee of the older socialites, Rose rules the Upper East Side with an iron fist inside a silken glove.

Male or Female Roles


  • *Callaway Lee - Bartender: Callaway was hired by Irene to be attentive and discreet as well as to keep the drinks flowing.

  • *Jamie Lavigne - Caterer: Jamie was hired by Irene to be attentive and discreet and to make sure the party runs smoothly.

  • *Sydney O’Connor - Caterer: Sydney was hired by Irene to be attentive and discreet and to make sure the party runs smoothly.

  • Taylor Walker - Head Caterer: (Played by the Host/Hostess) Taylor was hired by Irene to be attentive and discreet, as well as to run the staff and make sure the party goes as planned.

  • Jess McIntire - Caterer: (Played by the guest that played the victim in Act One) Jess was hired by Irene to be discreet and bring her any juicy gossip throughout the night.

Extra Players


  • *Investigator (male or female): Additional players have the option of playing the role of "Investigators". In this role the players are not suspects and do not have character backgrounds but can question the suspects and try to solve the mystery along with the other players.

This party kit is a downloadable PDF file that you print at home. It includes the following features:

  • An introduction that explains the basic principles of running a mystery-party and provides specific tips on props, menu items, sound effects, and special tips to help make your party exciting, memorable and easy to run
  • Step-by-step instructions on how to prepare for your party
  • A detailed party guidebook that will walk you through the event in a simple, easy-to-understand format
  • Instructions on how to run the party for a large group
  • Nametags and character sheets for each player – the character sheets include tips on costuming and role-playing, as well special goals and gossip unique to each character
  • Fully customizable invitations, complete with RSVP cards and guest lists
  • Voting sheets
  • Awards for your guests
  • And much more!

With your purchase of Murder in Manhattan you will also receive the following:

  • Step-by-step printing instructions
  • Two mp3 audio effects for use with your party
  • Instructions on how to use these audio clips to best effect

Follow these steps to host this mystery:

  1. Each guest will each assume the role of a particular character

    Mystery Parties involve a combination of improvisational acting, storytelling, and creative problem solving. Each guest will play the part of that character throughout the course of the game. Each character has specific personality traits, goals, secrets, and information, all of which are included in the character sheet; a big part of the fun is getting into character and taking on a new, exciting role.

  2. A mysterious Event will occur

    At some point during the party, an Event will occur that will force the players to come together in order to solve a problem or unravel a mystery. Traditionally, the Event in question will be the murder of one of the characters (as played by a guest), but the parties crafted by Playing With Murder often use this basic framework to accommodate different types of Events, thereby ensuring that your guests will be surprised and entertained (even if they are veteran murder mystery party players).

  3. Solve the mystery!

    Your guests will need to use the information that their characters know (as well as additional clues that are provided during the game) to solve the mystery or overcome the problem posed by the Event. Typically this culminates in the guests voting on the identity of the murderer, but again, different parties will have different specific goals. All of our parties also come complete with additional subgames (treasure hunts, unique character goals and special puzzles) that are guaranteed to keep the action intense and your guests motivated and focused.

Expanded Game For Large Groups

If you have extra players, there are two ways that you can accommodate everyone:

  • Investigator Role – Additional players have the option of playing the role of “Investigators”. In this role the players are not suspects and do not have character backgrounds but can question the suspects and try to solve the mystery along with the other players. Expanded Games include a PDF guide that explains how to use the Investigator role, as well as printable character sheets and name tags for anyone that is playing an Investigator.
  • Multiple Groups – It is also possible to break your guests up into groups and play multiple instances of the game at the same time. The game will more or less happen the same way; the host makes announcements and each group moves their game forward simultaneously based on the host’s instructions. It’s good to have one assistant in each group to answer questions and facilitate gameplay within the group. This method provides a more intimate experience for your guests, who get better acquainted with a smaller group and participate in a more digestible story.

    Please contact us if you’d like more information about how to run your party using the Multiple Groups method.

Both the standard and expanded games are included with the purchase of any game kit.

Read more about Expanded Games here

First time hosting a murder mystery party?

Visit our How to Host a Mystery Party page to get step-by-step instructions on how to prepare for your murder mystery party.

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