Game difficulty
Intermediate
Costume suggestions
Flapper dresses, mobster attire, and classic 1920s styles to play flappers, mobsters, and bar men!
Time to play
1.5-2.5 hours
Game play
Detective style freeform game where the host can play along
Plot
1920s Gangster Gunman Murder Mystery Introduction To The Theme
It is the 1920s, and New York is bursting to the brim full of gangsters, mobs, and mafia. The city is no stranger to violence, so no one was that surprised when a body was found in the alley behind the Monroe Speakeasy. The victim was later identified as Bonnie Powell, and she had been stabbed several times.
The Monroe Speakeasy was full of patrons on the night of the murder, including flappers, gangsters, mobsters, and some supposedly ordinary civilians. They could not call the police, as the speakeasy would be shut down, leading to each of the suspects in attendance becoming responsible for identifying Bonnie’s killer and avenging her death.
Bonnie was found in the alley behind the Monroe Speakeasy and the general store. Found by her body was an order slip with the number ‘1679’, a file folder with “B.P” written on it, a knife, and a broken watch.
It is up to you to find out who killed Bonnie Powel: and all of you are suspects. It could be any of the ten of you, and remember, no one knows who the killer is, not even the killer themself. It is now time for you to begin questioning in order to find out who had the motive, means, and opportunity to kill Bonnie Powel.
Good luck.
Sample Characters (Actual Characters Will Vary Based on Number/Gender of Players)
Betsy is very secretive about her personal life, and she is the owner of the general store in town. The store is very busy, and Betsy enjoys it. A lot of Betsy’s customers are involved in the city’s underground criminal organizations, and there are rumors that Betsy is involved herself. She actively denies these rumors, but some people wonder if her general store is simply a cover.
Robert is the leader of the mafia, and he is extremely cruel and heartless. He is not one to give second chances, and he isn’t afraid to be violent. Robert is feared throughout the city, and he is well-known for having had four wives die under mysterious circumstances. Robert has the police wrapped around his finger and has managed to keep himself and the mafia under-the-radar, but there are many rumors that Robert is responsible. After all, Robert is no stranger to murder, as he and his mafia are some of the most ruthless men in New York.
Donald is Robert Jones’s sidekick, and he is a lower-ranking member of the mafia. He is a large man who is not afraid to get his hands dirty, and he is the most aggressive and brutal member of the mafia. Donald has been known to use uncommon and inhumane forms of torture on his victims, but he always manages to get the job done and has become widely feared in the process.
Lucille is a young woman who works at Betsy’s general store. She mostly works the night shift, and it is an enjoyable job. She is still pretty new to the city and is still getting accustomed, but it is nice to meet so many interesting people. Lucille uses her looks and charm to get what she wants, and she can be rather manipulative… which is a pretty useful skill given the chaos of the city.
Frank is the leader of the Daybreakers, a gang based in the city. He is very wealthy and charming, and he always has a parade of suitors with him wherever he goes. Despite being an active participant in violent crime, Frank takes no responsibility for his actions. He uses his position of power to his advantage, and as a result, he gets away with a lot of questionable things.
Helen is a very mysterious woman, and not much is known about her personal life. She spends a lot of time with Frank, but that is all that people know about her. Helen likes the sense of mystery, and she thinks it is better for people to not know her background. After all, Helen has some pretty disturbing secrets, and she doesn’t trust anyone to keep them.
What's in the Digital/Printable 1920s Gangster Gunman Murder Mystery Kit
Everything you need to host an unforgettable murder mystery party
Host Guide
Complete instructions for hosting the perfect 1980s Roller Rink murder mystery party
Introduction
Set the scene with our engaging story introduction
Character Packets
Detailed character backgrounds and secrets for each guest
Name Tags
Printable name tags for all characters
Voting Forms
Let guests cast their votes for the culprit
Confession
The dramatic reveal of the murderer's confession
Autopsy Report
Forensic details to help solve the mystery
Extras
Bonus materials including invitations and decorations
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