Game difficulty
Difficult
Costume suggestions
Dress up as a famous author or as a character from one of their books!
Time to play
1.5-2.5 hours
Game play
Detective style freeform game where the host can play along
Plot
Book Club Murder Mystery Introduction To The Theme
All of the world’s most prestigious and talented authors, journalists, and writers had been delivered a letter, handwritten in beautiful cursive with nothing more than a date, a time, and a location. On the day of, they were transported from their lives to one that most had never seen before- the future. All were intrigued, and they had no clue how they ended up there.
A beautiful mansion with huge rose bushes lining the front path and with a grandiose fountain framing the front yard stood, its door open. The various authors wandered in, both hesitant and excited. When the last of the guests entered the front door, it violently slammed shut, trapping all of them inside. In the center of the room lay a pile of books, lit on fire. When they investigated closer, all of the authors were stunned to find their own masterpieces being eaten by the flames.
Everybody was shocked and disgusted, yet they were unable to leave. A strange music played in the background, and when the guests all tried searching for a way out, they found something horrifying instead: H.G Wells was hanging in the kitchen, with the words “Crime and bad lives are the measure of a State's failure, all crime in the end is the crime of the community.” pinned to the wall, made up of various letters which had been cut out of newspapers. Next to his body was a box of matches, a scribbled note on the back of a newspaper clipping, a plain silver ring, a magnifying glass covered in blood, and a cracked pair of reading glasses.
Someone who H.G Wells had brought to his mansion had killed him, leaving everyone not only scared for their own lives, but also realizing that they did not know how to get back to their time. It is up to you to find out who had the motive, means, and opportunity to Kill H.G Wells- and remember, it could be any of you. Nobody knows who did it, not even the killer themself. Good luck.
Sample Characters (Actual Characters Will Vary Based on Number/Gender of Players)
As a radical, William Godwin was used to being disliked. He has very strong ideas, and he is determined to make them known- no matter the cost. William does not like to have limits set on himself, both by others and by the government as a whole, and while it has made him unpopular in some circles, William is well respected, and his theories on government and utilitarianism have even gained him some political popularity.
Mary Wollstonecraft is a feminist, and she has been a hearty proponent for women's rights for many years. Her novel, A Vindication on the Rights of Women, has gained national praise- along with national critique. Mary lived a life full of challenges, and she endured many difficult things, yet she was determined to continue to inspire women to incite change, and eventually was successful after launching the global feminist movement.
Mary Shelley is an early science fiction writer, best known for her work, Frankenstein. She is the daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft and William Godwin. She has mainly been educated by her father which has allowed her to be very aware of politics and the world around her. She has a very active mind and she is extremely creative, and she is well liked and is kind to everyone she knows.
F. Scott Fitzgeraldis an author who is very imaginative. He wrote The Great Gatsby, which is a very romantic tale of the 1920s. Fitzgerald has been drifting apart from his wife, Zelda, and he had been having many troubles of his own. He continues to write, but he can never seem to surpass his earlier success.
Agatha Christie is a prominent murder mystery novelist, and she loves the thrill and excitement of murderous plots. However, she never fully expected that she would be living in one of the worlds she created. Agatha had been through a lot, and she even disappeared for a brief time and suffered from amnesia. However, despite this past trauma, she wanted to try to solve the murder, and by using inspiration from her writings, she would be able to solve the crime.
J.D. Sallinger is a writer, and he is most well-known for The Catcher in the Rye. He served in World War 2, and while he does have trauma associated with the experience, J.D. uses it as inspiration for his writing. In recent years he has struggled and has become more isolated from society, and while he has had a really hard time getting over his past, he is still a very likable and personable man.
What's in the Digital/Printable Book Club Murder Mystery Kit
Everything you need to host an unforgettable murder mystery party
Host Guide
Complete instructions for hosting the perfect book club themed mystery
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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