Game difficulty
Intermediate-Difficult
Costume suggestions
Get ready for the rodeo with your best pair of jeans and a cowboy hat!
Time to play
1.5-2.5 hours
Game play
Detective style freeform game where the host can play along
Plot
Wild West Murder Mystery Introduction To The Theme
The wild west was a place of opportunity, adventure, and excitement. It was also a place where the laws didn’t exactly apply. Bandits roamed, cowboys rode without a care in the world, and people did what they wanted when they wanted to do it.
Sadie Douglas was a performer at the Showman’s Ranch. People came from all over to see her perform, and she was great at what she did. She could control a horse like no one’s business, and on top of that her personality drew people in. Sadie was a star, and everyone could see it. She made a lot of people a lot of money, but she also had some enemies. There were many people who were jealous of her, many who hated her because of something she did, and many who would love to see her gone.
Sadie was shot four times. She also had a cut across her hand, but it was unknown when or how this injury occurred. She was likely killed just after her first performance in the rodeo show. The Showman’s Ranch had a big event going on, and Sadie was the star of the show. She had three acts lined up, and the first was a wild success-- she showed off her lassoing skills while riding a horse through an obstacle course.
Found next to the body was Sadie’s red lasso, a tube of lipstick, a scrap of gold fabric, and one ticket to the show.
The gun that was used as a murder weapon was later found in the trough that held the pig feed. It was buried at the bottom, and someone clearly meant to keep it hidden. This was no accident-- Sadie had been murdered in cold blood, and the killer needed to be brought to justice.
There were a few suspects who could have killed Sadie, and they decided to come together to solve the murder for themselves. The sheriff was known to be corrupt, and he wasn’t trusted to correctly get justice. It is now up to you to figure out who had the motive, means, and opportunity to murder Sadie Douglas. It could be any one of you and remember, no one knows who did it, not even the killer themself. Good luck!
Sample Characters (Actual Characters Will Vary Based on Number/Gender of Players)
Austin is a cowboy, and he has devoted his life to exploring the wild west. Austin never stays in one place for long and he loves to meet new people and go on adventures. He makes friends wherever he goes and he is very likable. He works odd jobs at the small towns that he stops in and most recently, he has picked up a position at the Showman’s Ranch.
Cash owns a famous horse ranch called Showman’s Ranch. People come from all over to watch his rodeo and he is very well-known. Cash is a great rider and an even better businessman. He has always dreamed of being a star and owning Showman’s Ranch has been a dream come true, although it is not without its many challenges.
Dolores is a cowgirl, and she really loves what she does. She herds cattle with her brother Maverick at the Showman’s Ranch. She and her brother went west when they were kids and they have been inseparable since. They are really close and they do everything together, especially now that they both work together.
Maverick is a cowboy and he works at the Showman’s Ranch. He herds cattle and also does rodeo shows every once in a while. Maverick is handsome and people tend to love him. He brings in good business, and he really likes all the attention. He left home at a young age for the wild west and he hasn’t looked back since.
Ashley is a horse trainer. She helps take care of the horses at Showman’s Ranch and she loves her job. She has always been great with animals and it is almost like she can communicate with them. Horses are her favorite animal and she is really great with them. She helps take care of the cattle too, and she spends most of her time with animals instead of people.
Meadow had always wanted to be a performer at the rodeo, but right now she is just training. Meadow comes from a very traditional farming family and they were really upset when she told them that she wanted to go west. Meadow had to follow her heart so she left, and she has fallen in love with her new life.
What's in the Digital/Printable Wild West Murder Mystery Kit
Everything you need to host an unforgettable murder mystery party
Host Guide
Complete instructions for hosting the perfect wild west 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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