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Halloween Murder Mystery Party
Halloween is the easiest night of the year to host a murder mystery. Guests already expect to dress up, the mood is already dark, and nobody needs convincing to act suspicious. The hard part is usually the kit: printing forty pages, stuffing envelopes, and reading rules aloud while everyone waits.
Sleuth Night does that part for you. You set the party up in two minutes, each guest gets a private link with their character, and on the night you run three rounds from your phone while the TV shows the clues.
Recommended mystery
Murder at Blackwood Manor
1980s · 6–14 players · about 2 hours
Murder at Blackwood Manor is built for Halloween: a storm, a séance, a family will, and a body in the library. Costumes are “black tie or black anything”, so guests who arrive in whatever they own still look right.
Read the full mystery page- ✓ 14 characters, choose 6–14 on the night
- ✓ Each guest gets a private link: character, secret, objectives
- ✓ Host runs three rounds from a phone; TV shows the clues
- ✓ Everyone votes on their phone; reveal on the screen
- ✓ Print view included as a backup
What the night looks like
Guests arrive at Blackwood Manor on Halloween 1989 for a séance that is supposed to settle a disputed will. Before the candles are lit, the host of the séance is found dead. Every guest is a family member, servant or hanger-on with a reason to want that will changed.
Round one is introductions and alibis. Round two brings the first clues to the TV screen and gives every character something new to hide or hunt. Round three is accusations. Then everyone votes on their phone, and the reveal plays out on the screen.
It runs about two hours with food. Fourteen characters, and the mystery still solves if only the six core characters are present, so a couple of no-shows do not break it.
Tips for a halloween murder mystery
Light it like a séance
Candles and one lamp. Overhead lights kill the mood faster than a bad costume. The Party Pack has a décor checklist for this mystery, including a “servants’ passage” sign for a cupboard door.
Send the links two days early
Guests read their bio and secret before they arrive, so they show up in character. The link works on any phone with no app to install.
Put the clues on the TV
Open the screen link on your TV or laptop. When you advance a round, the clue appears for the whole room. It replaces the host reading from a sheet.
Photos before the reveal
Costumes are best while everyone is still a suspect. Do a group photo at the end of round three, then vote.
Questions hosts ask
How many people can play the Halloween mystery?
Murder at Blackwood Manor works for 6 to 14 players. You set the player count when you set up, and you can change it on the night.
Is it scary or gory?
It is a gothic whodunit, not a horror game. There is a dead body, a séance and a storm, but no gore. Adults and older teens are the audience.
Do we need to print anything?
No. Characters, secrets, clues and the vote are all on phones and the TV screen. A print view is included if you want a paper backup.
What does it cost?
Setting up is free. You pay $29 once, when you press Start on the night, and you can host the same mystery again for free.
Read next
Other occasions: Christmas, Birthday, Bachelorette, Team building, Zoom / virtual, Teens, Work Christmas, Dinner, Adults
Set up your halloween party, free.
Two minutes to set up. Pay $29 once, when you press Start.
Set up a party, free