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New Year's Eve Murder Mystery Party

A New Year's Eve murder mystery party gives the evening a shape: everyone arrives as a suspect, three rounds of questions and clues fill the hours before midnight, and the killer is named just before the countdown. Sleuth Night puts the whole game on phones. Each guest gets a private link with their character, the clues show on your TV, and the host plays too.

There is nothing to print and no box to order in the week between Christmas and New Year. Set up free, add your guests, send the links, and pay $29 once, when you press Start Round 1 on the night.

Set up this party, freePay $29 once, when you press Start. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Recommended mystery

Death at the Speakeasy

1920s · 6–16 players · about 2 hours

Death at the Speakeasy is the natural New Year's Eve mystery: a 1920s Chicago bar, sequins and suits, and a room full of people with a drink in hand. It plays 6 to 16. The story is not set on New Year's Eve, but the Roaring Twenties is the party most people already have in mind for it.

Read the full mystery page

✓ 16 characters, choose 6–16 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

Chicago, 1927. Vinnie Marlowe, owner of The Velvet Hour, is found poisoned in his office during a false police raid. The singer, the bootlegger, the cop on the take, the rival club owner: everyone at your party had a reason.

Guests read their character before the party and arrive dressed for the 1920s. Start round one at about half past nine. Each phone shows that round's objectives, the clues come up on the TV, and people corner each other for answers between drinks. Round three is accusations; everyone votes on their phone and the reveal plays on the screen.

Three rounds of 20 to 30 minutes, about two hours of game. Start by 9:30 and the reveal lands around 11:30, which leaves time to refill glasses before midnight.

Tips for a new year's eve murder mystery

Work back from midnight

Two hours of game plus a short break means starting round one by 9:30. Guests arriving at 8:30 gives an hour for drinks, food and costumes first.

One costume line on the invite

"1920s: a hat and something that sparkles." Sequins, pearls, braces and a flat cap are already in most wardrobes on New Year's Eve.

Champagne for the reveal

Hand out the glasses during the vote. The reveal and the toast to the best detective become the run-up to the countdown.

Late cancellations happen

Change the player count on the party page any time before Round 1. The core characters are always in, and the optional ones drop out cleanly.

Questions hosts ask

What is a good murder mystery theme for New Year's Eve?

The 1920s. A speakeasy or Gatsby-style party fits the dress code people already wear on New Year's Eve, and the setting gives everyone a reason to hold a drink. Our 1920s mystery is Death at the Speakeasy, 6 to 16 players.

How do I time a murder mystery before midnight?

Plan about two hours of game: three rounds of 20 to 30 minutes, then the vote and the reveal. Start round one by 9:30 and the killer is named around 11:30.

How many guests can play?

Death at the Speakeasy takes 6 to 16. For more than 16, two people can share a character, or you can run two rooms with two hosts. For four or five, Dead Stop is a free one-hour mystery.

Can I set it up the same day?

Yes. Setting up takes a few minutes and guests only need to open a link on their phone. Sending the links a few days ahead gives people time to find a costume.

How much does it cost?

Setting up is free. You pay $29 when you press Start Round 1, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you already own a mystery, the next one is $14.50.

Set up your new year's eve party, free.

Two minutes to set up. Pay $29 once, when you press Start.

Set up a party, free