Guides · By occasion
Murder Mystery Party for Teens
Teenagers are the best murder mystery players there are. They commit to characters, they lie with conviction, and they already live on their phones, which is where Sleuth Night puts the game.
Our mysteries are written for adults, so we suggest ages 15 and up and a parent or older sibling as host. There is no gore or bad language, but the stories involve a death, some drinking and grown-up motives. Read the mystery page before you decide.
Recommended mystery
Murder at Blackwood Manor
1980s · 6–14 players · about 2 hours
Murder at Blackwood Manor is the one we suggest for older teens: a spooky manor, a séance and a will, with no gore. It has the least alcohol in the story of our three mysteries.
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
A parent sets up the party, adds the guests (names only, no emails needed for guests), and sends each teen a link, or hands the phone round on the night so everyone opens theirs. Each guest reads their character on their phone.
The host presses Start, three rounds run, clues appear on the TV, and everyone votes on their phone. About two hours. It is a full evening for a sleepover or a birthday.
Fourteen characters, six core, so it works for a small group or a big one.
Tips for a teens murder mystery
Let them cast it
Show the character list to the birthday teen and let them assign friends. They know who will play the villain best.
Host from the kitchen
The host dashboard is on your phone. You can advance rounds and reveal clues without standing in the room the whole time.
Costumes from the wardrobe
Black anything for Blackwood Manor. A scarf, a jacket, a hat. Nothing to buy.
Print the cards if phones are a problem
Every mystery has a print view. If the house rule is no phones, print the cards and run the clues on the TV.
Questions hosts ask
What age is it suitable for?
We suggest 15 and up, with an adult hosting. The stories are written for adults: a death, some drinking, and grown-up secrets, but no gore or bad language.
Do guests need accounts?
No. The host has an account. Guests just open a link.
Can it be played without phones?
Yes. The print view gives every character card and the host sheet on paper. Clues still go on the TV.
How long is it?
About two hours with three rounds. Shorten rounds to 15 minutes for a faster game.
Read next
Other occasions: Halloween, Christmas, Birthday, Bachelorette, Team building, Zoom / virtual, Work Christmas, Dinner, Adults
Set up your teens party, free.
Two minutes to set up. Pay $29 once, when you press Start.
Set up a party, free