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Virtual Murder Mystery Party on Zoom
A murder mystery over Zoom works better than most people expect, because the game was already built around private information. Each guest reads their own character on their own phone; the call is just the room they talk in.
Sleuth Night was designed for phones and a screen, so nothing changes remotely. The host shares the clue screen in the call, advances rounds from their phone, and guests vote on theirs.
Recommended mystery
Death at the Speakeasy
1920s · 6–16 players · about 2 hours
Death at the Speakeasy is the best fit for a call: sixteen distinct characters, so a big group stays busy, and round objectives that tell each guest exactly who to go and talk to, which matters when you cannot read a room.
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
Before the call, the host sets up the party and sends each guest their link. Guests read their bio, secret and costume note.
On the call: the host shares the screen link (the TV view), presses Start, and the round-one intro appears. Guests question each other in the main room, or the host opens breakout rooms for private conversations and calls everyone back for each new round.
Round three, then everyone votes on their phone. The reveal plays on the shared screen. About 90 minutes on a call; remote rounds run shorter than in-person ones.
Tips for a zoom / virtual murder mystery
Breakout rooms are the speakeasy back room
Use them for two-person conversations in rounds two and three. Give people five minutes, then bring everyone back for the next clue.
Rename yourself to your character
Ask everyone to change their display name to their character. It removes the “wait, who are you?” problem.
Share the screen link, not your dashboard
The screen view shows only what the room should see. Your host dashboard has the solution on it.
Keep the group at 12 or fewer
The game supports sixteen, but on a call, twelve is the practical ceiling for everyone getting talk time.
Questions hosts ask
Does it work on Google Meet or Teams?
Yes. Sleuth Night is a web page on each phone and one shared screen. Any call software that can share a browser tab works.
Do guests need an app?
No. Each guest opens a private link on their phone. Nothing to install.
How does voting work remotely?
Each guest votes on their phone. The host sees votes arrive on the dashboard and reveals when everyone has voted.
Can guests be in different countries?
Yes. The links work anywhere. The host controls the timing.
Read next
Other occasions: Halloween, Christmas, Birthday, Bachelorette, Team building, Teens, Work Christmas, Dinner, Adults
Set up your zoom / virtual party, free.
Two minutes to set up. Pay $29 once, when you press Start.
Set up a party, free