1920s murder mystery party game · 6–16 players · about 2 hours
Death at the Speakeasy
The Velvet Hour is the hottest speakeasy in Chicago until its owner, Vinnie Marlowe, is found poisoned in his office during a false police raid. Everyone in the club had a reason. Only one of them did it.
- ✓ 16 characters, 6–16 players, change the count on the night
- ✓ Each guest gets a private link: character, secret, objectives, clues
- ✓ Host dashboard runs the rounds; a TV screen shows the evidence
- ✓ Nothing to print. A print view with clue cards is there if you want paper
- ✓ Three rounds of 20 to 30 minutes, then the vote and the reveal. Host it as many times as you like
The victim
Vincent "Vinnie" Marlowe, owner of the velvet hour. Found slumped over his desk at 11:50 pm. Cyanide in his private bottle of Canadian whisky, the one nobody else was allowed to touch.
The suspects
The first 6 are the core cast. Add the rest as your guest list grows, and swap any optional character for another to fit your group. 8 she/her · 8 he/him. Anyone can play any character.
Core · she/her
Lola LaRue
The headline singer
The voice of The Velvet Hour. Half of Chicago is in love with her.
Costume: Something that sparkles, a feather in your hair, long gloves.
Core · she/her
Dorothy "Dot" Marlowe
Vinnie's wife
Runs the front of house, the books, and, some say, Vinnie.
Costume: A string of pearls, a dark dress, a hard expression.
Core · he/him
Frankie Costa
The bootlegger
Supplies every bottle in the place. Do not ask where from.
Costume: Pinstripes, a fedora, a toothpick.
Core · he/him
Dr. Edmund Hale
The society doctor
Physician to the Gold Coast, and the club's most reliable customer.
Costume: A good suit, a bow tie, a pocket watch, the medical bag.
Core · she/her
Ruby Fontaine
The cigarette girl and bookkeeper
Sells cigarettes on the floor, keeps the books upstairs, sees everything.
Costume: A short dress, a tray on a strap, a pencil behind the ear.
Core · he/him
Sam "Sticks" Delaney
The bandleader and drummer
Keeps the beat, runs the band, never misses a set.
Costume: A burgundy band jacket with gold cuffs, a bow tie, drumsticks in your pocket.
Optional · he/him
Charlie "Hot Lips" Bertrand
The trumpet player
Second chair in the band, first in line for anything better.
Costume: Burgundy band jacket, slicked hair, a trumpet mouthpiece in your pocket.
Optional · he/him
Otis Greene
The bartender
Pours the drinks, polishes the silver, hears every secret at the bar.
Costume: White shirt, sleeve garters, a bar towel over the shoulder.
Optional · she/her
Mabel Marlowe
Vinnie's sister and the hostess
Greets every guest at the door and remembers every name.
Costume: A tidy dress, a guest book, a brooch.
Optional · she/her
Countess Anastasia Volkova
The "Russian countess"
Fled the Revolution with her jewels, she says. Runs a private card game upstairs.
Costume: A tiara or headband, long gloves, too much jewellery.
Optional · he/him
Detective Jack Brannigan
The off-duty cop
Chicago P.D., off duty, and very comfortable in a speakeasy.
Costume: A rumpled suit, a badge in the pocket, a cigar.
Optional · she/her
Pearl Whitmore
The heiress flapper
Old money, new haircut, in love with the wrong crowd.
Costume: A beaded dress, a long cigarette holder, a bob.
Optional · she/her
Vera Castellano
The rival club owner
Owns The Blue Parrot across town. Came to see what all the fuss was about.
Costume: A sharp suit or a dramatic dress, red lipstick, a cigarette case.
Optional · he/him
Father Michael Doyle
The priest, and Vinnie's cousin
Hears confessions in the back room on Saturday nights. Drinks on the house.
Costume: A collar, a dark jacket, a flask.
Optional · she/her
Ginger Malone
The chorus girl and Lola's understudy
Second on the bill, dreaming of first.
Costume: A fringed dress, tap shoes, a big bow.
Optional · he/him
Benny "The Nose" Russo
Vinnie's bodyguard
Six foot four, stands by the office door, sees who goes in.
Costume: A tight suit, a broken nose, no smile.