A Clueless Murder

From fanatical family members to scandalous servants (and everything in between!), you can find a lot of the elements to your outfit in your closet and the key to “making it special” could be that over-the-top wig or that extra prop or accessory you add to make it HIL-ARIOUS! 

RELATIVES & FRIENDS OF THE DECEASED:

• Fancy outfits
• Anything to show wealth –
  • gold cane
  • expensive jewelry
  • mink stolls
  • fur coats
  • feather boas
  • watch piece
• Suit with jacket
• Bow tie
• Top hat
• Money tucked into places, like lapel, hatband, etc.
• Cuff links
• Ball gowns
• A cane

ADD TO ANY OUTFIT

• Boas
• Wigs (think any variety)
• Facial hair
• BLING!
• Gold or silver accesorries of any type
• Fancy headress
• Cigarette extension holders
• Props of any sort!
• LARGE hats
• Fake eyelashes
• Fake breasts
• A fake weapon of some sort – exposed or not

WHERE TO FIND THAT PERFECT DRESS:

• Use (or borrow a friend’s) old bridesmaid’s dress
• Scour the second hand shops and garage sales
• Try the clearance racks in a department store right after a high school dance (like prom or homecoming)
• Dress up any outfit or gown by adding beading, cording, fancy fabrics, fringe, etc. (Stich witchery and hot glue make great non-sew adhesives.)
• Not the right color? Take a can of spray paint to the dress.

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Red/Scarlet

Rose/Pink

Peacock/Indigo/Teal/Blue

Mustard/Yellow

Lavender/Orchid/Plum/Purple

Green

Black

Silver/Gray

Burgundy

Peach/Orange

Miss Scarlet – Mr. Boddy’s Ex-wife. As fiery and feisty as her name suggests, Mr. Boddy’s man-izing ex-wife and business partner has had her flings over the years, but can anyone ever really replace her first true love?

Mrs. Peacock – Mr. Boddy’s Widow. As Mr. Boddy’s current wife and mother of his three children, Mrs. Peacock has proven more than once you can’t cage a free bird.

Lady Lavender – Mr. Boddy’s Eldest Daughter. Lady Lavender was daddy’s little girl, but as she got older, the “Lady” didn’t always do as daddy would have liked.

Mrs. White – Mr. Boddy’s Daughter. The oldest of the twins, Mrs. White tried to gain daddy’s attention and affection by marrying the perfect male heir – Mr. White!

Mr. White – Mr. Boddy’s Son-In-Law. Upon marriage, Mr. White was accepted into the family business and he has been moving up the ranks quickly ever since. Could he have wanted more from Mr. Boddy than the union to his daughter?

Tanya Teal – Mr. Boddy’s Daughter. The youngest of Mr. Boddy’s twin daughters, tenacious older teen has been stirring up family trouble since birth.

Madame Rose – Mr. Boddy’s Sister. Madame Rose has been living off of Mr. Boddy’s wealth for years. Can the Madame afford her lifestyle now that Mr. Boddy is gone? Or will it only improve…

Pierre Pink – Mr. Boddy’s Nephew. Pierre Pink is expecting to inherent millions–is he as misguided as the color he was named after?

Dr. Orchid – Family Psychologist. The secrets Dr. Orchid knows are on the most personal and intimate level… feelings that some may kill for!

Mr. Black – Butler. As Mr. Boddy’s devoted personal servant for over twenty years, there is little that Mr. Black does not know about Mr. Boddy, or his dying wishes.

Yvette – Maid. Her service over the years is something that she feels MUST be rewarded.  

Monsieur Gray – Chauffeur. Born and raised at Mystery Manor, Monsieur Gray’s parents were the maid and butler for the Boddy family. Moody and unassuming, Monsieur Gray isn’t expecting much from Mr. Boddy, for that is what he felt he got through all the years.

Chef Tangerine – Cook. With hints of fruitiness, this chef knows not only what is brewing in the kitchen, but also the rest of the manor.

Ron Burgundy – Pool Boy. A more recent employee acquired by Mrs. Peacock (Mr. Boddy’s wife). Ron was hired to keep the pool, amongst others, in tip-top shape.

Professor Plum – Mr. Boddy’s Lawyer. This dignified and subdued counselor was kept busy with all of Mr. Boddy’s legal issues, including revisions to his will, even on his dying day.

Colonel Mustard – Mr. Boddy’s Closest Friend. Appearing out of nowhere, Mr. Boddy’s long lost friend has come to honor his confidant’s memory, while others question the colonel’s hidden agenda.

Officer Indigo – Detective. Officer Indigo has some hot leads on who the murderer may be… and they all lead to this gathering.

Miss Peach – Mr. Boddy’s Personal Assistant. Miss Peach works hard to be as innocent as her name suggests, but the real question is, how personal was their relationship?

Reverend Green – Mr. Boddy’s Accountant. A retired person of the cloth, this minister found their true calling in the fields of green – money, that it. Could how the reverend handled the books over the years determine the wealth that is left?

Arty Azure – Investment Specialist. Mr. Boddy’s go-to associate with knowledge of the art world, this confidant has just as much flare as their name suggests. However, did Mr. Boddy depend on Arty for more than their artistic advice?  

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• Have a red carpet runner leading up to the entrance.

• Have a sign for Mystery Manor (print out the sign included with the mystery).

• Outdoors, create a family graveyard (insructions on how to make your own authentic tombstones in the packet.)
  – Don’t forget to put the tomb of Mr. Boddy – Add another tombstone with your party’s date and no name or a “?” on it.

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• Have a table to memorialize Mr. Boddy. Include pictures of the late millionaire.

• Hang art (ficticous or real) around the venue to simulate Mr. Boddy’s art gallery.
– Create small placards with the frames so that it looks like authentic artwork in a gallery or museum.

– Find inexpensive picture frames and spray paint them gold.
– Print pictures or famous artwork from the internet to place into your frames.

• Glam up the inside with a can of gold spray paint. Paint wine bottles, candlesticks, old vases (and add flowers – fake or real), etc.

• Cover the furniture with white sheets, as if the house is now abandoned and unused.

• Hang spider webs in the corners of Mystery Manor.

• Have a vase of dead flowers as a centerpiece to add to the erie atmosphere.
— You can sometimes get old or dead flowers from a florist for no charge.

• Create a “scene of the crime” with a taped outline, fake evidence and a bloodstain – all roped off with caution or crime scene tape.

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• Elegance is key!
• Use linen table cloths.
• Tea lights.
• Fancy table runner.
• Candleabra.
• Spray paint random things gold to add a flare for the elite. Use as table decorations.
• Use chargers with your place settings.
• Gold plates and plasticware.
• Have a printed menu (included with the mystery) at their setting.

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TO CREATE AN ERIE LIGHTING, CONSIDER USING NON-TRADITIONAL LIGHTING. SOME EXAMPLES ARE:

• Tea lights — To add a shimmering effect, place them on mirrored circles (found at your local craft shop) or simply cover cardboard with aluminum foil and place the tea lights on top of them.
• White twinkly lights
• White paper lanterns
• Candles
• Chandeliers
• Candleabras

One host took it over-the-top and black lit their party. Check out the cool lighting and decorations!

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BE SURE TO UTILIZE ALL OF THE EXTRAS THAT COME WITH THE MYSTERY — 

• Name cards for your guests
• Personalized menus
• Recipe and directions to make some killer chiller glasses
• How to make a Gravestone
• Family Tree
• Room Signs
• Designed labels to put on wine bottles for awards
• and MORE!

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Give your guests an unforgettable souvenier by setting up a photo area where they can capture a picture of themselves in character.

A few suggestions:
• Pick a place where there will be good lighting.

• You can make it as elaborate or simple as you want.

• Accessories and decorations can make the difference. Have some extra props on hand that your guests can pose with. Consider extra wigs, top hats, bowler hats, mustaches, sherlock hats, magnifying classes, feather boas, etc.

• An easy way to create a background is to use a “scene setter.” These affordable rolls of images transform your room instantly and make for a good backdrop to your picture.

• Make sure there is enough room to fit everyone in to the frame.

• For individual shots of guests, designate someone to be in charge of pictures as your guests arrive.
o Consider your character list and which character would fit the role of taking the picture. Ie, if you want mug shots, perhaps ask the investigator to be in charge of taking the pictures.

• For a group picture, take one just before the introduction is read or right after the solution is read (before people may start heading out).
o These are two times when you can count on everyone being around and attentive.

BACKDROP IDEAS for your A Clueless Murder photo spot

• Create a line-up board and take pictures of all of your suspects. Line-up board included with mystery materials. 

• Use scene setters to make a simple background.

• Use props to enhance the photos. Have things like top hats, boas, big sunglasses, etc. for your guests to pose with.

• Paint your own back drop to pose in front of!

In honor of your favorite millionaire with impeccable taste, you can consider serving some of the finest food from elegant hors d’eurves to a delectable dinner.

Try some of these links for: – Elegant Appetizers  – Gourmet Main Dishes – Divine Desserts

SINCE MURDER IS THE THEME OF YOUR PARTY, TRY SOME OF THESE HORROR-IFIC FARE TO SHARE WITH YOUR GUESTS.

All the fixin’s for a terrifying feast. Including Awful Arachnids, Eerie Eyeballs, Freaky Witches’ Fingers, Brittle Merangue Bones, Savory Brain Shrimp Spread, Deviled Eggs, Decayed Corpse Chips with Entrail Salsa, Spicy Bat Wings and more… Click here.

MYSTERY MAKINGS FOR DESSERT

• Fingerprint Cookies

• A murderous cake (simply insert a butcher knife into any cake and drape red food gel along it)

• Knifed red velvet cupcakes

• A bleeding cake

• Elegance is key!

• Use linen table cloths.

• Tea lights.

• Fancy table runner.

• Candelabra.

• Spray paint random things gold to add a flare for the elite. Use as table decorations.

• Use chargers with your place settings.

• Gold plates and plasticware.

• Have a printed menu (included with the mystery) at their setting.

BE SURE TO UTILIZE ALL OF THE EXTRAS THAT COME WITH THE MYSTERY– 

• Name cards for your guests

• Personalized menus

• Recipe and directions to make some killer chiller glasses

• Designed labels to put on wine bottles for awards

• and MORE!

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SPOOKY MUSIC– If haunting and howling is what you want for the backdrop of your party, you can find a variety of Halloween music at stores or at your library. To download some free riffs, find them here.

CLASSICAL MUSIC– To add a touch of elegance to this high society get-together, you may want to try some of the classics. Find it here.

FREE MUSIC– If you are looking to keep costs low, you can always visit your local library to find the perfect musical score for your party.

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To accentuate the idea of the coming to the memorial, you can…

  Have a tombstone to honor the beloved.

• Make another tombstone with a “?” and your party date on it (for the one who will perish at the party)!

• Directions on making tombstones included in mystery materials.  

Create a memorial to him in the party space as well.

• Use a picture off the internet, or of a dear friend who couldn’t attend the party, to portray Mr. Boddy.

• Have a guest book and have everyone sign in and note their favorite (fictitious) memory of the lost.

Create a crime scene.

• Evidence markers included in the mystery materials.

Don’t Forget the Suspect Board

Or a way to connect the dots 

Leave footprints and fingerprints around the party space for your guests to find

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