13 Free Murder Mystery Games for Your Dinner Party

Stacy Fisher
·4 min read

Choose One of Several Free Murder Mystery Scripts

Free murder mystery games are a cost-effective way to throw a murder mystery dinner or themed party without spending the usual $20 to $75 to buy the party kit that you'll probably only use once. Many of these games are suitable for 6 to 28 guests, so you should be able to find a great match, no matter the size of your party.

Many of these games get their inspiration from wink murder, one of the first free murder mystery games since the early 20th century. Unlike wink murder, which uses no props, each game includes character descriptions and scripts, so your guests will be ready to get into the game. Some free games include free invitations, name tags, and props. Many of these games request a "donation" or have paid versions that give users more perks or add-ons.



Tip

If you want a themed party but might want a different genre than a murder mystery, check out these ideas: spooky party games for adults, silly adult party games, New Year's Eve party games, and an escape room party.



<p>The Spruce / Margot Cavin </p>

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

Free Murder Mystery Games List

  • Sour Grapes of Wrath: This game has an almost 70-page PDF file that provides planning instructions, party invitations, costume suggestions, name tags, rules, secret clues, maps, accusation sheets, suspect dossiers, and the solution. If you're looking for an in-depth game that has everything you could ever possibly want, this should be your first place to visit.

  • The Romanian Uranium Mystery: Here's a very detailed murder mystery game that includes a scripted show and an improved show set around your dinner party. You can pay a few bucks if you want a PDF.

  • Way Out West: This game includes the setup, characters, script, clues, and more. Also free, is a version of the game that's geared toward kids. There's a version available for more than 10 guests if you need support for that many, but it'll cost you.

  • The Business of Murder: This game has everything you need to throw a detailed murder mystery. Clues and invitations are all included in one convenient download. It's for 7 to 8 players.

  • The Movie Murder Mystery Party: 5 to 10 players can play. The backstory is that you're celebrating the completion of a film with your cast and crew, but the director suddenly dies. Lucky for you, he hid many clues. The 20-page PDF download includes the premise, instructions on how to play, character descriptions, clues, scavenger hunt items, and ideas for awarding the winner.

  • Malachai Stout's Family Reunion: A fun, lightly-scripted murder mystery game set at a family reunion gone awry that 6 to 12 players can play. This game includes hosting instructions, a script, character sheets, clues, and the solution.

  • Jazz Age Jeopardy: Here's one set in a 1920s jazz club in New York City. The free PDF file includes an introduction, instructions, a party guidebook, character sheets, clue cards, and voting sheets. Up to 15 people can play.

  • Mafia Party Game: This fun detective-style murder mystery game is for 7 to 24 players. It's broken down into nighttime (when Mafia secretly commits murder) and daytime (when everyone votes to eliminate suspects). You'll need a deck of cards to play.

  • Murder, She Wrote: This is a free printable you can use to help Angela Lansbury solve crimes. You'll have to guess who the murderer was, the motive, and the details of the killer. This murder mystery game can be played by yourself or with friends around the TV.

  • The Detective Club Murder: This role-playing murder mystery game is for 4-8 players where you and your friends will visit an ancient country house of a crime writer. This was designed by suspense writer Ruth Ware and it has everything you need for a good murder mystery party. There are character packs, badges, and much more to explore here.

  • Crack the Codes: This game is made to play in the classroom, although you certainly could play it at a party. A murder has been committed, and you'll need to use all your problem-solving and code-breaking skills to find out who the murderer was.

  • The Case of the Unfortunate Acrobat: Here's a murder mystery game that can be played with any type of group. Included are letters, witness statements, messages, and photos to help you solve the crime.

  • Hunt a Killer: Hunt a Killer is a popular game you can order online; although this game is not free, if you get a subscription, you will get two free "episodes" as part of the Mallory Rock murder mystery. As the sleuths, your group will sift through a packet of physical evidence in this story-driven case that tests your detective skills.

Read the original article on The Spruce.