'Once Upon A Murder'  Synopsis


By: Elspeth Antonelli
6-8 Guests (including host)

In a land not too far away (maybe even closer that you think), a group of somewhat familiar characters gather to solve a mystery. The leader of the group, Jack Hill, noted mountain climber and carrier of pails has been murdered...drowned in a pail of water. Pinned to his body is a frightening note. His friends include Beau (the girl who loves her pet sheep), Scarlett (who wears a red hood and brings snacks in a basket), Cindy (who must be home by 12:00), Jill (his pail carrying companion), Miss Muffy Moffett (who loves cottage cheese), Ryan Arachnid (spider specialist) Thomas Wolfe, (the newcomer) and John Horner (the shy pie-lover). These friends must solve the mystery quickly before another of their company falls out. They all know the old song "so they all rolled over and one fell out...there were 8 in the bed and the little one said..."

Jack, the famous hill climber and pail carrier has been drowned in a pail of water. Sometimes 'once upon a time' does not end 'happily ever after'. A fun party suited to everyone from 12 up to 102!


>> Characters
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Contents

  • Host Instructions
  • Guest Instructions
  • Character Descriptions
  • Character Motives
  • Game Clues
  • Print-able Invitations
  • Email-able Invitations
  • Invitation Tracking
  • Name Tags
  • Pre-Game Clues
  • Suggested Recipes
  • Tips from Other Hosts
  • Bulk Emailing Tools
  • Scripts (Large Group Games Only)
  • Cast Materials (Large Group Games Only)

Team-Building Features (Available only in Team Building version)

  • Facilitator's Instructions
  • Team Assignments Tools
  • Team Building Activities
  • Table Tents
  • Team Building Tips and Suggestions
  • Questionnaires and Team Review Tools
  • Awards

Reviews

I loved it! I hosted a 12year old birthday party and it was so cool. The kids arrived in a limo and then they started at the bottom of the hill at mr road and then they walked up it to my house.Thank god for internet!
India C. - Austria
Sunday, June 15, 2008
I was convinced by previous reviews that guessing the murderer would be challenging. The kids were disappointed when the murderer was revealed-they thought it was far too obvious. They were 12 years old. We had a blast though-my son wants to make having a murder mystery party an annual event! All of the guests raved that this was "the best party ever!"
Jackson C. - Fullerton, CA
Monday, April 14, 2008
This game was perfect for kids turning 12! If you have 3 kids that really get into it, the others will follow. We did it 1 1/2 months before Halloween and I think that helped. We were surprised how much they put into the costumes and how much they talked about it in school beforehand as I was nervous they might think it was dorky. Once they heard "murder" mystery they were intrigued. We had all girls then had a sleepover in a tent in the yard afterwards. All night they called each other the actual names and continued on with the plot line. Wouldn't recommend the sleepover though....they went to bed at 4am!
Dara A. - Brookfield, CT
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
This Game was great. We played it for a teen night we hosted. The ages were 13-16 a mix of both boys and girls, and only one person solved it. We added a few Characters, Govener and Mother Goose, and The Fairy Tale Police. Creating custome clues for them was so simple. I loved it!!
Esther V. - Las Vegas, NV
Monday, September 24, 2007
The guests at my son's party ranged from 47-8 years of age. All of us were able to play a role in the mystery and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. As a high school English teacher, I found the experience to be one that challenged the kids as critical and creative thinkers. I believe that this was perhaps the most rewarding and cost effective party we have had. The costumes we rented at DECADES Clothing and Costumes here in Sacramento (www.decadescostumes.com) allowed all of us to truly enjoy becoming the characters we were assigned.
Kenny K. - Sacramento, CA
Thursday, July 26, 2007
What fun! This was our first murder mystery and we selected it for my daughter's 14th birthday... All the guests came in costume and stayed in character which was a big part of the game and can't be stressed enough. They laughed so hard when new pieces of informaton were exposed showing the twists and turns. They also thought it was fun that they could be the murderer and didn't even know it. In the end, only one person guessed correctly, which to me says it is a well written game. We did give prizes for the winner, best costume, and best actress. My son can't wait for his birthday party now because he wants to have a murder mystery as well.
Kayla K.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
This was a great party. Since I was the one that printed out and sorted out all the clues for the guests (it seemed like it might be obvious who was the murderer)........it sure wasn't. Only 2 guests guessed correctly, and the ones that picked other people as the murderer had valid reasons for them. It was a fun party for a group of 15 year olds!
Brenda
Friday, March 23, 2007

Characters


 Jack Hill
the victim

Jack is the highly popular leader of this "Once Upon a Time" group. Although strong, brave and true, Jack was known to have a phobia about water.

Jill Waters
Jack's girlfriend

Jack's girlfriend for as long as anyone can remember, Jill has always seemed to be very supportive of all of Jack's plans. She is worried that Jack has begun to take her for granted, and that his attention could be focused elsewhere.

Beau Glancer
who loves all animals, but especially sheep

Beau has always been a fervent vegetarian and is quick to criticize those who do not share her beliefs. She often saw Jack while she watched her sheep as he headed off to climb another hill.

Scarlett Hood
the baker of goodies

Scarlett is known for always wearing her favorite red hat and for always baking goodies which she carries in a large picnic basket. She seems to get along with everyone except Thomas Wolfe.

Thomas Wolfe
the mysterious one

Thomas is known as being clever and stealthy. Ever since he became part of this group, Thomas has watched and waited. He is used to getting what he wants, but the first time he didn't was when he competed against Jack for the leadership of this "Once Upon A Time" group, but lost the election by one vote.

Cindy Ellis
the tidy one

Cindy has always said that she is quite content to stay home and clean. However, Cindy has dreams of meeting her "Prince Charming" and setting off with him to see the world . Meanwhile, she loves spending her spare time with her friends but everyone knows that she must be home before midnight.

John Horner
the pie-lover

John is a man of few words but he harbors many dreams. Although he seems happy enough to eat Scarlett's baking, John does not intend to be known as a pie-eater all his life.

Miss Muffy Moffet
the spider-hater

Muffy is never happier than when she is sitting on her special stool eating her cottage cheese. She is terrified of all bugs and therefore finds Ryan's obsession with spiders grotesque.

Ryan Arachnid
insect specialist

Ryan has always been fascinated with insects...especially spiders. He loves to tease Muffy, but has a secret crush on someone else. His hunts for spiders has put him in strange places at strange hours.


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