Mystery & Whodunit Parties

This can be simply a themed costume party, or involve a variety of games. The classic mystery party game has guests cast in various roles and competing to sniff out the culprit in their midst. The "crime" is often murder, but it could be something as simple - and dastardly - as eating the last Malteser.

Boxed kits containing clues and scripts are available to help with organising the mystery (see How To Host A Murder from Games Paradise), or if you would rather join in the fun of solving the mystery, a party planner can do the organising for you (see "Mystery Party Experiences" below).

Get in costume and in character - think Sherlock Holmes and Watson, Agatha Christie, Alfred Hitchcock's blonde heroines, Scooby Doo and his buddies, or the characters from Cluedo. See "Mystery Party Ideas" below for costume and party decor ideas.

Mystery Party Clothing and Costumes

• Costume Box - for mysterious accessories or a complete character outfit - thousands of fancy dress costumes for adults and kids. Based in Sydney with delivery to Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Flat fee delivery within Australia. Most costumes dispatched within 24 hours. All costumes displayed are in stock. See their Sherlock Holmes costumes, Scooby Doo Costumes, and Hitchcock movie costumes.
   
• Australia's Online Party Costumes Superstore has 100s of great disguises and novelties, delivered to your door anywhere in Australia. Based in Queensland. Quickly adopt a cunning disguise with some glasses, hats, gloves, and wigs.
   
• Buy Costumes (US store) - One of the world's largest costume and party shops with over 15,000 products available online. Based in the US, they deliver to Australia in 2-4 days. Enormous selection of Sherlock Holmes and Watson costumes and Scooby Doo costumes.

Mystery Party Decorations

Props and decorations set the scene for the mystery as it unfolds. Wall decorations and other decor can transform a room - choose a theme that suits the backstory of your mystery, for example an international location, a historical era, or a glamorous Hollywood or underworld theme.

• Party Products Australia - for themed or colour-coordinated party supplies (disposable cups, plates, etc) and decorations. Based in Brisbane, Queensland. Party Products Australia stocks over 6000 items.
   
• Picture Store - art print and poster store - hang pictures or posters on the wall to set the scene. Based in NSW and delivery usually within 5-15 days of order. See their Alfred Hitchcock movie posters, Scooby Doo posters, and Sherlock Holmes posters.
   
• Parties Online - Sydney-based party products store in operation since 1991. Search by theme or colour for banners, wall decorations, party supplies, and more.
  

Mystery Party Games

• Games Paradise - Australian online games retailer based in Sydney with worldwide shipping. Free Australian delivery on orders over $85. They have several boxed How To Host A Murder Games that provide everything needed to set up and run the mystery. 

Mystery Party Experiences

For a night where you can relax and participate in all the fun, get the professionals in. Murder mystery parties are also a popular hens night party theme.

• Host A Murder Mystery Group Event - Australia (DLT965 RedBalloon Days experience voucher)
  We come to you at a venue of your choice anywhere in Australia.
  Do you know who the murderer is? Join us for an evening of mystery and intrigue as you try to solve the murder and figure out exactly whodunit! Your team will become involved in a highly entertaining team-building event that is sure to improve communication and foster camaraderie! from RedBalloon Days...

• Ghost Tour Of Historic Sydney For 16 (SES932 RedBalloon Days experience voucher)
  The Rocks, Sydney CBD, NSW.
  Join us for a haunting look at Sydney's dark side in the historic Rocks precinct. With plenty of macabre stories and ghostly apparitions, we're sure to have you sleeping with the lights on after you've been on this ghost tour! from RedBalloon Days...

Mystery Party Ideas

Keep food and drink simple - mystery parties involve lots of conversation and mingling as guests apply their sleuthing skills to solving the mystery. Finger food keeps people fed without interrupting the fun.

The style and decor of your mystery party will depend on the theme you go with:

• Sherlock Holmes - think grimy 19th century England, deerstalker hats, pipes, magnifying glasses, and tweed.
   
• Alfred Hitchcock's films are all about suspense - think dark decor, and foreboding or suspenseful music. Hitchcock's actors included the dapper Jimmy Stewart and Cary Grant and blonde dames like Grace Kelly and Ingrid Bergman. 
   
• Scooby Doo - think 1960s psychedelic culture, bright decor, fun snacks like chips and brightly coloured drinks.
   
• Cluedo - the focus of this party is on solving a murder mystery. Characters include: Colonel Mustard, Miss Scarlet, Reverend Green, Professor Plum, Mrs White, Mrs Peacock, and Dr Black.