Murder Mystery Dinner Parties In Chicago

By Jenny Schooley

I'm a game-playing enthusiast. Professor Plum, in the study, with the candlestick. I played Clue countless times, and what hooked me on the classic game was the thrill of not just uncovering the crime, but racing to do so! These days, I don't get to pull out board games as much, but I still love a good mystery. So when a friend asked me if I wanted to play a "real-life" version of Clue, I jumped at the chance. A dinner party that combines the board-game-setting with being a real-life sleuth sounded like a great solution for this grown up gamer.

Murder Mystery Maniacs administers the events, so Chicagoans can put on their detective hats for a live-action murder mystery party. Escape your nightlife repetition for an entertaining evening in with friends. This company is different because it allows you to host the event in the setting of your own home for roughly $8 per person. Avoid the costs of a restaurant's rental space and food minimum. Instead, send some e-mails out and have friends bring an appetizer and bottle of wine. During the game, participants take the roles of the various suspects and try to solve the mystery by examining all of the evidence in an attempt to identify the murderer.

So exactly how does it work? The company operates out of a small storefront on the 3700 block of N. Ravenswood Ave. Choose a scenario like a class reunion, dude show, or a reality show mystery. There is an option to have an on-site actor/host. The games are customized to match the exact number of people attending your party or event, which in this setting, is ideal for 12. Murder Mystery Maniacs provides costume suggestions, character sheets, a solution envelope, name tags, rules, and guidelines. Encourage your guests to dress the part, and you'll think your apartment is the setting for an Agatha Christie book.

Of course, the night wouldn't be complete without a little friendly competition. After you finish some food (and a few glasses of wine) let your host start things off. From there, it's time to put your game face on and solve a "real-life" murder. Murder Mystery Maniacs gives everyone out there a chance to prove they are the ultimate Clue player. But keep an eye out for Miss Scarlet, just in case...