NOT YOUR USUAL SUSPECTS

A group blog featuring an international array of killer mystery, suspense, and romantic suspense writers. With premises and story lines different from your run-of-the-mill whodunits, we tend to write outside the box. We blog several times a week on all topics relating to romantic suspense and mystery, our writing, and our readers. We welcome all comments and often have guest bloggers. All our authors can be contacted separately, too, using their own social media links.

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Julie Moffet . Cathy Perkins . Jean Harrington . Daryl Anderson . Nico Rosso . Maureen A Miller . Sandy Parks . Lisa Q Mathews . Sharon Calvin . Lynne Connolly . Janis Patterson . Vanessa Keir . Tonya Kappes . Julie Rowe . Joni M Fisher . Leslie Langtry

Monday, August 4, 2014

Hosting a Murder


I am a huge fan of Clue, both the game and the movie. I saw the movie in the theater on my 16th birthday and when I heard about the murder mystery dinner party games where one could host (and solve) a murder, I was dead set on being part of one someday. Umpty-ump years later, I finally hosted one when my family got together for a summer vacation at a villa in Santa Barbara. It was the perfect setting for murder.

There is also an entertainment portion of these parties—in addition to the murder mystery, that is. Because our theme was tropical (Hawaiian), the recommended food and drink menu included plenty of fabulous fruity drinks and food. We grilled pineapple, steak, and fish and had tropical adult beverages on hand.

By the way, the game we played was the “Lethal Luau” theme, and here is the linkI played Nadia, the international swimsuit model. (I know, I know. You can laugh.... Okay, that's enough. LOL) There were eight of us in all, each portraying an interesting character whose personalities (and motives for murder!) were unveiled during each round of questioning.

Why is murder so fun? I found myself contemplating why I was so excited about finding out which of my siblings, their spouses, or my father had killed someone. It was the puzzle. I love solving a good riddle, puzzle, or conundrum. What made it even more fun was how everyone got into character, some even adopting surfer or Hawaiian chief lingo and accents to go along with the characters. And costumes. I've been banned from posting the pictures here (mostly by myself), but trust me, we were in character.

I highly recommend adding a little murder to your next gathering. There are a lot of different themes available. Everything from Mardi Gras to "honky tonk homicide" to a wine party. But since we were going to be by the ocean and the murder victim in this one was the birthday boy (and my husband happened to be celebrating his birthday), I thought it would be perfect.

Next year, though my family doesn't know it yet, more murder is on the menu. Once we pick the location of our next annual vacation, I'll find a theme to match and mayhem will ensue. I can’t wait!


13 comments:

jean harrington said...

Anne Marie, A series with a different vacation for each book sounds like a fabulous idea to me. Already I'm wondering what the next locale will be. Good for you!

J Wachowski said...

Oh Anne Marie, this brings back memories! My family loves clue. Always a standard after family dinner. My fav was the year my new college age son had a "murder mystery dinner party" for his friends over the Christmas holiday, and included his high school age sister & her pal. My daughter was the Catholic priest and my son was the "aging starlet."
My husband and I had more fun listening in on their dinner party than we would have at any dinner theater!
I highly recommend these as gifts for any creative high school/college kids!

Anne Marie Becker said...

Thanks, Jean. It was a lot of fun, and I can't wait to pick out the next one. We talked about going to the northeast, possibly, so I'm thinking the wine party might be fun...

Anne Marie Becker said...

JW - your family dinners sound like such fun! We actually included my 11-y.o. daughter in this one because there were only 7 adults and we needed 8 people. She had a blast, especially with choosing a costume. (She was the Hawaiian dancer who performed around the island.) It was so fun to get out of our heads and pretend to be someone else for a while.

Toni Anderson said...

This takes me back, Anne Marie. At uni I played this game with my hubby and friends. I was the murderer but hubby kept declaring himself the killer. *rolls eyes* I let him take the fall LOL.

Anne Marie Becker said...

LOL, Toni. Sounds like you'll have to keep an eye on that guy. ;)

Elise Warner said...

A family to play, vacation, enjoy a delightful dinner with and solve a mystery. What could be better?

CathyP said...

Sounds like so much fun! We played the board game when we were kids but I'm already thinking...hmm...next family gathering...

Anne Marie Becker said...

Elise, it was definitely a lot of fun! (And I couldn't imagine playing with anyone but my family. Except maybe my NYUS family. ;) )

Anne Marie Becker said...

Cathy, definitely consider it! It took the game to a new level. (But you do need 8 people, FYI.)

Ana Barrons said...

Wow, I think I would like your family! What a fun post!

Anne Marie Becker said...

Aw, thanks, Ana. We have a lot of fun together. :)

Sandy Parks said...

Hubby and I hosted a few of these murder mysteries back in our youthful days. So much fun and we found appropriate costumes and all. I love the idea of planning them along with your vacation/family gathering. A great way to get everyone talking and involved. Maybe I'll resurrect a few of the dusty old boxes with these mysteries and try them out again. Sounds like you have a great family.

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