Party Preparation
A week or two before the party, the host will give each participant a unique character packet containing all the information needed for the participant to play that character. The packet will contain "background information" detailing the character’s friends and enemies, his/her vocation, and other information that the other characters are likely to know. There will also be "confidential information" that might include clues, bits of gossip about characters, secrets shared with others, and perhaps even dastardly acts that the character will commit at the party. The packet also includes brief costume suggestions—what’s a theme party without dressing up?

At the Party
Each guest arrives in costume and in character. He or she begins interacting with the other colorful characters right away. As a guest, you’ll use your background information as a foundation for your character. There’s plenty of room to improvise, too. Feel free to introduce new information or stories about your character. Just make sure your new material doesn’t contradict any of the “official” information. Any confidential information that would incriminate, humiliate or otherwise embarrass your character should be kept secret for as long as possible. Other information, however, should be used in whatever way you deem most beneficial to your character. Blackmailing other characters can be a nasty thing to do but extremely fun! Similarly, bribery, exploitation and hustling are encouraged.

Example of how confidential information could work:

You are the beautiful Truly A. Snobb, but, unknown to most people, you accidentally broke your father’s priceless Ming vase. You don’t want anybody to find out about this incident and should never bring it up yourself. However, pretend you are Wanda Ringfingers and you saw Truly hanging around the vase at the time it was broken. As Wanda, you should feel free to ask Truly questions about the vase and have fun watching Truly sweat. Now would be a good time for Truly to start offering bribes or to excuse herself to go to the powder room.

The Murder
At some point in party, there will be a murder. When this happens, you will need to help catch the culprit and clear your name as a possible suspect. To do so, you will simply need to follow the detective's lead (he/she will make her presence known soon after the murder). Search for clues, interrogate other suspects and share any information that might help to solve the mystery.

The Goal
The true goal is to have fun! Guests are invited to ham it up, exchange information, gossip or just enjoy the atmosphere. At some point during the party, a guest will be killed—and everybody will be a suspect. At this time, guests will need to work together to figure who among them is a murderer!

For more details about the game check out:

Typical Party Timeline
Takes you through the timeline of your average mystery party.

Playing a Character
Tells you what you and your guests will experience as a character.