Name: Murder in a 1920s Speakeasy
SKU: 20spk
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.91 (45 reviews)

Story and Characters for this Swell 1920s’ Murder Mystery Game

Gangsters and molls, flappers and bootleggers, all swear that the moonshine at The Big Tiger is swell.

But Buster McNail is dead. He's been whacked, chilled off, rubbed out, zotzed in his own Speakeasy.

The dolls and the molls pretend horror; the gangsters and bootleggers had been watching the hoofers and the Temperance Movement founder claims to have been waving placards outside.

As rival gangsters scheme and a bootlegging scheme is uncovered, the authorities want order, rummy. Law enforcers declare their intentions of ridding the town of drink, gambling and gangsters and the Temperance Society campaigns against that most scandalous of dances, The Charleston.

Yet in this hilarious, light-hearted 1920s' murder mystery party, everyone has secrets and everyone has the opportunity. But the victim is the nephew of the local Big Cheese. So the homicide needs solving. Fast ...

Can YOU sift through the red herrings to discover the murderer before the local Big Cheese takes matters into his own hands?

This is a fun, light-hearted 1920s' murder mystery dinner party or party game that will transport your guests back into the excitement of the Jazz Age when The Big Tiger was THE speakeasy in town, doll.

This swell Twenties' game has a mix of gangsters and flappers, bootleggers and law enforcers

and

a very fearsome Temperance and Moralism Society campaigner!

Polite notes: please check how many wish to play BEFORE purchase.

Murder Mystery Dinner Party Game: 6 - 8 Players

Gender of 6 essential players: 3 females, 3 males
Gender of 2 optional/minor players: 2 neutrals
Number of suspects: 6 - 8

Female Suspects

The Honourable Bunny Clifford-Smythe - English flapper and minor aristocrat; now a private detective with dreams of being a fashion designer
Absolutely spiffing; old bean, we must catch this beastly murderer before Pa McNail sends his beastly goons to ice us all.

Mercy Sober - founder of the Moonshine Gap Temperance and Moralism Society; campaigning against flappers, drink, gambling, speakeasies, gangsters and ...
Engaged to Mayor O'Clipper
As the founder of the Moonshine Gap Temperance and Moralism Society, I must protest against ... Optionally blows tin horn / bangs drum to highlight (frequent) protests

Ruby Ellen - widow of Buster; jazz singer and flapper; grew up in Texas but wants to sing on Broadway
All y’all honeybees know, Buster was the honey of my heart; my one true love. Frequently, dabs eyes and places hand theatrically on heart.

Male Suspects

Jimmy Joe - bootlegger in the infamous McNail gang; sells the best moonshine this side of the mountains and has dreams of hitting the big-time
Dag nab it! I make the best moonshine this side of these tarn mountains

Mayor O'Clipper - on a mission to clear the town of bootlegging, drinking, gambling and gangsters
Originally from Texas; engaged to Mercy Sober
Howdy; I’m the most honest Mayor this little ol’ town has ever seen, darlin’

Whackem Will - gangster son of Pa McNail, that feared leader of the McNail gang; wants Bunny as his moll
Bursts into song and touches toy weapon when planning a hit
No-one messes with a McNail or a McNail’s doll; say that again and we’ll go for a drive!

Optional/Minor Suspects - Gender Neutral

Donnie O'Clipper - flamboyant bartender or waitress; nephew or niece to Mayor O'Clipper
Wants to be a star in the new talkies
Toots, as a future star in those new talkies … Blows air kisses a lot

Scars McNail - gangster in training; nephew or niece to Whackem Will
Has a fierce temper and the scars to prove it!
Being a gangster is the berries! Drives to the mountains are soo fun!

Murder Mystery Party Game: 8 - 10 Players

Gender of 8 essential players: 4 females, 3 males, 1 neutral
Gender of 2 optional/minor players: 2 neutrals
Number of suspects: 8 - 10

Female Suspects

The Honourable Bunny Clifford-Smythe - (twin sister of Bertie) English flapper and minor aristocrat; now a private detective with dreams of being a fashion designer
Absolutely spiffing; old bean, we must catch this beastly murderer before Pa McNail sends his beastly goons to ice us all.

Mary May - bootlegger (with Jimmy Joe) in the infamous McNail gang; as tough as any man but is in love with Jimmy Joe
“I ain’t fallen off no turnip truck; I may be a woman, but you respect me or I’ll cancel your birth certificate!” Frequently makes a fist at people.

Male Suspects

Jimmy Joe - bootlegger (with Mary May) in the infamous McNail gang; sells the best moonshine this side of the mountains and has dreams of hitting the big-time
Dag nab it! I make the best moonshine this side of these tarn mountains

Gender Neutral Suspects

The Honourable Bertie Clifford-Smythe - (twin brother or sister of Bunny) minor aristocrat; occasional actor and general "playboy or it girl without the money"
Awfully splendid, old fellow. Quite agree, old girl.

Optional/Minor Suspects - Gender Neutral

Scars McNail - gangster in training; nephew or niece to Whackem Will
Has a fierce temper and the scars to prove it!
Being a gangster is the berries! Drives to the mountains are soo fun!

Murder Mystery Party Game: 10 - 12 Players

Gender of 10 essential players: 5 females, 4 males, 1 neutral
Gender of 2 optional/minor players: 2 neutrals
Number of suspects: 10 - 12

Female Suspects

Clara - French hoofer (dancer) and canary (singer) at The Big Tiger with dreams of conquering Broadway and winning a few hearts
Oh là là. Ruby Ellen screeches like a banshee; I sing like an angel.

Male Suspects

Agent Ted O'Clipper - straight-laced Prohibition Agent; in love with Clara
Duty is absolute; you can't bribe an O'Clipper

Gender Neutral Suspect

Optional/Minor Suspects - Gender Neutral

Scars McNail - gangster in training; nephew or niece to Whackem Will
Has a fierce temper and the scars to prove it!
Being a gangster is the berries! Drives to the mountains are soo fun!

Murder Mystery Party Game: 12 - 14 Players

Gender of 12 essential players: 5 females, 4 males, 3 neutrals
Gender of 2 optional/minor players: 2 neutrals
Number of suspects: 12 - 14

Female Suspects

Male Suspects

Agent Ted O'Clipper - straight-laced Prohibition Agent; in love with Clara
Duty is absolute; you can't bribe an O'Clipper

Gender Neutral Suspects

Agent Toni O'Clipper - straight-laced Prohibition Agent; thinks raiding speakeasies is fun
We're the best Prohibition Agents you've never seen; our disguises are the cat’s pyjamas. Offer Agents Ted or Toni a drink and you can cool off in the cooler. So very fun.

The Honourable Bertie Clifford-Smythe - (twin brother or sister of Bunny) minor aristocrat; occasional actor and general "playboy or it girl without the money". If female, think flapper.
Awfully splendid, old fellow. Quite agree, old girl.

Scars McNail - gangster in training; nephew or niece to Whackem Will
Has a fierce temper and the scars to prove it!
Being a gangster is the berries! Drives to the mountains are soo fun!

Optional/Minor Suspects - Gender Neutral

Sam "Fast Guns" McNail - gangster; cousin to Whackem Will
Has a fierce temper and is the best shooter this side of the mountains.
I ain't called Sam "Fast Guns" McNail for nothing. Violence is so sad - sometimes, but I get real angry real quick. You've been warned!

Running Your 1920s Murder Mystery Party

Age Guidance

This is a fun, light-hearted game for adults but many parents will feel happy allowing teens 13+ to attend. This is down to parental judgment. If teenagers do not wish to take part in mild flirtatious behavior, they might prefer to play a gender-neutral suspect. Alternatively, the engagement between Mercy Sober and Mayor O'Clipper is more antagonistic than flirtatious.

There is no bad language in the mystery and all subjects are handled in a light-hearted, non-explicit way.

Mild Sexual References

It's the Roaring Twenties, doll, and there are allegations (denied) of an extra-marital affair; there are also allegations (denied) that one character had an illegitimate child/children. No explicit details are given.

Mild Alcoholic References

The mystery is set in a 1920s' speakeasy, where illegal alcohol is (allegedly) sold; there is also a bootlegging theme. There are references to characters drinking alcohol.

Mild Violence

There was a failed shooting prior to the party and authorities fear "gangster wars".

The gangsters threaten other characters on a frequent basis with a TOY gun and threats of "going for a ride to the mountains".

Mary May makes comical threats to "cancel the birth certificate" of anyone who annoys her.

Gambling

There are references to gambling.

Suggested Accents

Southeastern American, Texan, English aristocrat. French (10-12 player version upwards).

Sensitive Subjects

This is intended as a light-hearted, fun mystery and most will not be upset; as with all parties, however, life experiences determine how your guests will react.

The victim is whacked over the head and then stabbed with a bottle of illegal moonshine.
There is talk of a failed hit on the local Big Cheese before the mystery begins.
There are allegations (denied) that one character gave her child/children to be adopted.

How Our Murder Mysteries Work

Murder Mid-Party?: No - the victim is killed before the party begins so all players can keep the same role throughout the evening.

Host Plays a Character?: Yes.

Random murderer?: No – we carefully organize clues throughout the game so that only a particular person or persons can be guilty. We find that this gives a more satisfactory solution than whodunnit games where the killer is chosen on the night.

Format

Short optional initial mingling session - guests get to know the main themes of the evening and learn who is who while solving personal objectives.
Audio introduction is played.
6 rounds with a "flexible" script - players can substitute their own words, ad-lib and don't know what others will say.
Optional interactive whodunnit round - many red herrings are cleared up as everyone declares their innocence and hams up their role for a final time.
Audio solution is played.

A sample set of initial mingling instructions can be seen on the last page of a Sample Pre-party Booklet.

A sample "flexible" script can be seen in a Sample Party Booklet and in the illustration below:

Example of a character Party Booklet for Murder in a 1920s Speakeasy; example shown is the booklet for Jimmy Joe.

Themes: 1920s = The Roaring Twenties, Speakeasy, Prohibition, Gangsters and Flappers

Availability: instant download (pdfs + 2 audio MP3 files with a printed fallback + editable Word invitations & menus)

Essential Printing Required by host or guests (unless players use a device to read): invites, pre-party booklets and party booklets = 6 A4 pages per person (if double-sided) or 11 A4 pages per player (if single-sided). There are also 9 pages of essential clues. We provide other optional files that players and hosts can if they wish print.

File and Sizes:

Host Instructions zip = 3840-4230 KB
Pre-Party zip = 5280-9500 KB
Party zip = 8770-9410 KB
Two audio MP3 files with a printed fallback
Optional zip file for decorations (8218 KB) and menu place setting cards (850-1014 KB)

Most documents are given as pdfs; the party invitations and menu cards are Word files so that customers can edit them.

Time: 1.75 - 3+ hours (depends on party size and number of ad-libs); food and chatting breaks in addition

Age: Adult and most teens 13+ (See Age & Sensitivities above).

Discount for an additional version (different number of players) of THIS mystery: 40% discount. (Please email us via our contact form if this is required.)

Included With Your Murder Mystery Game Kit Purchase - All Ready for Instant Download!

Downloadable party pack for Murder in a 1920s Speakeasy includes low ink printing, audios and decoration.

The party kit is designed to be attractive without being ink-heavy.

For face-to-face games, booklets can be easily printed single or double-sided. They can also be printed in a large easy-to-read font-size or can be viewed electronically. For virtual games, booklets are given in a single format that is easy to view electronically but that could be printed in different formats.

1 Comprehensive, Easy-to-Follow Host Instructions

16-page Host Instruction Booklet includes everything you need to assign characters to guests and to plan a swell party. It includes pre-party host instructions together with approximate timings for the evening, a format of how the evening works, information needed to assign characters to guests, printing information, and decorations. There is also a tip sheet for virtual parties.

View Host Instructions For Face-to-Face Party

View Host Instructions For Virtual Party

We have also created detailed pages of helpful content to help prospective hosts.

Host information provided for Murder in a 1920s Speakeasy - host instrucftion booklet and lots of helpful pages on costumes, decorations, food and drink and party photos.

Example of a character Pre-party Booklet for Murder in a 1920s Speakeasy; example shown is the booklet for Whackem Will.

2 Pre-party Information to Send to Guests

Pre-party Character Booklets – print or email as you choose. Just one fold and you have an attractive A5 (Half Letter) booklet with borders and an easy-to-read font. The front page is a copy of Moonshine Gap News. This gives a bite-sized introduction to the murder mystery background. Each character also has a personal bio, costume suggestions, suggested mannerisms and quirks, and also a “secret” motive for murder. The booklets also contain a list of suspects conveniently grouped by family.

View Sample Pre-Party Booklet

1920s Art Deco Style Party Invitation: this instructs each character to knock three times and then give the secret password before entering. (For virtual parties, the invitation simply instructs each character to give the secret password.) There are separate invitations for playing at home or virtually. Invitations are supplied as an editable Word document.

View Sample Invitation – At Home Parties

View Sample Invitation – Virtual Parties

3 Well-designed Party Kit

Party booklets for each character – our unique flexibly scripted booklets are suitable for both beginners and experienced crime-solvers! These neat A5 (Half Letter) booklets include the game instructions, round prompt cards, map, accusation sheet and optional interactive whodunnit round in one easy-to-print booklet for each character.

Sample Party Booklet

Attractive clues – enable evidence to be provided in bite-sized chunks.

Sample Clue

Optional name tags – useful for the initial mingling.

Themed award certificates

Sample Award

MP3 Audio Introduction and Solution – carefully edited to be short and interesting. The two voiceover actors both take you back to the days of the Roaring Twenties and the background music is upbeat and theme-specific. Should you have any problems, there is a printed backup.

Examples of printouts, place setting cards and menu card for Murder in a 1920s Speakeasy.

4 Plenty of (Optional) Printouts

Plenty of Printouts to make your Roaring 20s’ decor just swell, doll. Printouts include posters such as “Closed due to Violation of the Volstead Act” and anti-Prohibition posters, a sign for The Big Tiger stating “No Password, No Entrance”, moonshine labels to stick on crates or walls, bottle labels, The Big Tiger house rules and internal Twentes’ style room signs.

List of Game Printouts

External signs and posters to make your home look like a speakeasy:

The Big Tiger speakeasy sign
Closed due to Violation of the Volstead Act poster
Wanted Poster for Information on the Shooting outside The Big Tiger

Moonshine labels to stick on crates, walls etc:

Moonshine Gap Whiskey
O'Clipper's Mountain Special Whiskey
Best Bourbon
Gin
Canadian Whiskey
Moonshine

Bottle labels:

Moonshine Gap Whiskey
O'Clipper's Mountain Special

Temperance and Moralism Society posters:

Flappers are Immoral
Moonshine causes Madness
Drink leads to Drunkenness
Drunks are Not Attractive
Drunks are Dunces

Anti-Prohibition Posters:

Flappers want Fun
Drink and dance like a flapper

Records:

The Charleston record centers (small and large)
The Charleston record cover

Internal Twenties' style room signs:

Kitchen
Lounge
Dining
Water Closet

Speakeasy House Rules

List of 20s' Slang on attractive background

Optional dinner table printouts: editable menu card (supplied as a Word document) and place-setting cards for each character. Place-setting cards are given in two formats: conventional place-setting cards themed to the 1920s and a circular “record insert” card with each character’s name on it.

We Hope You Enjoyed this Murder Mystery Game and We'd Love to Hear From You!

45 reviews for Murder in a 1920s Speakeasy

Rated 5 out of 5

Stephanie (verified owner) – 10 November 2020

This is the third mystery I’ve done from Maple Mystery Games and I’ve enjoyed this one just as much as the previous two! We played with ten people virtually and good times were definitely had (the 1920’s theme which included lots of moonshine opportunities may have helped…) The game box included all the necessary files in an easy to navigate organizational system and included plenty of helpful décor and design files to help make the virtual experience as immersive as possible. The characters were all unique, fun, and full of personality with plenty of opportunity for the players to play them as big or as conservatively as they were comfortable with. With lots of motivation given to each character, the murderer could be anyone! Definitely recommend for a light hang with some good friends.
Rated 5 out of 5

D Carter – 9 November 2020

Great fun! Just spent a happy evening playing the virtual version with friends and family over the internet. Everyone had a great time playing their roles, and the mystery was good too.
Rated 5 out of 5

Harry Charles (verified owner) – 11 October 2020

A fantastic mystery! Went perfectly with the family across Zoom. We all had a great time and really can’t wait to play another!
Rated 5 out of 5

Mark – 3 October 2020

Great, enjoyable evening. Interesting characters, lots of twists, can you work out whodunnit?
Rated 5 out of 5

Robyn Brunning – 3 October 2020

A fantastic evening had by all! Fantastically written! The plot was creative with a few red herrings thrown in for good measure. This was our first murder mystery and after this I will definitely be doing another.

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Murder in a 1920s' Speakeasy

Story and Characters for this Swell 1920s’ Murder Mystery Game

This swell Twenties' game has a mix of gangsters and flappers, bootleggers and law enforcers

and

a very fearsome Temperance and Moralism Society campaigner!

Murder Mystery Dinner Party Game: 6 - 8 Players

Female Suspects

Male Suspects

Optional/Minor Suspects - Gender Neutral

Murder Mystery Party Game: 8 - 10 Players

Female Suspects

Male Suspects

Gender Neutral Suspects

Optional/Minor Suspects - Gender Neutral

Murder Mystery Party Game: 10 - 12 Players

Female Suspects

Male Suspects

Gender Neutral Suspect

Optional/Minor Suspects - Gender Neutral

Murder Mystery Party Game: 12 - 14 Players

Female Suspects

Male Suspects

Gender Neutral Suspects

Optional/Minor Suspects - Gender Neutral

Running Your 1920s Murder Mystery Party

Check Out Our Helpful Party Tips Specially Designed for Running our Mystery Game.

Our Helpful Party Tips Include:

Age Guidance

How Our Murder Mysteries Work

Format

Included With Your Murder Mystery Game Kit Purchase - All Ready for Instant Download!

1 Comprehensive, Easy-to-Follow Host Instructions

2 Pre-party Information to Send to Guests

3 Well-designed Party Kit

4 Plenty of (Optional) Printouts

We Hope You Enjoyed this Murder Mystery Game and We'd Love to Hear From You!

45 reviews for Murder in a 1920s Speakeasy

Keep Informed of Future Mysteries and Receive Discounts.

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