£13.60 – £23.20
Fun horror or fantasy murder mystery party or dinner party; Halloween or anytime; 6-10 players. Easy-to-run; instant download. No commercial use.
A Horror Fantasy Murder Mystery Party, suitable for Halloween or any time of year. Vampires and demons, ghosts and witches, mutants, zombies and serial killers all roam an ancient castle. Add an ancient vampire curse and a struggle for the survival of the Earth and what could go wrong? ...
Play with 6-14 players. Host plays too.
Age: adults and most teens 14+ (see Age and Sensibilities tab below).
Flexibly-scripted. At Home or Virtual options.
Sale price: £13.60 - £23.20 (Was £17 - £29)
Fantasy horror murder mystery party or dinner party that will give your guests scary fun any time of year, Halloween included.
An ancient curse hangs over Horror Castle.
On one night a month, the night of the full moon, the portal between the Earth and the dimension called Horror opens ...
Fantasy horror murder mystery party game where witches plot, vampires, zombies, demons and serial killers backstab and poltergeists create mayhem.
Creatures of nightmare want an ancient curse to come true so they can overrun the Earth and feed on mankind. Only the powerful Witch Kingdom stands in their way.
The Witch King has summoned representatives from the supernatural and human worlds to his court at Horror Castle.
And, as the feast ends and the peace treaty is due to be signed, a murderer strikes. Or is it the ancient curse?
Prince Merlyn, the son of the Witch King, is found. Dead. Killed with a magical silver dagger.
The suspects are slung into a deep dungeon while investigations are underway. They are released to face an investigation by the fearsome Head of Witch Kingdom Security.
If found guilty, a terrifying fate awaits ...
Instant download lets you host a fun horror fantasy murder mystery party. Face-to-face and virtual options. Ideal for Halloween but suitable for any time of year.
"What a fantastic night of murder and mystery. Loved it.
Loved the well-written adventure and once again failed to identify the murderer.
Can’t wait to do the next one.
All I can say to anyone thinking of doing a Maple Mystery game, GO FOT IT and have some fun..."
Adrian Balaam
"We bought this for my Mum’s birthday as she loves horror and fantasy. There were 8 of us in total, ages ranging from 15 to 71! We had a great time hamming up the vampires, demon, witches and zombie. I played the serial killer! Clear instructions – a fun night for everyone."
Robert O.
Polite notes: please check how many wish to play BEFORE purchase. The two optional/minor characters are fully integrated and are suspects but have slightly smaller roles.
Gender of 8 essential players: 2 females, 3 males, 3 neutrals
Gender of 2 optional (minor) players: 2 neutrals
Suspects: 8 - 10
Bea Eville - demon or mutant Ambassador of the Soul Kingdom; uses Diviner Cards to predict all bad things but is seductive and devious.
Bless your sweet little soul ...
Vamp - a vampire Ambassador for the Blood Kingdom; glamorous, sexy and devious.
My favourite honeybite; I do so love men with good necks.
Lord Dredd Bonecracker - fearsome Head of Witch Kingdom Security.
Bones-a-cracking, I do love supervising those dungeons. I’m not called Bonecracker for nothing!
Mac MacMoon - Scottish Laird of Horror Castle in its Earthly dimension; runs the castle as a Haunted Hostel where guests may stay - if they dare!
Och, if ye think I’ve murdered some wizard, then yer oot yer tree!
Lord Croke - new heir to the throne; pompous, arrogant and generally disliked.
As the new heir to the throne, I now expect to be called Your Highness. I'll have the heart of anyone who ...
Count or Countess Drakuna - vampire Ambassador of the Blood Kingdom; arrogant and pompous.
Blood and bones! – blood preferably ...
Grimm Greaper - zombie Ambassador of the Undead Kingdom with some grudges to settle.
Death and darkness to all!
Ghostie - one of two resident poltergeists; loves telling bad ghost jokes, playing terrible pranks and a bit too fond of Witches' Brew.
I’m a nobody. No body? Get it? Whoooooo! As public-spirited as we are ...
Bo GeyMan - demon or mutant Ambassador of the Soul Kingdom; reads skulls to make psychic predictions.
Our SOS - Storage of Souls - offer really is so generous; we'll arrange your death for you and then your soul can live on in us. What could be fairer?
Spookie - the other resident poltergeist; also loves telling bad ghost jokes, playing terrible pranks and is a bit too fond of Witches' Brew.
You could say we're a bit high-spirited ...
Gender of 10 essential players: 3 females, 3 males, 4 neutrals
Gender of 2 optional (minor) players: 2 neutrals
Suspects: 10 - 12
Bea Eville - demon or mutant Ambassador of the Soul Kingdom; uses Diviner Cards to predict all bad things but is seductive and devious.
Bless your sweet little soul ...
Lady Crow - fiancé of Lord Croke; arrogant, tactless and generally disliked .
His Dearest Highness, Lord Croke, is the esteemed heir to the throne. As the most important lady in the Witch Kingdom; I will be treated with respect.
Vamp - a vampire Ambassador for the Blood Kingdom; glamorous, sexy and devious.
My favourite honeybite; I do so love men with good necks.
Lord Dredd Bonecracker - fearsome Head of Witch Kingdom Security.
Bones-a-cracking, I do love supervising those dungeons. I’m not called Bonecracker for nothing!
Mac MacMoon - Scottish Laird of Horror Castle in its Earthly dimension; runs the castle as a Haunted Hostel where guests may stay - if they dare!
Och, if ye think I’ve murdered some wizard, then yer oot yer tree!
Lord Croke - new heir to the throne; pompous and arrogant in the extreme.
As the new heir to the throne, I now expect to be called Your Highness. I'll have the heart of anyone who ...
Count or Countess Drakuna - vampire Ambassador of the Blood Kingdom; arrogant and pompous.
Blood and bones! – blood preferably ...
Grimm Greaper - zombie Ambassador of the Undead Kingdom with some grudges to settle.
Death and darkness to all!
Ghostie - one of three resident poltergeists; loves telling bad ghost jokes, playing terrible pranks and a bit too fond of Witches' Brew.
I’m a nobody. No body? Get it? Whoooooo! As public-spirited as we are ...
Spookie - one of three resident poltergeists; also loves telling bad ghost jokes, playing terrible pranks and is a bit too fond of Witches' Brew.
You could say we're a bit high-spirited ...
Bo GeyMan - demon or mutant Ambassador of the Soul Kingdom; reads skulls to make psychic predictions.
Our SOS - Storage of Souls - offer really is so generous; we'll arrange your death for you and then your soul can live on in us. What could be fairer?
Shady - one of three resident poltergeists; also loves telling bad ghost jokes, playing terrible pranks and is a bit too fond of Witches' Brew.
Ghostie and Spookie are kindred spirits; it’s dead certain that ...
Gender of 12 essential players: 5 females, 3 males, 4 neutrals
Gender of 2 optional (minor) players: 2 neutrals
Suspects: 12 - 14
Bea Eville - demon or mutant Ambassador of the Soul Kingdom; uses Diviner Cards to predict all bad things but is seductive and devious.
Bless your sweet little soul ...
Lady Crow - fiancé of Lord Croke; arrogant, tactless and generally disliked .
His Dearest Highness, Lord Croke, is the esteemed heir to the throne. As the most important lady in the Witch Kingdom; I will be treated with respect.
DK Ing - zombie Ambassador of the Undead Kingdom; would-be sexy undead.
Rotting but not rotten; I'm a lover not a murderer; any takers?
Jac MacMoon - Scottish Lady of Horror Castle in its Earthly dimension; aggressively domineering wife of Mac; runs the castle as a Haunted Hostel where guests may stay - if they dare!
Och wee hen; that's my man and ye better stay away! Or else.
Vamp - a vampire Ambassador for the Blood Kingdom; glamorous, sexy and devious.
My favourite honeybite; I do so love men with good necks.
Lord Dredd Bonecracker - fearsome Head of Witch Kingdom Security.
Bones-a-cracking, I do love supervising those dungeons. I’m not called Bonecracker for nothing!
Mac MacMoon - Scottish Laird of Horror Castle in its Earthly dimension; hen-pecked wife of Jac; runs the castle as a Haunted Hostel where guests may stay - if they dare!
Och, if ye think I’ve murdered some wizard, then yer oot yer tree!
Lord Croke - new heir to the throne; pompous and arrogant in the extreme.
As the new heir to the throne, I now expect to be called Your Highness. I'll have the heart of anyone who ...
Count or Countess Drakuna - vampire Ambassador of the Blood Kingdom; arrogant and pompous.
Blood and bones! – blood preferably ...
Grimm Greaper - zombie Ambassador of the Undead Kingdom with some grudge to settle.
Death and darkness to all!
Ghostie - one of three resident poltergeists; loves telling bad ghost jokes, playing terrible pranks and a bit too fond of Witches' Brew.
I’m a nobody. No body? Get it? Whoooooo! As public-spirited as we are ...
Spookie - one of three resident poltergeists; also loves telling bad ghost jokes, playing terrible pranks and is a bit too fond of Witches' Brew.
You could say we're a bit high-spirited ...
Bo GeyMan - demon or mutant Ambassador of the Soul Kingdom; reads skulls to make psychic predictions.
Our SOS - Storage of Souls - offer really is so generous; we'll arrange your death for you and then your soul can live on in us. What could be fairer?
Shady - one of three resident poltergeists; also loves telling bad ghost jokes, playing terrible pranks and is a bit too fond of Witches' Brew.
Ghostie and Spookie are kindred spirits; it’s dead certain that ...
There's no need to go to lots of trouble with decorations and costumes; the booklets will let you enjoy a fun fantasy horror murder mystery party without any fuss.
But Horror and Halloween parties all lend themselves to creepy decor and costumes. Choose whether you wish to go for the spooktacular fun, blood-splattered gore, conventional Halloween, Gothic looks or Gory Glam. Or opt for a Dark Fantasy look with a few ancient and rustic decorations.
For virtual parties, decorations are so easy as each guest only needs (if they wish) to decorate the small area where the camera will focus. Our Decorations Pack provides lots of free printouts and spooky decorating tips to help.
You can take normal food and decorate it in an eerie way. Cut biscuits into bat or witch shapes; shape sandwiches into coffin shapes; stuff lychees with dark grapes or blueberries to represent eyeballs; cut brownies into tombstone shapes and add RIP in icing. Don't forget the creepy labels shaped like coffins or bats with chilling descriptions. Maybe even add plastic spiders or bats. Or buy some sweets as decoration - try jelly snakes or bats, jelly eyeballs, or edible Dracula teeth.
Food colouring can also be used to turn normal food into something that looks vile but still tastes great. Tip: ensure you use enough colouring or else red can become pink and black can become grey.
"Black snakes" (pizza dough tinted with squid ink and baked in squiggly shapes) served with homemade hummus made with black tahini or shop hummus darkened with food colouring.
Roasted black or purple carrots with honey and thyme; purple potatoes roasted in their jackets.
Blood pudding.
Charcoal bread or homemade bread with food colouring.
Sushi made with black rice.
Fruit pie with a purple crust (use blueberry powder to transform your ordinary pastry crust).
Witches' fingers made from pizza dough or cookie dough.
Witches' Brew - could use green food colouring to turn a normal cocktail into a suitable "yukky" one.
Stake through the heart; spare ribs; pasta in tomato sauce.
Red foods - red peppers, onions, cabbage or grapes; tomatoes, cherries, raspberries, strawberries, cherries.
Sandwiches made out of dark bread shaped like coffins.
Red velvet cake; red jelly; cheesecakes drizzled with strawberry or raspberry compote; chocolate cupcakes topped with "blood" icing.
Blood fondue can be made by melting butter and cream and adding white chocolate chips and food colouring.
For an easy pudding decoration, try some plastic bats on top of the pudding. Or melt vampire teeth gummy sweets with red candy melts to represent blood drips. Or "splatter" red icing over biscuits or cakes.
Dark scones with raspberry or strawberry jam; use food colouring or blueberry powder to colour the scones.
Cocktails coloured with red food colouring; dark red punch; Bloody Mary.
For an authentically gruesome drinking experience, buy a pack of "IV Blood Bags" complete with clips and labels, and fill with red drinks. Sites such as Amazon sell reusable drinking pouches styled as blood bags for themed parties.
Black squid-ink pasta with prawns or other seafood.
Puff-pastry intestines; bloody finger hot dogs; arrange your charcuterie board into a plastic skeleton allowing the "intestines" to spill out.
Cake covered in red and black icing with a knife (also smeared with red icing) sticking out.
Top a chocolate pudding with gummy worms or plastic spiders.
Top a chocolate cake or Oreos with chocolate icing; then form a spiders' web on top by gently drawing a knife through circles of white icing. For a reverse effect, use a chocolate trifle, top with cream and then form a spiders' web by drawing a knife through circles of melted dark chocolate.
Strawberry ghosts - dip strawberries in white chocolate, leave to set and then use milk or dark chocolate to pipe eyes and mouth shapes.
Any form of pastry-topped pie can be turned into a Halloween version by cutting out eye and nose shapes and a "Jack Skellington" grin. For Halloween, a pumpkin pie is ideal.
Apple cider punch with apples carved to look like heads.
Fill a (talcum-free!) latex glove with black or red fruit juice, seal it, curve the fingers as required and then freeze it; fill the fingers of other gloves with suitably coloured fruit juice, seal and freeze. Just before serving, remove the latex with a sharp knife and add the "fingers" to your favourite punch.
Cream cheese and ham mix made into a skull shape; Sushi in the shape of a brain.
RIP puddings: chocolate pudding topped with brownie crumbs or Oreo crumbs to represent dirt, with a tombstone-shaped biscuit with RIP piped onto it. For an adult version, make a tiramisu trifle by soaking sponges in a mix of coffee liquor and strong coffee, topping with a layer of set custard (suitably coloured) and then another layer of whipped cream (coloured if you wish); add a generous cocoa dusting and then use crumbled brownies to represent dirt; then dip a large cracker in melted dark chocolate and, when set, pipe "RIP"; decorate with plastic spiders or a dolls' hand reaching up through the "graveyard".
Cut arms out of coloured paper, tape them to something solid such as a wooden fork and then stick them onto a brown-iced cake to make it look as if the victim is trying to claw up through the grave.
White jelly in a brain mould topped with strawberry or raspberry sauce.
Red fondant cake cut into a brain shape, covered in white fondant rolls and smeared with strawberry or raspberry fruity sauce to resemble a brain.
Cupcakes with thick frosting piped to represent a brain.
Eyeball punch (use lychees stuffed with blueberries, blackberries or black grapes for the eyeballs).
With some ingenuity, you can mix the fantasy feel of simple garden ingredients and mix with a horror twist.
For example, serve baked stuffed pumpkin with black rice, red rice or wild rice, prunes, cranberries and pecans, maybe adding a touch of food colouring to ensure the stuffing is suitable dark.
Create a "dark" salad using natural ingredients such as black, red or wild rice, sliced beetroot, red cabbage, black tomatoes, pomegranate. Add a "natural" dressing - for example, use equal parts honey, vinegar, olive oil and wholegrain mustard; add salt, pepper and thyme to taste.
Serve soup inside a carved-out pumpkin "bowl". Serve with charcoal sourdough bread or homemade bread rolls coloured with food colouring.
Serve pumpkin cheesecake inside a scooped-out mini pumpkin and add a chocolate spiders' web or cranberry sauce for the "blood".
You can enjoy the game without dressing up but some creepy costumes do add to the atmosphere of the game - and there is a Best Costume prize! Some people go to town and buy complete outfits; others adapt what they have in their wardrobes and just accessories.
Playing cards or skull used for making predictions. If a demon: black or red outfit with horns and optional (toy, for safety) pitchfork. Optionally make own horns using a headband, pipe-cleaners and appropriately-coloured materials or arrange hair into horn-shaped buns on top of head. Fake red or black nails; eyeshadow brushed on face. If a mutant: choose whether to go for the animal or alien look.
Bea: a seductive look.
Homemade ghost costume: white sheet with holes for eyes and mouth and tattered cuts at the edges. White gloves and ghost mask optional. Or buy a ghost outfit of your choice.
Choose whether to wear a Scottish costume (a kilt with a sporran and Fly Plaid, or tartan trousers with a shirt and jacket) or a Goth costume (black, dark purple and scarlet colours with velvets, leather, lace, fishnets, period or fetish clothes. Long, black hair; pale foundation with dark eyeliner). Optionally add a creepy moustache, wig or TOY (for safety) weapon.
A black and red/white vampire costume is ideal. A red and black cape with fake fangs and fake blood dripping from your mouth. If a man: black trousers, white shirt, black or red waistcoat with a black, white or red cravat. If a woman: black or red dress with optional black gloves and choker.
Vamp: A seductive look.
Dark cloak; witch's staff or wand creates a fantasy feel. Optional pointed hat. If a man: optional long beard.
Croke: optionally wear a small crown or gold circlet to signify your new position as heir to the throne.
Lord Dredd: TOY (for safety) weapon such as a sword, axe or dagger. Optionally go for the medieval look with a suit of armour underneath your cloak.
A zombie outfit: mask or white face-paint with grey, red and green streaks. Use old clothes and rip and tear in random spots; use a serrated knife or scissors to fray edges. Be creative with stains, but please ensure that your face paint and outfit cannot stain anything of value. Optionally buy a pack of creepy cloth and cover outfit with that. Optional TOY (for safety) scythe. Playing cards to represent Tarot cards (6-8 player version only). Note that a skeleton outfit would also be OK.
This is intended as an adult mystery but many parents will be happy for teens aged 14+ to attend. This is very much down to the individual family and the maturity of the teenager.
Vampires, Zombies, Ghosts, Witches, Warlocks, Demons, Mutants
This is a fantasy horror mystery and so there are vampires, zombies, ghosts, witches, warlocks, demons and mutants. The tone is fairly light-hearted but if you find the supernatural offensive, this may not be a mystery for you.
Mild Violence
Some characters make threats such as "tortured for eternity" but no explicit details are given. There are references to previous executions and killings. There is a serial killer - but no explicit details are given.
Mild Sexual Innuendos and Flirtations
One character - a vampire - is a professional seductress. She calls people "my favourite honeybite" and might say lines such as "I do so like men with a good neck". No explicit details are given.
In the larger parties (8 - 10 players and upwards), Bea Eville is also seductive and devious. Again, no explicit details are given.
There is no bad language.
The host instructions give details of who Vamp and Bea Eville may flirt with so couples can be paired (if you wish).
Mild Gore
There are references to blood (there are vampire characters!) but these references are largely comic.
Alcohol
Some characters are said to be too fond of Witches' Brew.
Sensitive Subjects
The victim was stabbed with an ancient, magical silver dagger - one of two such daggers in existence able to kill a witch of royal blood. No explicit details are given.
There are no religious references, but the Soul Kingdom is made up of demons and mutants who wish to feed off the souls of living creatures. As with everything, this is handled in a light-hearted way.
The dimension called Horror exists in parallel to the Earth.
There are different, warring kingdoms:
The kingdoms in the dimension called Horror want to overrun the Earth - the vampires want to use humans as their living blood banks, the undead want to eat the flesh of mankind and the demons and mutants want the souls of living creatures.
The Witch Kingdom stands alone as the protectors of the Earth.
On one day a month, on the night of the full moon, the Witch Kingdom portals open. There are portals between the Witch Kingdom and the other kingdoms and a portal between the Witch Kingdom and the Earth. The portals have opened ...
1000 years ago, after a fierce and magical war, the vampire king cursed the Witch Kingdom for protecting the Earth and denying vampires access to their “rightful victims”.
Is this ancient curse to blame for Prince Merlyn's murder?
We provide full host instructions so your Fantasy Horror or Halloween murder mystery party is as spooktacular as you wish! We include 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
Go for scary, gory, Gothic or light-hearted fun as you wish. Or, if running as a Halloween murder mystery party, choose a conventional Halloween theme.
Just one fold and you have an attractive A5 booklet with borders. The front page, a copy of Witch Kingdom News, gives a bite-sized introduction to the murder mystery background.
The spooky Invitation is supplied as a Word document with editable fields. We offer two versions: striking (for emailing to guests) and one that uses less ink (for printing).
View Party Invitation - High Ink
View Party Invitation - Low Ink
A short MP3 audio introduction to set the scene; a short MP3 audio solution in addition to the optional Whodunnit round. Should you have any problems, there is a printed backup.
Suitable for both beginners and experienced crime-solvers! Our prompt cards CAN be read like a script (ideal for those who find ad-libs difficult). More out-going players, however, can use their own words and ad-lib as much as they wish.
These neat A5 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; headings given in a special horror font.
Clues enable evidence to be presented in bite-sized chunks. Clues have a low-ink horror-themed border.
There are certificates for the best actor, best costume and, best solution; optional certificates for best decor and best food. All have an eerie background. Optionally, you can provide prizes as well.
Themes: Fantasy, Horror, Halloween, Vampires, Zombies, Ghosts
Murder Mid-Party?: No
Host Plays a Character?: Yes
Format: optional initial mingling session, 6 rounds (flexible "script" where players can substitute own words, ad-lib and don't know what others will say) optional interactive whodunnit
Availability: instant download on payment receipt (pdfs + 2 audio MP3 files with a printed fallback + editable Word invitations & menus); supplied in zip files
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 player (if double-sided) or 12 A4 pages per player (if single-sided). There are also 7 pages of essential clues. We provide other optional files that players and hosts can if they wish print.
File Sizes: 3 zip files (1,800 KB, 4300 - 6400 KB, 4,900 - 9,300 KB ), two audios plus two optional zip files (13,700KB and 6,600KB)
Time: 1.75 - 2.75+ hours (depends on party size and number of ad-libs); food and chatting breaks in addition
Age: Adults and most teens age 14+ (See Age & Sensitivities above).
Type: virtual (eg Zoom) or face-to-face.
Dinner Party: 6 - 8 Players - 1 female, 2 males, 3 - 5 neutrals (£17)
Dinner Party: 8 - 10 Players - 2 females, 3 males, 3 - 5 neutrals (£21)
Party: 10 - 12 Players - 3 females, 3 males, 4 - 6 neutrals (£25)
Party: 12 - 14 Players - 5 females, 3 males, 4 - 6 neutrals (£29)
Cost: £17 - £29 (payment via PayPal)
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.)
jonathan cobbold –
What an absolutely fantastic evening; as always extremely well-crafted plot and great characters. Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended-especially if you’re prepared to let your hair down and ham up the character and just enjoy the ride. Everyone had a wonderful evening thank you.
Adrian Balaam –
What a fantastic night of murder and mystery. Loved it.
Loved the well-written adventure and once again failed to identify the murderer.
Can’t wait to do the next one.
All I can say to anyone thinking of doing a Maple Mystery game, GO FOT IT and have some fun…
Justin –
This was an awesome experience! We had a great time with friends with excellent entertainment. The Murder at Horror Castle made an easy way to get to know new people.
Hanna –
This was our first murder mystery and we didn’t really know what to expect, but all expectations were exceeded and had a lot of fun!
Robert O (verified owner) –
We bought this for my Mum’s birthday as she loves horror and fantasy. There were 8 of us in total, ages ranging from 15 to 71! We had a great time hamming up the vampires, demon, witches and zombie. I played the serial killer! Clear instructions – a fun night for everyone.
Jane Marsland –
Very enjoyable evening. Easy to follow instructions and well thought out plot.
Mark –
A spooky whodunnit with twists and turns throughout. Who really did kill Prince Merlyn and why? Some great characters with lots of costume options. Script and story flowed well. Highly recommended for a bit of light fun.