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The Reaper Reader
Tips for hosts, fun for everyone.
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Brought to you by Shot In The Dark Mystery Games.
http://www.shotinthedarkmysteries.com
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Welcome to the third issue of The Reaper Reader!
In this Issue:
1. Note from the Mystery Maiden
2. Did You Know? Trivia Bite
3. Host Help Article - What to Expect When Attending a Murder Mystery Game Party!br>
4. Last Issue's Mini-Mystery Winner!
5. Mini-Mystery
6. Sleuth Joke
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| Note From The Mystery Maiden |
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Hello, Subscriber
It's that time of year, where I take off on my second annual pilgrimage to Nicaragua. As you read this, I am on a plane, flying away! It's going to be great to escape the snow and chilly air, and relax for a bit under the palm trees.
Don't hate me yet - this trip will not be all about relaxing. In addition to painting a house and organizing a wedding, I will also be zipping from tree top to tree top on a cable, dangling above the jungle! I will scream the entire time, I assure you.
While I'm gone, we will still be taking registration for the exciting upcoming event, Murder At The Book Signing. Play a murder mystery game with us without having to leave your home! (I love the internet age). Tickets are a measley ten bucks! Come on, I'd love to hang out and meet everyone! For more details, visit http://www.shotinthedarkmysteries.com/mystery/booksigning/index.html.
Sincerely,
Mystery Maiden
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Did You Know? Trivia Bite
Before becoming an author, Ian Rankin, author of the unstoppable Rebus mystery series, made a living as a grape-picker, an alcohol researcher (we wonder what that entails! haha), punk musician and a taxman.
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Host Help Article: Why Party in February?
Attending a murder mystery game? Here’s what to expect:
Most people, when they receive an invitation to a murder mystery game will be playing a character, thereby helping to advance the plot. But if you’ve never attended a murder mystery game party before, the idea of playing a part can seem daunting. Will I have to act? What if I mess up – will I ruin the game? Here are some ideas of what to expect when attending a murder mystery game party.
1) Get into character
If you are playing a character, you should receive information about your character before the murder mystery game party. A great way to get into character is to dress the part. Sometimes, the murder mystery game character description will give you prop ideas, but how much effort you put into your props and costume is up to you. In Murder on the Mound, for example, most of the characters are ball players. Therefore, you can attend dressed in a baseball uniform and carry a baseball glove. In Nightmare in the Newsroom however, costumes are not necessary, as the characters are attending a celebration party.
2) Ask your host how the game is formatted
Murder mystery games are available in different formats. Some are fully interactive, meaning it is your responsibility to interrogate the other characters while mingling. Other games give hints for questions you should ask while interrogating. There are also murder mystery games that are turn-based (usually played at a dinner party) in which each player gets a chance to present their information to the group when it’s their turn. There are further murder mystery games which have a group of characters, usually 6-8 people, who are suspects (also known as a cast), from which the guests can accuse of being the killer. Knowing the format of the game you will play will give you an idea of what to expect.
3) Follow the instructions
This seems like an easy tip, but it is the most frequently overlooked part of a murder mystery game. Most murder mystery games are based around clues, which are arranged in a specific order. These clues are either going to be secret (Shot In The Dark Mystery Games calls them “Hide” clues) or a clue with information you must tell everyone (we call them “Share” clues). Ensure before you reveal any information you check whether or not it is a “Share” or a “Hide” clue. Also, some clues may have instructions, such as the Shot In The Dark Mysteries “Super Secrets” clues, which may instruct you to share your information with one or two other players. If you follow the instructions, you can be sure not to reveal anything that should be kept secret.
4) Keep track of the information you receive
Shot In The Dark Mysteries recommends that hosts provide paper on which their guests can keep track of clues. Ask your host if they will be providing paper and pens. If not, take along a little notepad and write down the information you discover throughout the game. This will make it easier to cast your accusation based on the information you’ve gathered.
5) Have fun!
Playing a murder mystery game is nothing if not fun; even those who have never played a game before and are nervous going in rave about what a great evening they’ve had. It’s important to remember that the object is to have fun, and that everything will be revealed to you in due process. So relax and enjoy yourself!
For more information and tips, visit the Dark Community forum at www.shotinthedarkmysteries.com to ask the Mystery Maiden questions and discuss what to expect with other players.
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Murder Mystery Game Alert! |
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THE WIZARD OF OZ MYSTERY
Somewhere over the rainbow muder was afoot ...
It was awfully convenient that the tornado picked up Dorothy and the house and deposited her directly upon the Wicked Witch of the East, without anyone else getting hurt. Was it a coincidence or pre-meditated murder? Based more on L. Frank Baum's original book than the Hollywood movie, The Wizard of Oz Mystery reveals the truth - the slippers were made of silver, the flowers that knocked everyone out were actually poppies and Dorothy was not as innocent as she pretended. Everyone has a motive, and it's up to the suspects to figure out who killed the Wicked Witch of the East!
http://www.shotinthedarkmysteries.com/mystery/oz/index.html
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I know, I know, the last mini-mystery was difficult. This month won't be so hard, I promise, but you all came up with some fascinating answers! The winner of our last mini-mystery was Mellow Yellow, who can pick any Shot In The Dark Mystery game for free! Congratulations, Yellow, and keep Mellow!
To refresh your memory, here was the mini-mystery:
Ray Whitcombe is found dead in his office at his desk. The police have narrowed the suspects down to three people: Mrs. Barbara Whitcombe, Ray's wife; Mr. Jason McCubbins, Ray's business partner; and Mr. Harold Nichols, Ray's best friend. All three visited Mr. Whitcombe the day of his murder, but all three provide the police with stories of explanation as to the reason for their visit. Police found Mr. Whitcombe with his wrist watch still on his right arm, a torn up picture of his wife lying on the floor beside the trash can, and an ink pen in his right hand. On the desk, the police found a name plate, a telephone that was off the hook, and a personal calendar turned to the July 5th page with 7B91011 written on it. After examining this evidence, the police knew their suspect. Who was it?
The answer: Jason McCubbins, Ray's business partner. The calendar is the clue to solving this murder. The police realized that since Mr. Whitcombe was wearing his watch on his right arm, he must be left handed. But the pen was found in his right hand. Realizing that the number on the calendar was written in a hurry and with his opposite hand, police matched the written number with the months of the year. So the B was an 8, thereby giving us 7-8-9-10-11: July, August, September, October, November. Use the first letter of each month and it spells J-A-S-O-N.
Here's the new mystery:
A man kills his wife. Many people watch him doing so.
Yet no one will ever be able to accuse him of murder. Why?
Email your reply to mysterymaiden@shotinthedarkmysteries.com for a chance to win a free Shot In The Dark Mystery Game of your choice! Everyone who guesses, regardless of their answer, is entered in the draw!
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Murder Mystery Game Alert! |
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NIGHTMARE IN THE NEWSROOM
Murder is always front page news
It's The Chronicle's 25th anniversary, but that's not all they are celebrating. Editor-in-Chief Barty Barker is retiring from his 25-year career, handing the reins over to Milton Muckler, an outspoken editorialist in the prime of his career. But when Milton Muckler is found dead in the basement production room, those celebrating his success turn into murder suspects. Who killed Milton Muckler, and why are the police taking so long to arrive?
http://www.shotinthedarkmysteries.com/mystery/newsroom/index.html
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| Sleuth Joke of the Month> |
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Sleuth Joke
I know, I know... but it's a classic!
Two police officers respond to a crime scene behind a grocery store. The homicide detective is already there.
"What happened?" asks the first officer.
"Male, about twenty-five, covered in Raisin Bran and dead as a doornail."
"Good grief," says the second officer. "Didn't we have one covered in Frosted Flakes yesterday? And Captain Crunch last week?"
"You're right" said the detective, "I'm afraid this is the work of a cereal killer."
Have a sleuth joke? Email it to me at mysterymaiden@shotinthedarkmysteries.com for an entry into our monthly draw! You could win the Shot In The Dark Mystery Game of your choice!
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The Reaper Reader is published by Shot In The Dark Mystery Games. Visit us at http://www.shotinthedarkmysteries.com.
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