Jazz, Gin and… Murder

It’s the 1920s. Chicago. Even though Prohibition has made alcohol illegal, there is a speakeasy on every corner where you can find bathtub gin and jazz music. But there is another side to Chicago—the gangsters who own the town. Two gangs are meeting up at the wildest speakeasy in town to shake hands and plan how to merge their forces.

Not everyone will survive this historic occasion…

***Please note that this story contains some adult themes including references to affairs, drinking, and murder***

The game is played in 5 Rounds. The murder happens in Round 2. Through the game the players learn new secrets about themselves, detective reveals some facts from the investigation, players receive new information about other characters’ motives for the murder and finally… they vote for their suspects and the detective reveals the Murderer.

Each purchase will include:

– Game Host Guide

– Game Rules

– Character List

– Nametags

– Game Ballot

– Invitation

– Character Cards for each of the 5 rounds

All materials are printed on A4 paper and you don’t have to cut them (except nametags).

The Host can play along

The Host can take one of the roles and who knows, maybe he will end up being the suspect in the end. 

It is in Round 2 that the Victim will be told to fall down dead and the Murderer will find out that he/she is guilty.

Game Plan

Round 1: Mingling 

Players read information about the story and their role (or review the information sent in advance) and are told to share it with as many other players as possible. They also learn a secret about themselves that they need to keep.

Round 2: The Murder 

The Victim is told to gather everyone’s attention, then fall down dead. Most of the other players are instructed to observe. The Murderer finds out now that he/she is guilty.

Round 3: The Motive 

The Victim now becomes the Police Detective and reveals information from the police investigation. Players receive new information about other characters’ motives for the murder. They can either question the people they suspect, try to uncover other characters’ secrets, or spread gossip. Only the Murderer is allowed to lie; everyone else is instructed to bluster, change the subject, and so on, but always tell the truth.

Round 4: The Evidence The Detective reveals more information from the police investigation, while other players receive more facts to share. At this point, some players should be able to make a sensible guess about the Murderer.

Voting: Players complete a Game Ballot if they haven’t already done so. The Host notes the time each ballot is turned in. Players also vote for Best Costume and Best Performer.

Round 5: The Solution 

The Detective reveals the Murderer, who confesses why and how he/she did it.