I Turned My Family Holiday Gathering into a Whodunnit (Here’s How It Went)
Masters of Mystery: An Honest Review
At last year’s family White Elephant gift exchange, I scored a battery organizer case—one of those practical wins that felt deeply triumphant. The year before, aunts and uncles howled as cousins wrestled over a mini shop-vac like it was a priceless artifact.
Gift exchanges always bring the laughs, but this year I wanted to try something different.
Enter Masters of Mystery. My curiosity was piqued after my daughter attended a wizard-themed Masters of Mystery party in the fall. I remember thinking, Could I pull something like this off at our family holiday party? A mystery party felt like a clever but still structured alternative. Part game, part theater, and part chaos (the good kind). On Black Friday, I bought the Christmas Murder Mash-Up kit and committed myself to learning how to host an interactive, unpredictable whodunnit that the whole family could enjoy.
What Is Masters of Mystery?
Masters of Mystery offers downloadable, printable mystery game kits designed to be played either in person or virtually. Most games accommodate anywhere from 4 to 20 players, and the themes are impressively varied—think Wild West, Masquerade, 1980s, Pirates, Circus, Sherlock Holmes, and plenty more.
Once you purchase a kit, Masters of Mystery sends an email with links to all the downloadable materials, including:
Host instructions
Character guides
Invitations
Ballots
Audio recordings
Video files
Everything you need is included—you just supply the people, the costumes (or name tags), and the snacks.
How the Game Works
The mystery unfolds over three rounds of play, all carefully structured but flexible enough to let personalities shine.
Each character:
Introduces themselves using a scripted guide
Gossips freely and spreads rumors
Answers questions about their relationship to the victim
A villain (a.k.a. the murderer) is selected randomly during the game, and accusations fly as characters interrogate one another. Final statements are read, ballots are cast, and guests vote not only for the villain, but also for best costume and best performance.
The structure keeps things moving, while the scripts ensure no one feels put on the spot. Even quieter guests have their moment to shine.
The Real Magic: Commitment Levels
The most entertaining part of hosting a Masters of Mystery party is watching how far people are willing to lean into their roles. Some guests arrive in full costume, complete with accents and dramatic flair. Others take a more minimalist approach—name tag, character voice, and just enough side-eye to keep things interesting. Both approaches work beautifully.
If you’re looking for a fresh way to energize a family gathering (or friend group) that’s played every board game known to humankind, Masters of Mystery is worth considering.
How to Host Without Losing Your Mind
Breaking the process into steps made all the difference for me.
Step 1: Three to Four Weeks Before
Download all game files
Print invitations (if mailing)
Assign characters
Send invites
Step 2: One Week Before
Study the host guide and watch the videos
Print ballots (for in-person games)
Purchase small prizes for best detective, costume, and performer
Step 3: Day Of
Quietly assign each participant a letter and place matching slips into a hat (this determines the villain)
Set up a laptop and portable speaker for audio or video playback
Pro tip: You don’t need both audio and video—they contain the same content. Choose whichever format best fits your setup.
Cost, Pros, and Cons
Masters of Mystery kits typically cost $30–$45, depending on the number of players. And since this is an unbiased review, here are some pros and cons:
Pros
A highly creative alternative to recurring parties
Relatively easy to set up once you understand the flow
Costume-optional (name tags work fine)
More affordable than a mystery dinner theater or escape room
Cons
The first time hosting comes with a learning curve
Several guides have typos
Final Verdict
Masters of Mystery delivers what it promises: a playful, immersive experience that turns an ordinary gathering into something memorable. If you’re willing to do some prep, it’s a fun, affordable way to get people laughing, scheming, and flexing their dramatical skills.
