Hemlock Parlor

Hemlock Parlor · Thanksgiving

A Thanksgiving murder mystery game

We don't have a Thanksgiving edition. Our free 6-player mystery has no holiday in it at all, so it fits a Thanksgiving table: play Round 1 over appetizers, find the body before the turkey, and read the solution with pie.

Free to print

Murder at Winterbourne's Toys: a mystery for 6 players, about 90 minutes. Invitations, character sheets, three clues and the solution in one PDF.

Download the free mystery Make the invitations

Fitting it around the meal

  1. Appetizers: Round 1Hand out character sheets as people arrive. Read the opening, then mingle for 20 minutes.
  2. Before the turkey: the bodyRead the discovery and put out the first clue as everyone sits down.
  3. The meal: Round 2Put out the second and third clues between helpings. Let the table argue.
  4. Pie: the revealEveryone writes an accusation, then the host reads the solution.

For a family table

  • Mixed ages: pair a younger guest with an adult as one character. They read the sheet together.
  • More than six: couples share a role, up to twelve people.
  • The cook: give the host or cook a role with less to say, since they'll be up and down.

The story is set at a small-town toy shop's anniversary party, with cake and punch. There is a murder, but nothing gory, and nothing in it is about the holiday, so nobody's traditions get in the way.

Questions

Is there a Thanksgiving-themed edition?

Not yet. We have Halloween and Christmas editions for 8 to 12 players. For Thanksgiving, the free 6-player game is the one we suggest.

Will it work with kids at the table?

It is written for teens and adults. Younger children can play paired with an adult, if you have read the story first and are happy with it.

Keep reading

Ready to host?

Our free mystery has invitations, six character sheets, three clues and the solution in one PDF.

Download the free mystery