FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions to get you started hosting your next cozy mystery party.

Getting Started

How do I get started?

It's easy! Simply read the Game Instructions to get an idea of how to prepare for the party. Each game will also come with a "Mystery Master Guide" for the host. The host will read short scripts from this guide to move the game forward. They can pre-read the entire thing to know how the whole story will go or just through the Interrogation section if they want to wait to find out who the Perpetrator is. Don't worry - there are bold callouts letting the host know when to stop reading if they want to save the mystery until its party time!

Are the games played in rounds?

You betcha. Each round is very distinct and this format carries through all our games.

1. Introduction Welcome to the party! Get to know other guests and give others a taste of your own unique personality and character traits. 
2. Investigation Something terrible has happened. Don’t lose your head (one is plenty for the evening, don’t you think?), and get down to business solving the mystery. The five W’s—and one H—come in handy here: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.
3. Interrogation Now is the time to point fingers. Players summarize the evidence collected during the Investigation stage and voice their reasoning about why they think a guest might be the Perpetrator.
4. Final Accusation Players vote on the Perpetrator and the answer is revealed.

Can these games be played with a group who has never played before?

Absolutely — at Tales of Mystery, we pride ourselves on making games that are perfect for fist-time players. In fact, many of our hosts download the game on the night of the party. Each character has fun objectives to complete that are simple to follow through each round, while still giving more experienced players a chance to use their improvisation skills.

Are the games scripted?

Our games encourage active mingling with others and are not scripted. All characters are gender-neutral, giving players the chance to add their own flair to each game.

Can the host play?

Yes, the host is sometimes given a host role as the Mystery Master. They can play this role or just read through the guide between rounds and play another character. We suggest the host plays an optional character in this case.

Does the Victim get to keep playing?

It depends. In some games, the Victims continue playing actively during the entire game and try to hide the fact they are a Victim. In others, the Victim comes back as a ghost and can still quietly gather information and participate in the Final Accusation process. This is always flexible, but we find some players who are nervous about playing for the first time enjoy being assigned the Victim character as it gives them a change to participate without having to act the entire game.

Each game overview will provide this information in the listing description.

Do you have ideas to make the games more immersive?

You know it. Check out individualized party plans for each game on our blog and Pinterest page.

Digital Downloads and Technical Questions

How will the product be delivered?

All our games are digital downloads. That means there is no physical item that will be mailed to you. Instead, you receive the game instantly through an instant download link. You will receive a download link once you check out. It will also be sent to the email address that you included during checkout.

What software do I need to read the files?

Any PDF reader should work to read the files and most devices already have one installed. 

For best results, we suggest using Adobe Acrobat Reader (it's free). 

How do I unzip folders?

Most folders can be unzipped simply by double-clicking on them or right-clicking and selecting "open." If you are having trouble, check out this blog post that describes methods to open a zip folder from any device.

What is your refund policy?

Unfortunately we cannot accept refunds. Due to the nature of digital downloads, you have immediate access to your purchase and we cannot revoke access to the files.  See our full refund policy here.

Please reach out to us with any questions you have before or after your purchase. We are more than happy to help!

Can I use this game for a for-profit event or as an organization?

Please reach out to us if you plan to use our games for multiple groups or for a for-profit event or as a business owner. The games are copyrighted and intended to be used by private individuals for small group parties. Commercial use of our games is generally prohibited.