No awkward scripts. No expensive licenses. Just fun games that help shy team members shine and new hires feel welcome.
Hundreds of teams trust PartyKook | Starting at just $20
Let’s be honest. Most team building activities are awkward. People stand around, check their phones, and count the minutes until it’s over. But murder mystery team building is different. Why? Because people actually want to solve the mystery. They forget they’re at a “work event” and just have fun together.
Your team members get objectives to complete, not lines to memorize. This means shy people can participate without feeling put on the spot. New team members don’t have to “perform” in front of strangers. Everyone can be themselves while playing a character.
Other companies charge you every single time you use their games. Want to play again next quarter? Pay again. Have multiple offices? Pay for each location. Not with us. Buy once, use forever. No license fees. No per-use charges. Ever.
We recommend an hour of setup time so everyone can get to know their character. But the actual prep work? Just print the materials and you’re done. No complicated props, no special equipment, no running around town.
When people work together to solve a mystery, they actually talk to each other. They share ideas. They laugh. They problem-solve as a team. It’s not forced conversation. It happens naturally because they’re focused on the game.
Got team members returning to the office? New hires who don’t know anyone? A department full of quiet people? Murder mystery team building works for all of them. It gives people a reason to interact without the pressure of “networking.”
Character sheets so everyone knows who they are. A host guide that walks you through every step. Accusation cards for the big reveal. Objectives that drive the story. The solution when it’s time to end. Plus helpful tips for making your event amazing.
Each game is designed to get your team talking, laughing, and working together. Choose the theme that fits your team’s personality.
Take your team back to the year 2000. Frosted tips, flip phones, and a mystery at prom night. This nostalgic theme gets people talking about their own awkward teenage years while solving a case together.
Starting at $20
Something went wrong at the holiday party, and your team needs to figure out what happened. Great for December team building events or office holiday parties that need some excitement.
Starting at $20
A valuable family heirloom has vanished during a dinner party. Your team must work together to track down clues and find out who took it. Perfect for more formal team building events.
Starting at $20
Drama at a royal court means your team needs to solve a mystery fit for royalty. This fantasy-themed game is perfect for teams who want something completely different from their usual office activities.
Starting at $20
Pick the theme that fits your team. Y2K nostalgia? Holiday cheer? Royal intrigue? We’ve got you covered.
Get your game materials right away. No waiting for shipping. No delays. Just download, print, and you’re ready.
Give your team about an hour to read their character sheets and objectives. Follow the easy host guide. That’s it.
Your team will naturally start talking, laughing, and working together. No forcing it. No awkwardness. Just real team bonding.
| Feature | PartyKook | Other Companies |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing Fees | Buy once, use forever | Pay every time |
| Scripts Required | No memorizing needed | Must memorize lines |
| Download Speed | Instant access | Wait for shipping |
| Good for Shy People | Objective-based play | Acting required |
| Price | Starting at $20 | $50+ per use |
| Setup Time | About 1 hour | 3+ hours |
Each game is designed for different group sizes. Most of our murder mystery team building games work well for 8-15 people. Check the specific product page for exact player counts. If you have a larger team, you can run multiple games at the same time in different rooms.
That’s exactly why we created these games! There’s no script to memorize and no acting required. Players just need to complete their objectives and talk to other players. They can be as dramatic or as low-key as they want. Many shy team members actually love these games because they give them a reason to talk to people without feeling awkward.
We recommend giving your team about an hour to read their character information and get into their roles. Then the actual game takes about 2 hours. You can make it shorter or longer depending on your schedule. Want a quick team building activity during lunch? Just shorten the game time. Need an all-afternoon event? Add some extra time for mingling and snacks.
Yes! These games work great for virtual teams. Send everyone their character information ahead of time. Then meet up on a video call to solve the mystery together. Some teams even do hybrid events where some people are in the office and others join remotely. The key is making sure everyone can communicate with each other.
You get everything you need: character sheets for each player, a detailed host guide that walks you through setup and gameplay, accusation cards for the final reveal, objectives that tell players what to do, the solution to the mystery, and bonus tips for making your event awesome. Just download, print, and you’re ready to go.
Nope! Buy it once and use it as many times as you want. Have multiple departments? Use it with all of them. Want to make it an annual tradition? Go for it. No license fees. No per-use charges. Ever. This is one of the biggest ways we’re different from other companies.
The mystery is just part of the fun! Even if someone guesses early, they still need to complete their objectives and interact with other players. The real goal is getting your team to work together and have conversations. The mystery just gives them a reason to do it.
Escape rooms are great, but they’re expensive and you have to go somewhere. Murder mystery team building happens wherever you want – your office, a restaurant, or online. It’s also much cheaper. Plus, murder mysteries focus more on conversation and teamwork, while escape rooms are more about solving puzzles. Both are fun, but mysteries are better for actually getting to know your coworkers.
Don’t worry! The host guide tells you exactly what to do, step by step. You don’t need any special skills or experience. Just follow the instructions and you’ll do great. Hundreds of first-time hosts have successfully run these games. If they can do it, you can too!
Traditional team building activities often fall flat. Trust falls feel forced. Icebreakers are uncomfortable. Escape rooms are expensive and require transportation. But murder mystery team building is different.
These games give your team a shared goal that feels fun, not like work. When people are trying to solve a mystery together, they naturally start collaborating. They share information. They ask questions. They work as a team. And because there’s no script to memorize, even the quietest team members can participate comfortably.
Murder mystery team building works especially well for new team members who are still learning names and personalities. It gives them a low-pressure way to interact with everyone. The game provides built-in conversation starters, so nobody has to worry about awkward small talk.
For teams returning to the office after remote work, murder mystery games help rebuild those in-person connections. People remember what it’s like to laugh together and solve problems face-to-face. The shared experience creates memories and inside jokes that strengthen team bonds.
Not all murder mystery games are created equal. The best team building games have certain features that make them work well in office settings.
First, they need to be accessible to everyone. Games that require acting skills or memorizing long speeches will leave some team members feeling uncomfortable. Objective-based games work better because each person can participate at their own comfort level.
Second, good team building games encourage interaction. The mystery should require players to talk to each other, share clues, and work together. Games where people can solve everything on their own don’t create team bonding.
Third, the setup should be simple. HR managers and team leaders are busy. They don’t have time to spend days preparing for a team building event. The best games provide everything you need and can be set up quickly.
Fourth, the cost should be reasonable. Many companies charge per use or require expensive licensing fees. This makes it hard to justify using the games regularly. One-time purchase games with no additional fees are much more practical for ongoing team building.
Hosting a murder mystery team building event is easier than you might think. Here’s how to make sure your event is successful.
Start by choosing the right game for your team. Think about your team’s interests and sense of humor. A Y2K-themed game might be perfect for millennials who remember the early 2000s. A holiday mystery works great for December events. A fantasy theme appeals to teams who enjoy creative scenarios.
Give people enough time to prepare. Send out character information at least a few days before the event. This gives team members time to read their materials and think about their character. Some people like to plan their approach, while others prefer to improvise. Either style works fine.
Set up the space thoughtfully. Make sure people can move around and talk to each other easily. If you’re doing a virtual event, use breakout rooms so people can have private conversations. Provide snacks and drinks if possible. Food makes everything better.
As the host, your job is to keep things moving. Follow the host guide and make sure everyone knows what they should be doing. Don’t worry about being perfect. The game is designed to be fun even if everything doesn’t go exactly according to plan.
At the end, make sure to do the reveal properly. Let everyone share their accusations and theories. Then reveal the solution. This is often the most fun part as people realize what clues they missed or what red herrings fooled them.
Murder mystery team building works for various team sizes, but the experience changes depending on how many people participate.
Small teams of 8-10 people create intimate experiences where everyone gets significant interaction time. These games feel more personal, and it’s easier to keep track of all the clues and suspects. Small team games are perfect for departments or project teams.
Medium teams of 10-15 people hit the sweet spot for most murder mystery games. There are enough people to create complexity and keep the mystery interesting, but not so many that people get lost or left out. Most of our games are designed for this size range.
Large teams of 15+ people can still enjoy murder mystery team building, but you’ll need to get creative. Consider running multiple games simultaneously in different spaces. Or choose games specifically designed for larger groups. Some hosts assign people to small groups within the larger event.
Murder mystery team building isn’t just for special occasions. These games work well throughout the year for different purposes.
Start the year with a murder mystery game at your January kickoff meeting. It’s a fun way to energize the team after the holidays and set a positive tone for the year ahead. New Year murder mysteries can incorporate themes of fresh starts and new beginnings.
Use murder mystery team building when onboarding new employees. Instead of awkward introductions at a conference table, let new hires meet their teammates through a game. They’ll learn names and personalities in a memorable, enjoyable way.
Schedule murder mystery events for mid-year team building. Summer months often see lower engagement as people take vacations. A fun murder mystery can boost morale and reconnect the team.
Fall is perfect for mystery games with autumn or Halloween themes. Teams enjoy seasonal activities, and a murder mystery fits the mysterious mood of October and November.
Holiday murder mysteries are natural fits for December team building. They add excitement to holiday parties and give people something to do besides standing around making small talk.
Quarterly murder mystery events can become a team tradition. People look forward to them, and they provide regular opportunities for team bonding throughout the year.
When companies research team building options, cost is always a factor. Let’s break down what you actually pay for murder mystery team building.
With PartyKook, you pay once. Starting at $20 per game, you get everything you need. Download the materials, print them, and use the game as many times as you want. No licensing fees. No per-use charges. No hidden costs.
Compare this to other team building options. Escape rooms typically cost $25-40 per person. For a team of 10, that’s $250-400 every single time you go. Professional team building facilitators charge hundreds or thousands of dollars for a single event. Even other murder mystery companies often charge $50-100 per game plus additional fees for multiple uses.
The math is simple. One PartyKook game costs less than taking two people to an escape room. But you can use it with your entire team as many times as you want. For quarterly team building, you’re looking at spending $20 once versus hundreds of dollars four times per year.
Beyond the financial cost, consider the time cost. Escape rooms require travel time. Professional facilitators require scheduling and coordination. Murder mystery games happen wherever your team already is. You save time and money.
Hundreds of teams have used PartyKook murder mystery games for team building. While we can’t share specific customer names, we can tell you what we’ve heard.
Technology companies use our games for new hire orientation. The games help new developers and engineers learn about their teammates’ communication styles and problem-solving approaches. One tech company told us they’ve used the same game three times with different cohorts of new hires.
Healthcare teams use murder mysteries for departmental bonding. Nursing staff, administrative teams, and medical professionals all benefit from the communication and collaboration practice. One hospital reported that their staff talked about the game for weeks afterward.
Small businesses use the games for annual retreats and quarterly meetings. The low cost makes it practical to do team building regularly rather than once per year. Business owners appreciate that they can facilitate the games themselves without hiring outside help.
Marketing agencies use murder mystery team building to help creative teams bond. The games provide a break from regular work while still exercising problem-solving and collaboration skills. Several agencies have made murder mysteries a regular part of their team culture.
If you’ve never hosted a murder mystery team building event before, these tips will help you succeed.
Read through all the materials before the event. Familiarize yourself with the storyline, characters, and objectives. You don’t need to memorize everything, but knowing the basic structure helps you guide players if they get stuck.
Communicate clearly with your team ahead of time. Let them know when and where the event is happening. Tell them it’s okay to have fun and get into character, but emphasize that no acting experience is required. Set expectations so people know what to expect.
Prepare the physical space before people arrive. Arrange furniture to encourage mingling. Have all printed materials organized and ready to distribute. Make sure there’s enough room for people to move around and have private conversations.
Start with a brief introduction. Explain how the game works without giving away the mystery. Answer any questions people have. Make sure everyone understands their objectives and how to interact with other players.
Let the game unfold naturally. Don’t feel like you need to control every moment. The best murder mystery experiences happen when people take initiative and follow their own instincts. Your job is to facilitate, not micromanage.
Keep track of time and give people updates. Let them know when they’re halfway through. Give a warning when there are 15 minutes left. This helps people pace themselves and make sure they complete their objectives.
Make the reveal special. Build anticipation before you reveal the solution. Let people share their theories and accusations. Celebrate the people who figured it out and laugh with those who were completely wrong.
The non-scripted format is what makes PartyKook games so effective for team building. Here’s why it matters.
Scripted murder mysteries require memorization. Someone has to remember specific lines and deliver them at the right time. This creates pressure and anxiety, especially for people who don’t enjoy public speaking or performing. Many team members will simply refuse to participate in scripted games.
Non-scripted games use objectives instead. Each player has goals to accomplish during the game. They need to gather certain information, share specific clues, or accomplish particular tasks. But they do it in their own words at their own pace. There’s no “wrong” way to play.
This format is incredibly inclusive. Introverts can participate by having quieter conversations with a few people. Extroverts can work the room and talk to everyone. Shy new employees can ease into conversations gradually. Confident team members can take leadership roles if they want.
The objective-based system also creates natural interactions. When someone needs information that another player has, they have to talk to each other. The game mechanics encourage collaboration without forcing it.
In-person murder mystery events have unique advantages. Here’s how to make the most of them.
Choose a venue that encourages movement and conversation. Your office conference room can work, but consider mixing things up with a restaurant private room, a rented event space, or even someone’s home. Different environments create different energy.
Use name tags even if people know each other. Include both the person’s real name and their character name. This helps everyone remember who’s playing which character and makes it easier to stay in the game.
Create designated spaces for different activities. Have a central area for announcements and group discussions. Provide corners or side rooms where people can have private conversations. This mimics the natural flow of a real mystery investigation.
Provide props and atmosphere if you want to enhance the experience. You don’t need elaborate decorations, but a few themed touches make the game more immersive. Background music, themed snacks, or simple decorations matching your chosen game theme all help.
Take photos during the event. Capture candid moments of people in character, groups huddled discussing clues, and the big reveal at the end. These photos become great memories and content for your company social media or newsletter.
Plan for refreshments. People will be talking a lot during the game. Have water, coffee, tea, and light snacks available. If it’s a longer event, consider ordering food or making the mystery part of a larger meal.
Many companies are bringing employees back to the office after periods of remote work. Murder mystery team building helps with this transition.
People who’ve been working remotely for months or years may feel awkward about being back in person. They’re out of practice with face-to-face interaction. Murder mystery games provide structure for these interactions, making them less intimidating.
The games help re-establish team dynamics. Remote work changes how people communicate and collaborate. In-person murder mysteries let teams practice working together in the same physical space again. They remember what it’s like to read body language and have spontaneous conversations.
For hybrid teams where some people are back in the office and others are still remote, in-person events for the office group help strengthen those local connections. The people who see each other daily benefit from having shared experiences and inside jokes.
Use murder mystery team building as a welcome back event. Frame it as a celebration of being together again rather than a mandatory return to office activity. The positive association helps people feel good about coming back.
New employees face the challenge of learning their job while also getting to know their coworkers. Murder mystery team building helps with the social aspect.
Traditional introductions are awkward. Everyone sits around a table, states their name and role, and tries to remember 15 new people at once. It’s overwhelming and not particularly effective for building real connections.
Murder mystery games give new employees a reason to talk to everyone. Their character objectives require interaction with other players. This forces introductions to happen naturally through gameplay rather than forced formality.
The games also level the playing field. In a murder mystery, it doesn’t matter who’s been at the company for five years and who started last week. Everyone is just a character trying to solve a mystery. This reduces the power dynamic that can make new employees nervous.
New team members often remember their coworkers better after a murder mystery game. Instead of just associating names with job titles, they remember “Sarah who figured out the clue about the missing weapon” or “Mike who had everyone convinced he was the culprit.”
Shy team members are often the ones who benefit most from murder mystery team building, but only if the game is designed correctly.
Shy people don’t want to be the center of attention. They don’t want to perform or be put on the spot. Traditional team building activities that require people to share personal information or do public speaking are torture for introverts.
Objective-based murder mystery games work differently. Shy players have clear tasks to complete. They know exactly what they need to do. This structure is comforting. It removes the anxiety of not knowing what’s expected.
The games also provide perfect conversation starters. A shy person doesn’t have to come up with small talk. They just approach someone and say something like “My character is supposed to find out about the missing jewelry. Do you know anything about that?” The game gives them a script without being a script.
Because everyone is playing a character, shy people can hide behind that role a bit. They’re not themselves, they’re playing someone else. This psychological distance makes it easier to be outgoing and confident.
Over time, shy team members often become more comfortable with their coworkers through these games. The positive experiences of successful interactions during murder mysteries carry over to regular work situations.
The best team building isn’t a one-time event. It’s part of regular company culture. Murder mystery games fit perfectly into this approach.
Because PartyKook games have no licensing fees, you can use them as often as you want. This makes it practical to schedule regular murder mystery events. Quarterly games become something people look forward to.
Different themes keep things fresh. Use the Y2K game in spring, the holiday mystery in December, and rotate through other themes throughout the year. People enjoy the variety and the games never feel repetitive.
Murder mystery games can become part of your onboarding process. Every new hire cohort does a murder mystery as part of their first week. This creates a shared experience that bonds new employees together.
Some companies use murder mysteries as rewards. Hit a big milestone or complete a difficult project? Celebrate with a murder mystery party. This associates the games with success and achievement.
When murder mystery team building becomes a regular part of your culture, people start to anticipate them. They talk about past games, laugh about funny moments, and speculate about what the next mystery will be. These conversations themselves build team cohesion.
There’s actual psychology that explains why murder mystery team building is so effective.
First, the games create a shared goal. Everyone is working together to solve the mystery. This is basic team psychology. Groups bond when they pursue common objectives.
Second, the games require communication. Players have to talk to each other to get the information they need. This breaks down social barriers and gets people comfortable with interaction.
Third, there’s an element of play. Adults don’t get enough opportunities to play. Work is serious. Life is serious. But play is important for building relationships and reducing stress. Murder mysteries give adults permission to play.
Fourth, the games create positive memories. People remember laughing together, solving puzzles together, and succeeding together. These positive associations strengthen team bonds.
Fifth, the character-based format allows people to try on different personas. Shy people can be bold. Serious people can be silly. This flexibility helps team members see each other in new ways.
Sixth, there’s cognitive engagement. Solving a mystery requires attention and mental effort. When people focus intensely together, they develop stronger connections.
The preparation you do before the event significantly impacts how well it goes.
Send a save-the-date email several weeks in advance. Let people know a team building event is coming. This gives them time to adjust schedules and mentally prepare.
About a week before, send detailed information. Explain what a murder mystery game is and how it works. Emphasize that no acting is required and everyone can participate at their comfort level. Address common concerns before people have time to worry.
Three days before the event, send out character information. Give people their character sheets and objectives. Tell them to read through the materials and think about their character, but remind them there’s no memorization required.
The day before, send a reminder with practical details. What time does it start? Where is it happening? What should people bring? What’s the dress code if any? Clear logistics reduce anxiety.
On the day of the event, set up early. Have everything ready before people arrive. Test any equipment you’re using. Organize all the materials. Being prepared as the host helps the event run smoothly.
Stop doing boring team building activities that nobody enjoys. Start creating real connections with murder mystery games that people actually want to play.
Our games help shy team members shine. They make new employees feel welcome. They give returning office workers a reason to reconnect. And they’re affordable enough to use regularly without breaking your budget.
No licensing fees. No scripts to memorize. No expensive facilitators. Just fun, effective team building that actually works.
Choose your game below and start building a stronger team today.
PartyKook designs printable mystery party games and themed party kits for hosts who want big impact with less stress. Since 2014, we’ve been helping people turn ordinary living rooms, offices, and rentals into unforgettable party settings with interactive stories, easy-to-follow host guides, and instant digital downloads.
PartyKook Free Preview Free Y2K Prom Murder Mystery Game Preview:...
Read More
PartyKook Free Preview Free Western Murder Mystery Game Preview: Meet...
Read More
Murder Mystery Party Ideas: 25+ Creative Themes & Planning...
Read More
Best Summer Murder Mystery Party Kits to Buy: Transform...
Read More
PartyKook creates printable mystery party games and themed party kits that make hosting easy, fun, and stress-free. Every kit is an instant digital download and includes professionally formatted PDFs, character sheets, clues, name tags, host instructions, and simple décor ideas—everything you need to plan an unforgettable dinner party, birthday party, holiday gathering, or Airbnb game night. Just download, print, and play.
The Party Edit • Hosting Guides
PartyKook creates easy-to-host, printable mystery party kits and scene sets designed for unforgettable group experiences.
Created with ❤️ in New York