What do I need to print?

Just a standard home printer and regular letter paper. Your files are standard PDFs — open them with the free Adobe Acrobat Reader, or any PDF app already on your phone, tablet, or computer. No special software needed. Prefer not to print at home? Any local copy shop can do it for you.

We are here for you 7 days a week. If your download link does not work or you have a question while you plan, just reach out and we will help you get set up.

How much will this cost me?

Hosting a murder mystery can add up fast: a hosted event where a company brings actors to you usually runs about $20 to $50 per person, and ticketed dinner-theater shows often run $50 to $100 or more per person. A printable game like ours keeps it far lower — our mysteries run about $10 to $29 for your whole group, a one-time cost that usually works out to around $2 per person or less. That is the only thing you have to buy; snacks, drinks, costumes, and décor are all optional and up to you.

How to Throw a Halloween Murder Mystery That’ll Wake the Dead

You’ve got the game—now let’s make your party feel like a full-blown haunted housewarming at 13 Hollow Lane. Follow these easy setup suggestions to transform your space into the spooky place at the end of the street!

1. Set the Party Space: 13 Hollow Lane Style

Decor Ideas:

Faux cobwebs & spider webs draped over doorways, furniture, and the punch table
Flameless flickering candles for a haunted glow with no fire worry
String lights or lanterns in warm orange and deep purple to set the monster-movie mood
A fog machine or dry ice to give your midnight séance table an eerie mist
Spooky tableware and mason jars for drinks, on a black tablecloth
A creepy door cover at your front entrance to welcome your victims… er, guests

Pro Tip: Your kit already includes a printable “13 Hollow Lane” sign—hang it by the door, and add a chalkboard sign that reads “Welcome to 13 Hollow Lane – Enter If You Dare!”

2. Encourage Dress-Up: Monsters & Mayhem

Let your guests know they’re stepping into character.

Suggest costumes like:

Classic movie monsters—vampires, witches, werewolves, mummies, scarecrows, and ghosts
Capes, fangs, bandages, cobweb shawls, and dramatic face paint
Every character sheet in the kit comes with its own costume inspo, so no one shows up stumped
Big hair, smudged makeup, and theatrical flair for maximum spooky drama

Create a DIY “Séance Selfie Spot” with your Suspect Board for unforgettable party pics!

3. Set the Mood with Sound & Sippin’

Music:
Cue up a low, spooky playlist—monster-movie scores, eerie organ, and Halloween classics. Think Danny Elfman, John Carpenter, “Monster Mash,” and a little Bach’s Toccata… then hit one big dramatic track the moment you call the séance.

Drinks:

Serve a shared “Witch’s Brew” punch in a cauldron punch bowl—a bubbling bowl the whole room keeps circling back to (and it’s part of the story!)
Offer vampire’s kiss punch, graveyard cider, or monster mocktails for the non-alcoholic crowd

4. Feed Your Monsters

Keep it casual, hearty, and nut-free (a guest could have a serious allergy—and it’s part of the game’s safety rule):

“Mummy” hot dogs, sliders, pizza, chili, or a nacho bar
A “Build Your Own” spooky snack station
Halloween cupcakes or cookies with monster toppers

Bonus: your kit includes printable buffet & bar labels, or label everything with spooky food signs like “Witch’s Fingers” or “Eyeball Punch.”

5. Prep Your Game Space

Assign characters ahead of time or as guests arrive.
Print out character sheets, name tags, and all game materials in advance (at 100% / Actual Size).
Set up a central séance table with the Suspect Board, accusation cards, and space for your dramatic reveal.

Keep the Host Playbook nearby—you’re the one running the show at 13 Hollow Lane, after all.

Final Tip: Play It Up!

Encourage guests to ham it up in character, make wild accusations, and lean into the camp. The bigger the personalities, the bigger the laughs—and the better the mystery!

Now light the candles and get to party plannin’! A Grave Housewarming is about to bring a night of monsters, séances, and murder right to your front door—mystery, mayhem, and all.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many players do I need?

A Grave Housewarming is built for 12 to 18 players. The mystery is fully solvable with the 12 core characters, and 6 optional characters let you scale up for a bigger crowd. The host can play a character too, or simply run the night.

How long does the game take?

Plan for about 2 to 2.5 hours from welcome to the final reveal. You control the pace, so it can run shorter or longer depending on how much your guests love to ham it up.

What ages is this for?

It’s written for adults and mature teens (16+). The humor is campy monster-movie fun and the mystery is non-graphic.

Do I need to buy anything else to play?

Nope — everything you need to run the game is in your download: host playbook, character guides, printable evidence, accusation cards, suspect board, name tags, invitations, awards, and party décor. Costumes, food, and drinks are up to you (we include plenty of ideas above).

Is this only a Halloween game?

It’s a monster-movie Halloween theme, so it’s perfect for October — but it plays great any time you want a spooky costume whodunit: birthdays, game nights, or a summer scare.

How hard is it to host? Do I need experience?

No experience needed. The Host Playbook walks you through every step, and almost everything you say out loud is already scripted for you. First-time hosts run it all the time.

How fast do I receive my download?

Immediately after checkout. Your links appear on the confirmation page and arrive by email. If you don’t see the email, check spam or contact support.

How do I print at home?

Open your files in Adobe Acrobat Reader (free). In the print dialog set Scale to Actual Size (100%). Standard copy paper works for character sheets — use heavier stock for covers or signs if you want richer results.

Can I print at a local shop?

Yes. Save your files to a USB or cloud link and ask staff to print at Actual Size. Most hosts use standard copy paper for character sheets and heavier stock for signs.

Can I customize the files?

The game is designed to play as-is — use the included Host Casting Worksheet to match your real guests to roles. The PDFs themselves aren’t editable; for small changes, like a different character name, just write edits on the printouts or add a note in your invites.

Where do downloads save on my phone?

On iPhone, check the Files app. On Android, check Downloads. For best print results, open on a laptop or desktop.

What if I need help or my link doesn’t work?

We reply within 24 hours, weekends included. Email support@partykook.com with your order number. Because products are digital, all sales are final.

Can I share photos from our party?

Please do — tag us @HostPartyKook. No spoilers though!

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Description

Halloween Murder Mystery Party Game for Adults (12–18 Players) – A Grave Housewarming

Host a murder mystery game for halloween party – A Grave Housewarming. It’s moving night at 13 Hollow Lane—the spooky old house at the end of the street—and the flashy new owner is throwing a costume party topped off with a midnight séance.
The whole neighborhood turns up dressed as classic movie monsters, dragging along old grudges, buried secrets, and a few too many smiles. Then the lights flicker, a scream cuts through the séance, and it’s up to your guests to work out who had the motive, the method, and blood on their costume.

A Grave Housewarming is a wickedly fun murder mystery game for halloween party game made for 12 mandatory guests (plus 6 optional characters for bigger crowds). It’s fully printable, super easy to host, and absolutely packed with monster-movie camp, wild accusations, and enough plot twists to keep your neighbors guessing right up to midnight.

What’s Included in Your Instant Download:

Host Playbook – Easy, step-by-step instructions so even a first-time host can run the whole haunted night.
Character Descriptions – Each guest gets a role with juicy backstory, secrets, and monster costume inspo.
Interactive Two-Stage Gameplay – Guests mingle and scheme in Stage One, then investigate and make their accusations in Stage Two.
Printable Evidence – The hard evidence that lets your guests actually crack the case.
Accusation Cards & Suspect Board – Perfect for laughs, wild guesses, and Insta-worthy photos.
Ghost Instructions – Yep, the victim sticks around—with a hauntingly good role to play!
Solution & Big Reveal Script – Tie it all together with a dramatic final showdown.
Printable Party Extras – Invitations, name tags, award certificates, buffet labels, and décor signs included.

Characters & Roles

Mandatory Characters (12 Total) – From a flashy new homeowner and a gossip-slinging neighbor to a stopwatch-clutching timekeeper, a nosy true-crime podcaster, and a bumbling off-duty deputy, every guest is costumed as a classic monster and hiding something.

Optional Characters (6 Extras) – Great for large groups or if someone shuffles in last-minute.

How It Works:

Print & Play – Download instantly, no shipping required. Printable – nothing in the mail!
Fully Interactive – Everyone gets personalized goals and secrets
Easy to Host – No experience necessary—just follow the Playbook
Flexible Timing – Most parties run about 2–2.5 hours, depending on how wild things get