Looking to bring a sense of intrigue and old-world charm to your next party? Step back in time with one of our historical-themed murder mystery games, here at Masters of Mystery we have tons of games for you to choose from, whether you’re a fan of 1920s glitz and glam or the sophistication of the Victorians or Georgians. With one of our games your guests get the chance to dress up and solve a crime from a Bygone era. Perfect for fans of period dramas and history buffs alike, each game transports you to a different time, offering a detailed setting that’s fun for everyone.
In this post, we’ll introduce some of our most popular historical murder mystery games. So, whether you’re ready to be a jazz-age detective, a Renaissance courtier, or a Victorian noble, get ready for a night of mystery, deception, and immersive fun that’s truly one for the ages.
Why Choose a Historical-Themed Murder Mystery Party?
Hosting a murder mystery party with a historical twist lets players step into the shoes of people from a bygone era, allowing a fun escape from real life for an afternoon or an evening. Here at Masters of Mystery our wide selection of games will take guests back to lavish Victorian manors, roaring 1920s speakeasies, Venetian masquerade balls, Broadway in the 1950s and many more. In these settings, mystery-solving is reimagined, as players navigate period-specific clues and untangle webs of historical scandals. Our murder mystery games are designed to appeal to fans of period dramas like Downton Abbey, Peaky Blinders, or Bridgerton. With each guest embodying a character from the chosen era, these games bring the customs and fashions of past to lives. Here are some of our favourite games we recommend.
1700s- 1800s
These games allow you to step back in time to the age of ballgowns and garden parties and experience the elegance of big dresses and sometimes even bigger wigs and bonnets.
Mystery at Moorbourne Manor
Setting: a sprawling mansion on the edge of Dartmoor in 1899.
Plot: You are attending a will reading of Lord Moorbourne, he’s ill and doesn’t expect to see the new century. Having lived a very selfish life he wishes to right the wrongs of his past and has invited guests to enjoy a lavish weekend on him. However, as the party is coming to an end his body is discovered slumped across his desk! He’s been murdered and it must be one of you.
Unique Elements: This is very much meant to put you in the mind of the great detective Sherlock Holmes, step into an isolated manor house where strangers have all met, connected by some unknown force. Everyone is hiding something, no one is quite what they seem and as detectives you need to figure it out.
A Scandal in Bodgerton
Setting: High society in 1813.
Plot: Every week, the gossip colum is released, it tells you all the scandal and gossip of High Society in Regency England. The author is unknown, but they seem to know what’s going on and everything they say seems to come true. It’s led to duels, elopements and even murder. Who is the mysterious author? It’s time to find out.
Unique Elements: Any fans of Bridgerton or Jane Austen? This is the game for you, with Dukes and debutantes and servants that love to gossip, you’ll recognise a few character tropes from these beloved stories. Live your Regency fantasy for a night.
Masquerade Murder
Setting: 1755, Carnival season, Venice, a masquerade ball.
Plot: A chance for rich and poor, old, and young to come together everyone to be equal for a night. But when everyone is hiding their identity, it can be hard to know who you are talking to. The question on everyone’s lips is who is the figure in red? Seen conversing with several guests but no one admits to knowing them and then when he turns up dead, all eyes are on you to find out what happened!
Unique Elements: Instead of character names, you are given secret identities (The Fox, The Sparrow, The Dragon etc.) allowing you to truly embrace the secrets, with elegant costumes and of course masquerade masks, this game is great for those who like a bit of elegance and flare.
1920s – 1940s
Highlight games set in the roaring 1920s and 1930s, an era full of jazz, prohibition, and speakeasy culture. These should feature the glitz and glamour of the time, as well as the crime underworld.
Jazz, gin, money and murder
Setting: New York, 1923
Plot: You are a guest at one of Jay Glittersby’s lavish parties in his New York Mansion, only the rich and the famous are ever invited to such events. The band is playing, the booze are flowing and everyone is having a good time, until a shot rings out and an unexpected guest is found dead. It’s up to you to figure out who was responsible.
Unique Elements: Out most popular murder mystery game embraces all the fun and glamour of the 1920s jazz era, from gangsters and speakeasies to movie stars and flappers to Charleston champions. There’s a character for everyone here.
Midnight on the Orient Express
Setting: 1926, the Orient Express
Plot: Traveling on board the famous Orient Express, first class designed only for the global elite. It’s the only way to travel through the isolated mountains from Paris to Istanbul. But alone with only your train companions through treacherous paths anything could happen. When famous writer Agrippa Twistie declares at dinner her readers love learning juicy gossip about people and then she’s found dead stabbed through the heart and her unfinished manuscript missing, someone on the train must be responsible.
Unique Elements: Based on Agatha Christie’s famous novel, guests get to step into her world and get involved in a solving a crime straight off the pages.
1940s Murder
Setting: London, 1946
Plot: The War is Over! To honour those brave soldiers who fought to bring peace back to the land, Lord Winchester, is having a party. Known for his diverse guests, lavish decor, and free flowing booze any gathering at his London Manor is always the talk of the town, but as guests are enjoying a cocktail or three, the lights go out and when they turn back on Winchester is dead.
Unique Elements: Each character has a secret, it could ruin them. Guests need to do their best to keep their secret while trying to uncover others. Set in post-war England, guests get to choose from familiar characters from the Era. From singers and actors to war veterans and famous writers and their detectives. There’s someone for everyone to connect with.
1950s – 1980s
Murder on Broadway
Setting: New York, 1953
Plot: The stage is set, for murder mystery writer Agnes Kirtsie’s debut play “The Trap” will be opening on Broadway after celebrating its 25th birthday in the West End. Celebrated stars from across the continent have been invited to the very exclusive opening night performance and cocktail party at Broadway’s ‘La Souris’ Theatre. After the show guests head into the grand hall but the director is missing, and no one has seen him since the show began. Suddenly there’s a crash followed by a scream coming from the stage as guests run back into the auditorium a panicked stagehand is standing next to the open wardrobe the director’s dead body in a crumpled in a heap in front of them.
Unique Elements: If you’ve ever wanted to see the glitz and glam of Broadway during the 1950s where everything was a spectacle, then this is the game for you. With a mixture of famous stage actors as well as Hollywood movie stars and eccentric characters who are keeping dark secrets then this is the game for you. With glamour, mystery and intrigue straight off the stage.
1980s Murder
Setting: Movie studio, 1985
Plot: Shooting is about to begin on the latest blockbuster movie ‘Blastdance: the Explosive Teen Musical.’ The cast of teens (and would-be teens) are assembled, the crew are ready, and visitors to the set are hushed in anticipation. Suddenly, there’s an explosion from the next soundstage, and the studio owner is dead!
Unique Elements: Any 80s movie buff will love the parrels to real world actors from one of the best eras for dramatic teen movies. Step into the 1980s, embrace the brightness of the era and become one of your teen idols of the time for an evening.
So, there we have it, our best suggestions for stepping back int time and truly enjoying a murder mystery from a different era. To really set the scene we recommend decorating the house with props and items that also embrace the era you want to recreate. You can view our other blogs to find some inspiration for creating a unique blast from the past in your own home. You can access our costume and meal suggestions and music choices directly from our website to really help you and your guests get in the mood. Encourage your guests to fully embrace their character with their costume and role-play and just have fun! After all that’s what these games are for!
