Death In The Desert

Set on a remote desert excavation site in 1932 somewhere near Mount Sinai in Egypt.

Professor Dough Upmore, an archaeologist led an expedition to uncover the tomb of a lesser known Pharoh from the Ancient times. His expedition team had just unearthed the long-lost tomb of Pharoh Rah-mi Nu-dl, who was said to have been cursed by the Gods themselves.

While exploring the tomb the mystical seal was broken, much to the dismay of the more superstitious of those in the party, superstition only grew when a strange sickness befell those who were present at the unveiling. Tensions escalate when the Professor and the one responsible for breaking the seal was found dead under mysterious circumstances. With paranoia spreading through the camp, your team must figure out what killed him, whether it was indeed the work of the ancient curse or perhaps a more earthly threat from someone with an eye on his vast fortune

Was this the work of the mysterious curse.. or was this a member of the group.. could it be YOU?

Game Length

Game Length

1.5 - 3 Hours

Difficulty

Difficulty

Medium

Game Setting

Game Setting

Desert excavation site - 1932

Character Genders

Character Genders

Flexible

The Kit

What's In Your Digital Kit

Character GuidesA booklet for every suspect — secrets included
Host Guide BookletStep-by-step hosting, zero prep stress
Detective Audio & VideoThe Detective sets the scene for you
EvidenceClues to reveal round by round
Costume SuggestionsDress the part, effortlessly
Invitation BookletsSet the scene before the night
Everything in your kitEverything in your kit

The Guest List · Death In The Desert

Meet the suspects

Every guest becomes a character. Choose your edition by how many join the party — the bigger the night, the deeper the cast.

4–8 Players The core cast — in every edition

4–14 Players More guests join the party

Unlocks with 4–14 & up

4–20 Players The full house

Unlocks with 4–20

Want every suspect at your table? Pick the 4–20 edition.

Free with every game — never required

The murderer is chosen in secret. Even you won't know.

Every kit is complete on its own — and every game now includes a free app. Use it, and it sends cinematic invitations, slips each guest their secret script, and quietly casts the killer.

Invites with their faces on
1The Invitations

Invites with their faces on

Cast your guests and the app sends each one a cinematic invitation — their character, their costume brief, and an RSVP that fills your table for you.

Every phone becomes a secret dossier
2The Green Room

Every phone becomes a secret dossier

Before the party, each guest steps into the green room — their character portrait, their backstory, their costume, and lines only they can see.

The app picks the killer — in secret
3The Reckoning

The app picks the killer — in secret

One tap, and someone in the room becomes the murderer. Only their phone knows. They read the guilty lines; everyone else plays it straight. Nobody can spoil it — not even the host.

Evidence, detective recordings — and one final countdown
4The Investigation

Evidence, detective recordings — and one final countdown

Tap-to-examine evidence lands each round, the Detective's recordings set the scene, and when it's time, a synchronized countdown unmasks the killer on every phone at once.

More ways to play

Dress the part

Snap a photo in costume and it becomes your character's face — on the ballots and at the reveal.

Capture the night

Every guest's photos and videos collect in one shared party album — to relive the morning after.

Detective or suspect

Run the night as the Detective, or play a character yourself and let the app's recordings narrate.

Crown the winners

Vote on the honours — Best Detective, Best Costume, Best Liar — and crown them together at the end.

Free with every gameNo app store — plays in any browserNo accounts or sign-upsHost in person or over video call

Host A Murder Mystery Dinner Party

How It Works

How it works — Choose Your Suspects

Suspects

Choose Your Suspects

Pick the game version that suits your guest list, whether you’re planning a small murder mystery dinner party or a larger Ancient Egyptian -themed gathering.

How it works — Send Invitations & Character Roles

Invitations

Send Invitations & Character Roles

Invite your guests and send each person their character details and costume ideas before the party begins.

How it works — Set the Scene

The Scene

Set the Ancient Egyptian Scene

Add dinner, drinks, costumes or decorations to create the perfect Ancient Egyptian atmosphere. Keep it simple or go all out.

How it works — Start The Case

The Case

Start The Case

Start with the Detective’s opening statement, then let guests introduce their characters, mingle, gossip and begin uncovering secrets.

How it works — Secretly Choose the Murderer

The Murderer

Secretly Choose the Murderer

After the first round, the murderer is secretly selected, meaning the mystery can unfold differently each time you play.

How it works — Investigate the Evidence

Investigate

Investigate the Evidence

Follow the host guide through rounds of motive, opportunity and method as guests question each other, reveal clues and try to catch the killer.

How it works — Accuse, Reveal & Award Prizes

Accuse

Accuse, Reveal & Award Prizes

Everyone makes their final accusation before the murderer confesses. End the night with awards for best detective, best costume, best performer or most suspicious guest.

Plan a night to remember

Build your Dinner Party collection

Match the mystery to the guest list. Compare themes, player counts and languages, then choose the games for your next occasions.

−10% Any 2 cases −15% Any 3 cases Best rate

Choose by theme and group size

Build your bundle
Send a Masters of Mystery game as a gift — burgundy gift box with gold ribbon and wax seal

The perfect whodunit gift

Buying it for someone else? After checkout, send it straight to their inbox as a gift — with a personal message, scheduled to land on the big day. They open a cinematic reveal, unlock the game, and the night is theirs to host.

Birthdays, Christmas or a date night in — it arrives ready to play, with.

Enhance Your Ancient Egyptian Murder Mystery Dinner Party

Welcome to our dedicated section for all things murder mystery! Here, you'll find everything you need to create an unforgettable and immersive experience for your guests. Whether you're looking for menu ideas to tantalize taste buds, curated playlists to set the perfect mood, costume ideas to bring characters to life, or decoration tips to transform your space, we've got you covered.

Ancient Egyptian Party Music Ideas

Craft the Perfect Egyptian Playlist for an Unforgettable Evening

Set the mood for a night in the sands of time with an Egyptian-themed playlist that captures the mystique and energy of the ancient world. Perfect for a mysterious and exotic atmosphere, this playlist is designed to transport your guests back to the time of pyramids and temples, with sounds that echo through the ages.

View Ancient Egyptian Party Music Ideas

Ancient Egyptian Decoration Ideas

Transform Your Space into an Egyptian Kingdom

Turn your party venue into a magnificent ancient Egyptian kingdom with stunning decor that evokes the grandeur of the pharaohs. Picture golden pyramids, intricate hieroglyphs, and mysterious sphinxes. Whether you're recreating the tombs of the kings or the lavish palaces of Egypt, our Pinterest board is brimming with ideas to help you transport your guests back to a land of sand and splendor.

View Ancient Egyptian Decoration Ideas

Ancient Egyptian Dinner Menu Ideas

Indulge in an Egyptian-Inspired Feast

No Egyptian-themed party is complete without a menu worthy of the gods. From traditional Middle Eastern-inspired dishes to creative interpretations of ancient Egyptian recipes, our blog offers a range of flavorful options. Create a banquet filled with exotic flavors, from honey-roasted lamb to stuffed dates, and offer your guests a taste of the ancient world.

View Ancient Egyptian Dinner Menu Ideas

Hosted murder mystery event at a venue — commercial licensing

Running Mystery Nights for Your Business?

Planning to host this game at a paid or ticketed event, a corporate away-day, a pub or restaurant night, a team-building session — or anywhere it forms part of a business? You'll need a Commercial License.

It gives you the rights to run our mysteries for profit — at your venue, for your clients, or streamed publicly — professionally and fully covered. Add it to any game from £165. Already bought the game on its own? Purchase it again with the license and we'll refund your original order.

Explore Commercial Licensing

FAQs

Please read our FAQs page to find out more.

Do we need the app to play?

No — every kit is complete on its own, and you can run the whole night from the booklets alone. The free app is a bonus that adds cinematic invitations and a spoiler-proof secret killer draw if you'd like it. Use it for every guest, just a few, or nobody at all.

What is the best Ancient Egyptian murder mystery game?


An Egyptian-themed murder mystery game combines ancient mystery with historical drama and desert adventure. Set in a royal court, grand temple, archaeological dig, or tomb unveiling, the game begins with a shocking murder that threatens sacred order or valuable discoveries. Guests take on the roles of priests, nobles, tomb raiders, scholars, or royal guards—each with secrets to protect and motives to conceal. With curses, buried truths, and ancient rivalries, it’s the perfect experience for those who enjoy immersive storytelling and historical suspense.

Can I play this Ancient Egyptian murder mystery game with 10 people?


Yes, this game is well-suited for 10 players. The core version supports between 4 and 14 participants, and 10 is an excellent number for a balanced, engaging experience. Each player receives a unique character tied to the mystery—whether ancient or modern-day. The flexible structure allows for last-minute adjustments if your guest count changes.

Is this Ancient Egyptian murder mystery game available for virtual play or in-person events?


Yes, the game can be played either in person or online. In-person events work especially well when decorated with candles, stone textures, sand-colored fabrics, and artifacts. Virtual versions can be run using video calls, with characters and clues shared digitally. Whether your guests are in the same room or spread across time zones, the drama of the story remains strong.

How long does it take to play this Ancient Egyptian murder mystery game?


The game usually takes between 1.5 and 3 hours to complete. With 10 players, expect about two hours for gameplay, depending on the pacing, group dynamics, and how much your guests enjoy diving into their roles. The host can add breaks for snacks, character interactions, or thematic moments like “decoding ancient scrolls” or interpreting omens.

What is included in the Ancient Egyptian murder mystery game kit?


The kit includes everything needed to run a full ancient mystery. You’ll get a host guide with step-by-step instructions, individual character profiles with personal secrets and backstories, themed clue files to reveal during gameplay, optional narration scripts, themed digital invitations, and final accusation cards. You’ll also receive tips on ancient Egyptian-inspired décor, costumes, music, and prop ideas to help transform your space into a sacred temple or ancient chamber.

Can I play this Ancient Egyptian murder mystery game more than once?


Yes, the game is designed to be replayed. The murderer can be chosen at random each time, and the storyline shifts depending on which characters are involved. You can switch roles, invite new guests, or host it again for different groups. The timeless nature of the setting means the game stays exciting even after multiple playthroughs.

What events or occasions is this Ancient Egyptian murder mystery game suitable for?


This game is perfect for themed birthday parties, historical evenings, museum nights, Halloween events, classroom enrichment, archaeology club meetings, or team-building activities with an adventurous twist. It’s especially suited to guests who enjoy mythology, ancient history, or theatrical storytelling.

What is the recommended age group for this Ancient Egyptian murder mystery game?


The game is recommended for ages 13 and up. While there is no graphic content, the themes of murder, suspicion, and power struggles are best suited to teens and adults who enjoy mystery-solving and immersive roleplay. The setting can be adjusted to be more educational or more dramatic, depending on your audience.

Do players need to dress up in costumes for this Ancient Egyptian murder mystery?


Costumes are optional but definitely encouraged. Players can wear tunics, wraps, robes, collars, headpieces, or simple gold accents. Each character sheet includes wardrobe suggestions to help players dress like ancient nobles, scribes, tomb explorers, or temple officials. Even basic accessories like cuffs or eyeliner can help bring the setting to life.

Can I add more players or characters to this Ancient Egyptian murder mystery game?


Yes, the game can be expanded to accommodate up to 20 players with optional character packs. These additional roles include scholars, tomb workers, royal advisors, and other figures woven into the central plot. Everyone receives a role with clear goals and secrets, ensuring full participation for larger groups.

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Customer Reviews

Overall rating: 4.7 / 5 from 21 reviews.

Customer photo review of Ancient Egypt Murder Mystery Game Kit

We used this for a family birthday party. Everyone was very into it, enjoyed dressing up, enjoyed the mystery & had fun working through the process.

Ancient Egypt Murder Mystery Game Kit

Customer photo review of Ancient Egypt Murder Mystery Game Kit

Our group thoroughly enjoyed the Death in the Desert game. With 12 characters playing, the directions and support materials made it easy to keep on track. The host was able to play one of the characters as well.

Ancient Egypt Murder Mystery Game Kit

Customer photo review of Ancient Egypt Murder Mystery Game Kit

This was such a fun kit! Everyone had such a good time and are looking forward to the next great murder mystery. We needed some help from the company and they were so quick to respond and extremely kind. I would 100% recommend them! I also loved that they had food suggestions, music suggestions, and decor suggestions. It made planning so much easier. We transformed the garage into an Egyptian tomb and it was the perfect setting and mood for an amazing night!

Ancient Egypt Murder Mystery Game Kit

I got Mystery in the Desert and it was fantastic! My partner and neighbors spent a few hours really enjoying the experience. I highly recommend these mysteries, not just for the cerebral stimulation, but the bonding!

Ancient Egypt Murder Mystery Game Kit - 4 - 20 Players / English

If eas sooo much fun. I don't have photos sorry. Everyone got in the mood and played their parts well. Suspicions and rumours abounded. The booklets are well laid out and easy to follow. The only thing I would suggest is to make sure the difference between the 14 and twenty players is more clearly deliniates. I picked characters from beyond the 14th character in the list and had to change at the last minute. . - it was still lots of fun. I am playing again tomorrow so can send through photos then.

Ancient Egypt Murder Mystery Game Kit

I liked the set up of the game. It's great that it can be played again and there will be a different culprit. Our group enjoyed doing the Egyptian mystery. We had dinner between the parts of the mystery. The only change I would suggest is in the recordings. We tried to use the Inspector recordings, but it didn't give all the information that was in the printed version. So, that got confusing until we just read the Inspector's script.

Ancient Egypt Murder Mystery Game Kit

Wonderful mystery! My group loved the characters, we had a great time. This is my second time experiencing a masters of mystery product and first time hosting. This was sooooo well written and easy to follow. Highly recommend

Ancient Egypt Murder Mystery Game Kit

Audio file was missing some of the parts and didn’t match with the script. Participants was a bit board saying it was dragging without much of activity

Ancient Egypt Murder Mystery Game Kit

My group of friends had a lot of fun acting out this murder mystery! The packets are very well put together.

Ancient Egypt Murder Mystery Game Kit

I absolutely love this Murder Mystery! It was a blast, we had a large group get together to play and everyone had a wonderful time. I always use Master of Mystery for any murder mystery party I do, simply because it's not only easy, it's also fun every time.

Ancient Egypt Murder Mystery Game Kit

We had such a good time with the ancient Egypt murder mystery. It was easy to make a full evening around it. A few costumes made it feel even better. It gave the whole evening a clear structure.

Ancient Egypt Murder Mystery Game Kit

Overall great game, but questions could not be overlapping and individualy tailored for each character.

Ancient Egypt Murder Mystery Game Kit

A very good, fun experience with a high level of engagement. It was excellent for a family (older children/grandchildren) to use. Solving the mystery was of less importance to us but we didn't find the clues that "objective". I guess that comes, to some extent, with the way of choosing the murderer. The 11 year old revelled in his character as a bit of a thief such that on three occasions we had to retrieve the pencils he had "collected"!

Ancient Egypt Murder Mystery Game Kit

This game was played on my daughter's 17th birthday with her friends. She had an Egyptian theme and the kids all dressed up according to their characters. Dining room was decorated with Egyptian themes, candle lights and Egyptian music going. The kids spent 3 hours playing the game and I could hear them laughing and having a lot of fun. Thank you

Ancient Egypt Murder Mystery Game Kit

Enjoyed this one. It was our second mystery, so this went smoothly. We had 18 players ages 72 down to 10 years old. Every character was fun and the little bit of gossip was so much fun. This was not a mingle, but a family party so we spent about 1 and a half hours playing it before everyone wanted to make accusations. Our group loved it. I will always get one of these for our big family get togethers as long as they keep making them.

Ancient Egypt Murder Mystery Game Kit

This was perfect for our friends night. The ancient Egypt murder mystery was easy to run and it was easy to make a full evening around it. The 4-8 players version suited us well. We added a playlist and some simple decorations.

Ancient Egypt Murder Mystery Game Kit

It was a good story line and a lot of fun. The layout of the distinguishing features for the guilty/innocent parties, made it easier to guess the guilty party based on the fact their lines were consistent with other "guilty" statements for every single player. But with no clues in the statements that could provide any evidence on who the actual killer might be. So you aren't gathering clues, you end up just trying to figure out if they are reading from the innocent or guilty statements. The story and theme were really fun though.

Ancient Egypt Murder Mystery Game Kit