Murder! At the Speakeasy

This game is a digital file that you will download. This means as soon as your payment is confirmed, you will receive a link to download Murder! At the Speakeasy. That link is good for 24 hours after the first download. After downloading, you can print the files and play the game.

*******PLEASE NOTE*******

This game has no fancy design or illustration – that’s why it’s a low price!

- Murder! At the Speakeasy can be played virtually or in person. It’s up to you!

- The host can play too! The host won’t know who the murderer is. That means you can pick a character and play along with everyone else!

- For ages 12 and up.

- Playing time approximately 1-1.5 hours.

- If you'd like to play music before, during, or after the game, Bearded Rat Mysteries has a Murder! At the Speakeasy playlist on spotify. Just search for Bearded Rat Mysteries, or go here.

- This game comes with an optional script. Usually I would advise against using the script, but it might make things easier if you’re playing virtually. It’s up to you. The script only includes lines for the essential characters. If any optional characters are playing, they can interrupt the script to reveal their clues, or wait until the end of each round.

- Don't forget to follow me on Facebook and Instagram @beardedratmysteries, and sign up for my newsletter to keep up with new games, sales, and giveaways! Just go to https://www.emchaffin.com/newsletter

This game is a digital file that you will download. This means as soon as your payment is confirmed, you will have the option to download Murder! At the Speakeasy, and then you can play the game.

This download includes:

6 Essential character handbooks, containing character backgrounds, clues, and secrets

8 Optional character handbooks, containing character backgrounds, character quirks,* at least one secret, and at least one thing to say per round

6 Spectator characters, containing character name, profession, one secret, and one optional thing to say during the game

1 Blank spectator character handbook so the host can create extra spectator characters, should more than 20 characters be needed

1 Host Guide, containing detailed instructions, tips, and hints

1 Optional script

1 list of optional costume and prop ideas

6 certificates, including Best Improvisor, Best Liar, Best Dastardly Plan, Best Costume, Best Accusation, and Best Actor Overall

If you like, you can play music to set the scene. I created a playlist on Spotify, you can find it HERE. Go ahead and like the playlist now, so you can find it later.

*Character quirks are things to say and/or do throughout the game

A NOTE ABOUT SPECTATOR CHARACTERS: Spectator characters are for the players who do not want to be front and center, but still want to be part of the game. Anytime I’ve hosted a murder mystery party, a significant portion of the players SAY they want to play, but when it comes down to it, they don’t want to actively participate. That’s why spectator characters are so handy – it gives the player an option to participate with no pressure.

Murder! At the Speakeasy is divided into 4 rounds. During rounds 1, 2, and 3, each player will reveal the clues given to them in their handbook. During round 4, each player will guess who they think killed Speedy Wright. Once every player has guessed, the host will ask the murderer to confess.

***My games are conversation-based murder mystery games with elaborate storylines and characters. They’re more like games, and less like party kits. That’s why I do not have expansion packs. The storylines are a little too complicated to accommodate a plethora of extra characters. However, I do include a blank spectator character handbook in this game. If you have more players than characters, you are welcome to create your own spectator characters so that the extra players can be included. Please note that spectator characters are exactly as they sound: spectators. They have a name and optional things to say/do, but they are not active characters in the storyline.***

This game is LEVEL: FLEXIBLE

ANYONE, experienced murder mystery game players and novices alike, can enjoy all three levels of my mystery games. But in case you’re curious, here’s how I break down the three levels:

LEVEL: FLEXIBLE This level is super flexible and allows players to be involved as much or as little as they desire. It’s a great game to play as a first-time murder mystery player and can be a great get-to-know-you activity for groups of people that have yet to bond.

LEVEL: INSPECTOR The characters in this level tend to have more clues and secrets, so there’s a little more reading before each round. It’s a great game to play for everyone!

LEVEL: INTRIGUE The essential characters in this level tend to have a lot of secrets and clues. There’s more to keep track of, but that also means there’s more intrigue, more twists, and more laughs! It’s a great game to play with your friends and family, people you know really well and can really “vibe” off of, if you know what I mean.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

Essential Characters:

Chester Cash

As a self-made millionaire in the business of custom shelves and fireplaces, Chester is making a name for himself in every social circle imaginable, from the political circuit to Hollywood. He’s a man of small stature yet a giant among his peers, and it’s true what they say: the bigger they are, the harder they fall.

Jimmy Price

Jimmy is the mayor of this fine city, and as Jimmy always says: it’s not what you know, it’s who you know, and Jimmy knows everybody. He is all smiles and handshakes, but don’t ask him any questions unless you want to talk all night – because Jimmy could talk the hind leg off a donkey.

Levi Button

Levi is a salt of the earth man’s man, just livin’ the best life as a bartender at the best juice joint in town. Need a confidant? Go to Levi – he can keep a secret to the grave.

Birdie Plain

Birdie is one of the best pilots in the world and the second woman pilot to cross the Atlantic. She’s plucky and energetic, but still reeling from a recent family hardship that brought her close to Speedy Wright, and close to a mental breakdown.

Theresa Danger

A widow descended from a long line of Dangers who founded the city, Theresa is an elegant woman of means who spends her time being rich and counting her money. She’s invited to every ritzy and important event in the state, and it’s no wonder she made an appearance at the premiere – because where there are diamonds and cocktails and (maybe) a little bloodshed, there is Theresa Danger.

Edie Starr

A small-town girl with big looks, Edie is the up and coming actress starring in the hottest new film, “Forbidden Love.” It’s her long-awaited break-out role and she’s been looking forward to the premiere for ages. Glamour, fame, and riches – what more could she want?


Optional Characters:

Madam Celeste Moonbeam

Madam Celeste is the best fortune teller in town, predicting everything from the weather to WWI. Madam Celeste is itching for a chance to be in on the action and to prove to the world her second sight is as good as the first, so you better watch out – she means business.

Marjorie Lark

Marjorie is the lead female singer for the jazz band featured at The Bearded Rat Social Club, and a beautiful and charming lead singer she is, too. A young woman chasing her dreams, Marjorie will chase anything she deems worthy of her time.

Charlotta “Lotta” Cash

As the wife of Chester Cash, Lotta is accustomed to a life of acclaim and luxury. She relishes her role of fashion icon and trend setter in her community, and she’d do anything to maintain her status.

Emma Runner

Emma is vibrant and colorful, always made up from head to toe and ready and willing to give a smile or two – but that’s all she has time to do, because Robbie and Emma are never in one place for long.

Basil Drumm

Basil is the owner of The Bearded Rat Social Club, and that’s no easy feat. Spunky, fearless, and dedicated, Basil has to battle both the law and the “organized businessmen” of the city in order to keep his business afloat.

Rob R. Runner

A traveling salesman, Robbie is the kind of fast-paced smooth talker who could sell shampoo to a bald man. He’s eager to talk and eager to please, and his uncanny ability to walk away from any situation with a pocketful of cash can only be outdone by his wife, Emma.

Digg N. Plain

Husband of Birdie Plain, Digg is a successful archeologist who just returned from a recent dig in the middle east. He’s always been a nervous kind of man, but recent events have made him downright anxious.

Bruce Force

Real estate mogul of the upper east side, Bruce practically rules half the city. He’s a no-nonsense go-getter with a natural disdain for rules, and he’s willing to step on his friends in order to climb the social ladder.


Spectator Characters:

“Two Nose” Sapp
Employee of Bruce Force

“Jumpin’ Jack” Judd
Theresa Danger’s accountant

Warren Peace
Director of “Forbidden Love”

Leroy Boswell
Jazz Musician & Bandleader

Helen Danger
Theresa Danger’s sister, a rich and powerful spinster

Shirley Precious
Assistant to Edie Starr


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