Murder! In A Christmas Carol A Charles Dickens Murder Mystery Game for 6-20 Players
Marley was dead, to begin with.
There is no doubt whatever about that. Jacob Marley was as dead as a doornail. He died of a heart attack on Christmas Eve. The medical examiner signed his death certificate; Ebenezer Scrooge attended his burial.
Seven Christmases have passed, and this year, at Fred and Clara Garland’s annual Christmas party, Marley’s ghost appears with a frightful scream.
His message? He did not die of a weak heart. No, Jacob Marley was murdered.
He begs you to discuss the murder, reveal your secrets, make accusations, and catch his murderer. Because tonight, the murderer is in the room, and you’re next.
Bah, humbug!
*******PLEASE NOTE*******
This game has no fancy illustrations or design - so it's only $10.99!
Murder! In A Christmas Carol can be played virtually, but it is better suited to playing in person.
For ages 12 and up. Playing time approximately 2 hours.
The host can play too!
This download includes:
6 Essential character handbooks, containing character background, quirks, clues, and secrets
8 Optional character handbooks, containing character background, quirks,* at least one secret, and at least two things to say per round
6 Spectator character handbooks, containing character name, quirks, one secret, and one optional thing to say per round
1 Host Guide, containing detailed instructions, tips, costume and prop ideas, and recipes for gingerbread cookies and wassail.
1 Optional script
Certificates for Best Improviser, Best Liar, Most Contagious Christmas Spirit, Best Costume, Best Accusation, and Best Character Quirks
And a blank spectator character handbook, so the host can create more characters, should more than 20 characters be needed!
*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! In A Christmas Carol 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 Jacob Marley. Once every player has guessed, the host will ask the murderer to confess.
This game comes with an optional script. I do not recommend using the script. However, I know there are certain situations where the script is helpful, so that’s why I provided it in the game packet. The script only includes lines for the essential characters. If any optional or spectator characters are playing, they can interrupt the script to reveal their clues, or wait until the end of each round.
***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 a digital file that you will download. This means as soon as your payment is confirmed, you will have the option to download Murder! In A Christmas Carol, and then you can play the game.
If you'd like to play music before, during, or after the game, Bearded Rat Mysteries has a Murder! In A Christmas Carol playlist on Spotify.
This game is LEVEL: INSPECTOR
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.
ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS:
EBENEZER SCROOGE
Ebenezer Scrooge is Jacob Marley’s oldest colleague. While they were never exactly friends, Scrooge was the closest thing Marley ever had to a social companion. They had many similarities: both were miserly, cruel, ambitious, and self-centered. Not much has changed. And Marely’s death? Well, let’s just say Marley didn’t leave a hole in Scrooge’s life. Scrooge doesn’t need a friend, anyway. The only thing he hates more than people is Christmas. Bah, humbug!
BOB CRATCHIT
Bob is Ebenezer Scrooge’s clerk. He is overworked, underpaid, and tired. Hey, at least it’s Christmas! When Marley was alive, both he and Scrooge took advantage of Bob’s work ethic and laid-back personality. Now that Marley is dead, only Scrooge is cruel to him. That’s a little better, at least!
PETUNIA CRATCHIT
Petunia is Bob Cratchit’s wife. She’s a longsuffering wife, too – Bob has never been paid the salary he deserves, and poor Tiny Tim is deathly sick! It’s a good thing Bob chose her for a wife, though. You see, she’s an orphan, and growing up without parents has made her strong, resourceful, and stubborn. That’s the kind of woman she needs to be to run a household on Bob Cratchit’s salary. But hey, at least she’s invited to a fancy Christmas party!
THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST (Gender neutral)
It is the Ghost of Christmas Past’s mission to reveal the past to those who have forgotten it. This ghost was created to bring the past to light, and it is attending this party in the hopes of fulfilling this mission. The Ghost of Christmas Past is bold, wise, and a little mysterious.
CLARA GARLAND
Clara is Fred Garland’s wife, Ebenezer’s niece by marriage, and the hostess of this Christmas party. She is in her element! A true hostess at heart, it is her mission to ensure this party is the best it can be – and that includes determining Marley’s murderer before the night is through. It also includes singing Christmas carols. Oh, how she loves to sing Christmas carols!
DICK WILKINS
Dick Wilkins is Ebenezer’s former colleague, his oldest friend, and his most bitter enemy. A businessman at heart, he is constantly pursuing the next big idea. Someday, he’ll be like Jacob Marley: the owner and operator of a successful business!
OPTIONAL CHARACTERS:
WINNIE THE CHARWOMAN
Winnie is Ebenezer Scrooge’s housekeeper, formerly the housekeeper of Jacob Marley. Life is hard, but she parties harder. Clara Garland’s Christmas party is a chance to let loose and have fun. One whole night of NOT cleaning chamber pots? Yes, please! Surely no one will ask her to work…right?
DR. MARMALADE
Dr. Marmalade is the medical doctor who examined Marley after his death. She is the most educated woman at this Christmas party, and she knows it. It’s a good thing she’s here – this murder investigation could use someone with her intellect and intuition.
FORTITUDE MONTGOMERY
Clara Garland invited Fortitude to her Christmas party, and he is happy to attend. Not many people want to be his friend. Some people say he’s a bit…slimy. Now, this may be true, but why say so? He prefers to be called resourceful.
ICHABOD THE UNDERTAKER
Ichabod is the undertaker who buried Marley. She inherited the family business and gave herself a man’s name to avoid prejudice, but it’s not quite working…business isn’t what it used to be, back when her father was in charge. She is no stranger to death, but murder? That’s something she knows nothing about.
FRED GARLAND
Fred is Ebenezer Scrooge’s nephew and Clara’s husband. He loves Christmas! He loves parties! He loves people! He is so glad to be here, but this murder business is really a bummer.
ISABELLE PORTER
Isabelle is Ebenezer Scrooge’s former love interest. It’s a little awkward for her to attend a Christmas party thrown by Scrooge’s niece and nephew with Scrooge in attendance, but hey, the breakup was a long time ago. Water under the bridge, right?
RICHARD BARKENBUBBLE THE BUSINESSMAN
Richard is an occasional business associate of Ebenezer Scrooge. The one big difference between him and Ebenezer? Richard has a heart. And Christmastime is the best time to use it! Richard spends his free time raising money for the poor. They say Jacob Marley died of heart failure. Perhaps if Marley had opened his heart to the less fortunate, he might have lived a little longer…
TINY TIM
Tiny Tim is the sickly child of Bob and Petunia Cratchit. So sickly, in fact, that he appears much younger than he is. This is both advantageous and annoying. Oh well – he’s just happy to attend the party because, well, it might be his last.
SPECTATOR CHARACTERS:
EDWARD EDDINGTON THE BUSINESSMAN
Edward is the occasional business associate of Ebenezer Scrooge, Dick Wilkins, and Richard Barkenbubble. As a man of business, numbers, and efficiency, he usually cannot be bothered to attend social engagements…until a recent bout of loneliness led him here, to Clara Garland’s Christmas party.
MR. FEZZIWIG
Mr. Fezziwig was the first employer of Dick Wilkins and Ebenezer Scrooge. He’s retired, and his work life is behind him. Why spend one minute thinking of anything but food and cheer? It’s Christmas!
MRS. FEZZIWIG
Mrs. Fezziwig is the wife of Mr. Fezziwig, the first employer of Dick Wilkins and Ebenezer Scrooge. She is retired, and her work life is behind her. But she can’t forget the natural tendencies of her husband's former employees...
SALLY THE CHIEF MOURNER
Sally was the chief mourner at Jacob Marley’s funeral. Wailing is her greatest skill! If only she had more clients…
THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT (Gender neutral)
It is the Ghost of Christmas Present’s mission to teach mankind to enjoy the present, to be kind, and to keep Christmas well. That might be hard to do in this group of suspects and – dare I say it – one bona fide murderer, but this ghost is up for the challenge!
THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS YET TO COME (Gender neutral)
It is the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come’s mission to warn others of the grim future ahead of them. In this group of suspects and no-gooders, this mission is kind of easy…or is it?
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