It was a dark and stormy night, on the tenth of March. Eight people had been summoned to solve the murder of Carrie Bean, a potential resort developer on Paradise Island.
Her body had been discovered floating in water, and cause of death was determined as drowning. Marks on the body suggested she had fallen down the cliff to her death. But had she fallen? Or had she been pushed? Was the puncture mark in her neck the work of a tree branch? Or something more sinister?
Only the guests could tell.
They took their seats around the table. Chocolate pavlova with tropicals fruits was served. Pink Flamingos and Illusions poured into cocktail glasses to wash it down.
And then the interrogation began.
The evidence was layed out.
The murderer provoked.
But who could it be?
There was Anne. The yachts woman who held the record for the worlds fastest solo sail. She operated a charter company on the island, and made good money. The island was her livelihood; her accomplishments the hook.
All that was set to change. Carrie had discovered Anne was a fraud. Her dramatic win was a farce; it was not the wind in her sails that pushed her boat forward. It was a hidden motor attached to the hull.
Was this motive enough for murder?
Jim Aker, the banker was there, in his typical attire. His company in Miami funded the resorts on the island, Anne’s business and much else.
But that wasn’t the only place his money came from.
No, Jim was in league with two other guests, Monty and Toby. Toby owned the sole resort on Paradise island, and Carrie’s development threatened to ruin him. Monty had retired from professional cricket playing, and was selling merchandise instead. It was his hollow cricket bats that made the trafficking possible for the trio.
And Carrie knew it all.
Barbie was a free loving Jamaican dancer. She loved to limbo and to have a good time. She was familiar with most men on the island, in some rather intimate ways.
But it had not always been like that. Once, she too, had been a man. Or rather, a woman trapped in a man’s body.
Carrie held the secrets of her past, and threatened to expose them.
Martin was the islands chef; his specialty, dodgy French cuisine that frequently left many ill. In fact certain documents had recently come to light which suggested his license was about to be revoked. Coupled with the fact that his true identity as a resident of London and not Paris, be known, the future did not look bright.
Marguerite, the wife of a rich oil tycoon, did not like to travel alone. But her husband’s business was failing, and she felt the need to confront his mistress, Carrie Bean. With the pre-nup in place, it seemed that Marguerite would soon be on her own, with no money, no husband, and just the lonely poison dart she carried in her bag.
Gran Ada had made a name for herself as the voodoo priestess of the Caribbean. She looked remarkable for her advanced age, thanks to her voodoo magics, and had quite a following, as a virgin high priestess.
But she was under threat.
Carrie had discovered that the old woman was not as old as she pretended. She also had a love child, from many years ago, a fact that would strip her of her powers and authority.
Just how far would Gran go, to prevent the truth?
The characters were assembled.
The facts laid plain.
Who had killed Carrie Bean?
Do you know?
*If you’re wondering what this is all about, on Saturday night I hosted a murder mystery party. A few people asked to hear how it went. If you would like to hold one if your own, check out www.host-party.com
Not a sponsored post.
Oh, I’m always terrible at solving murder mysteries… but I will go with Marguerite, just because love (or ex-love!?) is probably a big enough motive.
Sounds like you had a great time. I haven’t been to a murder party in ages. Thanks for the reminder. I really must do one sometime.
Julie recently posted..In which I finally do some sewing
Ha ha! It was made to look like Marguerite, but the killer was Barbie. Made even more hilarious that it was the sort being plaid by our normally conservative ports wife. She is a great liar though; she played the part so well!
The web site I used made it really easy to host. I will definitely do another one day.
Jess@Essentially Jess recently posted..Cyclone Jess
I bet it was a blast!! We did this once years ago with friends in the US. Had forgot all about it! Might look at doing one ourselves. Thanks for the idea!
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset recently posted..What Would You Do?
It was so much fun! You should definitely do one!
Jess@Essentially Jess recently posted..Cyclone Jess
Wow this sounds so fun and exciting, I bet all your guests love it! I’ve never thought of hosting a murder party theme before. Thanks for the inspiration!
Summer recently posted..New friends found
You’re welcome!
Jess@Essentially Jess recently posted..Cyclone Jess
I’m with Julie, I’m going Marguerite! I’ve never been to a murder party but always wanted to, sounds like fun x
Carli@tinysavages recently posted..Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
Everyone thought it was Marguerite! In fact the killer was Barbie, who was trying to hide her secret past as a man!
Jess@Essentially Jess recently posted..Cyclone Jess
I went to one on Norfolk Island years ago (as a reluctant 16 year old travelling with my parents). It was lots of fun (though I didn’t admit it at the time!) – and I would love to do one again….maybe for my *ahem* 40th (which is quite a few years away yet!!) Hmmm…perhaps it was both Anne & Margeurite??
Debbie @ Aspiring Mum recently posted..A Memory Maker.
They are good fun, especially when everyone gets into it!
Barbie was the murderer; her secret past as a bloke was important to keep hidden, so she knocked Carrie off the cliff with her limbo pole.
Jess@Essentially Jess recently posted..Cyclone Jess
My guess is Monty! Who can trust a guy with a name like that!!!
Cassandra recently posted..A little Giveaway!!!
It is a bit creepy isn’t it?
The murderer was Barbie, trying to hide her past as dude.
Jess@Essentially Jess recently posted..Cyclone Jess
Ooh intriguing!! I did one years ago with youth group, but being teenagers, no one really got into it and it was a bit boring. I’d love to do another one properly one day!
Hmm, I’m guessing Gran gave Marguerite the poison dart. But did she do it? I don’t know!
Alyce {Blossom Heart} recently posted..Rainbow Party Food Ideas
Actually Marguerite was given the poison dart by her husband, after he had displaced some Indians who were living on an oil reserve, and they took revenge on him.
Barbie was the actual killer!
Jess@Essentially Jess recently posted..Cyclone Jess
Sounds like it was a great night.
Rhianna recently posted..Catching Up With Friends
It really was!
Jess@Essentially Jess recently posted..Cyclone Jess
So fun! Such a creative idea and you guys are so game to dress up for the part too
Ai Sakura recently posted..Spoof!!: Tiffany & Co. Winter Ad
Everyone dressed up which was great. Really helped the atmosphere.
Jess@Essentially Jess recently posted..Cyclone Jess
Sounds like a lot of fun! I think I would suck at a murder mystery party though. I would probably be there at the end when everyone had already worked it out trying to get someone to explain the answer to me! Looks like it was a ball though!
Bee recently posted..10 Ways In Which My Children Infuriate Me
It was so much fun. At the end all the clues are revealed, so you know what happened. The interrogation throughout is heaps of fun, and because it was a dessert and cocktail night as well, it made it even better!
Jess@Essentially Jess recently posted..Cyclone Jess
I love murder mysteries. Agatha Christie, M.M. Kaye’s “Death in…” series, TV versions of these, Midsomer Murders, etc. My money is on Gran Ada.
Veronica @ Mixed Gems recently posted..Unwritten
Gran Ada would have made a great killer, but it was the limbo dancing Barbie who used her limbo pole to push Carrie off the cliff.
Only one person guessed it right!
Jess@Essentially Jess recently posted..Cyclone Jess
haha lots of fun! Ive been to one of these before and they are a blast! love your hubbys look bahahaha!!
Mum’s the Word recently posted..Sickness She Wrote!
His suspenders were hilarious! They weren’t quite long enough, and every time he sat down, the back flickered up and whacked him in the head!
Jess@Essentially Jess recently posted..Cyclone Jess
That looks like so much fun!! Loved the pics as always
Dear Baby G recently posted..And then there were 4
It was a blast!
Jess@Essentially Jess recently posted..Cyclone Jess
Arrrgggg you can’t leave us hanging like that! Ok… my money is on Barbie. With a past like that who knows what kind of dangerous liaisons she/he’s had in the past that could cause her to become entangled in such a dastardly plan.
Misha – The Bling Buoy recently posted..Comment on The Great Ant Farm Experiment by Cassandra
Oh I think you missed your calling as detective, because you’re the first one to get it right! She didn’t want anyone to know she used to be a fella, so she attacked Carrie with her limbo pole and pushed her off the cliff
Jess@Essentially Jess recently posted..Cyclone Jess
What an awesome night and soooo intriguing. My vote is for Jim the banker, never trust a man in high shorts and braces
You better reveal the guilty party or I may go crazy with graphs and charts to try to work it out myself! #noSherlockHolmes
And he was looking guilty all night too!
Turned out it was just cause he was trying to hide his money laundering business.
I am half tempted to not tell you who it was, and see what you come up with, but I’m not that mean. It was the ex-dude Barbie
Jess@Essentially Jess recently posted..Cyclone Jess
I’ve never done a murder mystery party, but this looks like so much fun Jess! Well written!
Fiona @ My Mummy Daze recently posted..The 52 Week Project: waiting for the son
Thanks Fiona.
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You should do one! It was great fun, and not that much work either really.
Jess@Essentially Jess recently posted..Cyclone Jess
I’m going with Monty! Just because the idea of trafficking using hollow cricket bats leads me to believe she was beaten with one of them.
Although, Margeurite does have that poison dart that could make that puncture mark….
Although that seems too easy!
I am so inspired to have one of these parties!
Daisy recently posted..A lesson in rambling
You should have one!
Yes marguerite was designed to look like the murderer I think, but it was actually Barbie. She used her limbo pole to beat Carrie to death, I think the hollow cricket bats may have snapped with the force.
Jess@Essentially Jess recently posted..Cyclone Jess
How fun! So, who did it…?!
MsMandie recently posted..Why Shopping Ain’t What It Used To Be
It was Barbie!
Jess@Essentially Jess recently posted..Cyclone Jess
I’ve never been to one … it sounds intriguing!
Janet recently posted..Precious Comfort
It was a lot of fun Janet.
Jess@Essentially Jess recently posted..Cyclone Jess
This sounds like too much fun!! I want to host one now.. just to go through the character process!! Im guessing it was Martin!!!
Jane Hallisey recently posted..What is my blogging destiny??…..
Yes I thought Martin too, cause he seemed a bit shady, but it was actually Barbie.
Jess@Essentially Jess recently posted..Cyclone Jess
What a great idea for your birthday – I am crap at solving these types of mysteries but sounds fun!
Deb @ Home life simplified recently posted..30 ways to teach children about gratitude and kindness
It’s fun just to interrogate all your friends, and assume everyone is hiding something. Even if you get it wrong, the revelation round is still good fun.
Jess@Essentially Jess recently posted..Cyclone Jess
I’ve never been to a murder mystery night! But have always wanted to. Looks like fab fun!
Emily recently posted..There are lots of words for a group of giraffes
Maybe you cold host your own? The website has heaps of different suggestions, and theya re not too difficult to organize either!
Jess@Essentially Jess recently posted..Cyclone Jess
I’ve never been to a party like this, but looks fun! I love watching crime shows – would be fun to be a part of the mystery-solving
Erin @ Lohtown Life recently posted..My Biggest Critic
Host one yourself! It’s easy and so much fun! The website has has of suggestions.
Jess@Essentially Jess recently posted..Cyclone Jess
That is awesome! I want to have one of these sometime
And I think it might have been Anne… darn it I want to know who it was now! Make sure you tell us!
Robyn (@slightly_deep) recently posted..Mars and Venus
Yes do it Robyn!
Anne did see, possible, but the murderer was actually Barbie! She wanted to keep her past as a man hidden from all her love aquaintances.
Jess@Essentially Jess recently posted..Cyclone Jess