This game is licensed for personal, private use only. If you plan to use it for any commercial purpose, public event, business, organization, school, fundraiser, church, promotional activity, paid event, or any use that generates revenue or provides a commercial benefit, you must purchase a Commercial License.
- Type Download
- SKU SCARLET
- Age Range 15 to Adult
- Minimum # of Players 7 Suspects
- Max Players (Main Game) 20 Suspects and 2 Optional Teams
- Max # Available (Sold Separately) 120: 30 Suspects, Up to 90 Team Roles (3 Teams, Expansion Pack Sold Separately)
- Difficulty Rating Moderate, 5.5/10
- Roles Co-Ed (See Host Character List for Ratio)
- Interactive Extras 4 Blackmail Notes
- Game Duration 2 to 4 Hours Average (Flexible Timeline)
- Setting At the Dawson family’s new home at 614 Scarlet Court in the small town of Shady Oaks, where Isabella Dawson hosts a neighborhood block party filled with food, fun, gossip, and simmering betrayals.
- Game Format Murder | Guided Clue Mingling | 4 Rounds
- Vibe & Content Notes Whimsical with a Wicked Edge * Clean Suburban Scandals
- Publication Date 2010 (614 Scarlet Ct.) Last Revised in 2026
A hilarious neighborhood block-party murder mystery game. This wickedly whimsical suburban mystery is packed with eccentric neighbors, blackmail, betrayal, simmering revenge, neighborhood gossip, suspicious relationships, hidden motives, interactive blackmail notes, party games, and murder during the Dawson family’s block party.
Murder Mystery Party Game Synopsis:
The Dawson family has just settled into their new home at 614 Scarlet Court, and to make a splash in their cozy neighborhood, they’re throwing a block party. Leading the charge is Isabella Dawson, a seasoned party host who has already earned the unofficial title of resident gossip queen after just two months in the small town of Shady Oaks. Despite the chatter, neighbors are looking forward to a night of food, fun, and friendly faces—or so it seems. Since the invitations hit mailboxes, whispers of blackmail, betrayal, and simmering revenge have begun to stir beneath Shady Oaks’ picturesque surface. The air is thick with tension, and not just from the humidity.
Still, Isabella insists on keeping things cheerful, offering dazzling conversation, gourmet bites, and party games designed to charm even the grumpiest guests. But with secrets bubbling just below the surface, who knows what the night will bring? Your invitation has arrived, and you’re planning to attend. This is where your story begins.
Host a Large Group Game:
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Main Game: 20 unique suspect characters
- 7 characters are required, and 13 are optional.
-
CBC News Crew:
- Led by Pat Couric.
- Add up to 30 duplicate CBC News crew members.
- The additional reporters are non-suspect team players.
-
Shady Oaks Police Team:
- Led by Officer Nelson.
- Add up to 30 duplicate Shady Oaks police officers.
- The additional officers are non-suspect team players.
-
Expansion Pack #1: 10 additional suspect characters
- Sold separately.
- Expands the game to 30 unique suspects.
- Includes an additional expandable team.
-
Starry Magazine Tabloid Crew:
- Led by Paul Paratsy.
- Add up to 30 duplicate tabloid reporters and paparazzi.
- The additional crew members are non-suspect team players.
All 30 available suspect roles are unique characters. The three optional teams use duplicate, non-suspect roles and can accommodate up to 30 additional players per team, expanding the complete game to as many as 120 players.
This game was formerly titled Murder and Mayhem at 614 Scarlet Court.
This is the instant download version of the game. Simply download, print, and prepare everything you need to play, with no shipping fees or delivery wait.
PDF files included:
- Host Instructions
- Printable Game Materials
- Solution
- Optional Extras, such as the free invitation
For the boxed kit, also called the Party Pack, use the link provided on the product page.
Printing Tips
For the best results, open and print the files using Adobe Acrobat Reader, available free from Adobe.com. Other PDF viewers may alter fonts, spacing, colors, page sizing, or interactive features.
- Download the PDF files to your computer and note where you save them before opening or printing.
- Select Actual Size or 100% Scale unless the instructions specify otherwise.
- Do not select Fit to Page, as this may resize cards, labels, or other game materials.
- Confirm that the paper size is set to US Letter, 8.5 × 11 inches.
- Print one test page before printing the complete game.
- Use standard printer paper for any worksheets or investigation sheets.
- Use heavier paper for invitations, clue cards, and other materials that will be handled during the game.
- Print in color when possible for the intended appearance.
- Do not select double-sided printing.
- Allow ink to dry completely before cutting, folding, or assembling the materials.
Printer settings and results may vary by printer.
This was a great pack for our party of 30 people. Instructions and suggestions were easy to follow. I had a friend help me stuff envelopes so I could play. We had a fantastic night of figuring out who the killer was. Everyone showed up in character with props - I added clothing suggestions in the mailed invitations. We made lots of themed drinks and food to help set the mood. Great party!
Had been searching for a while to find the right murder mystery game! Completed this game with a group of 17 and everyone had a great time. I did unfortunately find out who the murderer was when organizing the paper work but was still fun!!
I did this with a group of 8 people and we had SUCH a fun time! I was worried about whether or not people would get into character, but with everything this product provided, it was hard not to! We had a really great time and learned a lot... we definitely want to do another one again!
I will mention, I had a friend who couldn't come do a lot of the organizing of the cards in envelopes for me. I was really thankful for that, because it would have been difficult to cut out and place each person's round 2 and 3 cards in their envelopes without anything being ruined. If the host is planning on playing, I recommend finding someone to do this for you!
I hosted my first murder mystery party with a bunch of friends and family.. it was 20 people so all of the characters were played. I’m honestly surprised at how much fun everyone had. I sent out the character roles 2 days prior to the party and I told everyone it was optional to dress in character but the majority of my guests dressed up which was awesome. Everyone really got into the game and played they’re characters well. I was nervous about making someone a victim but the person who played the victim really loved it. I hosted it but I also played a character. I will be purchasing another game because I have a lot of people telling me how they want to do this again.
The use of this game during a birthday party was perfect. We have 4 different groups of people, total 20+ guests and no one just sat around board. Everyone was busy talking to one another, like they have always known each other. Perfect icebreaker.
As the hostess, this was a hard story to follow. We had 32 people RSVP and I had to expand the players but as the party day came around 10+ people cancelled. It was hard for me to reassign the characters to make the party flow. With all the rearranging, it was still hard to follow at times. Hosting a mystery party was fun but its is not fun to be unaware of some of the things to come. I wanted to also participate in the game so I didn't read everything, therefore I was a bit confused when the confessing part came around. I felt the explanations were a bit hard to follow at times.
Im glad it worked out in the end and people had fun. I do plan on hosting another party but I will keep it to a minimum number of people next time.