New Year's Eve Murder Mystery Game Printable: Last Call at the Brass Cuckoo

Ring in the new year the Roaring Twenties way, with a murder to solve before midnight. It's New Year's Eve, 1929. Behind the back wall of a little clock-repair shop hides The Brass Cuckoo, the city's most glamorous speakeasy. The owner has promised a big announcement at midnight, then is found in the back office. Everyone in the room is a suspect, and your guests have until the clock strikes twelve to work out who did it.

Yes, this one is a murder mystery, but it's a glamorous, funny whodunit for grown-ups, and nothing gory is ever described.

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A peek at the invitation: guests are told to knock three times at the clock-repair shop, give the password and step through the secret door into The Brass Cuckoo. Someone at this party won't let the owner make it to the new year, and before the clock strikes twelve, your guests will have to find out who.
(The clue cards stay sealed until the party, so there are no spoilers here.)

What's in the game

16 original character packets, each with a read-aloud intro, a bio, a costume idea, two secrets, an alibi, goals for every round, what to reveal and when, and playing tips.
13 clue cards in 3 rounds.
Host guide with a setup checklist, casting tips, rules to read aloud, an opening script, round-by-round scripts, an accusation round, troubleshooting and two ready-made timelines (about 3 hours or about 2 hours).
Invitation text: a full invitation, a short text-message version and a note to send with each character packet.
Suspect notebook with detective notes for every player, 17 name tags (16 characters plus one for the host), accusation slips and vote slips for 3 awards.
Sealed host-only solution with a full reveal script and answer key, plus an optional midnight countdown and toast script to ring in 1930.
5 printable PDF files, 50 pages in all, sized for US Letter. Instant download; nothing is shipped.

Who it's for

Best for adults. It's for 6 to 16 players, plus a host who runs the game and isn't a suspect, and the host guide tells you exactly which characters to cast for your group size. Every character can be played by anyone: player text uses names rather than "he" or "she", and each costume idea works with a dress or a suit. Plan it for New Year's Eve, or for any Roaring Twenties night.

How to play: quick answers

How does the game work on the night?

Follow the host guide: three rounds of clues, mingling and questioning, then everyone makes an accusation. Read the reveal just before midnight, then count down together and toast the new year.

How far ahead should I send the character packets?

The host guide suggests sending the invitations, choosing your cast and giving each guest their own character packet about a week before the party. The files download right after purchase.

Can we play it on a video call?

Yes. It works in person or on a video call, and the host guide includes tips for playing over video, including breakout rooms and private chat.

Do guests need to drink alcohol?

No. Giggle water is optional: the host guide suggests cocktails or mocktails, so a zero-proof party works just as well.

Planning the night?

1920s murder mystery party plan: how to host a speakeasy night

New Year's Eve games for the whole family

Get the full game

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