The game’s afoot and you’re the detective
Mystery Dinners & Events | MysteryGrams | Mystery in a Box | FAQ | Contact Us
Mysteries intrigue us — we all want to stick with them to the shocking conclusion or the fun reveal! It gets even better when you’re involved, piecing together clue by clue until you make the discovery. That’s what Mystery & Adventure Agency does. No matter which of our packages you choose, you’re getting a puzzle to put together (and the shocking solution). Dun dun DUNNNH!
Mystery Dinners & Events
Not just a dinner anymore! We’ll create a custom mystery interactive story for your corporate event, fundraiser, rehearsal dinner, or any other party. Looking for the ultimate 20s shindig? We can work with you to design a fully immersive themed mystery for your space and your people. Our packages also allow you to choose the crime, length, and characters. And don’t worry, we’ll adjust participation levels so that elderly Aunt Sue gets to stay at the table while cousin Raleigh races around looking for clues. A mystery unfolds around you; you’re not on the spot, but can still help catch the thief!
In addition to the story, we provide props, actors, and character sheets. Whether it’s a full Agatha Christie-style murder or Encyclopedia Brown-esque stolen backpack, you can experience the twists and turns of a mysterious afternoon. Ready to book your mystery? Contact us to start discussing your event.
MysteryGrams
For the person who has everything, try out a MysteryGram. (Wait, whaaaat?) Your friend, a lover of mysteries, has a birthday coming up. You want to give her something more than just another book. Wouldn’t it be great if she were the star of a PI mystery, written in the style of her favorite genre? We create a short, multi-touch mystery story to be delivered to the recipient at certain intervals. That means one of our actors shows up (in costume) and hands them an envelope. The mystery unfolds with clues along the way. You get to determine how best to provide the clues — in person, by phone, through email — and we’ll deliver them on a specified date at your location. Finally, the resolution comes in after your giftee has figured it out!
Mystery in a box
Our mystery in a box series presents you with all the clues, props, and characters you need in one place (it doesn’t have to be a box literally, we can provide electronic versions). You choose from our pre-made set ups and adjust accordingly for your own party or group. They’re all thematic — from Bond to bonbons and vintage vino to Victorian London.
FAQ
How do mystery dinner parties work?
You show up, you sleuth, you drink, and you catch the killer — in style. There’s no one way to do a mystery party, but the shape of the event stays the same no matter what. These tend to go best if most participants are super into it. But it’s OK if some of your guests are a little shy and some just watch everything unfold and still have a great time. Mystery parties are most fun with actors – either ours or if the people in your group want to be the performers — but that doesn’t mean it’s the only way to do it! If it’s a small group and everyone wants to be a character, great! If it’s a group of 100 or more and you want 5 actors to guide the evening, great! When you get a quote, we’ll walk through everything with you and pick the right options.
How much do they cost?
The cost varies considerably depending on the size of the event, number of actors present, intricacy of story, and list of props and clues. It’s difficult to put a price together before we connect, because it changes every time a new character is added. That’s partly because we pay all of our actors and writers a living wage, so if you want more actors there, you’ll have to cover their fee.
How do you create your mystery stories?
We love this part! We ask you about the circumstances of your event first. Is it for a huge gala? Is it a small dinner? Is your place of worship having a celebrational meal or is your bestie having a baby? Then we think about the theme, time period, and location of the mystery. Are you dining with Agatha Christie? Do you want a “cowboy” mystery in the late 1880’s that takes place in the actual history of your own town? Or perhaps it’s a light contemporary cozy mystery with a touch of romance? Then we figure out who wants to be characters or if you want to hire actors. All of that information comes together and we create the draft of your project for your approval. When you sign off, we send you everything you need, and make arrangements for any actors!
I already have an idea for my mystery game. Can you work with me to bring it to life?
Hallelujah! 99 percent of the time, YES. We’ve tried a few ideas that never quite land over the years (the play within the play for example always falls flat). But we’d love to work to bring your idea to fruition.
Will you be there to help my event run smoothly?
There are a number of ways to ensure the flow of the event. If you don’t have any actors present, you’ll want to assign an organizer to help with clues and props. Otherwise, one of our people will act as guide through the story. We find the Butler character works very well for this as he always has an excuse to be around and answer questions.
How do I join your acting pool for mystery events?
Our mystery events happen mainly in the Northeastern United States, but can occur anywhere around the country or the world. (We’ve had them in western Canada and California, for example). Reach out to us if you’re interested in working on one in the future.
What do you wear to a mystery dinner?
You probably guessed this, but we love a good costume. If there’s a theme for the event, we highly encourage participants to dress the part. All of our actors will be costumed for the correct period.
Do you offer a Zoom option?
Yes, we can run your event online using backgrounds, video clues, and breakout rooms. We’ve found these only really go well with actors to help guide participants around the virtual locations and with smaller groups.
If it’s a mystery dinner, do you provide the food?
We’re here to handle the mystery part of it, but can add in other services like a bartender or wine tasting if the venue permits outside food and drink (and yes, we’ll incorporate them into the story). Additionally, we can include a photographer in your quote to help capture your stylish event.
