Storyteller's Cottage Launches Online Version of Popular Parties

The Simsbury-based Storyteller's Cottage was known for its lavish, literary-themed parties in the pre-Covid era. Most popular were their live murder mystery parties, featuring costumed actors playing suspects in a vintage murder story. Guests came dressed in costume as well, and played detective as they roamed through the Victorian house, interviewing suspects and finding clues.

When the pandemic caused the cancellation of all their in-person events, the Storyteller's Cottage moved its operations online. This month, they have launched a new online product inspired by their mystery parties that will allow mystery fans all over the country to host their own live murder mystery parties safely at home.

Murder Mystery Party Kits are now available to download from https://storytellerscottage.podia.com. Each kit contains everything necessary to host an at-home murder mystery party for up to 10 guests, including character backstory packets, custom clue videos to play during the party, personalizable invitations, suggestions for refreshments, costuming and decor, optional pre-party activities for guests, and detailed host instructions.

The first game to launch is "Murder at Pendleton Manor," the story of the demise of Sir Percy Pendleton, a wealthy industrialist who was poisoned at a dinner party at his home. Guests will all play characters who were present at the party, and are therefore suspects. During the party, each guest is given specific information to share with the rest of the group, including their relationship with the deceased, their alibi for the time of the murder, and anything they may have seen that might incriminate another character. Guests alternate between sharing the facts they know, asking questions of other guests, and watching the custom clue videos, which share additional light on the events of the murderous dinner party. Guests are encouraged to dress in costume, and at the end of the evening everyone tries to guess the identity of the murderer. These games can be played in person or over Zoom.

A short video describing the backstory of Murder at Pendleton Manor is available to view on the Storyteller's Cottage YouTube channel:

A second helpful video explaining how to host any type of murder mystery party is also available on the Storyteller's Cottage YouTube channel:

For more information, visit https://storytellerscottage.po...