Summer murder mystery barbecue: how to host a crime night in the garden
It’s summertime, and the scent of grilled meat and vegetables is in the air. Barbecue season is officially open. Whether in your own garden, on your balcony oasis or in the nearby park – the great outdoors is the perfect place for a thrilling murder mystery party with friends.
Culinario Mortale is wonderfully suited to an evening in the open air and offers a unique blend of suspense and fun. Surprise your friends on this special occasion with a gripping murder case while fragrant delicacies sizzle on the barbecue. With the right planning, decoration and a well-thought-out menu, your murder mystery barbecue is sure to be a success.
Picking the right murder mystery
We recommend our popular classic “Murder Overboard”, in which a yacht trip among old school friends takes a tragic turn – perfect for an evening in the open air. Just as gripping is “Expedition of Death”, which moves the investigation deep into the Peruvian rainforest. Or how about “A Recipe for Death”? A New Year’s Eve dinner at a renowned restaurant in the Scottish Highlands that ends in tragedy.
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Sending out the garden party invitations
Every good garden party starts with a stylish invitation. Personalised invitation cards are a lovely way to invite your guests. The quickest and easiest way, however, is a personal message. Send the invitations out early so your guests have enough time to prepare. The invitation should include the theme, the dress code and the key information about how the evening will unfold.
Setting the right scene in the garden
Decoration and ambience
Decorate the garden to match the theme of the murder mystery. Use fairy lights, candles and themed decorations to create an atmospheric setting. A tastefully decorated table, suitable seating and small details such as name cards for the characters complete the picture.
The menu
No garden party is complete without delicious food! Plan a menu that is perfect for cooking on the barbecue and fits the theme of your murder mystery. A clever idea is to get your guests involved: ask everyone to bring along a treat – be it a refreshing salad, a homemade punch or a delicious cake.
Costumes and accessories
Encourage your guests to dress up to match the theme of your murder mystery – most of them will have great fun doing so. With matching outfits and accessories, everyone sinks even deeper into their roles and the evening becomes all the more entertaining.
Music
The music sets the tone: every good garden party needs a great playlist. We have put together playlists for our cases on Spotify. Matched to the atmosphere of your murder mystery, the music creates the perfect backdrop, builds suspense and carries your guests through the evening in style.
Decoration and ambience
Decorate the garden to match the theme of the murder mystery. Use fairy lights, candles and themed decorations to create an atmospheric setting. A tastefully decorated table, suitable seating and small details such as name cards for the characters complete the picture.
The menu
No garden party is complete without delicious food! Plan a menu that is perfect for cooking on the barbecue and fits the theme of your murder mystery. A clever idea is to get your guests involved: ask everyone to bring along a treat – be it a refreshing salad, a homemade punch or a delicious cake.
Costumes and accessories
Encourage your guests to dress up to match the theme of your murder mystery – most of them will have great fun doing so. With matching outfits and accessories, everyone sinks even deeper into their roles and the evening becomes all the more entertaining.
Music
The music sets the tone: every good garden party needs a great playlist. We have put together playlists for our cases on Spotify. Matched to the atmosphere of your murder mystery, the music creates the perfect backdrop, builds suspense and carries your guests through the evening in style.
Pro tips
Avoid cold feet: so your party isn’t cut short by dropping temperatures after nightfall, keep some cosy blankets at the ready. And finally, the most important tip for a thoroughly successful garden party: cheerful, relaxed hosts! Make the most of the long, balmy summer nights and collect lasting memories to see you through the winter. Be glad you are all together again, with time to eat, drink and laugh in good company. If you are looking for inspiration, recipes or music, have a look around our website – we have gathered plenty of ideas there and created a mood board full of inspiration and decoration ideas. You will also find many other creative tips for an unforgettable barbecue evening with friends and family.
Making memories
Don’t forget to take photos to capture the memories of this special evening.
… Thanks for the photo, Paulina and Kuba!