Heist at the Grand Hotel

Opening night. A ballroom full of stars. A locked vault. And a famous necklace that just vanished.

Families, ages 7 and upAbout 80 minutesAny time of year20 to 50 guests

Allow about 90 minutes with a full table.

The story

It is opening night at the Grand Marigold Hotel, and at 10:00 the famous Marigold Star necklace is to be shown for the first time in a hundred years. But the vault is shut, the box is empty, and the thief is still at the party. A glamorous, funny caper for 20 to 50 guests in five teams, from the front desk to the VIP suite.

No murder, no scares. Kids from about 7 can play, with a grown-up nearby to help younger readers. Grown-ups enjoy it too.

The suspects

At a big party all ten are played. Each guest gets a secret, an alibi and a costume idea. One of them gets a lot more than that.

Chef Clementine PuffPastry chefWear: A white apron, a tall paper chef's hat, a whisk or a wooden spoon.
Delphine DazzleMovie starWear: Something sparkly, big sunglasses, a scarf thrown over one shoulder.
Dex ShutterbyPhotographer, the Daily ChirpWear: A camera or a box with a lid for a lens, a vest with lots of pockets, a cap on backwards.
Freddie FumbleBellhopWear: A cap, a jacket with shiny buttons, a small suitcase.
Hector BoltHotel handymanWear: Overalls or old jeans, a toolbox or a lunch box, a pencil behind your ear.
Margo QuibbleGossip reporter, the Daily ChirpWear: A notebook, a pencil behind your ear, a hat with a card saying PRESS.
Mr. Percival QuillHead conciergeWear: A jacket or a vest, a bow tie, a little bell or a name badge.
Mrs. Hilda TidwellHead housekeeperWear: A white apron, a cap or a scarf over your hair, a feather duster.
Pascal RuffleRoom-service waiterWear: A white apron or a white shirt, a cap, a tray or a plate with a napkin over it.
Sir Rupert SpiffingtonA very rich collectorWear: A jacket, a fancy scarf or tie, a magnifying glass or a bottle-cap monocle.

Witnesses, for parties of 11 to 40

A witness saw something and cannot be the guilty one. Each gets a costume idea and a secret, and votes at the end.

Archibald Featherstone the FourthThe richest ten-year-old in townWear: A bow tie or a fancy collar, a cap or a crown made of paper, a toy wallet.
Augustus PikeDoormanWear: A long coat, a cap or a hat, white gloves or any gloves.
Barnaby CrustFood criticWear: A napkin tucked into your collar, a notebook, a fork.
BiscuitThe hotel catWear: Paper cat ears on a headband, whiskers drawn on, a fluffy scarf for a tail.
Buck MulroneyThe Ketchup KingWear: A cowboy hat or a big hat, a red scarf or tie, a big belt buckle or a shiny badge.
Dash OkonkwoValetWear: A cap, a jacket, a big ring of keys.
Edna FoggKeeper of the lost and foundWear: Lots of odd things at once: two different gloves, a mixed-up hat, three scarves.
Fernando RuizHead waiter of the ballroomWear: A white shirt, a napkin over your arm, a tray or a plate.
Fifi FerranteFashion reporterWear: Sunglasses on your head, a scarf, a notebook for writing down what everyone is wearing.
Gus AntonelliDishwasher and opera singerWear: Rubber gloves, an apron, a dish towel over one shoulder.
Juniper LarkPodcasterWear: Headphones, a phone held up like a microphone, a big jacket.
Kiki NakamuraReporter for her school newspaperWear: A notebook, a pencil, a cap or a hair clip with a card saying PRESS.
Lady Tilly FairweatherA very old, very rich guestWear: Pearls or a long necklace, a hat, a basket or a handbag for Pom-Pom.
Lorenzo TinkleLobby pianistWear: A bow tie or a scarf, a jacket, sheet music or any paper.
Lou VanterpoolLate-night radio hostWear: Headphones or earmuffs, a hairbrush for a microphone, a loud shirt.
Mabel PluggSwitchboard operatorWear: Headphones or earmuffs, a cardigan, a pencil.
Madame Ottavia TrillRetired opera starWear: A long scarf or shawl, big earrings, a fan or a flower to wave.
Marta BloomKeeper of the chocolate fountainWear: An apron, a chef's hat or a scarf, a strawberry or a marshmallow on a stick.
Marvello the MagnificentFamous magicianWear: A cape or a coat over your shoulders, a top hat or any hat, a pack of cards.
Noor HadleyBoss of the basement laundryWear: A towel over your arm, rolled-up sleeves, a clothespin clipped to your top.
Petunia VineHotel floristWear: A flower behind your ear, gardening gloves, a watering can or a cup.
Pip SorrelKitchen tasterWear: An apron, a spoon in your pocket, a napkin round your neck.
Ravi BasuSous-chefWear: An apron, a chef's hat or a cap, a wooden spoon.
Rex HollowayTennis championWear: A sweatband, a white shirt, a tennis racket or a frying pan.
Rosa DelgadoHousekeeper, floors 2 and 3Wear: A white apron, a cap, a feather duster or a cloth.
Stormy GaleTV weather reporter, Channel 9Wear: A raincoat or a jacket, an umbrella, a big smile for the camera.
Sven HalvorsenIce sculptorWear: Warm gloves, a woolly hat, a spoon or a toy hammer for a chisel.
Wanda PruittHousekeeper, floor 4Wear: A white apron, a cap, a pillow or a folded towel.
Winnie AbaraGuest elevator operatorWear: A cap, white gloves or any gloves, a jacket with buttons.
Ziggy LindqvistWindow washerWear: A sponge, a bucket or a bowl, a rope or a scarf tied around your middle.

The teams

Everyone at the party joins one of five teams, detectives too. Each round, every team gets its own team file: extra notes that only its members see. At the reveal, the team that named the culprit most often is crowned the sharpest team.

  • Front DeskThey know every guest, every key and every secret. They just smile and ring the little bell.
  • KitchenHot ovens, a melting ice swan and six hundred tiny mints. Nobody leaves hungry.
  • HousekeepingA key to every room and a mint for every pillow. Nothing gets past a good feather duster.
  • The VIP SuiteFamous, fancy and fabulous. They have never carried their own suitcase, and they are not starting tonight.
  • The PressNotebooks out, cameras up. They want the story first, and they want it with a photo.
$69.99

for the whole party, not per guest

  • 20 to 50 guests, in five teams
  • Played on phones. Nothing to print, no app
  • Still works if a guest cancels
  • About 90 minutes. You play too
  • Refund if your party has not started

Or give a mystery party as a gift

See a sample character

BiscuitThe hotel cat
Say this to introduce yourself

“Mrrrow. I am Biscuit. I own this hotel. The humans just work here.”

Costume idea

Paper cat ears on a headband, whiskers drawn on, a fluffy scarf for a tail.

About you

You are the hotel cat, played by a person, which is fine. You sleep on the front desk, on whatever paper is most important. Guests pet you. Mr. Quill moves you. You move back.

Your secret. Keep it quiet unless someone asks you straight out.

You are scared of the little bell on the front desk. Every time somebody rings it you jump four feet in the air. You tell everyone you are "stretching."

Your part

You are a witness. You did not do it, and nobody can accuse you. Each round you get something you saw or heard. Share it when it matters, and tell the truth when someone asks you. You vote at the end like everyone else.

Round 1

You know this

Years ago you saw the Marigold Star through the open vault door. It sparkled. You tried to bat it with your paw. You have dreamed about batting it ever since.

This is one of the 30 witnesses, exactly as that guest sees it on their phone. Suspects get the same, plus an alibi and questions to ask in every round. One of them gets a cover story instead. Rounds two and three stay sealed until the party.

How a party works

  1. Pick a mystery

    Choose a ready-made one or have one written for your guests. One price covers the whole party.

  2. Share the link

    Guests scan a code or tap a link. No app and no account. Deal the characters early so people can plan costumes.

  3. Play it on your phones

    Three rounds of short clues, a lot of questions, one big accusation. The app runs the game, so you get to play too.

Questions

How many people can play?

20 to 50 guests. Ten play the suspects, up to 30 more play smaller roles as witnesses, and everyone else plays a detective. Every guest, detectives too, joins one of five teams. Up to 60 phones can join one party.

Can I buy one for someone else to host?

Yes. After you pay, choose "Buying this for someone else?" and send them the host link. Whoever opens it first becomes the host. You can still join their party as a guest.

What if someone cancels, or turns up late?

The story still works. Every mystery is written so the important clues never depend on a guest who might not come. If a guest with a key character leaves, another player takes that character over with one tap. Late arrivals join as detectives.

Do guests need to download anything?

No. They open a link or scan a QR code and type their first name. It runs in the phone's web browser.

Do I have to print anything?

No. Characters, clues and voting are all on the phones. If you have a TV, you can put the evidence on it for the whole room.

Does the host know who did it?

No. The app deals the characters and keeps the answer hidden until the reveal, so the host plays like everyone else. The host might even be the culprit.

How long does it take?

About 90 minutes with a full cast: three rounds, then the vote and the reveal. The host moves things along, so you can stretch it over dinner or keep it quick.

Is there a free one I can try?

Yes. The Case of the Missing Marrow is free for 4 to 6 players and takes about 34 minutes. No payment and no account: start it from the Free mystery page and share the link. It is shorter and simpler than the full mysteries, which play with up to 16 characters.

Do I get to choose the mystery?

Yes. Every mystery has its own page and its own buy button, and you get the one you pick. Nothing is random. If you change your mind before your party starts, the host screen lets you swap to another big-party mystery at no cost.

Is it suitable for kids?

The family mysteries have no murder, nothing scary and short, simple clues. They work well from about age 7, with a grown-up nearby to help younger readers. The grown-up mysteries are PG-13: a comic murder, no gore.

What do I get for $69.99?

One party: a private party code, every character, clue and team file for up to 60 phones, the host controls and the reveal. It is one payment for the whole group, not per person. You can swap to a different big-party mystery free of charge any time before your first game starts.

I lost my host link. What now?

Use Find my party with your party code, which is on your receipt, and the email address you paid with.

Can I get a refund?

Yes, if your party has not started yet. Write to us within 14 days of buying and we will refund you.