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Murder in Margaritaland

A Night of Crime and Chaos in the Caribbean.

Guest Info

The Who’s Who on Who is Going to be in Margaritaland, as well as info on how to talk when you are there! … and more! 

Talk the Talk: island slang

Click here to download a glossary of popular and plausible tropical terms that
might come in handy during your Night of Mystery.

Island Body Art

Click here to download a number of logos specially made for Margaritaland and their guests.
Print out the artwork on temporary tattoo paper and you have yourself a tattoo party.

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Who’s Who in Margaritaland

Coconut Joe—Owner of Margaritaland. The owner of the resort and the man to talk to when anything goes wrong.

Coconut Jane—Wife to Coconut Joe. Jane is in charge of guest relations and will go to any extent to make sure that the guests remain happy and satisfied.

Bindy Barkeep—Bar Manager. With bar sales decreasing lately, Bindy is looking for someone to blame. Will Bindy be able to keep the bar in the black… and their job?

Jack Daniels — Bartender. Known as the Casanova of the pool bar, it is hard to say whether his philandering ways will get him promoted or in trouble.

Kylie Cocktail—Cocktail Waitress.
 A gold-digger at heart, her aspirations might be a little ambitious for even her to achieve.

Lifesavin’ Sam—Lifeguard. Sam is supposed to be the safeguard of the resort, however, after his recent break-up with Kylie Cocktail, his actions have been doing more harm than good.

Cabana Bob—Cabana Boy. Ambitious and driven, Bob will do anything to advance his career and his love life.

BJ Baggage—Bellhop. With hopes of promotion, this bellhop is willing to help out the guests and the staff for little price if it means advancement of their career.

Tatum Tatt—Tattoo Artist. An artist and true talent. Another talent that they have is one of observation and Tatum has seen more than they are leading on.

Thurston Howard III—Millionaire. A man of money and power, Thurston will let no one take what is his or make a fool of him.

Candy Cotton—Millionaire’s girlfriend. As the vivacious and young girlfriend of Thurston Howard III, she will do anything to keep the adoration (and financial security) of her beau.

Lucky Numbers—Lottery Winner.
 Lucky came here to celebrate his winnings and ended up falling in love with Izzie. Now, he doesn’t know how to get something he can’t buy.

Starr Bright—Movie Star. Tired of the limelight and paparazzi, Starr is here to recuperate and rejuvenate far, far away from a daunting public.

Agent Hollywood—Hollywood Agent. With Starr Bright’s sudden rise to fame, this agent has had to work overtime to keep their client happy and Starr’s career on the right track.

** Not all characters will be included with all mystery versions.
** Some names and descriptions may be slightly different, due to the version you order.

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Costumes

Costume Gallery

Costume Ideas

This is one theme that is easy to dress for – choose something from your wardrobe or go over-the-top with additional accessories and props!

    

From your closet             
• Hawaiian Shirt
• Khaki shorts
• Sundress
• Swimsuits
• Sun visors
• Sunglasses
• Sarong
• Swimsuit cover-up

From the party store
• Grass skirt
• Coconut bra
• Flower Leis
• Parrot on your shoulder
• Beachcomber hat
• Flowers in your hair
• Temporary tattoos
• Wild wigs

Additional props
• Surfboard
• Drink tray
• Coconuts
• Pineapples
• Life Vest
• Swim Toys
• Lifebuoy
• Zinc Oxide
• Cigars
• Money
• Bling!

  

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Decoration Ideas

Setting the Scene

Creating Your Entrance

Creating Your Entrance

packaged goods

Create a “Welcome to Margaritaland Resort” sign at the Entrance.

   

• Hang an “Aloha” or “Margaritaland” banner in your entryway. (Templates included with the mystery.)

 

a group of colorful objects

• Create palm trees to give a tropical feel to your area. (Directions included in mystery.)

shelter  porch

• Make a Tiki 

a cardboard box with a cartoon character on it  packaged goods

• Set the scene with a beach scene setter! These rolls of printed latex can transform a room instantly!

• Place sand, toy crabs and fish by the front door or around your party area. We found excellent ones here– affordable, high-quality and large.

• Make some directional signs to welcome your guests to the party and direct them around the party space. (Template and directions included with mystery.)

a wooden sign with a sign on it   a sign with chairs around it   

Added bonus:

The directional signs are editable so you can add in your own party spaces of this Caribbean murder mystery game: tiki bar, cabanas, beach pool, limbo area, etc.!

 

a group of colorful objects   

 

 

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Inside Your Party Space

Inside Your Party Space

 

• Hang garlands of homemade tissue flowers (tied along green ribbon).

 

• Make your own lei garland by purchasing leis, cutting them and stringing them together.


• Hang some paper lanterns for your party. They are inexpensive, colorful and add to the ambiance.

Set out bright beach apparel, such as towels, beach bags and flip-flops.

• Float plastic or fresh flowers in water, either small bowls or a pond or pool.

• Hang beach balls from the ceiling with fishing line. Litter the floor with beach balls as well.

Add some beach-like flavor by accessorizing your area with beach towels, beach balls and lawn chairs.

• Don’t have a pool in your backyard? Use a child’s pool.

 

Don’t have a beach in your backyard? Make this fun “Beach Closed” sign – template and directions enclosed in mystery!

a backyard with a pool and trees  a person in a pool with flowers  water

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How to make your Tiki Bar

How to make your Tiki Bar

Instructions included in the mystery!

 

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Lighting

Lighting

    • Colorful paper lanterns can make the perfect decoration AND lighting!

• If throwing an outdoor party, don’t forget the bamboo tiki torches or the citronella torch candles. Both types of torches can be used to line the pathway leading to your party or placed strategically in an outdoor location. (Tiki torches can be used indoors, if not lit.)

• If throwing a party outside, light a fire in a fire pit.

Consider having white twinkly lights so as the sun goes down, your ambience will light up!

 

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Color Scheme

Color Scheme

Tropical Sunset:


  • Fiery Orange:For the warmth of a setting sun.
  • Bright Pink: Resembling tropical flowers.
  • Deep Purple: Representing the transition from sunset to dusk.

Beachy Blues and Greens:

 

  • Turquoise Blue: Like the crystal-clear waters of the ocean.
  • Lime Green: For the freshness of tropical foliage.
  • Sandy Beige: Mimicking the beach sand.

Margaritaville Fiesta:


  • Zesty Yellow: Reflecting the zest of a margarita.
  • Tangy Green: Like lime slices for drinks.
  • Fiesta Red: Vibrant and energetic.

Tropical Fruit Palette:

 

  • Juicy Orange: Resembling citrus fruits like oranges or mangoes.
  • Lush Green: Mimicking the shades of tropical fruits like kiwi or pineapple.
  • Vivid Yellow: Representing bananas or pineapples.

Floral Paradise:

 

  • Hibiscus Pink: Inspired by the vibrant tropical flowers.
  • Leafy Green: Reflecting the lush foliage.
  • Sunrise Orange: Like the colors seen in a tropical sunrise.
 

Feel free to mix and match these colors to create a vibrant, fun, and tropical ambiance for your murder mystery party. You can incorporate these colors into decorations, invitations, costumes, and even the murder mystery storyline!

 

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Setting Your Table

Setting Your Table

 

       

• Use beach towels as table cloths.

• Cover a table with green butcher paper and fray the edges to resemble a grass skirt.

 

• String together grass skirts to make the perfect table skirting! (Can be found inexpensively at your local dollar store when in season.)

• Use colorful buckets and beach pails to serve your food. Include a plastic shovel for the scooping.

• Display fresh fruit over fresh or fake greenery such as palm fronds or calla lily leaves on the center of the table. It will make an appealing and appetizing center display.

• Serve some of your munchies in sand pails, beach comber hats (lined with plastic wrap) or serve fresh fruit in a hollowed out pineapple or coconut shell.

• Make a cake and decorate it with a beach pail, shovel and other plastic beach accessories. Crush up vanilla sandwich cookies to make the sand to make an appetizing centerpiece and decoration!

• FRUIT makes the Perfect Food and Centerpiece. Think of all the creative ways to serve and display it! (See our Pinterest page for more ideas!)

 

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Create Your Photo Spot!

Create Your Photo Spot!

Give your guests an unforgettable souvenir by setting up a photo area where they can capture a picture of themselves in character.

 

A few suggestions:

 

• Pick a place where there will be good lighting.

• Accessories and decorations can make the difference. Have some extra props on hand that your guests can pose with.

• An easy way to create a background is to use a “scene setter”. These affordable rolls of images transform your room instantly and make for a good backdrop to your picture.

• Make sure there is enough room to fit everyone in to the frame.

• For individual shots of guests, designate someone to be in charge of pictures as your guests arrive.


o Consider your character list and which character would fit the role of taking the picture. Ie, if you want mug shots, perhaps ask the investigator to be in charge of taking the pictures.

• For a group picture, take one just before the introduction is read or right after the solution is read (before people may start heading out).

o These are two times when you can count on everyone being around and attentive.

 

BACKDROP IDEAS for the tropical theme

• Make the palm trees (how-to instructions included in the mystery) to use in your background.

• Have everyone pose by your tiki bar!

• Take some white banner paper and paint your own beachy background.

• Set out some lawn chairs, drape them with bright, beach towels, sand pails, beach balls, etc.

• Make a large banner that says “Margaritaland.”

• Create a police line-up background and take mug shots of each of your guests.

• Have additional props for posing in pictures (leis, beachcomber hats, sunglasses, feather boas, sun hats, wild wigs, hula skirts, coconut bras, etc.).

  

 

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Utilizing the Extras!

Utilizing the Extras

Whatever you decide on; BE SURE TO UTILIZE ALL OF THE EXTRAS THAT COME WITH THE MYSTERY — 


These are one-of-a-kind designs, ideas, templates and more that Night of Mystery has developed to help you throw your own unique and authentic mystery party.

With ordering this mystery, you will find: 

  • HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN PALM TREES, TIKI HUT, BANNERS, TIKI BAR SIGN, AND MORE!
  • SIGNS FOR AROUND THE RESORT

  

  • EDITABLE DIRECTIONAL SIGNS
a sign with chairs around it
  • EDITABLE MENUS
  • EDITABLE FOOD TABLE TENTS
  • SIGNS (5 designs)
  • KILLER CHILLERS
  • TROPICAL DRINK MENUS (ALCOHOLIC AND NON)  
  • MARGARITA GLASS CHARMS
  • MARGARITA CAKE RECIPES AND TEMPLATES

 

AND MORE!!!


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Setting the Scene

Food & Drinks

Menu Suggestions

Menu Suggestions

   

Luau Menu— Nothing says relax and enjoyment like a luau. Find all of the authentic foods by clicking here.

Jamaican Jerk Chicken Add a little seasoning of the Caribbean with some spicy jerk chicken.

Roast a Pig! Set the mood and provide some great food for your guests. Do it yourself or hire a local company to do it.

Cheeseburgers in Paradise Everyone will love this Jimmy Buffet inspired recipe.

Tropical Chicken Kebabs A taste of the tropics to add to your menu. Especially good on the bbq.

FRUIT makes the perfect food AND centerpiece. Think of all the creative ways to serve and display it!

(See our Pinterest page for more ideas!)

BEACHY CAKE: Make a cake and decorate it with a beach pail, shovel and other plastic beach accessories. Crush up vanilla sandwich cookies to make the sand to make an appetizing centerpiece and decoration!

MARGARITA CUPCAKES Use the recipe included in your mystery to make these delicious desserts!

PALM TREE CAKE Directions and template included in mystery packet!

(See our Pinterest page for more ideas!)

BEACHY CAKE: Make a cake and decorate it with a beach pail, shovel and other plastic beach accessories. Crush up vanilla sandwich cookies to make the sand to make an appetizing centerpiece and decoration!

MARGARITA CUPCAKES: Use the recipe included in your mystery to make these delicious desserts!

PALM TREE CAKE: Directions and template included in mystery packet!

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Drinks!

Drinks!

 Included in the mystery are drink menus for tropical cocktails and mocktails to serve your guests.

   

• Hauoli Island Punch— Spiked or not, this fruity concoction is tropically tasteful.

• Rim your glasses to create a killer chiller (pictured below). Recipe and instructions included in the packet.

• Don’t forget to make glass charms for your glasses – templates included in mystery!

• Nothing is more colorful than jello-shots. Find everything you need to know(including recipes) here!

• Whatever you are serving, add it into your drink menu! (Included with the mystery.)

• Have fun and fruity garnishes for your drinks – limes, lemons, strawberries, oranges, pineapple, etc.!

• Adorn your drink with a colorful umbrella or a flowered straw!

• Use a rubber raft or child’s wading pool to chill your beverages. Fill with ice and drinks.

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Setting Your Table

Setting Your Table

  

• Use beach towels as table cloths.

• Cover a table with green butcher paper and fray the edges to resemble a grass skirt.

• String together grass skirts to make the perfect table skirting! (Can be found inexpensively at your local dollar store when in season.)

• Use colorful buckets and beach pails to serve your food. Include a plastic shovel for the scooping.

• Display fresh fruit over fresh or fake greenery such as palm fronds or calla lily leaves on the center of the table. It will make an appealing and appetizing center display.

• Serve some of your munchies in sand pails, beach comber hats (lined with plastic wrap) or serve fresh fruit in a hollowed out pineapple or coconut shell.

• Make a cake and decorate it with a beach pail, shovel and other plastic beach accessories. Crush up vanilla sandwich cookies to make the sand to make an appetizing centerpiece and decoration!

• FRUIT makes the Perfect Food and Centerpiece. Think of all the creative ways to serve and display it! (See our Pinterest page for more ideas!)

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Spotify Playlist

Click on the image to get to our Spotify Playlist for this party!

Host Information

Thematic Suggestions

Thematic Suggestions

On top of having a totally unique party – here are some more suggestions based on the theme that you have chosen!

BOTTLE INVITES:
Why not invite your guests to the party by sending a message in a bottle? This will increase the excitement for the party before it even starts! (Included with the mystery packet are specially designed mailing labels for these invites!) You can find a link to the bottle invites here.

LEI’ING YOUR GUESTS:
An inexpensive and fun way to really get your guests in the mood. Simply have your guests receive a lei at the entrance. This will ensure everyone has a “costume” – even those who didn’t weren’t planning on it!

 

LIMBO CONTEST:
To keep the party going, you may want to have a limbo area.

DON’T FORGET YOUR OWN SUMMER FAVORITES:
Break out your beach towels, lawn chairs, sand toys, and Hawaiian shirts. The simplest things that you have can quickly be turned into tablecloths, serving dishes, backdrops, and decorations!

   

 

Close Tab

Create Your Photo Spot

Create Your Photo Spot!

Give your guests an unforgettable souvenir by setting up a photo area where they can capture a picture of themselves in character.

   

A few suggestions:

• Pick a place where there will be good lighting.

• Accessories and decorations can make the difference. Have some extra props on hand that your guests can pose with.

• An easy way to create a background is to use a “scene setter”. These affordable rolls of images transform your room instantly and make for a good backdrop to your picture.

• Make sure there is enough room to fit everyone in to the frame.

• For individual shots of guests, designate someone to be in charge of pictures as your guests arrive.

o Consider your character list and which character would fit the role of taking the picture. Ie, if you want mug shots, perhaps ask the investigator to be in charge of taking the pictures.

• For a group picture, take one just before the introduction is read or right after the solution is read (before people may start heading out).

o These are two times when you can count on everyone being around and attentive.

BACKDROP IDEAS for the tropical theme

• Make the palm trees (how-to instructions included in the mystery) to use in your background.

• Have everyone pose by your tiki bar!

• Take some white banner paper and paint your own beachy background.

• Set out some lawn chairs, drape them with bright, beach towels, sand pails, beach balls, etc.

• Make a large banner that says “Margaritaland.”

• Create a police line-up background and take mug shots of each of your guests.

• Have additional props for posing in pictures (leis, beachcomber hats, sunglasses, feather boas, sun hats, wild wigs, hula skirts, coconut bras, etc.).

 

 

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Planning Inspiration

Planning Inspiration!

For even more party planning ideas, check out our Murder In Margaritaland Pinterest Board here.

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Utilize ALL the EXTRAS!

Utilize All the EXTRAS!

Once you order, in your mystery packet you will receive directions and/or printables to make unique and original decorations specific to your party!

   

Included will be:

  • HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN PALM TREES, TIKI HUT, BANNERS, TIKI BAR SIGN, AND MORE!
  • SIGNS FOR AROUND THE RESORT
  • EDITABLE DIRECTIONAL SIGNS
  • EDITABLE MENUS
  • EDITABLE FOOD TABLE TENTS
  • SIGNS (5 designs)
  • KILLER CHILLERS
  • TROPICAL DRINK MENUS (ALCOHOLIC AND NON)
  • MARGARITA GLASS CHARMS
  • MARGARITA CAKE RECIPES AND TEMPLATES

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Win a Free Party!

Win a Free Party!

Each month we highlight one of our customers who has posted on our blog and award them a FREE party!

 

To get your $5 coupon AND be entered in the Party Of the Month contest for a chance to win a FREE party,

please email nompartyofthemonth@gmail.com

Don’t forget to add all the important details and party highlights that made your party one to remember! We love to hear about all of the hard work you, as host, put into your party. From the decorations to the food, costumes, whatever. As well as how you and your guests acted (and reacted!) throughout the night! Everything that made your party one your guests will never forget — tell us about it! And be sure to attach some pictures!!!

Upon submitting, we will email you back a coupon to use for $5 off your next party AND enter you in our “Party of the Month” contest, where you could win a FREE party! Once submitted, you will not have to resubmit, but will be entered EVERY MONTH until your party wins!

 

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Tips

All of the information regarding how to run your Murder in Margaritaland party can be found online at Night of Mystery. We highly suggest that you take time to look over our website and download the Murder in Margaritaland preview file. Upon reading the introduction file of this Caribbean murder mystery game, it will give you a better understanding about how the parties are run and what to expect once you purchase a full mystery file.

If you still have question, the Frequently Asked Questions page at Night of Mystery is a great resource or you can contact us.

Since our games are custom written for the size of the party (ie, we don’t just create a mystery with 8 characters and then keep adding more characters to it), each mystery size is unique unto itself. That being said, going from 10-15 version to 15-20 version, will not only add in more characters, but it will change the storylines of the existing characters, and vice-versa in going from a larger version to a smaller one.

Because of this, WE STRONGLY SUGGEST you get a guest count before formally ordering. You can do so by downloading an invitation, inviting your guests and then purchasing your mystery once you have a more accurate number of people attending. Unfortunately, if you find yourself purchasing the wrong sized party, you will have to purchase another version of the mystery for the size you want unless you are moving from the 15-20 version to the 20+ version.

You can download an invitation here before ordering.

On top of having a totally unique party – here are some more suggestions based on the theme that you have chosen!

BOTTLE INVITES: Why not invite your guests to the party by sending a message in a bottle? This will increase the excitement for the party before it even starts! (Included with the mystery packet are specially designed mailing labels for these invites!) You can find a link to the bottle invites here.

LEI’ING YOUR GUESTS:An inexpensive and fun way to really get your guests in the mood. Simply have your guests receive a lei at the entrance. This will ensure everyone has a “costume” – even those who didn’t weren’t planning on it!

LIMBO CONTEST: To keep the party going, you may want to have a limbo area.

DON’T FORGET YOUR OWN SUMMER FAVORITES: Break out your beach towels, lawn chairs, sand toys and Hawaiian shirts. The simplest things that you have can quickly be turned into tablecloths, serving dishes, backdrops and decorations!

For even more party planning ideas, check out our Murder in Margaritaland Pinterest Board here. It is s filled with ideas for recipes, costumes, decorations, etc. for the perfect Murder in Margaritaland party!

Once you order, in your mystery packet you will receive directions and/or printables to make unique and original decorations specific to your party!

– HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN PALM TREES, TIKI HUT, BANNERS, TIKI BAR SIGN!
– SIGNS FOR AROUND THE RESORT
– EDITABLE DIRECTIONAL SIGNS
– EDITABLE MENUS
– EDITABLE FOOD TABLE TENTS
– SIGNS (5 designs)
– KILLER CHILLERS
– TROPICAL DRINK MENUS (ALCOHOLIC AND NON)
– MARGARITA GLASS CHARMS
– MARGARITA CAKE RECIPES AND TEMPLATES
And More!

This is one of the easiest these to throw on the fly. To help your guests ‘get into character’, have a box of leis, beachcomber hats, sunglasses, sombreros, grass skirts, coconut bras, Hawaiian shirts (picked up from second-hand store), etc. It is sure to be a hit!

Each month we highlight one of our customers who has posted on our blog and award them a FREE party!

To get your $5 coupon AND be entered in the Party Of the Month contest for a chance to win a FREE party, please email nompartyofthemonth@gmail.com

Don’t forget to add all the important details and party highlights that made your party one to remember! We love to hear about all of the hard work you, as host, put into your party. From the decor, to the food, costumes, whatever. As well as how you and your guests acted (and reacted!) throughout the night! Everything that made your party one your guests will never forget — tell us about it! And be sure to attach some pictures!!!

Upon submitting, we will email you back a coupon to use for $5 off your next party AND enter you in our “Party of the Month” contest, where you could win a FREE party! One submitted, you will not have to resubmit, but will be entered EVERY MONTH until your party wins!

Check out some of our past winners here! Night of Mystery POM Blogs

Thanks again for hosting with Night of Mystery and we can’t wait to hear all about your party!!!

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