You've just started a delicious meal. All of a sudden there's some noise at a neighboring table. Two patrons are having an argument. Then there's shoving|Someone pushes. One loses his balance, falling to the ground. He rises, grabs a knife, and stabs the other man in the chest. Hold on, there may be more to this than meets the eye says a policeman who rushes in. The dead man was shot dead, the stabbing came after. Who shot off a gun? That's how a murder mystery dinner might begin.



Murder mystery theatre has been in action for years. More cozy locations often host these shows, along with a meal. People love to eat and to try to solve a mystery. The meal quickly becomes an intricate game. A variety of types of mysteries exist. The most basic involves interacting with the actors but not being asked to engage in solving the murder. A second form is one in which guests try to solve the case. These can become very complex.

These are popular as parties, and there are even entire cruises dedicated to them. Pop culture covers them. Movies and television have explored the concept. People invited to a party die one by one.

In other versions, a mystery dinner is taking place when someone is really murdered. In an episode of the detective show "Monk," the lead character has been banned from a murder mystery weekend bed and breakfast because he solved the murder in three minutes, thus ruining the weekend and losing the establishment a lot of money.

Sometimes these mysteries happen at spooky locations. Many mystery dinner theaters claim spooky happenings in their theater. It adds to the general fun even when not true. People may not believe it, but they play along for the duration.

A murder mystery dinner is enjoyable. Anyone including kids can enjoy the show.