Well, there is a solution to this. Why not host a murder mystery game, with each of your guests playing a role to unfold a devious and dangerous plot over the dinner table? If you have the sort of friends who are up for anything and enjoy a mental challenge, this is just the sort of thing that will intrigue and amuse them, and give you a night to remember.

Organizing such a party need not be difficult and they can be suited to all ages from teenagers to senior citizens. The Internet is full of resources to get you started, as any Google search for ?murder mystery? will prove. So, where to start?

It's best to consider who your guests might be. If they are up for a giggle, the sort of people you like to mix with, then you have a good start. Some may be a little more coy, but you can adjust your story to take account of those too ? just make sure that you have at least six natural jokers or actors and you will have you party started.

Next think of a scenario. You could go for the traditional route of Murder She Wrote or Dorothy L Sayers type mysteries, but why stop there? You could set your mystery any time or any place: a spooky castle, a ship, a baseball game or Ancient Greece. Be inventive and use your venue and hobbies as a starting point. Put together a short list of ideas and see what resources are out there to make your ideas fly.

There are three ways you could do this, and what you choose will depend upon your budget, your available time for organizing and previous experiences.

Perhaps you want to do the whole thing yourself. Great if you have the time and experience to put together the plot and prepare the clues and script. It will take a while, but you will have created something unique that is entirely your own, and will fit your ideas precisely. Searching for tips on ?how to write a murder mystery? could help, or perhaps you have played such a thing before and feel sure you could do it like that, only better.

If you don't have the time, then why not order a kit that does everything for you? You can buy pre-boxed games or download packs that have invites, character profiles and cue cards ready made for you All you need to worry about is inviting your friends, as many come with a DVD to conduct the evening perfectly, and are perfect for those who have not hosted a murder mystery party before. Being pre-written, these stories may not match your elaborate ideas, but you should be able to find something that the suspects will enjoy.

Thirdly, there are companies of experienced writers and actors who will turn up in your village hall and take all the stress away from you. They will be experts at setting up and performing a clever plot, and the devious mystery will unfold before your eyes. You can expect a lot of laughs from such an event, and the best troupes also ensure that there is a solid mystery behind all the fanciful character names and gags. Just a simple Google search for ?murder mystery party? or the like will present you with a list of names, so go on, what are you waiting for? Have a stab...