Panic at the Library Murder Mystery

Dawn Abron By Dawn Abron, Teen Services Supervisor/Creative Space Supervisor, Zion-Benton Public Library October 25, 2018

Murder mystery parties are a lot of fun, they are extremely popular, and they are cheap. Our theme was Panic at the Library which was a take on Panic at the Disco’ssong, I Write Sins not Tragedies. We chose this theme because our teens like this group and this type of music.  This music group is actually still popular so your teens may also like and you can use our theme.  Or, you can use a basic wedding reception theme if you want to model your murder mystery after ours. It is perfect for middle school and high school.

Type: Active
Age: Middle school
Optimal size: 20+
Estimated cost: $26 - $50
Planning time: 5+ hours
Frequency: One-time

Learning outcomes

● Practice workforce skills (e.g. time management, conflict resolution, problem-solving)

● Connect and collaborate with others

Instructions

The Script

We wrote an original script and you are free to use it.  Please make a copy then make changes on your copy.  This is the sheet staff used to keep track of the event.  Once again, please make a copy then make changes if needed.

Decorations

Teens really like dark themes, creepy carnival; zombies; Stranger Things; halloween, so our decor has been black and creepy for a couple of years which means we didn’t have to spend a lot on decor.  Since this is a wedding theme, our colors were black and red and we went with wedding type decoration.

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  • Centerpieces were from our Valentine’s day decor box, leftover Mason jars and doilies, and ribbon from our craft closet.  A lot of the decor came from our Valentine’s day decor box.
  • Cake-we ordered from Walmart.  It was actually a gender reveal cake and we purchased more cupcakes for a total of $23.  The topper came from Walmart. We already had a cake stand.
  • Wedding napkins came from the wedding section at Walmart.
  • Bouquet-I made the bouquet with gel pens and duct tape roses and ribbon from Walmart.
  • The cast wore their own clothes
  • Guestbook-teens signed the book upon entering. We used this as door prizes (leftover candy) and we will use their addresses to invite them to future programs.
  • Champagne glasses
  • Party hats

Food

The majority of our budget went to food-$100.  You don’t have to have food, you can just have cake and host your party after dinner time.

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Party Games and Activities

We Googled wedding games around the world because American weddings are quite boring.  We of course made some variations.

Two Truths and a Lie and musical chairs were the games.  The DJ played Cha Cha Slide, Cotton Eye Joe, and the Chicken Dance.  And of course we had the escape room.

Evaluation

  • We host this party every year and teens never guess the killer and they don't care.
  • Teens told us the best part was the acting from our wedding party.
  • Games that you think are too juvenile such as hide and seek and musical chairs are not.  Teens love the opportunity to run around the library after hours.
  • Don't feel the need to entertain teens every second; they are totally content with sitting at a table and socializing for a bit. This usually takes place at the beginning of the party as we wait for teens to arrive.

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