Dinner and a Murder Mystery: Murder at the Four Deuces

Since I was about to turn 26 in 2 weeks and was disappointed that my plans to backpack the Grand Canyon before the 25th year of my life ended fell through, I wanted to do something different unbelievably marvelous for my birthday. However, I was not sure what to do... so I googled, "what should I do for my 26th birthday." Yes, I really did. And it gave me the greatest idea: a murder mystery dinner party, and yielded the most fun "grown-up" birthday party I have ever had: Murder at the Four Deuces. I journeyed back to the Roaring 20s and researched all that I could about speakeasies because my house was going to become The Four Deuces Speakeasy for one night.

I love this picture. The props I used for it are as follows:

• my dad's revolver
• "pearl" flapper necklace and fake cigarette/cigarette holder (my costume props)
• cigar and roaring 20s armband (my husband's props)
• wine glass (wedding gift)
• - $100 bills, which are actually notebooks that my guests used for taking notes in their quest to find out whodunit

I had a blast planning this party, too, if you couldn't tell already. I searched google and pinterest for party ideas related to Murder at the Four Deuces, the Roaring 20s, and speakeasies. I wish some of the bloggers would have put in a spoiler alert as I found out who died... which I guess was fine, since I co-hosted the party with my mother and me knowing who died was quite helpful in that respect. I won't write anything to spoil the game, but I am including pictures and character names. I loved looking at the pictures people had put up online from their parties and I had hoped that my group would dress up as creatively as those I had seen. As you will see below, I was not disappointed!

Here is the invite:

Luckily, the address number was so perfect for this party...

Welcome to the Four Deuces!

In my research on speakeasies, I found that people usually had to go in a side door or obscure entrance and had to give a password. My wonderful father boarded up the entrance to our house!

so the guests had to follow the deuces around...

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  My four y/o daughter, Ayla, had fun finding the deuces from a huge pile of cards for me!

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 She also enjoyed painting our "Closed for Violation of the Prohibition Act" signs with coffee.

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I raked a path out of the leaves for the guests to walk along... Once they got to the door, they had to knock three times and whisper "Swanky" into the mail slot!

 Fun! My sister and her boyfriend were Madam MeMe and Don Wannabe - the owners of the newly opened Four Deuces. Some people were almost denied entry because they forgot the password - could've been undercover coppers... you never know. ;)

This sign is provided in the files with the purchase of this game! Various other signs are provided as well.

Check out the awesome characters. I love that they all dressed up!!!

Tom Hops - Bartender 

Rhett Bumbler - Professional Gambler  Donna Wannabe - Sister to Don Wannabe

                              

                  

           Darrin Toosteal - U. S. Congressman    Vicky Ravioli - Big Jim's Ex-Wife

 

Madam MeMe - Four Deuces Proprietress    Don Wannabe - Four Deuces Proprietor

 Baroness Ravioli - Big Jim's Mother      Neville "The Nose" Nutella - Inspector

 This is me - Rebecca Ravioli - Big Jim's Daughter. My husband the chef/photographer and our daughter, who did her own makeup. She is rocking that blue eyeshadow!

 Guilda Guiseppi - Wife to Jack    Jack "Greasy Thumbs" Guiseppi - Accountant

Scoop Jennings - Chicago Sun Times Reporter

  

Carrie Crooner-Ravioli - Singer      Al Capone - Bodyguard

                                     Color Pencille - Artist  Penny Cheatum - Family Law Specialist

 "Big Bill" Bumpkin - Mayor           Sly Sleaze - Big Jim's Employee

Mary Toosteal - Congressman's Wife       Vanessa Crooner - Carrie's Mother

 Big Jim - Chicago Boss     Capo "Toto" Tequila - Boss of Bosses, NY

Doesn't everyone look great?!

Here are some pictures that were taken while we were waiting for guests to arrive...

I think I missed my era...sigh...

My two younger and much taller sisters...

My mom, sisters & I

Ayla and her buddy! They had a party of their own while the grown-ups had ours =)

Too cute in Daddy's hat!

Grand Opening of the Four Deuces

Unfortunately, we forgot to take pictures of the food and drinks (prohibition punch & gangster gin), which I also put a lot of thought into. For appetizers, we made Dip with Veggies in Baguettes and Caprese Salad Bites - I found both of these on pinterest! The main course, was easy, however..ravioli of course! For dessert, we had Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes - delicious! Side note if you make these - be sure to put the cupcake tray inside a cookie tray with that has sides as the brown sugar/butter mix will bubble up and over and disaster will ensue...

Gambling

The Happy Couple...?

Secret Meetings

No one can bribe the daughter of Big Jim

Death

Doesn't it look like pooled blood to the left of his head? My sister's camera got a little creative...

Carrying out the body. (No worries, the character who dies gets to assume another character!)

Scandals

Secrets Revealed

 Romance

 Jealousy

 Extortion

Presentation of Evidence - Our inspector won the best actor award, hands down!

Swankiest dames & fellas that I know!

Everyone had a great time, which I know because they said so and asked me when the next murder mystery party will be! I am now excited to get older as each party will be a new murder mystery dinner party. As I was researching, I saw that quite a few people used Four Deuces as their "Leaving the Roaring 20s" 30th birthday party. I was a bit bummed about that because I thought it was a great idea. Then I realized that there is a Four Deuces Part 2 which.. wait for it.. takes place 4 years after the original game. How perfect because in 4 years, I will be 30 years old!!!

I hope you enjoyed this because I certainly did!