FAQ's | Blame the Butler

Frequently Asked Questions

How are the mysteries delivered?

Once you buy the mystery you will receive an email with instructions to download a compressed .pdf file. This file will contain Host Instructions, Character Dossiers, Guest Instructions, and clues.
How far in advance should I email the character dossiers to my guests?

We recommend two weeks. That gives your guests plenty of time to plan costumes, if they choose to do so.
How long will my mystery last?

Most mysteries will last between ninety minutes and two hours. This depends on how long your guests choose to investigate.
I have more than eight people, how can I get mysteries that are bigger?

We will be launching those soon. Email us if you have a specific request.
If I do this online do I need to subscribe to Zoom, Teams or Google Meetings?

The free versions of these services have limits. Google Meetings and Teams are free for one hour, Zoom is free for forty minutes. You can log off and back on, but this can be challenging for a party of eight people. If you don't subscribe to a meeting app, check and see if one of your party guests has access to the paid version of one of these services.
Are all of your parties for women? We want parties for couples?

More parties are launching soon, so check back frequently for additional games. Email us if you’d like the Mardi Gras party for four couples. This is almost complete.
Do the parties come with recipe ideas?

We have recipe ideas for themed drinks and food on our blog, with new ones coming out every week.
What do I do if one of my guests doesn’t show up?

Unfortunately, it’s hard to remove characters without impacting the structure of the mystery, especially if the host is playing along and does not know whodunit. If you know a guest frequently cancels at the least minute, you may want to allow that guest to be a non character investigator. If you find yourself in a real bind, a host can play two characters at once, although this is challenging.
Are all of your mysteries in the same format?

There are three basic formats: Investigative (Murder of the Monsignor), Secret Teams (Spying Can Be Deadly – coming soon) and Investigative/Scripted Combo (Murder at Mardi Gras).
How do I know which format is right for my party?

We suggest you pick the theme you like best. All of the formats are fun, and it’s good to mix things up.
Do you offer custom mystery parties?

We do, but in very limited quantities. It takes us a full 60 days to complete a custom mystery. Check out the Custom page for more details. We have one spot available for the Christmas time frame.
Do you offer gift certificates?

Yes, we do. They make great gifts.