Mar 30, 2009

Not A Bad Way To Kill Saturday Night. Murder Mystery Pun Intended.

This past weekend, Bossy’s friend Martha threw a Murder Mystery dinner party for eight of her closest friends. OK, they aren’t her closest friends — but rather the eight suckers who would willingly pass a Saturday night dressed in stuff like lederhosen:

In the above photo, Bossy’s husband is dressed as a German wine merchant. And Bossy’s friend Martha’s husband is playing the part of an old man vineyard worker. You see, Murder Mystery parties typically center around a theme, where typically means hellsa balls if Bossy knows what’s typical since this was the first Murder Mystery party she ever attended.

In the case of this party, the theme was wine and a vineyard and more wine and Bossy has no idea why her friend Martha chose such a far-fetched theme:

Bossy’s friend Martha was dressed as the spry wife of a vineyard owner. And Bossy’s friend Danielle played the part of a competing vineyard owner. She was supposed to dress like a hippy earth mother:

Next we have Bossy’s friend Danielle’s husband, who was playing the part of Bossy’s friend Martha’s husband, and welcome once again to Apostrophe S Anonymous:

And lastly we have the requisite private detective and yet another vineyard field worker:

Bossy lied. That wasn’t lastly at all, because Bossy forgot herself. She played the part of a Hollywood starlet, Marilyn Merlot:

Bossy doesn’t know about the Marilyn bit, but she had the Merlot part down:

Soon the party guests retired to the dining room where the stage was set:

As the eight suspects consumed shrimp cocktail and Cornish hens and multi-grain rice and asparagus and sorry, was Bossy saying something about a murder mystery? Right. As the guests ate, the questioning began. Each player received their own booklet of known information and suggested questions and possible retorts:

To keep track of everything that would be revealed, Bossy’s friend Martha provided each guest with a notepad and pencil:

The following is a real sample of Bossy’s carefully considered notes:

And then Bossy’s friend Martha said, “I’d like to respond to hades’ challenge,” when she actually meant Hedy’s challenge — which was only slightly funnier than when the character Papa Vito was referred to as Papa Zit, but in whatever case, this is when Bossy’s notes became unintelligible due to the incessant giggling.

And no, the wading pool of wine had nothing to do with it.

permanent link to post

58 comments

1. 1
   on March 30th, 2009 at 9:28 am
   bossy's friend martha said:

   Oh, Lord, Bossy. You sure do put a fun spin on life. xo


2. 2
   on March 30th, 2009 at 9:30 am
   kidsmom said:

   So, who dunnit, and who got done in?


3. 3
   on March 30th, 2009 at 9:43 am
   Maggie Garcia said:

   Our anthropology club did that at a professor’s house. It was set in the 20’s. But mostly, we got dressed up in flapper outfits and did tequila shots with said professor’s wife.


4. 4
   on March 30th, 2009 at 9:45 am
   Trina said:

   Bossy, you have the most interesting life!! I have nominated you for an award, though you are not required to participate, I just appreciate getting to read your hilarious blog!


5. 5
   on March 30th, 2009 at 9:50 am
   Okie Sister said:

   Bossy cleans up real well.


6. 6
   on March 30th, 2009 at 10:05 am
   vuboq said:

   vuboq would like to know who played the Rasta and why you thought he (or she!) was innocent. And why Otto had wet thoughts …


7. 7
   on March 30th, 2009 at 10:31 am
   Lizzy said:

   Your notes are identical to the ones I took in college at my 8 o’clock lectures, except that wine wasn’t involved. As far as you know.


8. 8
   on March 30th, 2009 at 10:32 am
   Maria said:

   One of the times I fell in love with my husband was at a murder mystery party. He was all dashing in khaki and riding boots/leather jacket looking all aviatorish…thin mustache too. I think he liked me too, except that at the end of the night we found out that I was the murderess. Put a damper on our relationship for awhile. But I totally looked as hot as bossy.


9. 9
   on March 30th, 2009 at 10:43 am
   Deb on the Rocks said:

   I went to a party like that once, but I never will again because I get very competitive in games and wanted to murder someone myself just so I could be the winner and finally concentrate on eating.

   Danielle’s husband did it, right? He’s hunky but a bit defensive.


10. 10
    on March 30th, 2009 at 11:01 am
    Lance said:

    Tell Bossy’s husband the Liderhosen would look perfect for April 17 MOS gig! Hah! What was in that wine?


11. 11
    on March 30th, 2009 at 11:07 am
    Little Miss Sunshine State said:

    And Herr Lederhosen took Marilyn Merlot home at the end of the night because she was looking might FINE!

    My husband was in a Mystery Dinner with his friends a few years ago. It involved beer.


12. 12
    on March 30th, 2009 at 11:09 am
    zelzee said:

    I would gladly play any games for wine…………..
    (well, almost any)


13. 13
    on March 30th, 2009 at 11:10 am
    Caroline said:

    Otto=art thighs? Huh? Is that the new math?


14. 14
    on March 30th, 2009 at 11:14 am
    Bridget said:

    I think my favorite part is the German wine merchant drinking Yuengling. Out of a can.


15. 15
    on March 30th, 2009 at 11:24 am
    Colette said:

    The hippy earth mother looks like Jodie Foster. The acting at this murder mystery must’ve been incredible!


16. 16
    on March 30th, 2009 at 11:25 am
    carson said:

    FINALLY! Something to do with all those corks spilling out of my utensil drawer. Great idea, Bossy’s friend Martha!


17. 17
    on March 30th, 2009 at 11:33 am
    Momo Fali said:

    It clearly says, “Rum = Innocent”, which we all know is not true. Not true at all. For just about everything that’s gone wrong in my life, I can blame Rum.


18. 18
    on March 30th, 2009 at 11:35 am
    MariaV said:

    Your murder mystery dinner looks like a lot more fun than the one I attended a few years ago. Perhaps, it was the wine.


19. 19
    on March 30th, 2009 at 11:50 am
    maggie said:

    I’m jealous!


20. 20
    on March 30th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
    Audubon Ron said:

    Audubon Ron is absolutely positive he did NOT receive an inviataion in the mail to this gather, even if everyone knows he’s the one who done it.


21. 21
    on March 30th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
    Susan Drysdale said:

    I’ve always wanted to go to a murder mystery party but I can’t get my friends interested. Maybe lots of wine would help.
    Hugs, Susan


22. 22
    on March 30th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
    Reeb said:

    Bossy’s friend Martha looks fabulous as a spry and stylish vintner’s wife. Sort of Parisienne-just-liberated-by-WWII-GI’s (!!!) combined with moderne chic, cause I’m thinkin’ they didn’t have snappy leggings. Or pink hair, even though it looks demure-yet-glam in its vineyard wife updo.

    Looks like a fun party, made more fun by participants willing to go the whole distance. I’d be blurting out who knows what, with all the wine it sounds like was involved.


23. 23
    on March 30th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
    Bush Babe of Granite Glen said:

    The angle of that self portrait in Martha bathroom made me feel like I was right there with you, Merlot-ing!

    I too have never done a Murder Mystery… methinks I would have a hard time keeping my guests on track. Specially if there was rugby on the telly!
    
    BB


24. 24
    on March 30th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
    Bush Babe of Granite Glen said:

    PS Bossy?? Your commenters are the funniest lot ever…


25. 25
    on March 30th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
    Grandma J said:

    How come Bossy has all the fun? Maybe I should have a murder mystery theme at aqua aerobics here at the compound. Since half the participants can’t really swim, it would involve sabotaging their noodles.

    The Mardi Gras beads on the fireplace are a nice touch, and Martha sets a beautiful table, but I’m wondering what the coffee cups were for?


26. 26
    on March 30th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
    the cheap chick said:

    Murder Mystery + Wine + More Wine + Dear God, Even MORE WINE = WIN. Also? Bossy, you are very pretty – and that’s not the wine-goggles talking.


27. 27
    on March 30th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
    David said:

    I’ve done these a few times. I don’t like the way the murderer doesn’t know they are the murderer until the end. So when I did it once with a bunch of actor friends, I mailed them their booklets ahead of time, and told them to real all the way through, memorize as much as possible, and we did it like a play. So much more fun.


28. 28
    on March 30th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
    Liz said:

    So who dunnit?


29. 29
    on March 30th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
    Avitable said:

    I’m just stuck on the idea that someone was rude enough to bring their kid to a dinner that was clearly for adults!


30. 30
    on March 30th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
    Melanie @ Mel, A Dramatic Mommy said:

    We hosted a Roman themed party years ago. I have our toga pictures on my fridge. We keep saying we want to host another and never get around to it. I think I need to change that this year.


31. 31
    on March 30th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
    kay said:

    Vuboq: it’s RALPH that’s innocent, silly. And Otto had CART thoughts.

    Sheesh. Can’t you read Bossy drunkenese?

    ; )

    My friends — who I really, really, do love — would be a little too dumb to do this whole thing.

    I need to party with Bossy and her commenters.


32. 32
    on March 30th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
    Amelia said:

    Yes, clearly Ralph is innocent. But I believe Otto has art thighs. Between that and the upheaving floor, I’m not sure this is a party a child should have been exposed to.


33. 33
    on March 30th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
    Bossy's friend Amy said:

    ah man bossy, i never get invited to the fun stuff – dinner and murder – my two favorite things…


34. 34
    on March 30th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
    Dawn in Austin said:

    I love watching Bossy spend an evening with wine, I mean friends! Sounds like a great time was had by all! Next time invite us. I’ll bring wine.


35. 35
    on March 30th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
    Debby said:

    I love this! But who did it! And who died? Hmmm, maybe that’s in the wrong order?


36. 36
    on March 30th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
    foolery said:

    Martha, you home is beautiful, and I love the idea of corks for place card holders. I hate the idea of my Two-Buck Chuck corks holding up my place cards, but since I don’t have parties, no sweat!

    And Bossy, you are clearly very lucky that it wasn’t a pharmaceutical-themed murder mystery.


37. 37
    on March 30th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
    Manic Mommy said:

    Bossy’s friend, Danielle’s husband looks like Manic Mommy’s secret boyfriend, Matt Lauer.

    Bossy’s husband is the best sport ever to pull on a pair of suspenders and short pants.


38. 38
    on March 30th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
    kate said:

    you forgot one essential element of the murder mystery party blog post. the big reveal. who in f did it?

    also…who in f did BOSSY’s makeup? because hellza yes she looks great.


39. 39
    on March 30th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
    Grandma J said:

    the only reason that young child would be their would be as a decoy, you know a place to hide the gun. Did the baby do it?
    I’m like so slapping myself on the back for solving this mystery!


40. 40
    on March 30th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
    blog princess g said:

    These are fun games. We did the Star Trek one… I was Deanna Troi. I have no recollection of who dunnit, but much Romulan ale was consumed before, during, and after the murder.


41. 41
    on March 30th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
    emily.moser said:

    I’m so jealous- I’ve always wanted to go to one of those! And you look sooo vampish – definitely the femme fatale of the mystery!


42. 42
    on March 30th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
    Bossy's Friend Martha's Sister said:

    I can’t get over D’s husband with the gold anchor necklace…. and Martha’s hair up in a …. just one…. up in a …. in a NEAT Tight BUN! And Bossy, you so match the wine…. and how much do you love the mantel at her house… and the orange chair? Look and find the Poppy Martha painted… well she started to painted it…


43. 43
    on March 30th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
    Amber Lee said:

    I wonder if there is a way to do an online version of this.
    Which I guess is a video conference call of us all taking shots together.


44. 44
    on March 30th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
    Auds at Barking Mad said:

    Who died and who dunnit?

    And by the way, Ms. Merlot’s dress is to die for! She looked FABULOUS!


45. 45
    on March 30th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
    Mr Farty said:

    It wouldn’t be a mystery if Bossy revealed whodunnit.

    It was the kid, right?


46. 46
    on March 30th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
    kirida said:

    We had a murder mystery game growing up, only instead of murder, it was “WHO STOLE MONEY FROM MOM’S PURSE?” It lasted for years. It wasn’t me!


47. 47
    on March 30th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
    Cindy Z said:

    We love murder mysteries! My sister’s family and my family have done one each year for about 5 or 6 years. I have a photo album just for that! What fun


48. 48
    on March 30th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
    Cheri @ Blog This Mom! said:

    I have a wee little hangover after reading about this dinner party.


49. 49
    on March 30th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
    cynthiagirl said:

    Come ON. Bossy must reveal the murderer. Or is it still an unsolved mystery?


50. 50
    on March 31st, 2009 at 1:57 am
    the chocolate lady said:

    Smart fun, I love me some SMART FUN!

    My guess, is the leiderhosen guy…totally out of place, what was he doing there? probably just came to strangle someone with his strappy things (the name of the things that hold up your pants…name is escaping me…..should I come back and comment later when I remember, naw, you know what I mean.)

    AND, I was in Lancaster, PA recently….was I near you????


51. 51
    on March 31st, 2009 at 2:02 am
    Catherine McP said:

    Aw man! I always wanted to do this and now I think I’ve been ruined, cause THAT looks like the party I should have been at and missed and, well..I just dont want to do it now damnit.


52. 52
    on March 31st, 2009 at 7:38 am
    donna in mid michigan said:

    Oh Please. I think it was FabU Lous that these friends GET how important it is to expose kids to real life events. As IF being among loving adults could possibly be bad.
    Look how cool BOSSY’s kids turned out..you think THEY were banished for every party? NOT. …Ok. I’m done ranting.
    Besides…the Poverty party would say…bring your kids..don’t pay a sitter!


53. 53
    on March 31st, 2009 at 9:10 am
    Gette said:

    I’m with #40 up there. We did the Star Trek one YEARS ago still have a cool little prop someone made for it in the kids’ toybox. I can’t remember if we made Romulan ale or Saurian brandy, though…maybe both.


54. 54
    on March 31st, 2009 at 10:11 am
    Eloise said:

    Did Bossy’s friend Martha’s vineyard wife costume include purple feet from stomping grapes? Just askin’ ’cause her right leg looks a little tinted…


55. 55
    on March 31st, 2009 at 11:18 am
    joeinvegas said:

    The dress – yess – looks like Merlot. Very good acting there. And it sounds like fun (or just a lot of wine, which is also fun)


56. 56
    on April 1st, 2009 at 1:14 pm
    Mary Pat Killmer said:

    Sounds like a blast!


57. 57
    on April 5th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
    Florida Girl In Sydney said:

    I did a murder mystery party when I was a teenager– I am so going to do one– SOON. That’s hilariousl


58. 58
    on April 23rd, 2009 at 11:16 am
    dobes said:

    I had one of these parties once, and just to mix things up, I had a male friend play a woman’s role – an opera diva. And wouldn’t you know it — in the course of the evening, one of the ‘clues’ that came out was that the diva was really a MAN, baby! Other similarities between ‘actor’ and role were subsequently revealed — for instance that the crazy character was played by a truly crazy person, and the virgin really was… well, you know! That fact, by the way, was volunteered by her mother, who you can probably guess played the crazy character. For the last course, when the murderer is revealed, we left my house in costume (I thought the diva was going to actually murder me right there) and sashayed up 110th St. to a cafe on Broadway – where we were immediately invited, even begged, to sit with quite a few other parties, I guess ’cause we looked like we were having FUN! I’d LOVE to do it again!