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Corporate Events  *  Private Parties

Whodunnit for Hire turns ordinary events into fun, engaging, and interactive murder mystery parties.

• Classic - "Whodunnit"

• Film Noir - "19 Crimes"

• Pirates - "Dead Men Tell No Tales"

• Wild West - "Wanted Dead or Alive"

• Hollywood - "Hollywood Homicide"

• Wizards - "Murder Among Magic"

• 1920s - "Sinister Speakeasy"

• 1940s - "CLUE"

• 1950s - "Malt Shoppe Murder"

• 1980s - "Gag Me With A Spoon. She's Dead."

Hi, I'm Wendy Olenik, the proud owner of Whodunnit for Hire, LLC, based in Baltimore, Maryland. For over 20 years, I've been transforming ordinary events into unforgettable murder mystery parties that will captivate your guests. From writing the scripts to flawlessly executing the entire event, I take care of everything so you can enjoy the fun. If you’re looking for an engaging, interactive experience that will leave a lasting impression, I’d love to bring your next event to life! Call or text me at 410-549-2722, or email me to get started.

murdermysterycompany@gmail.com

Search for clues, interrogate suspects, and solve whodunnit at a murder mystery party with Wendy Olenik of Whodunnit for Hire.

"This is so much fun you might die laughing!"

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Question. What is a murder mystery party? Answer. Picture this: Someone at your party "dies" (oh my!), and your guests search for clues, interrogate suspects, and solve whodunnit. My murder mystery storylines are packed with humor, ensuring non-stop entertainment. My murder mystery parties are designed to foster teambuilding, enhance communication, boost morale, and strengthen collaboration skills—all while having an unforgettable time together.

Question. What kind of events can be turned into a murder mystery party? Answer. Almost any party can be turned into a murder mystery party. The most common are birthday parties and company parties. But, I've turned family reunions, bachelorette parties, and several wedding receptions into murder mystery parties (yep, several).

Question. Where should I have my Whodunnit for Hire murder mystery party?   Answer. Choose a location (preferably with free parking) within 50 miles of Baltimore, Maryland, USA. I'll be traveling to you. Your favorite restaurant might be perfect. Golf clubs, country clubs, and fire halls are also lovely options. For company parties, I'm happy to come to your cafeteria, board room, or conference center. For birthday parties, if your living room is large enough, and you'd like to turn your home into the crime scene, let's go for it.

Question. What is the cost?   Answer. The price is $1250 (plus include me in the parking and meal count).

Question. For $1250, how many guests can I have at my murder mystery party?   Answer. You should have 20+ people. There is no maximum guest count. The price of $1250 (plus a meal and a parking spot) is a flat fee.

Question. What if I get 100 people? 200 people? 400 people? What if I'm selling tickets? Answer. The price will not increase.

Question. Is there a way to get a discounted price? Answer. Yes. Host a fundraiser. Raise money for research, human services, animal welfare, the environment, or another cause dear to your heart. If you are hosting a fundraiser, I will reduce the price by $450 and start the event with a 50/50 raffle bringing more money in for your fundraiser. I'm happy and excited to help.

Question. What if I am doing this for a Retirement Association, 55+ Community, or Senior Center? Will you discount the price? Answer. Yes. I will reduce the price by at least $450 (bringing the fee down to $800). However, please call me, and depending on the size of your center and the income level of your residents, I may be able to reduce this further.

Question. What if I have only ten people? Will you discount the price? Answer. No. And you need twenty people. My recommendation is to have every guest bring a friend.

Question. Why do you need twenty+ people? Is this number flexible? Answer. Once all of the suspect roles have been filled, you need plenty of guests remaining to be detectives solving the crime. It is flexible but 20+ should be your goal.

Question. What if I have a venue and I want to do this every month or every season? Will you discount the price? Answer. Yes. The first event per year is $1250. The second event in the same year is $1000. The third event in the same year is $750. The fourth event in the same year is $500. And each additional event after the fourth event in the same year is $250.

Question. Will the event be about my guests? Answer. Absolutely! Yes! The entire event will be about your guests. Your guests will play the suspects accused of the crime and the sleuths solving whodunnit. This is an interactive game. This is such a blast. They will be talking and laughing about this for years.

Question. Who gets killed? Answer. My favorite person to "kill" is the boss. Please know, the boss only plays that role to start the mystery. They return after the "dead body scene", as themself, and attempt to solve whodunnit with their team. They don't miss anything, and they don't know any more than anyone else by playing that role. Killing the boss has the nice benefit of engaging the employees and having them laugh from the moment we start.

Question. Could I pay to have actors be the suspects rather than my guests? Answer. The additional fee is $375 per actor, plus a meal and a parking spot per actor. However, this will change the dynamic of your event. To keep the event all about you, do not hire additional actors.

Question. Is it scary? Answer. No. My murder mysteries are comedies. At no time will your guests be frightened or confused.

Question. Did you use AI to write your stories? Answers. No, I did not. I'm very proud to say that I wrote these storylines without AI.

Question. Is it solvable? Answer. Yes. Solving whodunnit comes down to understanding the clues and piecing together the information (not by popular vote). With each story, over time, I've taken audience suggestions into account to fine-tune the mystery's difficulty and storyline.

Question. Should I tell my staff or family this is a murder mystery party? Answer. I wouldn't tell your guests you are having a murder mystery party. I think it is more fun (and funny) when a company party or family reunion shockingly turns into a murder mystery party. I love the surprise of it.

Question. How long does it take? Answer. It takes two and a half hours for a murder mystery dinner party. The game portion takes two hours. Start and end times are set by you and can be any time of the day or night, any day of the week. Example timeline:

• 6:30 pm   Doors Open/Welcome Reception

• 7:00 pm   Salads Served, Murder Mystery Begins

• 7:30 pm   Entrees Served followed by Interrogations

• 8:30 pm   Desserts Served followed by Wrap-Up, Curtain Call, and Awards

• 9:00 pm   End (it will take me 20 minutes to break down, pack up, and vacate)

Question. Should I provide a meal to my guests during the murder mystery? Answer. Yes. Yes, you should provide a meal. Serving a meal gives them a reason to be on time and to be seated. Everyone needs to be present and seated for the start of the event (i.e. the "dead body scene"). They can't miss this. This is when the photos are taken. This is when the premise is set. This is when the suspects are identified.

Question. Should I provide additional entertainment, such as a band or DJ?   Answer. If you hire a band or DJ, have them start when the mystery dinner is finished. In the example timeline above, the band or DJ would start at 9:30 pm. They will not be able to play while the mystery dinner is taking place.

Question. Can the guests be in more than one room?   Answer. No. At least not for the beginning (the dead body scene).

Question. Could the guests be standing throughout the space? Answer. No. You need to provide tables and chairs so the guests are seated.

Question. Are costumes required? Answer. Yes and No. My classic murder mystery, "Whodunnit" does not require costumes. I use this murder mystery for most parties. My film noir event, "19 Crimes" asks guests to come dressed in all-black. However, if you are booking one of my other murder mysteries, please encourage your guests to come in costume. Some won't, that's okay, but the event will make more sense when people are dressed for the theme you've chosen.

• Classic - "Whodunnit" - no costumes, come as you are

• Film Noir - "19 Crimes" - all black attire (i.e. your little black dress)

• Wizards - "Murder Among Magic" - guests should wear cloaks and witches' hats (search DIY wizard)

• Wild West - "Wanted Dead or Alive" - guests should come as cowboys, saloon gals, or prairie women

• Hollywood - "Hollywood Homicide" - you have a choice: guests could get glammed-up for this one and look like they are walking the red carpet, or your guests could come as zombies (perfect for Halloween)

• Pirates - "Dead Men Tell No Tales" - pirates and wenches are needed for this one

• 1920s - "Sinister Speakeasy" - guests should come dressed as flappers and gangsters of the prohibition era (think Great Gatsby or Downton Abbey)

• 1940s - "CLUE" based on the board game; ladies should come in red, black, or blue cocktail dresses for Ms. Scarlet, Ms. White, or Ms. Peacock; guys should wear a purple, a green, or a yellow shirt (or hat, or suit, or tie, etc.) for Professor Plum, Mr. Green, or Colonel Mustard

• 1950s - "Malt Shoppe Murder" - ladies should wear poodle skirts, or similar; guys should wear cuffed jeans and a t-shirt with a pack of cigarettes rolled in the sleeve (search 1950s costume for ideas)

• 1980s - "Gag Me With A Spoon. She's Dead." - guests should look like 1980s rockstars (Cindy Lauper, Run DMC, Michael Jackson, Madonna, and similar)

Question. How does it work? Answer. I arrive before your guests and set the space. After your guests arrive, have had time to mingle, and are seated, I will start with a comical "dead body scene". We continue the game after we break for food and instructions. Some guests will be suspects, others detectives. Everyone plays, and it is very interactive. The mystery is solved as guests are eating. I end with a curtain call and awards. From "dead body to awards"; or "salads to desserts", it takes two hours.

Question. What do I need to supply? Answer. You supply the location, the food (please include me in the count), and one parking spot for my car.

Question. Why do I need to supply a parking spot? Answer. I have a backdrop, prop box, and speaker. I wheel my things into your event space with a dolly. The parking spot, therefore, needs to be provided for a 5 hour time frame and reasonably close to the venue's entrance.

Question. What will you supply? Answer. I will bring everything needed for the mystery. I will bring a backdrop, mystery mood music, a speaker and microphone, props, clues, pencils, notebooks, crime scene tape, awards, etc.

Question. Should I decorate? Answer. If you are hosting a themed event and want to decorate, go for it. However, special decorations are not required. I would highly recommend coordinating your meal around your theme (i.e. BBQ and beans for Wild West; mustard chicken and plum pudding for CLUE, etc.).

Question. Why should I choose Whodunnit for Hire for my murder mystery event? Answer: I have over two decades of experience. I bring a high level of expertise and passion to every event I host. I have written my murder mysteries to be both engaging and enjoyable, ensuring that your guests have an unforgettable experience. I have written these mysteries, and am able to customize them to your event. Participants will have fun, strengthen their communication and collaboration skills, build stronger bonds, and create lasting memories. I have seen firsthand how these events foster teamwork and leave guests talking about the experience long after the event ends.

Question. Will you be the host? Answer. Yes. I love these. They are a blast. If I'm available, I will personally oversee the event to ensure everything runs smoothly. However, if I am not available, one of my trusted Whodunnit Mystery Managers will provide the same level of professionalism and attention to detail. Either way, your event is in excellent hands and your guests are going to have a fantastic time.

Question. What information should I send you to book a murder mystery party?   Answer. Let's do this. Send the location, date, start time, and the purpose of the event to me at murdermysterycompany@gmail.com or 4105492722.

Question. Could I purchase the script and operate the whodunnit without you? Answer. Yes. The fee is $125. The documents will be sent in PDF format. I will be happy to have a conversation with you; to ensure your event operates smoothly.

Question. If I purchase the script; and operate this without you, could I sell tickets and host my own murder mystery event? Answer. Yes. Purchasing a script gives you the right to host the mystery once at a public event. I might even buy a ticket. I promise I won't give it away.

Question. How do I get in touch with you?   Answer. You may text, call, or email me. I am excited to turn your event into a murder mystery party. But watch out. This is so much fun you might die laughing. Bwhahahahaha.

Wendy Olenik

410-549-2722

murdermysterycompany@gmail.com