Put on your detective cap and join us for a unique, interactive night of improv and sleuthing. Prior to the evening every attendee is assigned a character to play within the crime scene, and as the night progresses everyone has the chance to follow their hunches, examine the clues, and ask questions of fellow attendees. One of you is trying to get away with it, while the rest are trying to answer the age-old question: whodunnit?

How it Works:

  • Select your desired involvement level at purchase. Every attendee plays a character but you can choose whether to be heavily or lightly involved, with five-star parts being the most important and one-star parts being the least important. Want a chance at playing the killer? Go for a five-star part!
  • Read over your character assignment and the full cast of characters when it is sent out a couple weeks before the event. Any gaps you find in the character background are yours to fill as you wish; we provide you with all the information you need as it is relevant to the plot. You'll also use this information to put together your costume for the evening.
  • Come ready to mix, mingle, and point fingers whether you're covering your own tracks or not.

Character Examples

Each of the following characters is an example of who you could be assigned at each of the five involvement levels. This scale is fluid rather that strict and characters are written before tickets go on sale so assignments can vary slightly depending on how many people select each level.

For example, if more people select five-star parts than are written a few of them may be assigned four-star parts or vice versa. When this does happen, an adjacent part is always assigned - those who select a three-star part could be assigned a two or four-star part, those who select a two-star part could be assigned a one or three-star part, those who select a one-star part could be assigned a two-star part, etc.

Jane Plain

Jane was invited to tonight's event by a friend. She doesn't know many people here (or what the event is about really), but she is not the type to turn down a free meal.

Mr. Cool

Mr. Cool keeps things pretty chill. He might work for Big Wig or be a friend of Jane Plain. He knows a dozen people, maybe.

Nosey Nelly

Nelly knows several people here (even if only in name). Nelly is typically a reporter or gossip; someone who has just enough information - that may or may not be true - to cause trouble. Nelly may not be in on the action, but she will ask lots of questions.

Big Wig

Big Wig is a social butterfly and a notable name on the guest list - someone close to the action or a sponsor. Big is typically given an acting prompt for the evening like to start an argument with a specific character or talk mostly in puns.

Red Herring

We're not saying Red is the murderer, but the evidence is rather incriminating. Red is closely related to the deceased - an estranged family member, a business partner, or childhood rival.

Upcoming Murder Mystery Dinners

Sold Out!

Haven't Got a Clue

  • November 14, 2025
  • 6 - 9:30 PM
  • $125
Sold Out!

Haven't Got a Clue

  • November 15, 2025
  • 6 - 9:30 PM
  • $125

Theme TBA

  • March 20, 2026
  • 6 - 9:30 PM
  • $125

Theme TBA

  • March 21, 2026
  • 6 - 9:30 PM
  • $125

Tickets on Sale In 2026

Don't Be Scared - Be Prepared!

Make sure you have the information listed below ready for when tickets go on sale. If you do not completely fill out the information ("TBD" does not count as completed!) your ticket will be refunded and put back on sale. Due to the event's popularity, a maximum four tickets are sold per purchaser.

1) Name + email address of each attendee: Prior to the event, all ticket holders will be individually emailed their assigned character information. To prevent spoilers, do not share emails!

2) Each attendees pronouns: Knowing we can't assume based on name (i.e., Taylor, Cameron, Sam, Jo, etc.) this information is shared with our writer so that attendee and character pronouns match.

3) Each attendee's desired involvement level

4) Each attendee's menu choice

  • (515) 274-1777
  • contactus@salisburyhouse.org
  • 4025 Tonawanda Drive
    Des Moines, IA 50312
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Website by Seth Stevenson Marketing.

HAVEN'T GOT A CLUE

THE GAME OF MURDER!

Year: 1960

The classic mystery game Murder! is being made into a movie! You could star as one of these iconic characters: Madam Magenta, Ms. Ivory, Mrs. Sapphire, Mr. Moss, Lt. Lemon, Professor Pomegranate, and (of course) The Corpse. Join us at a reception hosted by the director where the cast will be announced.

Who will make the callback, and who will wind up on the cutting room floor?

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