[Emjaysmash]

My family used to do this on New Years for a couple of years. It's a great time!! (My parents dont drink at all, so it was more like a dinner party, and in between courses you solve a mystery!)

Don't worry about what you need to do before the party. Just find as good a costume as you like, and show up. All the details are given to you at the dinner. Each player is given a sort of booklet of the things his/her character knows, and motivations and such. The whole event is prompted by a tape/CD recording explaining the place you are, and how you've all come together. After that, people ask questions to the other characters revealing what they know. At the end, everyone guesses who the murderer might be, and then you pay the last track on the CD to find out. Everyone there usually has a legitimate motive so it's a little hard. But it is SUPER FUN. Don't worry you'll have a great time!