Murder on the Dancefloor

Murder on the Dancefloor is a murder mystery game for 14 to 20 guests and one or two hosts. It is set in a small-town US diner, in the 1950s. Download the free introductory pdf file.

Murder on the Dancefloor is a thrilling evening of suspicion, double-dealing and murder! Your guests will be in the middle of the action, and it will be up to them to wheel and deal to get what they want. Will they achieve their goals, keep their secrets hidden, and survive Murder on the Dancefloor?

"Everything about the game was great!"
Julie (playtester), United Kingdom

See stories and pictures from Murder on the Dancefloor

Read the Weekly Herald

It's the 1950s, small-town USA: and tonight Flo's Diner is the place to be. It's the most popular place in town, and the local hangout for teens and adults alike. Neon lights flash out front, the checkered dancefloor sparkles inside, and the seats are polished to perfection.

Tonight the diner is set to host the town's annual Dance-off competition. Famous celebrities have arrived at the event to help judge, while many keen locals and newcomers wish to participate. As the sun sets in the sky, the diner fills with people and the night begins. The dancefloor is flashing, milkshakes and burgers are being served constantly, and there's a great vibe of enthusiasm.

But suddenly a terrifying scream echoes throughout the diner, causing panic! Local bad-boy, Ricky Johnson has been found dead in the male restroom by his best friend, Mikey Reed. Mikey found Ricky on the bathroom floor, with a fatal knife wound to his chest.

With the local police officer already at the diner, everyone is told to remain on the premises. Detective Hudson has ordered all exits and entrances to the building locked until further notice. In an effort to not completely destroy the night, however, Flo has arranged for the Dance-off to carry on as normal.

With the Dance-off only an hour away, and Ricky's killer unknown, many mysteries hang in the air: so just who did commit Murder on the Dancefloor?

Murder on the Dancefloor lasts for about four hours and is suited to an evening. It is often played over a meal – a finger buffet if possible, to allow guests to circulate and talk in private.

"Lots to do, very clear, very enjoyable! I liked the way everyone has a list of things to achieve."
Angela (playtester), United Kingdom

 

Includes rules for combat.

The free introductory pdf file contains an introduction to the game, a cast list of all the characters, and a copy of the Weekly Herald.

Cast of characters

• Diner staff

  • Flo Higgins: Single mother and owner of Flo’s Diner
  • Pat Larvis: Janitor at Flo’s Diner
  • Bernie Reese: The Diner’s chef
  • Jamie Shephard: Worker at Flo’s Diner
  • Clare Simpson: Hardworking waitress at Flo’s Diner

  Teens

  • Eric Anthony: Reigning champion of the Dance-off with Sally, younger brother of Dallas
  • Bailey Higgins: Flo’s only child
  • Becky Johnson: Younger sister of Ricky Johnson, butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth
  • Sally Larvis: Reigning champion of the Dance-off with Eric, and daughter of Pat
  • Joseph Marks: Local greaser, and enemy of Ricky Johnson
  • Crystal Reed: Local greaser girl
  • Mikey Reed: Ricky’s dashing best friend, and twin brother of Crystal
  • Corey Rogers: Youngest and newest member of Ricky’s gang

  Locals

  • Dallas Anthony: Local business tycoon
  • Penny Hodge: Local respectable citizen
  • Dr Peter Hodge: Local physician, and protective husband of Penny Hodge
  • Detective Hudson: Local law enforcer

  Visitors

  • Mel Rivers: Famous singer in town to judge the Dance-off
  • Steven Starling: Famous TV personality in town to judge the local Dance-off
  • Percy Wilson: A traveler passing through Flo’s Diner

Murder on the Dancefloor is for 14 to 20 guests:

• 14 guests (5 male, 6 female, 3 any)
• 15 guests (5 male, 6 female, 4 any)
• 16 guests (5 male, 6 female, 5 any)
• 17 guests (5 male, 6 female, 6 any)
• 18 guests (5 male, 6 female, 7 any)
• 19 guests (6 male, 6 female, 7 any)
• 20 guests (6 male, 6 female, 8 any)

You also need one or two hosts, to organize the party and ensure everything runs smoothly. (We recommend two hosts, particularly if this is your first Freeform Games murder mystery party.)

How Freeform Games murder mystery games work

Murder on the Dancefloor is unlike other murder mystery games. Although the game starts with a murder, each character has several goals they must try to accomplish. While they may want to solve the murder, Murder on the Dancefloor contains plenty of other plots and secrets to keep everyone busy. Murder on the Dancefloor isn't scripted, and lets the players decide how to achieve their goals and thwart their enemies.

"The evening was a huge success: I loved the theme and the whole game!"
Elaine (playtest host), United Kingdom

On the evening of the game the guests are met by the organizer, the Diner Manager, and welcomed to Flo's Diner.

They then receive their detailed backgrounds – including dark secrets, objectives, and money. The fun then begins as they form alliances, blackmail each other, steal items, and maybe even try to murder one another! Along the way they may uncover some of the mysteries of Murder on the Dancefloor. Who is Bailey Higgins's father? Who attacked Penny Hodge? Who broke into the diner's safe, and who is the agent of a gas company? And, of course, who killed Ricky Johnson?

Finally, the game concludes and everyone finds out how they did, and what secrets everyone else was concealing.

Recommended for ages 15+

We recommend Murder on the Dancefloor for those aged 15+, as it includes teen romance, gang fights, and a teen pregnancy.

Extra characters

Sometimes you have too many guests and need more characters. So most games have free extra characters (written by us or previous hosts) included in the download when you purchase the game.

• 'Ginger' Roberts – freelance reporter in search of the Big Story. (Any)
  (by Freeform Games)
• Alex Anthony – local resident, the spouse of Dallas Anthony (Any)
  (by Pam Hoffmann and Jeremy Gustafson)
• Alice Wyatt – diner waitress (F)
  (by Pam Hoffmann and Jeremy Gustafson)
• Finley Emerson – traveler visiting town (F)
  (by Pam Hoffmann and Jeremy Gustafson)
• Rock Carmichael – forest ranger (M)
  (by Pam Hoffmann and Jeremy Gustafson)
• Sasha Black – local resident, the sibling of Alex Anthony (Any)
  (by Pam Hoffmann and Jeremy Gustafson)

Please note that we haven't always tested these – and they may not tie in exactly with our games.

"Thank you for a great site, fantastic games, good service and very quick reply. Keep up the good work." Ole Martin Brodwall, Norway

Cast Iron Guarantee

We offer a Cast Iron Guarantee on all our murder mystery games. If you're not completely satisfied with Murder on the Dancefloor then please let us know within 30 days and we will refund you. See our full terms and conditions, and our refund policy.

Trouble downloading? If you have trouble downloading the game files, please first check your spam folder. If you still can't find the download email, contact us with the name of the game and the email address you used to purchase it, and we'll resend it.