How to Host a Murder Party
Preparation
Before the event of playing the game, the host of the party assigns each of his/her guests as one of the characters. Invitations are then dispersed. Included on the invitations are brief summaries of each of the other characters, allowing each guest to know a little something about everyone else. A trait of the series is that the character's names will often reveal something about the character themselves. There are also a number of references or parodies of well-known people or ideas associated with the theme of the game (eg. Hannibal Schecter is a pun on Hannibal Lecter, Hal Coppone is a reference to Al Capone and S. Treighton Harrow seems to hint at the phrase "Straight and Narrow").
Beginning the Game
On the night of the party, guests will arrive, usually in costume and the game will begin. Each guest will receive a character manual which will instruct them about what they will need to do as the game progresses. The rules of the game will then be read aloud. The main rule of the game is that none of the guests can lie. They can be evasive in answering questions, but they may not directly tell an untruth.
"Briefing"
Next, the CD will be played. This reveals the facts about the murder, such as events leading up to the killing, details about the murder itself, information about the victim, etc. The actual game will then begin.
Personal Dossier
Upon instruction from the host, the guests will all turn to the next page in their manuals. They will come across a double-page spread which is titled 'Personal Dossier'. This page reveals previously unknown information about the guest's character.
Rounds
The game unfolds in rounds in which clues are revealed by the suspects. The host will instruct the guests to turn the page. Similarly to the Personal Dossier, there is a double-page spread which is entitled 'Round One'. On one page there is a subtitle which reads 'Conceal'. Information on this page is usually incriminating towards the guest's character and they should do their best to keep these topics from entering conversation. The other page is subtitled 'Reveal'. Information on this page is likely to throw suspicion on other guests. During the round, guests should work their 'Reveal' information into the conversation. When something incriminating is mentioned about them, especially if it's listed in their 'Conceal' notes, it is in their best interest to shift the spotlight onto someone else.
The round is complete, when all guests have revealed every point listed under 'Reveal'. Usually a short break will follow, before returning to Round Two. There are four rounds, and each one follows the same pattern as listed above.
Secret Clues
At various points during the game, a guest may be instructed to retrieve a secret clue. These are usually 'evidence' to support a 'Reveal' point, such as a letter or a voice recording. The clues are to be revealed to the entire group and then left on the table for all guests to view at their leisure. There are only six secret clues, so naturally, two guests will not receive a secret clue.
Solving the Crime
At the conclusion of Round Four, each guest must reveal who they believe is the murderer and how they managed to do it. Once every guest has revealed their accusation, the character manuals are passed to the guest on the left.
The last page of the manual is entitled 'Solution' followed by the character's name and a number. The solutions on the page are read out, in order, slowly revealing who had what to do with the crime and gradually eliminating characters down to the number eight - the murderer.