Thanks for choosing A Murder Among Us – The McDermott House Murders!
As host, you have the special task of setting up the scenario and helping players with any questions they may run into. If you’re playing along, great – there are no spoilers here!
We’ve done our best to make the setup as simple as possible, but if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
I. PRE-PLANNING
II. QR CODE SETUP
III. STARTING THE MURDER MYSTERY
IV. INTERMISSION
V. END
VI. QUESTIONS PLAYERS MAY ASK
VII. WALKTHROUGH
In order to play you’re gonna need to invite some people over, and those people are gonna need to know what’s going on. They’ll also need to choose a character type. For The McDermott House Murders, they can play as either a Detective, a Criminal, a Psychic, or a Professor.
There can be more than one of each type of character, but there must be *at least* one of each type.
This is because some character types will have access to information in the QR Clues that others do not.
If you’re playing as well, you’ll need to choose a character, too!
You can copy and send the following link:
PLAYER INSTRUCTIONS – THE MCDERMOTT HOUSE MURDERS
to players. It gives an introduction to the story and the four types of characters, as well as a general idea of what to expect.
As host, it’s your responsibility to make sure players choose a character type, and that at least one of each type is chosen.
Our QR codes will paint a vivid picture of the setting, the haunted McDermott House, but feel free to add any additional decorations as you see fit. When we host Murder Mystery parties with our friends, we always pick some thematic music to go along with our game, and provide a place for people to bring snacks/drinks. It’s your mystery though, so you get to choose what all goes along with the game!
In case you’re looking for some ideas when it comes to food, drinks, and décor, we’ve put together some recommendations to take your Secrets of Valley View Murder Mystery to the next level!
Check them out here:
PARTY PLANNING IDEAS
The McDermott House Murders PDF you received will contain 13 QR codes (not including the one for Host Instructions) that you’ll need to cut out and place around the room. If you opted for the Flavor Pack, you’ll have an additional 10 QR codes, totaling 23.
Each QR code will have a number followed by a name.
On the right you’ll also find the number and name, followed by a recommendation on where to place the object in your space.
Cut out the QR code portion, and tape it where it belongs in the room.
Once you’ve placed them all, you’re done with the setup!
NOTE: The QR Clues should be placed in plain sight, they should not be hidden from players.
While our murder mysteries can be setup in a single room, you’re encouraged to use as much space as you’d like!
Each QR code will prompt the scanner to select either PHASE I or PHASE II, followed by their character type, meaning each QR code contains 8 unique perspectives, totaling 104 for the standard mystery, and 184 with the flavor pack!
Once all QR codes are placed and your guests have arrived, it’s time to start the Murder Mystery!
You’ll need to go over the rules and guidelines with everyone, but it’s all pretty straightforward:
Players will use their phones to scan the various QR codes placed around the room. Players can and should scan the QR codes in any order. However, this does not mean the QR codes can be solved in any order. Rather, it’s important to fan out and get an idea of what each QR code gives/needs and share the information with each other so that players can start making the necessary connections.
Players will need to work together in order to collect all of the information necessary to solve the puzzles, but they don’t have to (and shouldn’t) move as a single group. Players can explore in small groups, teams of two, or even individually – just so long as they share the information they collect with everyone else.
Upon scanning, players will need to select the correct phase – PHASE I or PHASE II.
PHASE I takes place up until the intermission.
PHASE II takes place after the intermission.
Once the phase is selected, players will need to select their CHARACTER TYPE.
Remember, the information gained from a QR code by one character type might be different than what is gained by a different character type.
TIP: Good note-taking will greatly enhance players’ chances of success!
Easy, right?
Once everyone is clear on how to play, read aloud the following prologue:
Almost 100 years ago, on a stormy night much like this one, tragedy struck a small town household. Seven victims, from the young daughter of the McDermott family to a stranger apparently in the wrong place at the wrong time, were all poisoned by an unknown hand. The homeowner, Charles McDermott, who was the first to discover the scene days later, spent the rest of his life trying to discover the perpetrator. Some say, he became obsessed and over the years the pursuit of the unsolved crime drove him mad. Tonight, you and your happenstance companions have found yourselves crossing the threshold into the McDermott House, a house that may not be as abandoned as you thought. Whether you’re a professor whose research has run to the macabre, a psychic following some otherworldly call, a detective with a eye for cold-case mysteries, or a criminal with personal insight into the working of a villain’s mind, perhaps you can finally shed some light on the century-old murder, if the shadows of McDermott House don’t get to you first.
As you make your way inside the McDermott House, you’re surprised to discover that you are not alone. Other individuals, with wet clothes and wary, confused faces, eye you suspiciously. The front doors of the house suddenly slam shut with such intensity that dust erupts from the floor, filling the cold, thick air with an uneasy haziness. Despite the severity of the storm outside, which has rendered your exit from the house an entirely too-dangerous endeavor, you attempt to leave but are shocked to find that the doors won’t budge, as if held shut by some invisible force!
Something is keeping you here, something that demands answers.
What mysteries does this house hold?
Before starting, have your players introduce themselves if they haven’t done so already. It’s important to know who’s who in this game!
Once everyone is ready, they may begin!
Eventually, your players will reach a point instructing them to notify the HOST that they’ve reached the INTERMISSION.
Once the INTERMISSION has been reached, everyone can take a break if they’d like. The mystery will only thicken from this point!
Once everyone is ready to continue, please read the following:
The storm outside has amplified.
You’re not sure how long you’ve been trapped inside this house, but you fear that it’s taken a heavy toll on you.
You must escape, but to do so, the mystery must be solved!
Elsie has vanished, and the other spirits have returned to their various nooks and corners of the McDermott House.
Thunder booms continuously outside, its incessant drum only outpaced by the beating of your own heart.
The situation is dire. There is no telling what may happen if Elsie’s murderer, and subsequent captor, isn’t identified.
The culprit must be revealed!
Players, from here on you will need to select PHASE II when scanning QR codes.
You may now begin PHASE II of the McDermott House Murders.
The host doesn’t have to do anything here! At the end of Phase II, players will be prompted to identify the murderer.
If they get it correct, they win!
If not… well, that’s up to you.
How do I scan QR codes?
Open the camera on your smartphone and point it at a QR code, then click the link that’s displayed. Alternatively, you can download a free QR Code Scanning app.
Can’t I just cheat by selecting whatever character I want after scanning?
Sure, you could do that, but that would be cheating, and it’d ruin the fun for everyone.
How come my friend has access to information that I don’t?
Your friend is likely a different character type, and different character types see different things. The Detective’s experience in solving crimes might allow them to find clues that others miss, while the Psychic might be mystically drawn towards information unattainable by their compatriots. In the end, it takes all four types to solve the mystery.
What’s the best way to beat my friends at this game?
Actually, it’s not about beating your friends. This is a cooperative murder mystery, you’ll need to work with your friends if you want to win!
Just in case you get stuck, a full walkthrough of the McDermott House Murders as well as the final solution can be found here:
MCDERMOTT HOUSE MURDERS WALKTHROUGH