News and photos

Issue No 16:
15 December 2002

• Improved kits – we have had a team of writers working on making some of our kits even better. The kits they've updated so far are: Murder On The Prairie (extra horse and rattler references added), Murdering The Boss (more Mexican references), Poetic Justice (they've improved it and created the New Year's versions), Murder Of The Great Chef (more food humor) and Family Quest (a variety of changes).

• Gradually they are working their way through all the kits. In some cases, they are also adding new versions.

In this issue, we have articles about:

• Our photo competition winners
• Feedback on "Who Defeated The Slimy Monster?"
• Feedback on "Mystery In The Library".

Our photo competition winners

This time we have been inundated with excellent photos. Thank you to all the entrants for taking the time to enter. The three winners are:

• Carlene McKinley for a photo from her Who Stole The Cookies From The Cookie Cupboard? party
• Lisa Young for a photo from her Murdering The Boss party
• Kelli Turner for a photo from her Storm Survivors party.

We are commencing a new competition with a closing date of 1 February 2003 (see photos.htm for details).

Here is Carleen's winning photo of Aladdin and his Genie from her "Who Stole The Cookies From The Cookie Cupboard" party:

Carleen sent in this feedback:

"Hi, "Stephanie, Thank you. We really had a great time and will definitely do it again. We had about 20 people so we were able to mingle quite a bit. Carlene"

Here is Lisa's winning group photo from her "Murdering The Boss" party (click on the photo to see a larger version):

Lisa sent in this feedback:

"Hello, My name is Lisa Young.
The murder mystery used was " Murdering the Boss" I purchased the kit. This was the best fun!!!!! I sold the dinner as a fund raiser for a Free Medical Clinic I am involved in. The dinner was a spend the night party at a Old Plantation house in Plantersville, SC. The group that bought the dinner were all from Charlotte, NC. As you can see they went ALL OUT on the costumes. They want to donate money to the clinic next year for another murder weekend. Thank you so much!
Lisa Young"

Here is Kelli's winning group photo from her "Storm Survivors" party (click on the photo to see a larger version):

Kelli sent in this feedback:

"women and men of our storm survivors party

HUGE HIT.......everyone got into it much more than expected.......worked well even with just 12 suspects and 2 detectives.......some even guessed.....they really got into sharing clues and making accusations!
Kelli Turner"

Feedback on "Who Defeated The Slimy Monster?"

Tina Tee from the UK used the new "Who Defeated The Slimy Monster?" kit for her son's birthday party:

"Dear Stephanie

I have now had my "Who defeated the Slimy Monster" party. It was my sons 11th birthday, of the 8 children 2 of them were girls. All the children were either 10 or 11 and had a great time. I have a shed/playhouse in the garden which became the cave where the monster exploded, we covered the inside with black sacks and exploded monster food/body parts. We led the kids out with torches to explore the cave.

This was a great success the boys loved the opportunity to talk about farts and bumholes and their demonstrations of their individual strengths were hilarious.

Overall, this was a last minute thing for us but was hugely successful the kids who enjoyed themselves enormously and some of the children did work out who defeated the monster.

This party is brilliant for young boys, although my husband commented he wasn't sure who enjoyed it more the kids or me !!!!

It is so difficult to find something different to do with our discerning kids these days, and this party and "The Love Letter" which I did for my daughters 13th, are still being talked about.

Your party plans are simple and easy to download and follow.

Many Thanks,
Tina Tee"

Feedback on "Mystery In The Library"

Douglas and Valerie Benzinger sent in this feedback:

"Hi! We recently hosted the "Mystery in the Library" (Literary Version) party. It was a LOT of fun! We had a four-course meal during which everyone acted out their parts. The party was for my daughter's 15th birthday and she exclaimed when it was over, "That was a dream come true!"

We made up "favors" for our guests with small fragrance samples "Rare Rubies" and "Intrigue", along with bookmarks and a mystery dinner voucher. We decorated our table with red and black linens, napkins and placemats and had a vase of long-stemmed red roses flanked by tall red candles. Crystal plates and stemware, along with silver flatware completed our formal atmosphere. We used lots of candles in the room for a "mysterious" atmosphere. The hutch in the corner was filled with all kinds of classic books – both from our own collection and from the public library.

Our guests really outdid themselves coming in costume and character. We were delighted to meet Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella and Eleanor Ferrars – such sweet and seemingly innocent ladies. Huck Finn and Oliver Twist were certainly not dressed properly for a formal dinner, but they proved to be enjoyable guests. Sherlock Holmes came decked out in a plaid cape and pipe. Aladdin and Don Quixote looked dashing, as did King Hanuman in his regal attire. Cleopatra and Lady Macbeth looked quite regal – but there were mysterious stains on the hands of the English queen. Count Dracula was very handsome in his black cape, but there was an eerie spirit about him.

We took individual pictures of all the guests for my daughter to include in her thank-you notes. Everyone had so much fun and it was the topic of conversation for my daughter's circle of friends for weeks after the party. Parents of the teens who attended are asking when we will be hosting a mystery dinner for the adults! Thank you Tailor-Made Mysteries for helping us fulfill our daughter's birthday dream!

Douglas and Valerie Benzinger, parents of Aliesha (alias Cleopatra)"