Please read the overview and all the descriptions of the suspects before the party. Sometimes we hide clues in these descriptions.

Overview

When Ed Dockafeller died, he left a will stating that each of his five children would only receive their share of his billions if they had married, contributed something significant to the world, and moved to a country town by midnight tonight. In their quest to achieve these stipulations, a lot has happened. Ed’s eldest son Nathan Dockafeller (also known as “nasty Nathan”) has been found dead. As they tick away the hours before midnight, the children and their new partners have come together for a family meeting at their father’s Arizona ranch. Now they will find out which of them killed Nathan and which ones are going to get a share of the money.

The suspects

The people present at the gathering at their father’s Arizona ranch are:

Duncan Dockafeller (brother)

I’m a world famous boxer. My name’s Duncan and so the media call me “Dunk-Them Dock – A – Fella” because of my mean left hook. Now I help teach young street kids like Latinos how to box. Hunting is also one of my hobbies. Nathan and I didn’t get on when we were growing up because he always used to call me a dog and sometimes he even made me eat dog food. Dress suggestions: Wear boxer shorts, a towel around your neck, body oil (so you look sweaty). Don a fancy cape and some boxing gloves. Add a few bandages and a black eye.

Polly Darton (Duncan’s fiancée)

I’m a famous country and western singer from Tennessee. I also write a lot of my own songs. My family calls me “Jolly Polly” because I’m always laughin’ and carrying on. Dress suggestions: Wear a long blonde wig, cowgirl boots, flannelette check shirt, leather jacket complete with tassels and a broad leather hat. And wear a large bra with lots of socks for extra padding.

Serina Dockafeller (sister)

I teach belly dancing. I learnt it during a trip to Athens years ago. Belly dancing and smashing plates seemed great ways to de-stress. And the belly dancing has the side benefit of toning my tummy. Dress suggestions: Dress a bit like the lady in “I Dream of Genie” – baggy trousers and a top that shows your belly. Add some veils on your head and lots of jewelry.

Tommy Whip (Serina’s husband)

I’m a world-class jockey. I was recently accused of race fixing but I was proved innocent. Dress suggestions: Wear a jockey’s cap and check shirt. Carry a little whip. Paste a number on your shirt and cap. Wear boots that make you taller.

Magnus Dockafeller (brother)

I’m a scientist. Recently I published evidence proving that I’ve discovered a cure for skin cancer. Before I started my research, I spent a lot of time cruising around the world on a friend’s yacht. I started to think seriously about skin cancer while I was lounging around the deck. Dress suggestions: Wear the classic white laboratory coat of a scientist and maybe carry some test tubes.

Pebbles (Magnus’ wife)

I’m a comedian. I spend all my time in a Neolithic age. I like telling jokes about rocks, because you can accuse rocks of anything you like. It’s politically correct, although a bit crushing for rock emotions. Dress suggestions: Dress a bit like Pebbles from the “Flintstones” or like a cave girl. To do this, wear lambswool seat covers or the sheepskin mat or any other hide you can find. Have your hair tied up high with a bone through it. Carry some rocks.

Cynthia Dockafeller (sister)

I’m very shy. My therapist described me as a paranoid agoraphobic. Until recently I’ve spent all my time at home working as a proofreader for a legal publisher. But I have a secret talent. Dress suggestions: Dress in conservative 50’s style clothes. Wear mirrored or dark sunglasses that you can hide behind. Maybe bring a beloved pet with you (eg a toy cat or dog). Chew a pencil.

Charles Concerto (Cynthia’s husband)

I’m the conductor of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. I also have a passion for turtles and I have twenty of them as pets. I’ve converted the bathtub into a turtle tank. Dress suggestions: If possible, dress in a black tuxedo with tails or similar. Maybe carry a baton (or a white chopstick) and some sheet music.

Optional witnesses

Eddie Bruiser (boxing coach) I’m a Duncan’s coach and his best friend. I’m here to act as best man when they get wed later on this evening. Dress suggestions: Tracksuit. Wear a towel around your neck. Carry some bandages and a bottle with “smelling salts” written on it (maybe put a label on a perfume bottle).

Dulcie Darton (cookie baker) I’m Polly’s mother. I’m sort of acting as mother of the bride, matron of honor, bridesmaid and I’m also going to hand over the bride as my husband died a few year’s back so I’m a widow. When I’m at home I back my own special cookies and sell them to restaurants. Dress suggestions: Dress in your good “mother of the bride” wedding clothes. Carry a small basket of your special cookies.

Rose Blossom (aroma-therapist) I’m Serina’s best friend. I’m here to give her moral support at this critical time in her family’s history. When she is feeling stressed out, I give her a massage with my own delightful concoction of fragrant oils. Dress suggestions: Floral floating clothes with a new age or hippy style. Put on some essential oils or other fragrances. Maybe wear a scarf like a headband. Pin on a few real flowers.

Sid Stallion (horse trainer) I’m Tommy’s best friend. I’m a horse trainer and some people say I am also a bit of a horse whisperer too. Love those animals. Dress suggestions: Country clothes (eg check shirt) or a t-shirt with a horse on it. Wear a ten gallon hat and boots. Add anything to do with horses (eg a horse on a belt buckle).

Albert Dockafeller (uncle) I suppose you’d say I’m the black sheep of the family. I blew my inheritance on a company making bow ties. Shame they went out of vogue so fast. I just never had my brother’s skill of making my money grow. I’m mainly here because I wanted to meet Pebbles. I’ve heard her doing comedy on the radio. Dress suggestions: A suit and a bow tie. Slicked back hair. Carry a walking stick so you look like an old man.

Phillipa Dockafeller (aunt) I wasn’t a spinster. I just married a man I wanted to forget as soon as I divorced him, so that’s why I use my maiden name. I was quite a socialite in my time. Now I just hold bridge parties rather than cocktail parties. Isn’t Charles divine? I’ve been to lots of concerts he’s conducted. Dress suggestions: Stylish elegant clothes. Maybe add a fake fur stole or a string of pearls (fake will do). Carry a walking stick so you look like an old lady.

Terry Dockafeller (cousin) I’m Phillipa’s son. I’m not sure if she’s here or not. Magnus and I have always been best buddies. We used to go sailing a lot together, before he became a nerd. Dress suggestions: Yacht clothes such as white trousers and a blue shirt and the kind of shoes people wear on boats.

Yvonne Dockafeller (cousin) I’m Albert’s daughter. I’m not sure if he’s here or not. I’m from the poor side of the family, so I have had to work as a seamstress since I left school at 16. Around here, people always confuse me with the hired staff except for Cynthia. She and I have always been close. Dress suggestions: Wear simple clothes and drape a measuring tape around your shoulders have some pins and stuck in your collar.

Willy Blunt (stablehand) I’m a simple young lad but I’m good with horses, I am. I was born on the next property and been working here since old man Dockafeller died. There’s too many little ones to feed in our family so my pa sent me out to work to earn my keep. Dress suggestions: Old shirt and trousers, dirty boots and a ten gallon hat.

Bessie Bettabake (cook) I like to keep my kitchen to myself. That way I know just what goes where and where it is when I want it. I’m the best cook for miles around. Nobody ever complains about my cooking. Dress suggestions: Flowery dress and apron and flat shoes. You’re a large lady so pad out a bit. Have flour on your face and hair. Wear your hair tied with a scarf (tied at the front on your forehead). Carry a bowl and a wooden spoon or whisk.

Millie Millstream (young maid) I’m just the maid in this house. Made to do this and made to do that. Everyone is always telling me what to do, especially the housekeeper. And when the house is full of people like it is now, I’m just run off my poor feet, I am. Dress suggestions: Short black skirt, white shirt, flat shoes and maid’s frilly apron.

Bert Bentback (gardener) I’ve been the gardener here since I was just a young lad. I can make a garden out of any ol’ patch of dirt. I grow all the vegetables needed for the house as well as keeping the lawns and the flower beds just beautiful. I love planting the daffodil bulbs and having them springing up all over the place. I live in a cottage down by the garden shed. Dress suggestions: Old soiled trousers, shirt, boots and hat. Carry a rake or other gardening tool.

Chad Canter (groom) I’m the groom on this ranch. I love grooming horses and exercising them. I used to work as head groom at a big race course but I wanted a quieter life and so I came to work here. With everything that’s happened today and all the arguing that goes on here, I think I was better off at the race course. Dress suggestions: Jockey clothes – jodhpurs, satin shirt, riding boots with spurs and a cap. Carry a whip.

Mrs Cleansweep (housekeeper) I’m very particular about dust and dirt. This is a spotless house and I like to keep it that way. It’s not easy to manage though. These days hired help just ain’t what it used to be. Maybe if people would stop wearing their boots in the house and dropping food everywhere, it would make my job easier. Dress suggestions: Neat plain dress, flat shoes and apron. Carry a mop or duster.

Guy Grumbles (groundsman) It’s my responsibility to keep the grounds looking neat and tidy and to organize the gardener. But the way trees keep dropping leaves all over the grass all the time, not to mention branches, it’s a never ending job. I don’t like to grumble but would everybody please keep off the grass and stop your horses from doing droppings on the drive. Dress suggestions: Neat trousers, shirt, boots and hat.

Merry Grumbles (kitchen hand) I’m a kitchen hand. My father is the groundsman here at the ranch and boy does he live up to his name. My mother named me Merry hoping I would not take after my father and grumble too much. I like being a kitchen hand even though I have to wash up all the time. The good thing about working in the kitchen is I get to eat a lot because I help the cook prepare the food. Dress suggestions: Untidy white shirt and skirt, an apron and flat shoes.

Optional authorities

Ronnie Kilter – I’m a better cop than the ones you see on TV. I care about the people I deal with. I don’t rough them up or bring out my guns blazing – unless they are the type I need to defend myself against. I’m a detective and I like to see crimes solved fairly and conclusively. If there’s one thing I like to do it’s to get to the bottom of a crime and find the culprit. Dress suggestions: Wear a uniform or plain trousers and shirt and tie. Carry a notebook and pen.

Hettie Haveshum – I’m an investigator with a good nose for hunting out the truth. I don’t tolerate those who lie to protect themselves, or anyone else. In my time I have solved more murders than you’ve all had hot dinners. I’ve got a family myself, so I know all about the petty jealousy that goes on in a family, especially where there is money involved. Dress suggestions: Wear a plain skirt and shirt. Carry a notebook and pen.

Carla Cutter – I’m a medical forensics expert. I love doing really complicated post mortems. They’re my specialty. Obviously, I am very at home with the sight of blood and with other gruesome things. Dress suggestions: Wear a white coat. Carry some plastic evidence bags and wear some plastic gloves.

Darrell McPhee – I’m Nathan’s lawyer. Some people are afraid of the kind of fees that we lawyer’s charge, but I am sure if you did a cost benefit analysis of us, we would come up trumps. Dress suggestions: Wear a suit.

Roxanne Lustre – I’m a TV reporter and I have to say I’m one of the best. Some people just “report the news”. In some cases, “I make the news” because without my sparkle it would just be so boring. Dress suggestions: Carry a notepad.

Ned Burrows – I’m an investigative journalist. I dig in deep to find the ferret that’s hiding in the hole. Exposé’s, exposing cover-ups – that’s the kind of thing I do best. I’m sure this family has more than just skeletons in its closets. Dress suggestions: Carry a notepad.