Must-Have Props for Murder Mystery Games: Male Characters

If you're planning a murder mystery game party, you will no doubt want to pay attention the finer points that can really add to the atmosphere and fun; such as having props and fancy dress accessories for all of your characters. Our traditional murder mystery games, such as The Reading of the Will are set around the early decades of the twentieth century, so think of Poirot, Sherlock Holmes or the 1920s flapper era for inspiration!

We've compiled a list of some of the easiest to find, fun and relevant props and accessories that you can buy cheaply and easily either online, or in thrift and joke stores. This week we're focusing on props and accessories for male characters.

1. Gentlemans Cane Any gentleman worth his salt, would carry a walking cane to accompany his day attire. A walking cane is easy to find from any fnacy dress store or thrift store.

2. Deerstalker A Deerstalker is a traditional English hunting hat, made famous by Sherlock Holmes and therefore often used as an accessory for any detective or learned gentleman of the time. You may be able to pick up a Deerstalker from a thrift store, however we found a great range at TheFind.com. 

3. Monocle

A monocle is a single lens eye-piece as worn by Hercule Poirot and you can find these at any joke store.

4. Smoking Pipe

Unfashionable and anti-social as it is now, smoking was certainly a common pastime at the turn of the twentieth century. A gentleman would often be seen with a smoking pipe of an evening, cigars also being common. Most joke-shops will sell fake pipes, but we also found this one, at CostumeZone.com 

5. Fake Moustache

What-ho! I say - what fabulous whiskers Sir!; might be the sort of comment that would pass for a compliment in this genre! Nothing helps a gentleman get into role quicker than a glorious fake moustache. Again, extremely easy to find at any joke store.

6. Cravat

A cravat is a necktie more common in the earlier part of the twentieth century, alongside the bowtie. The more modern necktie started to become popular later in the 1920s and 1930's, though a traditional aristocratic gentleman would be more likely to be seen in a cravat or bow tie. Again these are extremely easy to find and you can normally pick up a selection in any local thrift store.

Enjoy your party!