Friday, October 26, 2007

Whodunnit?


Today, the Playfriends are heading to Tennessee for our annual HOD retreat. We have the most perfect B&B we stay at. We rent out the whole place and run amok. Well, not quite, although we have been known to have too many margaritas and sing stunning renditions of “Just like Jesse James.” Attempts are made at craft workshops, but really, we just eat and talk and talk and talk... I’m usually brain dead by the time we go home on Sunday.

This year, the original retreat coordinator bought a murder party kit to play Saturday night. I ended up taking over when she couldn’t continue and I have to admit I volunteered just because of the party. I love this kind of stuff and I’ve gotten totally involved in preparing for the game. I can’t play a character myself because I’ve read all the information. I had to. Anyway, I know everyone’s secrets. It works best that way, though, because the game needs a facilitator. I get to set everything up, hide weapons, keep the game flowing. It also helped me pick out the right characters for everyone. Some were easier to assign than others. :) I think its going to be fun.

So, I’ve spent weeks preparing for the game. I’m a nerd – Smarty Pants – hello?? I’ve gone beyond the call of duty of a game facilitator. I have an authentic flapper costume. I’ve bought 20’s music CDs for atmosphere - I need to brush up on my Charleston too. Angel is bringing her Playground poker set (I guess I’m the last to know there even was one) so we’ll have a poker room for players. There will be a bar stocked with bathtub gin (I’m not sure what will actually be in it...) and appetizers set out. There will be a bouncer at the door. All attendees will find confidential packets and game play information in their hotel rooms when they check in. I got special notepads for everyone to use to write down clues, made labels, put together a newsletter with information on it - I sat for hours stuffing envelopes while I watched TV. We’re serving a three course Italian dinner to go along with the whole gangster thing. I even got quirky prizes for the best sleuth, costume, actor and money maker for the night.

I’m just giddy about the whole thing and praying it goes well! I just love a good mystery and Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, so put together a puzzle with costumes and I am THERE! Most of us are going to be AWOL today, so its up to you guys to keep the blog alive. Do you like a good mystery? What’s your favorite mystery? A book? A movie? Maybe even the Clue boardgame – Miss Scarlet in the Conservatory with the Lead Pipe! One commenter will win one of the romantic suspense titles in my stash!

SP (known for the weekend as Miss Molly, one of Madam MeMe's working girls)

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

OH!! This looks like so much FUN!! Have a great time. I'm having a dozen 12-year old girls for a birthday sleepover. Wanna switch off on Saturday night? Any volunteers?

Playground Monitor said...

Murder on the Orient Express. I can watch it again and again and marvel at Poirot's skill.

No, Jen. Nobody wants to switch with you. I took a head count (so what if they were still sleeping) and we decided to stay here.

PM

Anonymous said...

Have a great time this weekend. I'm New Orleans with Sherrilyn Kenyon's K-Con.

I had a murder mystery at my house once and I was the nerdy guy and since it took place in the 50's I had my son and his friends pick up burgers, malts and fries to serve. Too much fun.

I read every Agatha Christie book, but I'm going with Miss Marple.

I'm off for my first beignet and coffee. Yummmm

Lynn Raye Harris said...

I'm so looking forward to this! I'll be seeing y'all later this afternoon. I'm a terrible actress (or is that actor, since I'm a guy for this?), but what the heck.

Rhett Bumbler

CrystalGB said...

Sounds like a great getaway. My favorite mysteries are Kate Collins' Flowershop mysteries. They are a fun read.

Stacy S said...

Sounds like fun. Have a great time. I love reading a good mystery book.

Angel said...

I just rewatched the Clue movie the other night. Cheesy and fun.

Can't wait. I'm a Congressman for the night!

Angel

diane said...

Enjoy and have a wonderful time. Sounds great. I love mysteries Elizabeth Peters, and Shirley tallman.

Anonymous said...

i do like vc andrews and beverly bartons romantic suspense. have a good weekend.

kim h

Maureen said...

I hope you all have a great time. Your party sounds like loads of fun. A good romantic suspense is one of my favorite read. Linda Howard has to be my favorite but there are a bunch of great writers that do it well.

tetewa said...

Have fun this weekend! I recently read a good mystery. Death of a Garage Sale Newbie by Sharon Dunn.

anne said...

have a fab time. Sounds so much fun. A mystery that I love is the series by jacqueline Winspear. Riveting.

catslady said...

I was raised on Agatha Christie books lol. Any mystery that I can't figure out the ending is a good one (as long as the author doesn't cheat and make something fit lol).

Carol M said...

I love mysteries! I enjoy books by Lisa Jackson, Jane K. Cleland, Lisa Gardner, Hank Phillippi Ryan,
Lisa Scottoline, and so many others that I can't list them all!

Cherie J said...

Sounds like a blast! Enjoy! I love romantic suspense. Some of my favorites are by Dee Henderson.

robynl said...

We love playing Clue. Hadn't played it for years until a while ago. There's nothing like a good mystery read or game.
Your weekend sounds like a blast!!! Have fun.

Anonymous said...

Hi, have fun.

Twelve Angry Men, Witness for the Prosecution and Jagged Edge.