A Shocking Review

A Shocking Review

  • Players: 8
  • Theme: Corporate, Country Life, Theatre, Drugs
  • Type: Dinner Party Games
€11.99
The Pecksniffian End Village Hall is alive with activity as the committee members of the Pecksniffian End Amateur Poetry Operatic and Dramatic Society (PEAPODS) get together to discuss their recent production and decide on their next project.

The recent review of the show was scathing, and was written by the Chairman of the Parish Council, Cyrus Bailey. The committee members wait for Cyrus to arrive, but then discover that he is already there - dead in the kitchen.

Only the PEAPODS committee members have been in the village hall, but who killed the Chairman of the Parish Council?

Complete Character List

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Ashley Lerner


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The local librarian. Dresses very conservatively and is as old-fashioned as many of the books on the library shelves.
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Val Sage


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Val is the District Nurse. Often seen wearing a white coat (even though they’re not a Doctor) but always has their trusty first-aid kit with them.
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Pat Baker


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Owner of the local Post Office and General Store. Dresses like a typical shopkeeper in apron or long brown work coat.
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Reverend Chapel


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In a black suit and white dog collar the local Vicar is unmistakable. Reverend Chapel is always on hand to offer whatever help or assistance is required.
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Frankie Brewster


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The village Publican and Off-Licence owner. Always wearing a T-Shirt with their favourite drink or football team on it.
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Micky Grover


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The Gardener that works all over the village. Never seen out of a pair of dungerees or jeans and T-Shirt, and always covered in somebody’s garden.
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Vic McFly


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A retired professional singer and actor. Always seen in open shirt and cravat, or little black dress and a boa, to add to their theatrical image.
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Andy Lynch


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Pianist for PEAPODS and local busy body. Walks around in tweed whether it’s winter or summer.

Starter

French Bread Pizza Bites

For Each Pizza
1 Baguette
200g finely chopped tomato (or pizza tomato paste)
200g grated cheese
60g sliced salami (or filling of your choice)

1. Cut a trough out of the top of the bread (this should be end to end and wide enough to put filling inside, but Do Not cut through the bottom of the bread)
2. Line the bottom of the trough with cheese, but make sure you leave enough for the topping
3. Add chopped tomatoes
4. Add Salami or other filling
5. Cover with remaining cheese
6. Place in a pre-heated over (180 C) for 8 to 10 minutes or until cheese has melted
7. Slice into bite size chunks

Main Course

Sandwiches or Casserole

If you want an easy Village Hall or Community Centre buffet for your evening - a selection of sandwiches, cocktail sausages, vol-au-vents, or other finger food. For a hot meal a casserole that can be dished up when required is a good way to go.

Dessert

Danish Pastries

250g strong white flour, plus extra for dusting
250g plain flour
7g sachet fast-action yeast
50g golden caster sugar
150ml whole or semi-skimmed milk
1 large egg, beaten plus extra beaten egg to glaze
250g pack lightly salted butter, not fridge cold but not soft, cut into 8 even slices

For the pecan pinwheels (makes 18)
85g pecans, plus a few extra, chopped
50g light muscovado sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
1 tbsp maple syrup
25g softened butter

For the apricot custard turnovers (makes 18)
150g tub custard
2 x 320g cans apricots
few tsps apricot jam

For the raisin swirls (makes 18)
50g raisins
25g caster sugar
1 tsp mixed spice
50g soft butter
50g icing sugar

1. Pulse together the dry ingredients plus 2 tsp salt in a processor, then pulse in the milk and egg until you have a smooth, slightly sticky dough. Knead for 1 min, using a little flour, until just smooth. Put into an oiled bowl, cover with oiled cling film and leave to rise in a warm place for 1 hr until doubled in size (overnight in the fridge if you like).
2. Flour your surface, then pat the dough out to a rectangle, 1cm thick. Lay the butter slices out over the middle of the dough, in a rectangle. Fold the pastry over the top, bottom and then sides until the butter is completely hidden. Press the edges down.
3. Roll the dough out to a 50 x 30cm rectangle, first tapping out the dough with the rolling pin in gentle ridges, so that you can tell the butter is being squashed out evenly inside the pastry, before rolling properly. Turn dough 90 degrees, then fold the right third over and the left third over that.
Do this three times, chilling for 15 mins after each roll.
4. Cut the dough in half, into 2 squares. Roll one piece of dough to 35 x 35cm. Cut into 9 squares, then follow the instructions below for each filling and shape. If you want to make more than one shape, it's easy to divide the filling quantity. Don't worry if your squares rise as you work, just roll them out a bit again.
5. To make 18 pecan pinwheels, whizz 85g pecans until fine, then stir in 50g light muscovado, 1 tbsp maple syrup and 25g softened butter. Cut each square of pastry almost to the middle from each corner, spoon on 1 tsp filling, then fold each point over and press into the middle. Scatter more chopped pecans and a little sugar over before baking. Drizzle with a little maple syrup to serve.
6. For 18 apricot custard turnovers, you will need 150g tub custard, 2 x 320g cans apricots and a few tsps apricot jam. Put 2 tsp custard in the middle, sit two apricot halves on top, dot with jam, then pull 2 corners over and pinch to seal.
7. To make 18 raisin swirls, mix 50g raisins, 25g caster sugar, 1 tsp mixed spice and 50g soft butter. Instead of cutting the dough into 9, leave it whole and spread the filling over. Roll up, slice into 9 rounds, then squash each one. Blend 50g icing sugar and a few drops of water to drizzle over once baked.
8. Once shaped and filled, let the pastries rise for 30 mins until puffed and doubled in size. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Brush with beaten egg, make sure you pinch any edges together again, then bake for about 20 mins until golden and risen.

How To Play A Dinner Party Murder Mystery

Our dinner party games are designed to be played by the combination of players listed on the game. Some require a specific number of male and female players, some have interchangeable players. When considering what game to buy you should think about who you want to play with you. If you want you can also add the 'Inspector' character as a player as there are scripts provided for this person as well.

Once you have chosen a game, simply click to buy it and then download.

What Is Included In Your Download

Your download should include a ZIP file with which once un-zipped you should have the following folders and files.

  • Character Scripts
  • Inspector Script
  • Inspector Audio Files
  • Instructions
  • Timetable
  • Invitation
  • Specific Suggestions For This Game – including menu ideas and recipes

How To Use The Game

Produce Invitations

Within the files downloaded is the 'Invitation' for you to print out and send to your guests. The invitation is double sided giving the information need for those participating in the game before they arrive. Once printed all you need to do is put the guests name on the front, and indicate which character they are playing, that way if they choose to dress up for the event they know what to look out for in the way of costume. (Please be aware that this file shows the invitation in Landscape view – you need to adjust your print settings accordingly).

Character Sheets

The Character Script pages are designed for double side printing, and should be printed then folded. If your printer does not have the facility to double side print, just print the 'even' pages and this will give your what you need, fold these in half and write the character name and round number on each.

The Inspector

The Inspectors Script is contained in its own folder and should be printed out and folded as the Character Scripts.

Inside the Inspector folder is another called Audio which contains MP3's for use during the game. The audio is the same as the printed script of the Inspector giving details at each stage of the game.

The Solution

This is the last printed and audio file.

It is always worth having this script handy, even if using the video or audio files, you never know when there might be a power cut!

The solution should also be printed and folded and we recommend putting a paper clip over the loose edges of this one so that it does not inadvertently come open for anyone to read.

Making The Most Of Your Theme

Where and how you run your game can make a real difference to its feel. Think about the game – is it appropriate to sit around a table, or would a lounge be more conducive. If you are round a camp fire would it be better to have the chairs in a circle? Would a poster over the window help the setting i.e. snow covered mountains if you are in a ski lodge. Small alterations to your home or setting can make all the difference to the game.

Specific Suggestions For Each Game

Just in case you are at a loss we have provided a suggested menu for each game. Don't be rigid about the meal, it should be easy to produce and serve during the course of the game, so go with what you are comfortable with. Now is not the time to try new recipes (unless you know you can pull them off), go with something tried and tested. You are meant to enjoy the game as well as your guests.

Player Reviews

A clever mixture of village parochial pettiness, portrayed by council members and the Amateur Operatic/Dramatic Society. The plot was clever, such that players had to see through the red herrings and use real detective skills to get to the result of who did it. Hopefully Guilty Party Games will produce more in this Pecksniffian End style.
- Mel