As the UK prepares for a weekend of thrills and chills this Halloween, Original Murder Mystery Weekend is hosting two weekend breaks for those wanting to get in the ghostly spirit. The Halloween weekends will take place in the characterful and historic Ettington Chase and Horwood House hotels, situated in Warwickshire and Buckinghamshire respectively. Invented in 1981 by Joy Swift MBE, the Original Murder Mystery Weekend has satisfied more than 150,000 guests and celebrates its 35th birthday this Halloween. The original formula is distinguished by complex plots, spine-chilling scenes and unbeatable drama with nine actors in character for the entire weekend. The weekends will commence on the 28th October 2016 and prices start from £290 per person.
The plot will be based around a fictitious crime writing association; The CAS - Crime Authors Society. The drama will start on the Friday night with a 'black and white and red all over' theme and the first of the three murders will be committed. Throughout the weekend, guests are welcomed to visit the incident room, where pieces of vital evidence will be exhibited and guests can discuss ideas and interrogate the suspects. This room will become a hive of activity over the weekend with evidence building as the plot progresses. On the Saturday, there will be another shocking murder and a themed party with dinner, dancing and a final murder in the evening. The plot is concluded on the Sunday, when the motives and suspects behind the murders are discussed before the murderer is announced.
Prices include a welcome reception, two nights' accommodation with dinner, breakfast and lunch on Saturday, cream afternoon tea, full entertainment and a murder weekend programme including a Saturday night party.
Joy Swift originally came up with the idea for murder mystery weekends when she was working for a chain of hotels in North West England. The first one was held at The Prince of Wales Hotel in Southport and met with enquiries from The New York Times, The Daily Mail, The Washington Post and TV programmes wanting to cover the next 'murder'. Joy hadn't planned a second, but was soon arranging the next murder weekend and that was the beginning of Joy's 35 year career in 'murder'.