The Midnight at Blackthorn Manor

Turn Christmas dinner
into a murder mystery.

An easy-to-follow mystery for your Christmas gathering.

$14.99Get the complete kit

Sold via Gumroad by Holly Print

6–10 playersAbout 2 hoursAges 16+

Real pages, before you buy

See what’s inside.

Tap a page for a closer look. Private host hints and clue headings stay concealed.

**The Host Guide**Actual cover from the 18-page guide.

**Quick Start Card**Final-prep checklist. Host lines and hints concealed.

**Your invitation**A ready-to-personalize invitation from the Party Kit.

**Player rules**Table reference. Case-specific instructions concealed.

**Detective notes**Writing space. Exhibit headings concealed.

**Online Play Guide**Private packet sharing and online setup.

Make it a mystery night

Question the guests. Compare theories. Make your final accusation.

Decor and props shown are not included.

One purchase, the complete kit

Everything in your download.

16 printable PDFs56 unique pagesUS Letter

For the host

Host Guide · 18 pagesSetup, cast selection, player rules, rounds, scoring, hints and the final reveal. START HERE is page 2 of this guide.
Host Quick Start Card · 1 page30-minute final-prep checklist, release order, five host lines and a hint ladder.

For the players

10 individual character PDFs · 2 pages eachSend each guest only their assigned file.
Combined Character Packets · 20 pagesAll ten packets together. Host-only reference.

Evidence & player materials

Evidence & Player Materials · 13 pagesEight numbered exhibits across three rounds, player rules, a detective notes sheet and ten accusation slips.

Party & online play

Invitation & Party Kit · 2 pagesInvitation, costume, menu, non-alcoholic drink, decor and playlist-mood ideas. All extras optional.
Online Play Guide · 2 pagesPrivate packets by DM/email, shared exhibits and private accusations.

Individual packets repeat the combined character file; they are ready to share without splitting pages yourself.

A plan you can follow

Easy for first-time hosts.

Read the guide before your guests arrive. Then follow the printed cues through the evening.

01 / READ & ASSIGN

Choose your cast.

Start on Host Guide page 2, then use page 4 to choose the right packets for your group. Give each guest their own private file.

02 / PREPARE & GUIDE

Follow the rounds.

Prepare the materials and reveal the eight exhibits in order across three rounds. Your guests introduce themselves, ask questions and compare facts.

03 / COLLECT & REVEAL

Make the final call.

Collect one private accusation from each player. Use your chosen scoring mode, then follow the host’s reveal instructions.

Your 30-minute final prep.

0–10 minChoose the cast and assign private packets.
10–20 minPrint exhibits, notes and one accusation slip per player.
20–30 minSort the exhibit envelopes, set pens and lighting, and review the host cues.

Final prep comes after reading the Host Guide.

Words when you need them.

The Quick Start Card includes five essential host lines and the exhibit release order.

Help if the room gets stuck.

A graduated hint ladder gives the host a next step. The hints stay in your private host material.

Keep scoring simple.

Beginners can write only killer, how and why: one point each, three points total. Standard scoring is also included.

Your host guides the evening and keeps the host-only material private.

Public introductions only

Meet the cast.

A table of larger-than-life personalities. Who will your guests become?

Vivienne Blackwood

The Glamorous Socialite

A New York socialite, charming and effortlessly confident.

Margaret Vale

The Elegant Widow

A fixture of elite society; graceful, reserved and difficult to read.

Beatrice Finch

The Devoted Housekeeper

Nearly twenty years at the manor; practical and fiercely observant.

Clara Whitmore

The Mysterious Heiress

Recently returned from Europe; soft-spoken, intelligent and mysterious.

Alistair Blackthorn

The Estranged Brother

Eleanor’s older brother; proud, stern and intimidating.

Victor Ashley

The Wealthy Financier

A well-connected Wall Street financier; polished and persuasive.

Dr. Julian Mercer

The Family Physician

The family physician; composed, analytical and reassuring.

Adrian Cross

The Mysterious Guest

An invited traveler; calm, guarded and observant.

Theodore "Ted" Gray

The Charming Journalist

A newspaper reporter chasing a career-making story; witty and curious.

Lillian Harrow

The Talented Actress

A rising Broadway actress; dramatic and emotionally expressive.

Only public introductions appear here. Each guest discovers their private information in their assigned packet.

Give everyone a part

Make room for your guests

A cast that fits your table.

Follow the cast order on Host Guide page 4. Keep the existing cast as you add the next character.

Always include these four:
Adrian Cross, Clara Whitmore, Dr. Julian Mercer and Beatrice Finch.

Character selection by player count
Players	Your cast
6	Essential four + Margaret Vale + Victor Ashley
7	The 6-player cast + Alistair Blackthorn
8	The 7-player cast + Vivienne Blackwood
9	The 8-player cast + Theodore “Ted” Gray
10	The 9-player cast + Lillian Harrow

Add one separate host to every row. The host is not included in the player count.

Before you invite your guests

A few things to know.

The practical details for planning your evening.

What exactly am I buying?

A digital ZIP with host guidance, private character packets, evidence and player materials, plus party and online-play guides. Nothing physical ships.

How many people do we need?

6–10 character players, plus one additional, non-playing host. Use the cast table above and Host Guide page 4 to choose your characters.

Can the host play a character?

This edition needs a separate host who reads the solution and runs the rounds. The host does not play a suspect. Keep the Host Guide and combined character file private, and give each player only their own packet.

Is it suitable for a first-time host?

Yes. Follow the three-step plan above, and read the Host Guide before final preparation. Choose beginner scoring for a simpler first evening.

How long does it take?

Allow roughly 2–2.5 hours with a meal and breaks, plus separate time for the host to read and prepare.

Do I need to print every file?

No. Follow the Host Guide’s print list for your chosen cast and evidence materials. Each player gets their own two-page packet. The combined packet file is a host reference, so you do not need to print duplicate copies. The PDFs are US Letter.

Can we play online?

Yes. The Online Play Guide explains how to send each packet privately by DM or email, screen-share exhibits in round order and collect private accusations. Never post everyone’s packets in a group chat.

What ages and themes is it for?

Ages 16+. Themes include fictional murder, blackmail and alcohol. Real alcohol is not needed. Costumes, a meal and decorations are optional; the Party Kit offers ideas if you want them.

Can the same group play it again?

There is one fixed solution. It is best with guests who have not played the mystery before. A host can run the same case for a new group.

Where do I pay and get my download?

All purchase buttons take you to Gumroad. Review the final checkout amount, including any local currency conversion or applicable taxes, before paying.

Your Christmas mystery, ready to download

Give your guests a part.
Give your evening a story.

The complete Blackthorn Manor kit, from the first invitation to the final reveal.

$14.99USD · One-time purchase

About $1.87 per player with 8 players.

Get the complete kit

Sold via Gumroad by Holly Print · Instant digital download

Actual Blackthorn Manor Host Guide cover

Turn Christmas dinner
into a murder mystery.

See what’s inside.