Last Orders at the Partridge & Pear

6 to 12. Six core characters are always needed; for seven to twelve players you add up to six optional characters in a set order. The solution never depends on an optional character, so a late cancellation does not break the mystery. The host can play a character too, keeping the solution sealed until the end.

It is designed for ages 14+, so it suits families with teenagers. The death is fictional and peaceful, by a made-up Victorian sleeping tonic, with no gore, no romance requirement and no dares. The Christmas punch in the story can be served alcohol-free.

About two hours, as an estimate: 20 minutes of arrivals and the discovery, three rounds of about 25 minutes, then about 25 minutes for Last Orders, the reveal and the Pudding Cup. Rounds can be shortened to 15 minutes each.

Only a little. Each guest reads their own character booklet before the party, about ten minutes, and can dress up if they like. Every round tells them exactly what to share and whom to question, so nobody has to improvise or perform. The host prints the party pack and reads Part 1 of the host guide.

Yes. Everyone plays a character rather than themselves, so no real secrets are involved, costumes are optional and it works at a dining table or in a meeting room. One purchase covers the host’s own gatherings, including work parties; guests do not pay.

Both. The download includes A4 and US Letter files in colour and low-ink. You can also run it on one shared screen from your library: each character’s private sheet opens on the device in turn, with their clue cards inside.