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Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving Murder Mystery Ideas
Murder mystery ideas for Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving — what to play after the turkey with family, friends or a big table, plus a pie-contest mystery to print.
Thanksgiving has a natural lull: dinner is over, the dishes can wait, and nobody wants to move. It's the perfect moment for a murder mystery — something the whole table can do together without getting up, and something that isn't politics.
What works after a big dinner
After a heavy meal you want a game that is:
- Seated — at the table or around the coffee table.
- Shared — the whole group solving one puzzle, not a dozen people acting out roles.
- Paced — about an hour or two, with natural breaks for pie.
- Mixed-age friendly — teenagers and grandparents on the same team.
That points to a case file: one printed mystery that the group solves together by reading clues and crossing out suspects. No costumes, no prep, no shy guest left out.
A Thanksgiving mystery: The Blue Ribbon Killer
Every Thanksgiving morning since 1921, the bakers of Pickett County, Iowa have carried their pies through the snow to the Grange Hall for the biggest pie contest in the state. In 1966 there were 324 of them — and somebody brought Harlan Voss a poisoned slice from one of them.
The puzzle is a picture puzzle: every pie on the tables is drawn — lattice or double crust, fluted or braided edge, pastry leaves, glass or tin dish — and the 13 clues rule them out until only one entry is left.
- About 2–3 hours for a group, with checkpoints after every clue
- A clue guide with worked examples and three upside-down hints
- A Large Print Edition included, comfortable for everyone at the table
The Blue Ribbon Killer
Thanksgiving 1966 at an Iowa pie contest: 324 drawn pies, 13 clues and one poisoned slice.
1–4 solvers
See it on EtsyHow to run it at the table
- Print one copy of the pie tables per two people, and one shared clue sheet.
- Read the story aloud while the coffee brews — it sets the mood.
- Take the clues one at a time. One person reads, everyone hunts, someone keeps the count.
- Pause for pie after the halfway checkpoint. The irony is part of the fun.
- Vote before the reveal, then open the sealed solution.
For a bigger Friendsgiving
If your Friendsgiving is a party rather than a dinner, a party game where everyone plays a character works better. Our games are themed for Halloween, Christmas and the 1920s, but a 1920s speakeasy suits an autumn evening perfectly — see how to host a murder mystery party.
Murder at the Gilded Lily
Chicago, 1926: the reopening night of a gold-leaf speakeasy. Made for intimate dinner parties; the host can play too.
4–8 players (14 with the expansion)
See it on EtsyThanksgiving table tips
- Teams of two work best: one reads, one crosses out.
- Give the youngest the highlighter. Being in charge of the evidence keeps teenagers involved.
- Keep the solution envelope in plain sight, sealed. It builds suspense.
And if you only have ten minutes before the game starts, warm up with today's free floor-plan mystery:
Room for Murder Daily
A new floor-plan murder mystery every morning: place the suspects, find who was alone with the victim. No sign-up, works on phones.
Play today's caseWe make the games mentioned in this guide — that's why we know them well. Links to Etsy go to our own shop, Midnight Motive.