Murder Is A Game

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Murder Is A Game Murder Is A Game - online at www.murderisagame.com. She requests the guests assistance in determining the guilty person(s).

Since 1988, under the name Murder is a Game, Kathy Johnson has been writing, producing and performing original mystery scripts throughout Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Illinois and more recently Virginia. Known by many as the “murder lady” or “inspector Kathy,” Johnson produces custom mysteries for businesses, individuals, organizations, and Chambers of Commerce. While she has cut back the number of

mysteries each year in order to work with merchants in her adopted hometown of Waynesboro and to work with the artists & artisans throughout the state as the Trail Coordinator for the Artisans Center of Virginia, Kathy still enjoys writing, performing and entertaining those who love a good mystery. Ideal as for Christmas parties, conventions, retreats, and team building exercises original customized scripts are written for each event to ensure that no one will be disappointed by “knowing” the answer in advance and to create a one-of-a-kind experience. Mystery Dinner

Mystery dinners are for short-term detection and solution, usually done following the meal the inspector (Kathy Johnson) will announce that a murder has occurred and the suspects are seated among those present. Following interrogation by the inspector (usually 45 to 55 minutes), the suspects are sent to specified areas and the guests (sleuths) are allowed to search the suspects, go through their purses, pockets and possibly luggage. Depending on where the mystery is held, rooms may also be searched. After their search the sleuths turn in their solution. The “inspector” determines the winning sleuth and prizes (provided by the sponsor or business) may be awarded. Mystery Weekend
Weekends follow the same format with a couple major differences — they last all weekend and are conducted in “real time.” On Friday evening typically during a reception of some type a “murder” occurs — the sleuths are there when the actual murder happens and may have even spoken to the victim beforehand. Questions are asked by the inspector, who also “happens” to be there and the suspects (which may include some of the pre-selected guests) are determined by the inspector. On Saturday morning during breakfast the inspector announces that the suspects have been narrowed down and announces the “official” list of suspects. These suspects are questioned following breakfast and then the sleuths are released for a day of shopping and travel throughout the area. That evening everyone returns for dinner to the scene of the crime. Possibly another murder or something else has occurred during the day that will narrow the suspects once more — perhaps another suspect will arrive. Following dinner the sleuths are given the opportunity to hear another longer interrogation, search the sleuths and search their luggage and rooms. Questioning of suspects is concluded around 10:30 p.m. Sleuths are then given until the following morning to turn in their answers. In the morning before breakfast all answers must be submitted. The inspector will review all answers and following breakfast the innocent will be identified and the guilty will be arrested. The winning sleuths are awarded prizes by the event hosts. Mayhem & Laughter

While murder is generally the type of mystery being held, custom mysteries (usually involving children) have involved missing jewels, family heirlooms and kidnapped victims. Humor plays an important part of all scripts and the while the program is usually based on “murder and mystery” and the participants are usually adults, a lighthearted atmosphere prevails and the intent is to provide “family fun” suitable for everyone. Specific themes, businesses, and organizations are frequently incorporated into the mysteries. Over the years mysteries have been written for and hosted by churches, chambers of commerce, dentists, physicians, service organizations and nonprofits, attorneys, industries and schools. Mysteries have been presented for groups as small as 30 and as large as 200+ (when the sleuths work in teams – typically done for a business or corporation).

19/06/2023

Mystery number 300 is written, and will be performed for the Greater Augusta, Regional, Chamber, of commerce on this Thursday evening in Stanton. As always, I hope those in attendance enjoy the mystery. Appreciate the talent of Inspector, Bill Martin.

Come on downtown - First Annual Holiday Market is open until 5:30, followed by annual Christmas Parade ... and dinner at...
04/12/2021

Come on downtown - First Annual Holiday Market is open until 5:30, followed by annual Christmas Parade ... and dinner at your choice of multiple downtown Restaurants.

A beautiful day for a holiday Market🌲🎁♥️
We are downtown until 5:30. A cheerful dance by Mountain Heritage Cloggers , Santa, and more to come!!

First ever Downtown Waynesboro Holiday Market - sign ups now being accepted for vendors.  Space is limited.
26/10/2021

First ever Downtown Waynesboro Holiday Market - sign ups now being accepted for vendors. Space is limited.

Would you like to be a vendor in our first DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY MARKET? Applications now being accepted for this December 4, event. Please contact Amber at [email protected]

What’s your Halloween Handle - I’m Creepy Superhero - appropriate!
21/10/2021

What’s your Halloween Handle - I’m Creepy Superhero - appropriate!

Inquiring minds want to know...

02/10/2021
Listen ...
28/09/2021

Listen ...

Today marks the birthday of Shel Silverstein (1930-1999), bestselling children's book author and illustrator.

27/09/2021

Two mysteries scheduled in 2023.

16/09/2021

Starting to get inquiries and make bookings for new original mysteries in 2022. Let me know of your interest, and when and where event will be held.

Need something new to read and you like to own your books - great go to place ... and they have mysteries.
21/05/2021

Need something new to read and you like to own your books - great go to place ... and they have mysteries.

Summer Seasonal Hours beginning May 27 🌿

Thursdays | 4-8

Fridays & Saturdays | 10-4

Come "Groove at the Greenway" and stroll down to pick out some great summer reading!

Cart Books – $1 Paperback, $2 Hardcover, $0.50 Childrens

Collectible, Unusual & New Nature Books! Explore your world this summer!!

19/05/2021

This is so exciting - a game changer for Waynesboro. Big thank you to Terry Short, jr, Len Poulin and Joe Keiper.

How about a MYSTERY  to add some excitement to your life.  Maybe Louise Penny, Agatha Christie or something by Anne Perr...
07/05/2021

How about a MYSTERY to add some excitement to your life. Maybe Louise Penny, Agatha Christie or something by Anne Perry (she knew about real murder). Men write mysteries too - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Raymond Chandler or Dashiell Hammett and so many more. Good times between the pages of a book. "It was a dark and stormy night when ..."

Big news! The Waynesboro Public Library is reopening for “Grab and Go,” services on Tuesday, May 11. Visit WaynesboroPublicLibrary.org to learn more. We can’t wait to see you!

15/04/2021

Be a part of the solution - mysteries coming soon!

17/03/2021

FREE VACCINE CLINIC
FOR SAW LATIN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
Sunday, March 21st
1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
at the Waynesboro YMCA.
· For an appointment, call José at (540) 471-0605.
· Spanish speaking volunteers will be at the event
Please share with your Latin American clients and friends.

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Since 1988, under the name Murder is a Game, Kathy Johnson has been writing, producing and performing original mystery scripts throughout Michigan and more recently Virginia and Ohio. Known by many as the “murder lady” or “inspector Kathy,” Johnson produces custom mysteries for businesses, individuals, organizations, and Chambers of Commerce. While she has cut back the number of mysteries each year in order to work with merchants in her adopted hometown of Waynesboro and to do volunteer activities in her new hometown, Kathy still enjoys writing, performing and entertaining those who love a good mystery. Ideal as for Christmas parties, conventions, retreats, and team building exercises original customized scripts are written for each event to ensure that no one will be disappointed by “knowing” the answer in advance and to create a one-of-a-kind experience. Mystery Dinner Mystery dinners are for short-term detection and solution, usually done following the meal the inspector (Kathy Johnson) will announce that a murder has occurred and the suspects are seated among those present. She requests the guests assistance in determining the guilty person(s). Following interrogation by the inspector (usually 45 to 55 minutes), the suspects are sent to specified areas and the guests (sleuths) are allowed to search the suspects, go through their purses, pockets and possibly luggage. Depending on where the mystery is held, rooms may also be searched. After their search the sleuths turn in their solution. The “inspector” determines the winning sleuth and prizes (provided by the sponsor or business) may be awarded. Mystery Weekend Weekends follow the same format with a couple major differences — they last all weekend and are conducted in “real time.” On Friday evening typically during a reception of some type a “murder” occurs — the sleuths are there when the actual murder happens and may have even spoken to the victim beforehand. Questions are asked by the inspector, who also “happens” to be there and the suspects (which may include some of the pre-selected guests) are determined by the inspector. On Saturday morning during breakfast the inspector announces that the suspects have been narrowed down and announces the “official” list of suspects. These suspects are questioned following breakfast and then the sleuths are released for a day of shopping and travel throughout the area. That evening everyone returns for dinner to the scene of the crime. Possibly another murder or something else has occurred during the day that will narrow the suspects once more — perhaps another suspect will arrive. Following dinner the sleuths are given the opportunity to hear another longer interrogation, search the sleuths and search their luggage and rooms. Questioning of suspects is concluded around 10:30 p.m. Sleuths are then given until the following morning to turn in their answers. In the morning before breakfast all answers must be submitted. The inspector will review all answers and following breakfast the innocent will be identified and the guilty will be arrested. The winning sleuths are awarded prizes by the event hosts. Mayhem & Laughter While murder is generally the type of mystery being held, custom mysteries (usually involving children) have involved missing jewels, family heirlooms and kidnapping victims. Humor plays an important part of all scripts and the while the program is usually based on “murder and mystery” and the participants are usually adults, a lighthearted atmosphere prevails and the intent is to provide “family fun” suitable for everyone. Specific themes, businesses, and organizations are frequently incorporated into the mysteries. Over the years mysteries have been written for and hosted by churches, chambers of commerce, dentists, physicians, service organizations and nonprofits, attorneys, industries and schools. Mysteries have been presented for groups as small as 30 and as large as 200+ (when the sleuths work in teams – typically done for a business or corporation).