Fans of Poirot, Clouseau, or Sherlock: Pick Your Poison

Otherwise known as an evening to die for, Dainty Dames has been producing customized murder mystery multimedia hunts for nearly a decade. Owned and operated by Renee Dorian-Begley and Jillian Burgos, both with backgrounds in writing and producing, they have created over 500 shows throughout California. The Langham Hotel is their latest crime scene, featuring “Murder Without a Clue,” October 19 in the Vienna Ballroom.

Act One: Anonymity is a virtue. Every fool knows that. Anonymity’s next to cleanliness, and I don’t have to tell you what that’s next to. ~ Inspector Clouseau

Colonel Grady Pupon is throwing a gala benefit auction for all his invited generous billionaire friends. The Maid greets and seats you. The Butler (who may or may not have done it) serves you. The starlet Miss Rouge Le Dodo’s performance distracts you. Being the generous billionaires you are, you support the Colonel’s cause by engaging in riddles and games while enjoying an elegant three-course autumnal menu in the dim light of sparkling chandeliers and flickering sconces. You receive instructions and rules so everyone knows how to play the game. Actors have hidden the murder clues before the event,

Act Two: We can’t make people agree with us by killing them. We are not the French. ~Hercule Poirot.

Just when you think it’s safe, a murder happens, and the crime scene teams are assembled. Now, all the clues are revealed, and the super sleuthing begins. Even dinner guests must fend off being accused of murder. Teams are encouraged to leave their seats to look for clues and investigate each other sans electronic devices.

Act Three: There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact. ~ Sherlock Holmes

Now come the final steps of the investigation: asking each other questions and looking for clues one more time. The final verdict sheet is completed, guessing the motive and opportunity for the killer. And just like a beauty queen contest, a prize is awarded for “Most Enthusiastic” detectives, or you may get the Raspberry thumbs down award, “Don’t Quit Your Day Job,” for the worst solution of the evening.