Please read the overview and all the descriptions of the suspects before the party. Sometimes we hide clues in these descriptions.

Overview

Is your worst nightmare being at a party that you want to escape, but can’t? Hopefully this won’t happen at this party if you are clever and a little lucky. If you’re game, come along and enjoy the challenge.

The suspects

Enigma

I am famous for my bizarre song lyrics, wild stage antics and the spontaneous and sometimes outrageous street performances I often hold. My mother still calls me Tanner, but no one else does. And it’s not worth having a last name if it’s as boring as Brown. Dress suggestions: Bring an instrument of some kind. Wear a hat you have decorated to make bizarre.

K-Ching

My nickname reflects my obsession with starting businesses that make money from people’s small change – but lots of it. My legal name is Harper Harris. My entrepreneurial empire is the business equivalent of penny stocks. Dress suggestions: Wear business clothes and a formal hat.

Dr. Ward

Although I sometimes commit people to a psych ward, most of my clients are part of the elite and don’t require that sort of treatment. Or they manage to avoid it. It’s stressful dealing with multi-millions and all the decisions and baggage that comes along with it. Dress suggestions: Wear business clothes and a formal hat. Bring a Rorschach inkblot.

Gabby

I’ve always been told I have the gift of the gab, hence my nickname. Believe me – you need it as a social column writer. I know everyone here, but even so, I certainly didn’t expect this. My real name is Kerry Chappell. Dress suggestions: Wear stylish party clothes and a stylish hat. Bring a notepad and pen.

DoorMuse

I’m an artist. My specialty is doing customized murals on doors – large and small. I love creating a surprise for my client – generally on the inside of cabinet doors or on the narrow edge of full sized doors. I’m hoping this party will help me get some new clients. My business name is the only name I go by these days although my real name is Terry Door. Dress suggestions: Wear old clothes splattered with paints or very artistic clothes. Carry an artist’s palette or paint an old hat so it looks like one or wear a beret. If you want, add some artistic fake tattoos. Dress suggestions:

Sol

Everyone calls me Sol because in my early days I was known for my work with solvents. I’m an industrial chemist by trade, although now I’m more of a business owner. I have plants in a number of countries. My formal name is Spencer Wilds. Dress suggestions: Wear business clothes or a white lab coat, safety goggles and a formal hat. If available, carry a test tube.

Loopi

Back in the days when I was a barrister, I was given this nickname because I was often able to find legal loopholes to help my clients out of their dilemmas. But nowadays I’m a politician – on the right side of the equation – of course. I campaign under my real name, which is Whitney Moore. Dress suggestions: Wear business clothes and a formal hat. Carry a small “Vote for Whitney Moore” sign or badge.

Avatar

All my gaming buddies call me this; because they say I keep changing my personality to suit whatever character I’m currently playing in whatever game is hot. My real name is Bailey Jones. I don’t know why I’ve been invited. You guys are all ancient compared to me. I’m still at high school. Maybe it’s another joke my gaming buddies are playing on me. Dress suggestions: Wear a t-shirt and jeans and a backwards sun visor. Bring a joystick (optional). If you want, add some fake tattoos.

Optional witnesses (not suspects as they were invited by the host rather than the party planner)

Billie

I’m an architect. I design tiny houses or tiny condos. I met our host recently at a party. Dress suggestions: Wear creative clothes and a creative hat. Carry a tape measure and some paint samples.

Tarran

I teach people how to ride horses in a way that the horse also enjoys. I also taught our host how to ride and our discussions in the saddle led to our becoming friends. Dress suggestions: Wear jodhpurs, a riding hat and carry a riding crop or any other horse gear you can find. Show everyone pictures of your horses on your phone.

Harley

I don’t ride motorcycles. I’m actually shoemaker – a very down to earth profession (excuse the pun). Our host bought some shoes from me and we became friends. Dress suggestions: Wear creative clothing, a creative hat and good shoes and carry a shoe you are very proud of making.

Leighton

I run a small plant nursery. We only sell mini pots of small succulents and tiny cactuses. I went to school with our host – we go way back. Dress suggestions: Wear gardening clothes and a sun hat and bring a tiny pot plant with you.

Mallory

I’m a tour guide. But unlike other tour guides that focus on history, I take people into the forest and describe the plants and let them bathe in their healing glory. I met our host on a long hike I did. Dress suggestions: Wear green or brown clothes and wear a hat made from some leaves so you look as if you just stepped out of the trees. Wear hiking boots.

Niko

I’m a DJ at a trendy bar downtown. And I sell my mix tapes legally online, but I don’t make much from them. So I also work as a sound engineer at a large theater. I met our host on a train. Dress suggestions: Wear trendy clothes and a trendy hat. Carry some flash drives with your mix tapes on them and try and sell them at the party.

Sage

I teach aerial yoga classes. I love spending most of my day upside down. I met our host through a mutual friend. Dress suggestions: Wear yoga clothes. Write an Om symbol on an old sun visor and wear it. Carry some yoga blocks and straps.

Storm

I know this may seem strange given my name, but I’m actually very placid and easygoing. I run camps for kids. I met our host years ago at an outdoor event. Dress suggestions: Wear brightly colored clothes and a fun hat. Carry some kids games or a magic trick. Or use some string to make a cat’s cradle.