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

Overview

Tilly Song (a megastar singer) has hired a luxury-plus cruiser to see the Bahamas and have a holiday. She has invited a variety of other famous people along to share the lobster. But just as the party was about to start, Karl Virgil, that mad-man troublemaker, has been found overboard as full of water as he was of his own self-importance.

Was it one of the singers or actors or was it the tennis or the basketball star or one of the others? Although we have more comedians on-board than we do detectives, this is no laughing matter. We have to find out who did it.

The suspects

The people present on-board are:

Tilly Song

I’m a soulful singer/songwriter with a voice as pure as the Canadian air I breathed when young. My voice has brought me wealth and fame and I like to share my good fortune with my friends. Dress suggestions: Wear your hair flat, maybe slicked back. Dress in simple, but well-styled clothes. Carry a guitar (or guitar case).

Gerardo Netman

don’t let my orange hair and tattoos confuse you or I will have the ball in the basket before you’ve have time to say my name. Dress suggestions: Wear orange hair, fake tattoos and basketball clothes. Carry a basketball.

Magnolia Lollipop

I’m a stand-up comedian. As my name indicates, I’m a cross between a perfume and a candy store. Don’t sniff too hard or you’ll eat me. Dress suggestions: Dress as a little girl complete with ribbons in your hair and a lollipop in your mouth.

Gilbert Trueheart

I’m a comedy writer. I write very funny books. Some say I’m crass, outspoken, brutally honest and controversial – a loving force to be reckoned. And I have to agree. Dress suggestions: Wear a dark haired wig. Dress in avant-garde clothes. Add a heart on your sleeve.

Cosmo LuvLuvLuv

when I play tennis with you, don’t try and hit back. Just watch the ball zoom past – if you can see it! Some say I’m brilliant, honest and bold. I say – watch that ball! Dress suggestions: Wear tennis clothes. Carry a racquet. Also add some flashy jewelry.

Eduardo Martini

I’m from Argentina. In the past I sang duets with Tilly, but now I don’t need her help. My dark swarthy looks and showshipie charms have won me my own fame. Dress suggestions: Wear a clingy shirt with some open buttons to show off your chest.

Hertha Haywire

with my own TV talk show, what more could I want besides maybe a bit of peace and quiet? But I like to challenge people so I only have myself to blame for stirring up hornet’s nests. Dress suggestions: Wear a suit (eg a pink one) with a black T-shirt underneath. You are definitely not slim, so you may need to add some padding.

Hercules

as a child in Bolivia I saved my village from raiders. With my newfound sense of power, I went on to become a TV hero. Now I devote myself to fighting for the greater good. Dress suggestions: Dress as a warrior. Carry a sword.

Angelica

after Hercules saved me from being slain when I was a child, I pledged my life to roaming the world with him. I learned to fight and now I am his co-star on TV as a princess and we are happily married. Dress suggestions: Dress as a princess, but carry a sword.

Twinkle-fingers

like Elvis I’m back for a visit from the other side complete with my flamboyant outfits, glitter, gold and magic piano playing hands. I wasn’t invited. I am just ghosting around. Dress suggestions: Wear a flamboyant outfit with lots of glitter and add gold chains and lots of rings. Add white powder as you are a ghost.

Shirley Frosty

I’m a serious actor/director/producer with a capital S. I’m also a classy lady. I have had lots of practice; having started in this career aged 3. I prefer to lead a very private life. Dress suggestions: Wear a straight blonde/brown wig. Dress in stylish clothes. Carry a video camera.

Claudine Shifty

I’m a world famous model. Men swoon at my feet and are in total adoration of my fabulous looks. When it comes to work, I can name my own price. Dress suggestions: Dress like a beauty queen with a blonde wig, tight fitting dress, extra padding around your breasts (add some socks). Add lots of lipstick.

The following people shared cabins:

• Hercules and Angelica
• Cosmo and Gerardo
• Hertha and Magnolia
• Gilbert and Eduardo
• Twinkle-fingers and Karl Virgil
• Shirley and Claudine
• Tilly.

The Captain had a cabin near the spa and the chef had a cabin near the gym. There were no other crew or staff on board.

The optional authorities

Quincy Spadelow – I’m an inspector working with the Royal Bahamas Police Force. We may have a casual lifestyle here in the Bahamas but we take crime very seriously. I have spent a good many years helping to put criminals behind bars, and the only thing I like better than chasing criminals, is gardening. Dress suggestions: Wear tropical gardening clothes with a sun hat and wear gardening gloves when checking out the evidence, etc. Carry a plastic flower with your notebook and pen.

Cynthia Bethel – I’m a private detective employed by the Royal Bahamas Police Force to get to the bottom of mysteries. I have uncovered more crimes than you’ve had fish dinners, and I’m a better investigator than any you might see on TV. Dress suggestions: Wear a floral shirt, a plain skirt and carry a notebook and pen.

Joan Lowenfelt – I’m a happy doctor with a cozy little practice here in the tropics. Some people think that I eat too many boiled candies. I can’t help it. I’m addicted to them! Dress suggestions: Wear a lab coat with lots of empty candy bags poking out of the pockets. Carry a bag of candies and a medical kit.

Ruben Sewerdock – I’m a disgraced corporate lawyer hiding out in the Bahamas. I like to fudge my way into the lives of the rich and famous by offering my services when needed. Karl needs my services all the time. Dress suggestions: Wear a business suit and carry a mobile phone. Slick your hair back. Pretend that you’re always talking on the phone to some corporate bigwig back on the mainland.

Jo Randolph – I’m a local reporter and this is the biggest news I’ve covered in my entire career. It’s so exciting! I can’t stop and talk. I have to go and interview everyone. Dress suggestions: Wear casual clothes and a (fake) pair of dark-rimmed glasses. Have lots of pencils on you and carry a notepad on which you will write lots of information that the guests tell you.

The optional witnesses

Jodie Angel – I’m Hertha’s 18 year old daughter and I’m a swimwear model. I’m glad to be on this cruise with my mother because I get to show off all my beautiful swimsuits, but I never get them wet. I don’t actually like going in the water. When the murder happened I was taking part in a ‘Girl in a Swimsuit’ competition on shore and I’m happy to say I won. Dress suggestions: Wear a sarong over a swimsuit

Jason Freestyle – I’m Tilly’s body guard. I’m quite useful really because I have a life saving certificate and can keep a watch on those who go swimming. It’s a shame Jodie won’t go in the water, I’d like to rescue her. If I had been here when Karl Virgil fell in the sea I could have rescued him, but I was busy on shore taking photographs of a swimsuit competition. Dress suggestions: Wear casual tropical clothes and a baseball cap and sunshades.

Sean Devine – I might be young but I’m the best DJ around. Tilly invited me along on this cruise to entertain everyone when they’re not singing their own songs. I work under the name of DJ Devine and my sound is mighty fine. At the time of the murder was snorkelling on the other side of the island with one of the crew members. Dress suggestions: Wear a tropical shirt and shorts and carry a CD case.

Kasie Kallie – I’m a young waitress. I might look like a dizzy blond but I’m no fool. I love being on a luxury cruise ship even if I do have to work, because I get to eat lots of delicious food. On my days off I go swimming and have fun. Today I was checking out all the tropical fish on the other side of the island. Dress suggestions: Wear a blond wig, a short black skirt, white shirt and flat shoes.

Lord Motley – I’m the local aristocrat (well the Bahamas were part of the British Commonwealth, you know). I always get an invitation to important cruises, by jove. I was drinking tea onshore when this terrible business happened. Dress suggestions: Wear a safari suit and a safari hat. Stick on a mustache. Carry a riding whip under your arm. Say ‘by jove’ a lot.

Widow Donohue – I was once married to a local aristocrat. Oh dear, I miss the good old days, before all this independence rubbish. I was quite a dish in my younger years. I was having my beauty sleep when all this was happening. Dress suggestions: Wear a long dress with lots of jewelry. Long gloves. And lots of makeup. Carry a champagne glass. Say ‘Oh dear’ a lot.

Miriam Dottage – I’m the cleaning lady. Mind you, I’m more like a slave. ‘Come here. Do this. Do that. Get me a drink.’ Who do they think they are, anyway? The captain! I get off this tub whenever I can. Today was my day off. Dress suggestions: Wear an apron and a hairnet. Carry a feather duster.

Clyde Bounty – I’m an old barnacle living in this ‘ere area. Don’t let this eye patch fool yer. I can see wot’s goin’ on alright. Wot’s yer name again? I left me eye glass back on board me ship. Dress suggestions: Wear a beachcomber’s clothes and an eye patch. Look unshaven. Say ‘Ahoy there, matey!’ a lot.

Captain Donald Boyd – I’m the captain of this cruise. I see all sorts on this boat. Most of them are crazy, if you ask me. I was asleep when Karl was murdered. I always have a nap in the afternoon. Dress suggestions: Wear a blue jacket, a captain’s cap, and deck shoes. Call everyone a ‘scallywag’.

Gavin Bacon – I’m a famous football player. The women love me. That’s why I’m here. I was watching the swimsuit contest at the time of the incident. Dress suggestions: Wear a pair of white shorts, clip on earrings, a necklace, and a spiky (blond) hairstyle. Carry a football.

Bella McFirstwun – I’m a top model. Wouldn’t you just love to have a body like mine? I was surrounded by men on the island today. They just can’t help it. Dress suggestions: Wear the most beautiful dress you can find. Ask everyone, ‘Am I beautiful?’

Bob Clots – I’m the ship’s chef. I’m off to the beach again. It’s too hot in the kitchen. I was lying on the beach in the shade of a coconut palm at the time of the murder. Dress suggestions: Wear very casual tropical clothing, a chef’s hat, and carry a soda can everywhere.

Kelly Weights – I’m a movie actor. I’ve worked with some of these people in various movies. I always end up in scary movies. Some people think it’s because I look like a psychopathic maniac. I can’t help it if I’m big and ugly. I feel seasick. I’ve been in bed seasick all day. Dress suggestions: Wear a dark, simple dress with lots of padding. Wear short hair, or tie your hair back. Dark makeup.