Accusing my coworkers of murder (and other reasons to book a murder mystery)

Imagine waking up feeling a slight sense of dread about the team-building day ahead. You aren't particularly in the mood, you have a lot on your plate, and sitting through another speaker or doing some overdone bonding activity you've done a million times doesn't sound particularly exciting. You grab your morning coffee and sigh before walking into the room.

But today isn't a regular team-bonding day. Today, one of your coworkers gets (fake) murdered — and you might have done it. Not only that, but you're given a character, someone completely different from you, and you get to accuse Tyler from accounting of murder. (Tyler, who you're pretty sure ate your last cheese stick from the fridge. Exhilarating.) The CEO and the intern have an impassioned disagreement over who was where and who did what. You have never laughed this hard at work.

You notice Gretchen, who usually keeps to herself, quietly watching and listening — but clearly competitive. Even the introverts are enjoying themselves.

The next day, the conversation continues. Inside jokes fly. The winner keeps their award displayed where everyone can see it. This is what team-building should feel like.

At Lost Valley Mysteries, we create interactive murder mysteries experiences that brings people together -- without awkward icebreakers or mandatory fun that makes everyone quietly check their watches or chug an afternoon coffee (no shade - we are HUGE coffee supporters at LVM).

It works because there is no sitting on the sidelines. Everyone gets a role they are comfortable with. Your quietest team member might turn out to be the most dastardly detective. Your loudest will likely get accused first (and they'll love it).

It's actually fun. Not "I have to say it's fun because HR is watching" fun. Real fun. The kind where you forget you're technically at a work event.

And the best part? It doesn't end when the mystery does. Inside jokes carry into Monday. People bond over who accused who. The winner displays their award like a trophy (as they should).

Ready to plan a team event your people will actually talk about? Reach out! <3