Nautical murder mystery parties

By Steve Hatherley

Ships and boats are great places to set a murder mystery - the environment is completely closed and there's no way off for either the murderer or potential victims!

These murder mystery games are set aboard ships, boats and vessels of various kinds.

Ahoy there!

murder at sea

It is 1914 and on the eve of the first world war the Libertania, an American cruise liner, is in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean when its Captain is murdered...

In Murder at Sea the guests play the parts of crew and first-class passengers of the Libertania. As well as the murder Murder at Sea brims with intrigue and espionage as the ship's passenger list includes diplomats and spies and more!

Murder at Sea is for 17 to 33 guests (plus the host), and is published by Freeform Games LLP.

Click here to learn more about Murder at Sea.

Death in Venice is for 5 to 9 people and is set aboard the luxury yacht Casanova following a post-award party at the Venice Film Festival. Controversial director Clay McFarland is dead - and someone aboard the Casanova murdered him! 

Learn more about Death in Venice.

death on the gambia

Set in 1939, Death on the Gambia follows a tramp riverboat as it sails along the River Gambia in Africa. Aboard are a curious mixture of passengers - a big game hunter, a missionary, a doctor, a journalist, an archaeologist and more.

All of the passengers have secrets, and the journey will be one to remember...

Death on the Gambia is for 8 to 11 guests (plus the host), and is published by Freeform Games LLP.

Click here to learn more about Death on the Gambia.

davy jones' locker

It is 1785, and Abel "Blackheart" Read , the Caribbean's most nefarious pirate, has been captured and hung.

Tonight, the Libra, departs from Tortuga on its journey to St. Augustine, Florida. For some of its passengers, this will prove to be a profitable journey. For others, Tortuga may be the last dry land they ever see...

Davy Jones' Locker is for 10 to 12 guests (plus the host), and is published by Freeform Games LLP.

Click here to learn more about Davy Jones' Locker.

I’m Steve Hatherley, an experienced designer of interactive murder mystery games, creating and hosting them since the 1990s. I co-founded Freeform Games and Great Murder Mystery Games to bring this distinctive, character-driven style of game to a wider audience. My work—including Death on the Gambia, Hollywood Lies, and The Roswell Incident—has been enjoyed by thousands of players worldwide. I’ve also written a book sharing my approach to creating immersive, freeform mystery experiences.