Murder Mystery Team Building – All You Need to Know in 2025

A vintage-themed assortment of items displayed on a wooden desk, including an old violin, a cigar box, magnifying glasses, a pipe, a compass, a telescope and a fountain pen.

Murder mystery team-building activities help to boost morale and improve interpersonal relationships among team members. Murder mystery games are a creative and engaging way to bring team members together and help them build essential workspace skills.

But are these events right for your team?

In this post, we explore what makes murder mystery events so popular. We also look at what benefits they bring and exciting alternatives that combine exploration and teamwork.

So stick around!

How murder mystery team building works

Murder mystery team-building events take your typical work outing and turn it into a gripping whodunnit.

Participants are cast in roles like detectives, suspects or witnesses and are asked to solve a fictional murder case.

The setup

The event typically kicks off with a scenario: Your team is going to solve a crime.
They receive character assignments and background information to help them narrow the investigation.
Teams analyse clues, interrogate suspects who are professional actors and put evidence together.
You can also arrange murder mystery dinners in themed venues or even host virtual events for remote teams.

This format is so engaging because of its immersive nature. You get to role-play by stepping into someone else’s shoes and solving puzzles in a collaborative environment.

Benefits of murder mystery team building

A murder mystery event isn’t just a fun diversion; it’s a strategic tool to train your team in really essential workplace skills.

Here’s how this thrilling activity can transform your team:

It Improves problem-solving skills

The mystery game requires your teams to sift through clues, create hypotheses and make associations. It helps them improve their analytical skills when solving problems or coming up with strategies at work.

Enhances communication

Every successful murder mystery is based on effective communication.

Team members must carefully listen to one another, share interpretations of clues and articulate their theories clearly.

This forces constant dialogue, creating a collaborative environment in which everyone’s input matters. It’s easier to take these communication improvements back to the office for improved productivity.

Encourages creativity

Murder mysteries are all about role-playing.

Whether a team member is pretending to be an eccentric billionaire, nosy neighbour or cunning detective, it requires them to think creatively.

It’s a break from routine that helps them unleash their imagination, which can be a refreshing source of inspiration when tackling workplace challenges.

Trust and collaboration building

The only way to solve a mystery is for teams to share resources, work together, delegate tasks and draw on each other’s strengths.

Collaboration in these moments builds trust and teamwork. This can then be applied to workplace dynamics.

It provides a fun and memorable experience

Murder mysteries are a uniquely enjoyable way to build relationships and increase morale.

They give your staff members a day off, building camaraderie and improving relationships.

So yes, these activities are a lot of fun, but more than anything else, they’re a great way to build key skills and create bonds that help to improve team performance.

thinking-and-working-together-to-solve-the-myster

A Fresh Alternative: StreetHunt Games

For teams seeking a dynamic, outdoor option, StreetHunt Games offers a unique and engaging alternative to traditional team-building activities like murder mysteries.

What are StreetHunt Games?

StreetHunt Games combines the thrill of scavenger hunts, the brain-teasing puzzles of escape rooms and the exploration of iconic London locations.

Your teams are tasked with solving mysteries while navigating the city’s streets, turning London into an interactive playground.

It’s a fun activity that’s perfect for teams that don’t want to be cooped up in a room solving mundane mysteries.

Why choose StreetHunt Games for team building?

Here are a few reasons you might want to choose us for your next team-building event:

1. Outdoor connection

Unlike classic murder mysteries, which are usually confined to indoor spaces, StreetHunt Games encourages participants to step outside, breathe fresh air and explore.

This can be particularly refreshing for teams accustomed to working indoors.

So if your team loves to explore the outdoors and you still want to give them a fun, exciting activity to engage in, then StreetHunt Games might be a perfect choice.

2. Immersive, self-guided fun

Each game is self-guided, meaning teams can explore at their own pace.

This ensures everyone feels included, regardless of their comfort level with role-playing or acting.

3. Enhances team dynamics

StreetHunt Games splits participants into small groups, encouraging collaboration within your teams while fostering friendly competition among colleagues.

4. Flexible and accessible

We can accommodate teams of all sizes and skill levels, making it a versatile option for diverse workplaces. Such a customised approach ensures that you will have a high participation rate, improving the outcome of your event.

Potential Drawbacks of Murder Mystery Events

Murder mystery events are great fun, but not without their difficulties.

Here are some potential drawbacks that you should consider when planning such a team-building activity:

Limited outdoor engagement

Most murder mystery events take place in enclosed spaces.

This might not be ideal if your team likes to burn calories or soak up fresh air.

For some participants, confinement to one space can feel limiting compared with more dynamic outdoor experiences with movement and exploration.

Role suitability issues

Not everyone is naturally the right person for role-playing or acting in character.

If you’re an introvert or just not comfortable putting on your fictional persona to participate in a murder mystery, it may feel more like a chore than a fun challenge.

Hesitance around this can result in uneven participation, where some team members feel engaged while others are left out.

This may skew the dynamics of the whole team.

Dependence on hosting quality

The event’s organiser is responsible for the success of a murder mystery.

You have to have a good script for a successful event.

The unfortunate truth is that a poorly run event with poor storytelling can take what should be a fun team-building activity and make it a frustrating or forgettable experience.

Repetition fatigue

If your team has been to a few murder mysteries, the novelty can get old pretty fast.

Each event has a new storyline, but the structure is the same: interviews, clues and a big reveal.

It also reduces the excitement and anticipation of participants searching for something new and exciting again.

So, how can you address these issues in your next team-building event?

You might want to explore alternate events that combine the thrill of a murder mystery with the excitement of a scavenger hunt.

StreetHunt Games vs. traditional murder mysteries: What’s right for your team?

Ultimately, the choice between a murder mystery and StreetHunt Games comes down to your team’s preferences and objectives.

Some quick points to help you choose between the two:

Go for Murder Mysteries if:

Your team enjoys immersive, character-driven experiences.
You’re looking for an engaging indoor activity.

Choose StreetHunt Games if:

You want a fresh-air experience that combines exploration with teamwork.
You’re seeking a self-guided, flexible activity suitable for diverse groups.
You’re looking for a team-building activity that feels fresh and modern.
You prefer an affordable yet high-value option over traditional murder mysteries and escape rooms

Empty, abandoned room with a window used for murder mystery games.

An Innovative Alternative to Murder Mystery Team Building

Murder mystery team-building activities remain a fantastic option for fostering collaboration, creativity and problem-solving skills in a fun, memorable way. However, for teams looking for something fresh and invigorating, StreetHunt Games offers an innovative alternative that combines the best of outdoor exploration and mental challenges.

Ready to level up your team-building game?

Whether you’re solving a fictional crime or unravelling real-world mysteries on London’s streets, both options promise to strengthen bonds and create lasting memories.