Dracula Murder Mystery Game - by Laura Durrant

Invitation-distributed to the players before the game, with the date, time and location of the event. It should indicate which character each person is playing.

The Estate of
Mr Arthur Holmwood
Dartford, 1897

Private Detective Abraham Van Helsing invites you to dinner

Date:
Time:
Address:
Host:
RSVP:
You are to take the part of:

November, 1897.

Lucy Westenra has been found dead in the home of her fiancé, Arthur Holmwood. In a gruesome turn of events, Mr Holmwood found his beau sprawled on the floor of his entrance hall in a pool of her own blood. You have been invited tonight by private detective Abraham Van Helsing as one of the suspects in the murder.

Count Dracula: You are a rich Transylvanian aristocrat who moved to England six months ago. You were in love with Lucy Westenra.
Suggested clothing: Cane, frock coat with velvet jacket.

Jonathan Harker: You are a high-ranking, international real estate lawyer. You are a dull man, more in love with your work than anything else.
Suggested clothing: Travelling coat and suit. Slightly worn suitcase and bowler hat

Mina Harker: You are the unhappy wife of Jonathan Harker, and Lucy Westenra’s best friend. You are bitter about your failing marriage, and because the men don’t take you seriously.
Suggested clothing: Long plain skirt and long sleeved blouse with ruffles.

Dr John Seward: You are the head doctor at a mental asylum in the English countryside. You are passionate about your work, but lonely.

Suggested clothing: Worn lab coat with a simple tie, waistcoat and jacket ensemble.

Arthur Holmwood: You are Lucy Westenra’s grieving fiancé. Son of Lord Godalming, you have a taste for the finer things in life.
Suggested clothing: Black, but well-tailored mourning clothes.

Renfield: You are a simple man, working as a gardener for Mr Holmwood.
Suggested clothing: Worn and tattered shirt and trousers with work boots.

Abraham Van Helsing: You are a private detective, and the host of this event.
Suggested clothing: Day suit, accompanied with a pencil and paper for note taking.

Opening statements- introduction to the game, read by players in order indicated.

Van Helsing: I would like to thank you all for attending this evening. I am Detective Van Helsing. After Miss Westenra’s murder, Mr Holmwood contacted me to help solve the case. After extensive investigating, I have created a list of suspects, all of whom sit before me. I think it’s best we all introduce ourselves. Count Dracula, if you could start?

Count Dracula: Very well. I am Count Dracula, I used to master an estate in Transylvania. I moved to England, where I soon became acquainted with dear Miss Lucy. I had hoped to marry her, but she chose Mr Holmwood instead. I am deeply saddened by this great loss, but I can assure you I would never have harmed her.

Arthur Holmwood: I am Arthur Holmwood, Lucy’s fiancé. I don’t really understand why I am considered a suspect in this investigation, why would I murder my dearest? The money I gained means nothing, not now I’ve lost her.

Mina Harker: I am Mina Harker, Lucy’s best friend.  I can’t fathom why anyone thinks I killed her, I wasn’t even in town at the time! No, you can count me out of this ridiculous investigation.

Jonathan Harker: I suppose I ought to go next. I’m Jonathan Harker, Mina’s husband, and a real estate lawyer by trade. I too am not sure why I’m being considered here, I hardly knew the girl! Still, I hope we can get to the bottom of this, and bring whoever committed this crime to justice.

John Seward: Well said, Mr Harker. I am Dr John Seward, head doctor at the Sagefleet Lunatic Asylum in Purfleet. I can only assume that the reason I’m here is that I was in town at the time of the murder? I’ve no other connections to Mr Holmwood, or anyone else here, and I never even met the poor woman.

Renfield: I am Renfield, I work as a gardener on the Holmwood estate. I’ve only worked there for a few months, and I rarely see the masters of the house. The masters were good to me; I have no reason to want any of them dead!

First Dialogue.

Count Dracula: This is a terrible thing. Young Lucy was full of beauty and life, for her to be taken from us in such a cruel fashion is a heinous crime!

John Seward: I know; I can’t get the image of her body out of my mind!

Mina Harker: I thought that you didn’t know Lucy, Dr Seward? How on earth do you know what her body looked like?

John: I’m a doctor Mrs Harker. When I was invited here, I thought it only right that I researched the murder beforehand, seeing as I am an outsider. I went and visited her in the morgue.

Mina: But you said yourself that you run a lunatic asylum. How did you convince them to let you in?

Arthur Holmwood: Oh never mind Dr Seward. I’m more interested in why Mr and Mrs Harker are being included in this investigation when they weren’t in town at the time of the murder.

Jonathan Harker: That is not actually strictly true, Mr Holmwood. Whilst my wife was still at home, I was in town attending to some business with Count Dracula.

Dracula: Yes, I asked Mr Harker to come down to discuss my papers, as I have decided to relocate back to Transylvania.

Renfield: So quickly after the murder? Why, that strikes me as the move of a guilty man.

Arthur: Oh come now, Renfield, why would that make the Count guilty, the murder hadn’t even happened yet.

Van Helsing: I think it’s time we revealed our first clue. The rest will be revealed throughout the course of the evening.

Clue #1, to be revealed by Mina Harker:

Dearest Art,

To think it had been so long since we had seen each other, and yet when we met two nights ago it was as if nothing had changed. I must see you again before I leave town. The memory of you is the only thing that will keep me sane in my solitude.

Reply quickly with a time and a place.

Your loving John.

Second dialogue:

Mina: Well this is a turn of events. Dr Seward, care to elaborate?

John: Arthur and I were, er, friends in boarding school, and when I realised that we were in town together, I had to see him again. I sent that letter after our first night together, and we were together the night of the murder. But I swear, neither of us had reason to kill that poor girl!

Dracula: Oh really? You could have killed her to make sure you had Mr Holmwood for yourself!

Jonathan: It’s true! You said you saw her body! You saw it when you murdered her!

Arthur: Actually, you may be right, Mr Harker. It was John who discovered the body. He told me to hire a private detective, and say that I had discovered her because the police would think that he had done it.

John: No! I didn’t do it! If there’s anyone here you should be accusing, it’s Renfield!

Dracula: Oh, now there’s someone else here that you know? All these lies!

John: Listen! Renfield was a patient at the asylum but a year ago. I would never have released him, but a superior of mine gave him the all clear. He left six months ago.

Renfield: I don’t know why you’re accusing me, sir. I’m only a gardener, working for my masters. Please, if you have some proof of these wild accusations, do share it.

Van Helsing: I believe I may be of assistance.

Clue #2, to be revealed by Dr John Seward:

Sagefleet Lunatic Asylum

Purfleet

Exeter

09/02/1896

Physchiatric Report

Subject: Renfield

Observer: Dr John Seward

The subject displays signs of clinical insanity. He has many psychopathic tendencies, including displays of violence towards himself and attendants, as well as eating various small animals alive.

The subject also has abrupt mood changes, often turning from deep calmness to rage in an instant. He often tries to convince junior attendants that he is mentally sound in his calmer moments. There is no apparent stimulation for these mood changes.

I don’t believe that the subject will ever integrate back into society, and I expect him to remain at the asylum for the remainder of his life.

 

Third dialogue:

John: You see! He’s a madman! If anyone here killed Miss Westenra, it was him!

Arthur: Renfield? Is this the truth?

Renfield: Yes, it’s true, I stayed at Dr Seward’s asylum for many years. But you heard him yourself, his superiors felt I was fit for release, and I have done nothing these past six months but try to please my master.

Dracula: I have to say, I am more inclined to believe Dr Seward.

Jonathan: But my dear Count! You must see that all the evidence points to Dr Seward being the murderer!

Dracula: I didn’t think it …necessary to say earlier, but Mr Renfield was in my employ in Transylvania. I could see madness in him, so I sent him away. I truly had no idea he’d come here, until he found me after his release. He asked again for employment, but I refused him. I had not seen him again until tonight, I swear to you.

Mina: How can you expect us to believe you after all the lies that have surfaced tonight? For all we know, you could have killed Lucy together!

Jonathan: Now dear, let’s not be hasty about accusing people. Besides, the Count was with me that night, when could he have killed Miss Westenra?

Mina: He couldn’t possibly have been with you the whole night, unless you two have following the influence of Mr Holmwood and Dr Seward?

Dracula: Now really!

John: She does, er, have a point. How many of us can actually prove their alibi?

Mina: Well I certainly can. I wasn’t even here!

Van Hesing: I believe we have some more evidence to distribute actually. Count Dracula, if you would?

Clue #3, to be revealed by Count Dracula:

Dearest Mina,

I am greatly saddened that you are unhappy in your marriage. I hope that by sharing my happiness with you, you might be able to take some part in it. I wrote my will the other day, which might seem morbid, but to me it’s very exciting. It means there are only a few weeks until I marry my beloved Arthur! Whilst I have left most of my things to him, I have made sure to leave a portion of money to you, my dear. It is not much, but I hope that in the event of my death that you can use it to create a happier life.

As to your request for advice, I think it is bad idea to follow your husband in secret. If you want a way out of this marriage, don’t try and create one yourself through deceit and subterfuge. It will only lead to trouble!

Do write back soon!

Your dear friend,

Lucy

 

Fourth dialogue:

Jonathan: Mina…?

Mina: Oh it really can’t be that much of a shock to you. I should have realised when I married you that I would have to be married to your job as well. Tell me, did real estate make you boring or were you born that way?

Arthur: Mrs Harker!

Mina: Oh don’t give me that. I’m no worse than the rest of you. One of you is a murder!

Dracula: And you still claim it’s not you? It appears you’re in the habit of spying on your husband, how are we supposed to believe you weren’t in town when the murder occurred?

Mina: Fine, I’ll admit I followed Jonathan into town. But I didn’t kill Lucy! She was my closest friend, the only one kind enough to sympathise with my situation!

Dracula: Yes, by leaving you money in her will!

John: She must be guilty!

Mina: I thought that Renfield was supposed to be guilty, Doctor? All these accusations, it seems like you’re just passing the blame!

Renfield: Don’t bring me into this!

Jonathan: I agree. Mina, I think you’ve said quite enough!

Mina: Fine. But I still maintain that regardless of how much money she left me, I would never have killed my her!

Van Helsing: I think we’ve heard enough of this. There is one more piece of evidence to be seen.

 

Clue #4, to be revealed by Jonathan Harker:

Darling Lucy,

I thought that I could last without you, but my heart breaks more and more every day. I cannot stand it, so I’ve decided to move back to Transylvania. Please, if you care for me at all, meet me in the grounds of your estate tonight, so that I might see your face one last time.

Your ever loving,

Dracula

 

Fifth Dialogue:

Renfield: So you were with her the night she died! This proves your guilt!

Arthur: I did not wish to believe it, after you gave your blessing on our engagement but it appears I was mistaken. Count Dracula, you are a cruel and jealous man!

Dracula: You must believe me, all of you. I didn’t do this! I was leaving! Jonathan will tell you!

Mina: I’d like Jonathan to tell us something else, actually. Mr Van Helsing said that was our last piece of evidence. So why exactly are you here, husband?

Dracula: I think I can answer that!

Jonathan: And bring yourself down with me?

Dracula: Oh, but I’ve already been brought down, Mr Harker, with or without your help. What you all don’t know is that my moving to this country wasn’t entirely legal.

Holmwood: You immigrated here illegally?

Dracula: Not quite. However, there was some, well, pressure put on some significant people.

Mina: Jonathan, you blackmailed people?

Jonathan: I only did what he told me to do!

Dracula: Quite. However, Lucy happened upon those documents a while back, but Mr Harker made her swear not to expose him. When I saw him the night of the murder, apparently she had already been to see him, saying that she was going to tell everyone. He was most distressed.

Jonathan: Well, so would anyone if your career and reputation was put on the line! But I never resulted to murder!

Van Helsing: I think we’ve discussed enough. I’m close to solving the case, but I would like each of you to give a closing statement, to confirm my suspicions. Mr Holmwood, if you could begin?

 

Closing statements:

Arthur Holmwood: It is ridiculous that anyone would think that I killed my own fiancé! Yes, I admit that I received a substantial sum of money post her death, and I went behind her back with Dr Seward, but I still loved her. Any belief otherwise is utter foolishness.

John Seward: I will admit to my, er, affection for Arthur, and I will admit to discovering Miss Westenra’s body, but I will not admit to killing her. I am innocent, no matter what motivation you think I have.

Renfield: My history shouldn’t define my present. All I want is to live in peace, I would never want to get myself put away again.

Jonathan Harker: I am a respectable man. Whilst I may regret some decisions I have made, I would never resort to murder to deal with the consequences.

Mina Harker: Lucy was my closest friend; I feel blessed to have known someone who would expose my husband for me. How could I have killed such a kind soul?

Count Dracula: I loved Lucy more than you could know. So much so that I would have left for a life of solitude so she could be happy with another. I am not a jealous man, just one who loved her.

 

Ending- All players go round and accuse one other person of being the murderer.

Van Helsing: Well, we have heard all the evidence, and the accusations. There is only one thing left. Murderer, please reveal yourself!

Renfield: Fine, I’m the murderer. After you scorned me, Dracula, I watched you all, waiting for an opportunity for revenge. It was almost enough that Miss Westenra rejected you, but not quite. To cause you the most pain, I had to kill her. The fact that I almost framed you for it was merely a bonus. Lock me up again if you must, Dr Seward. My revenge is complete

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