Today we join our Hostess, Jessica, as she continues her birthday tradition with Murder in Manhattan.

Our hostess received a lot of questions before the event on "how into it" her guests should get.

I replied that the invite annnounced awards for best dressed and best actor. At the end of the night, everyone voted for those two categories, and it was fun to not only announce the winners but also the runners up. It's amazing how easily everyone got into character - even the people who are a little nervous or not as outgoing.

The menu consisted of heavy appetizers that were easy to hold and eat since everyone was still handling their character sheets. Appetizers included sliced cheese, crackers, olives, and caprice sticks. Dessert was cheesecake bites.

The costumes themselves really set the theme. It was helpful to include on the invitation that there would be a best dressed award.

We are very pleased to hear that you and your guests had such a great time and we look forward to hearing about your next murder mystery party. We'd love to be part of it again!