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MYSTERIES ON THE NET

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(262)377-7230


  • Home
  • Contact Us
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  • Holiday Murder Mysteries
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Death in Them Thar Hills

Preview the Instructions

Wild West Murder Mystery

In 1883, the residents of the small town of Cactus Gulch near the Grand Canyon assembled to honor prospector and gold mine owner Dusty Jones.​ Jones had arrived in town five years before, flat broke and relying upon the generosity of local residents to help him get by. 


He struck gold and became the sole owner of the TAqIlA mine. (He named it after his favorite drink, but Dusty never could spell.) Key citizens of Cactus Gulch agreed to honor Dusty. Each one rose to say a few words about him and his contributions to the community.


Then, it was Dusty's turn. After speaking his mind, Dusty raised a glass of Gila Gold, his favorite brand of tequila, sat down and, a few minutes later, slumped over in his chair. He was dead.


The marshal took charge of the investigation and suspects were interrogated. But who killed Dusty Jones? And would the secrets of his mysterious mine ever be uncovered? It would take a slew of deputies to get to the truth.

Dusty Jones fell over dead as he was being honored by the citizens of Cactus Gulch.

THE SUSPECTS

Can you identify the killer?

Beauregard T. Brady: Suspect in Wild West murder mystery, "Death in Them Thar Hills."

Beauregard T. Brady

Mayor. A former colonel in the Confederate cavalry, the mayor decided to seek his fortune in the West at the end of the Civil War. He remembers the details of every battle in which he fought.

Abraham Patton: Suspect in Wild West murder mystery, "Death in Them Thar Hills."

Abraham Patton

Owner of Cactus Gulch Bank. Dusty's bank account is his bank's biggest asset and the quality of Dusty's gold is top grade.

Tricia Truehart: Suspect in Wild West murder mystery, "Death in Them Thar Hills."

Tricia Truehart

Frontier doctor. She sets broken bones and takes care of dispensing pills in Cactus Gulch. Dusty is one of her patients.  

J. P. James: Suspect in Wild West murder mystery, "Death in Them Thar Hills."

J. P. James

Dime novel writer. She's been touring the West to document the colorful characters that populate the landscape. Recently, she's written about some of the residents of Cactus Gulch.

Chief Hawk-Who-Watches: Suspect in Wild West murder mystery, "Death in Them Thar Hills."

Chief "Hawk-Who-Watches"

Leader of the Holeecowa tribe. Could Dusty's mine be located on land that historically belonged to his people? What would he do if the land was being exploited?

Cattie Adams: Suspect in Wild West murder mystery, "Death in Them Thar Hills."

Cattie Adams

Saloon owner. She operates the local watering hole. Dusty has been a steady customer since he struck it rich - and Gila Gold has been his drink of choice.  

Annie Elmley: Suspect in Wild West murder mystery, "Death in Them Thar Hills."

Annie Elmley

Sharpshooter. The woman with the eyes of an eagle who is being recruited by Antelope Bob to be part of his Wild West show. Dusty was said to be "sweet" on her. 

Flint Flames: Suspect in Wild West murder mystery, "Death in Them Thar Hills."

Flint Flames

Blacksmith. The man who knows the hoofprint of every horse in Cactus Gulch. He sold Dusty the pinto that Dusty named "Golddust."

Hannibal P. Hanks: Suspect in Wild West murder mystery, "Death in Them Thar Hills."

Hannibal P. Hanks

Newspaper editor. He runs The Cactus Gulch Gazette. Recently, he's been investigating how Dusty was able to find the gold in them thar hills.

Bonnie Crockett: Suspect in Wild West murder mystery, "Death in Them Thar Hills."

Bonnie Crockett

School marm. She was hired by the citizens of Cactus Gulch to educate the children in a one-room schoolhouse. Privately, she's been giving "readin' and 'ritin'" lessons to Dusty.

Marshal Nate Dillman, lawman in Wild West murder mystery, "Death in Them Thar Hills."

MARSHAL NATE DILLMAN

(Optional role in the 10-suspect kit, and included in the 30-suspect kit.) The experienced lawman will take charge of the murder investigation.

Suspects in Wild West murder mystery, "Death in Them Thar Hills."

EXTRA SUSPECTS IN THE PREMIUM KIT

Fred Slate - Assayer


Antelope Bob Doty - Wild West Show Owner


Sarah Barnes - Owner of the Gulch Guesthouse

Suspects in Wild West murder mystery, "Death in Them Thar Hills."

EXTRA SUSPECTS IN THE PREMIUM KIT

Jessica Cotton - Horticulturist & Botanist


Madame Marishka - Gypsy and Fortune Teller


Zeke Quincy - Horse Thief

Suspects in Wild West murder mystery, "Death in Them Thar Hills."

EXTRA SUSPECTS IN THE PREMIUM KIT

Jonas G. Jamieson - Owner of the CG&C Railroad


Roberta Reynolds - Songstress


Ace Dugan - Gambler

Suspects in Wild West murder mystery, "Death in Them Thar Hills."

EXTRA SUSPECTS IN THE PREMIUM KIT

Elmo Jennings - Stagecoach Driver


Chester Frost - Bronco Buster


Digger Drake - Undertaker

Suspects in Wild West murder mystery, "Death in Them Thar Hills."

EXTRA SUSPECTS IN THE PREMIUM KIT

Thaddeus Goodman - Preacher


Betsy Dalton - Bank Teller


The Mesa Kid - Gunfighter

Suspects in Wild West murder mystery, "Death in Them Thar Hills."

EXTRA SUSPECTS IN THE PREMIUM KIT

Penelope Murphy - Owner of the Prickly Pear Cafe


Bert Sizemore - Prospector



Suspects in Wild West murder mystery, "Death in Them Thar Hills."

EXTRA SUSPECTS IN THE PREMIUM KIT

Carrie Wells - Trick Roper


Stephanie Sage - Artist



Purchase the 10-suspect mystery kit for $49.77

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE 10-suspect MYSTERY kit NOW!

or, select the 30-suspect premium kit for $89.77

click here to download the premium mystery kit now!

THE MURDER MYSTERY KIT includes . . .

Complete instructions

Instructions for the facilitator

Complete instructions

 How to organize the event. (Remember: The body of the victim was found early on the morning of your investigation.) 

Roles for all suspects

Instructions for the facilitator

Complete instructions

The roles will include family backgrounds and recollections of important events with details no one else knows. 

Instructions for the facilitator

Instructions for the facilitator

Instructions for the facilitator

 Instructions for the Marshal on how to facilitate the investigation. (With only 10 people, the mayor can do this.)

​

invitations to the mystery party

invitations to the mystery party

Instructions for the facilitator

Your investigators will receive the details of the party with an introduction to the murder mystery. 

"the cactus gulch gazette"

invitations to the mystery party

"the cactus gulch gazette"

 A report in the local newspaper will announce the upcoming roast for gold miner Dusty Jones. 

Key supporting information

invitations to the mystery party

"the cactus gulch gazette"

You'll have additional material  such as a transcript of Dusty's speech that provides more information about the case. 

A series of written clues

Only in the premium kit . . .

Only in the premium kit . . .

The clues will stimulate the investigators to ask questions and can be exchanged or revealed at critical moments. 

Only in the premium kit . . .

Only in the premium kit . . .

Only in the premium kit . . .

Complete instructions on how to stage the death of Dusty Jones in front of the audience.


 Minor roles for 20 additional people. None of them are involved in Dusty's murder, but all of them know something about the case. 

"The end"

Only in the premium kit . . .

"The end"

The solution revealed at the end will tie the details together. MOTIVE, MEANS and OPPORTUNITY will point to the guilty party. 

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY

BEVERLY HARTMAN, SAN ANTONIO, TX

 

I have to compliment you on how easy you made it for me to know how to conduct this party. It was my first murder mystery ever. I have never gone to one or given one and was a bit intimidated. But, once I read through the materials and instructions it was really easy. I have been very pleased with your products and your service.

Teresa Smith, Surfside Beach, Sc

 

I purchased "Death in them thar hills" for my daughter's 26th birthday party. We had so much fun. Everyone seemed to have a great time, even my 7-year-old granddaughter played a small part. This party will be talked about for a long time and never forgotten. We are planning on having another murder mystery dinner this year at our family Christmas party. Enjoy your mysteries. 

​

Carolyn Russell, Cottonwood, Ca

Gregory D. Georgek, President & CEO, Dyco Electronics, Inc. Hornell, Ny

 

My Murder Mystery was a huge success. I had about 70 people and two tables got it right. Everyone was in costume which really made the event wonderful. The person I picked as Dusty even grew a beard for the event. We will probably be back next year for another one. Thanks for your help. 

​

Gregory D. Georgek, President & CEO, Dyco Electronics, Inc. Hornell, Ny

Jennifer Haigwood, Lifestyle Director, Sun City Festival, Sun City, Arizona

Gregory D. Georgek, President & CEO, Dyco Electronics, Inc. Hornell, Ny

Reference from New York for "Death in Them Thar Hills," downloadable murder mystery party kit.

The picnic murder mystery was a HUGE success and tons of fun. It was both easy for me to put on with your well written mystery and enjoyed immensely by all of the guests. The small group version was a perfect fit (as per your recommendation) for our group of about 60 people. Thank you. 

​

Jennifer Haigwood, Lifestyle Director, Sun City Festival, Sun City, Arizona

Jennifer Haigwood, Lifestyle Director, Sun City Festival, Sun City, Arizona

Jennifer Haigwood, Lifestyle Director, Sun City Festival, Sun City, Arizona

Reference for "Death in Them Thar Hills," downloadable murder mystery party kit by Jack Pachuta.

We had a fantastic night and it went as smoothly as I had hoped. You made the process so simple and organized with your scripts. You made it very easy for everyone to participate and have fun.
 

More Customer Testimonials

Pete Johnson, Middle School Director, Tabernacle Church of Norfolk, Virginia

Jennifer Haigwood, Lifestyle Director, Sun City Festival, Sun City, Arizona

Jennifer Haigwood, Lifestyle Director, Sun City Festival, Sun City, Arizona

Reference for "Death in Them Thar Hills," downloadable murder mystery party kit by Jack Pachuta.

We recently ordered "Death in them thar hills" from you and were really impressed with the results. The night went really well and all the middle school students loved dressing up and participating as junior deputies. I just  wanted to thank you for your service and let you know that your product was a great help to us. 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE 10-suspect MYSTERY kit for $49.77!click here to download the premium mystery kit for $89.77!

tHIS MYSTERY IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS A HARD-COPY KIT IN A BOOK FORMAT

The kit can be sent directly to your door. You won't have to copy anything. Simply take apart the book and you'll have everything you need to orchestrate your Murder Mystery Party. 



CLICK ON THE BOOK COVER TO ORDER VIA AMAZON!

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