The Curious Carnival

SEE THE MAGIC UP CLOSE!

It’s 1919, one year since the Great War, and the centennial birthday for Vanya and Vaska Kalderash, the famed fortune-telling twins of The Curious Carnival. Not everything looks like it will be fun and games though; rumor has it, not everyone is happy with the current ringmaster, Esmeralda Petrovic, and there are whispers of impossible feats taking place outside of the tents. And what of the gossip the circus is peddling something more than entertainment? Tonight is bound to be a showstopper, come see the magic up close!

🕒 Game Time: 2.5 - 4 Hours

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Number of players: 15-24 players, mostly gender-neutral

🖥️ Play Online or In-Person with you and up to 23 friends! Download your digital game instantly!

🎪 Theme: Vintage Carnival or Circus

🎩 Inspired By: The Greatest Showman, Moulin Rouge

✨ The host can play without knowing whodunnit!

CONTENT WARNING: Mild violence, mild romance, mild references to alcohol and gambling, and suggestive themes

Recommended For Ages 16+

Please note this game is a digital party game kit with files that can be used for print and play in-person or used to play online on Zoom, Discord, or other virtual platforms. No physical game will be shipped.

Co-written by Meagan Malone

$42.99
Add To Cart
crystal ball magic game

Play Your Way

Travel to The Curious Carnival and solve a mysterious murder with 15 -24 friends online or in-person! Play as a fortune teller, an acrobat, a dancer, a carnie, or any number of fun characters! Most of our characters are gender-neutral, so it’s easy to include everyone!

circus tent mystery

Download Instantly

No waiting for your game to arrive; your purchase will download instantly upon check-out, allowing you to get started right away planning your game night. The Host receives full instructions on how to organize and they can even play themselves without knowing the identity of the murderer!

top hat ringmaster circus

Super Sleuth

There are no scripts, you decide how to play your character and accomplish their goals and objectives. Players can blackmail, bribe, lie, trade secrets and rumors, and work together to piece together the clues as they see fit.

Your game includes everything you need to throw a great murder mystery party!

Including: a Host Guide (Preview!) walking you through all the steps you need to host your game, Character Profiles (Preview!), Goals and Objectives (Preview!), Name Tags (Preview!) and Play Money (Preview!), Item Cards, and Foulplay Cards, Whodunnit Forms, Best Costume, Best Performer, Shadiest Player, and Wealthiest Player Award, the Evidence and Solution, a Pinterest Board and Spotify Playlist and BONUS: Instructions on how to host your game online if you choose!

murder mystery party kit

“So much fun! My group really enjoyed The Curious Carnival. There was so much helpful info put together by the makers and the story was really well thought out.”

—Hollie

The Curious Carnival Carnival Character List

Emeri Petrovic (GN) – The current ringmaster of The Curious Carnival, they inherited the circus from their father. Parent of Misha Petrovic.

Misha Petrovic (GN) - Child and heir of the ringmaster, Emeri, Misha has been training to become ringmaster since they could walk.

Rowan Abney (GN) - The elephant tamer. Though they’re a relative newcomer to the circus, as they joined when it arrived in England, they have quickly become an audience favorite due to their utter fearlessness.

Layne Bancroft (GN) - An extremely wealthy Londoner, Layne saved the circus when it was in dire straits, becoming its benefactor and helping keep the circus afloat in England. They have always had big ideas for its future.

Vaska Kalderash (GN) - One of the famed fortune-tellers, who have been a popular act at The Curious Carnival revealing fortunes. They are celebrating their 100th birthday.

Vanya Kalderash (GN) - One of the famed fortune-tellers, who have been a popular act at The Curious Carnival revealing fortunes. They are celebrating their 100th birthday.

Ara Devereux (GN) - A talented acrobat and one of the newcomers to the circus who joined when it arrived in England. Serafim Todorov has taken Ara under their wing.

Serafim Todorov (GN) - Serafim has been performing as a fire and knife dancer with their sibling, Stana, for years. Lately, they have been rather withdrawn, spending more time with Ara than with Stana.

Ambrose Lazarro (GN) - A world-renowned magician and consummate entertainer, Ambrose is often the headlining act of The Curious Carnival.

Sasha Stratova (GN) - Sasha and their sibling, Pashka, were raised at the circus, as their parents were founding members. Sasha takes after their parents the most, following in their footsteps as a trapeze artist. One of The Curious Carnival’s minor shareholders.

Miller Leighton (GN) - This is Miller’s first time at a circus in, well, ever! They only just learned that their mother was a founding member and performer with The Curious Carnival. Miller is one of The Curious Carnival’s minor shareholders.

Kostya Levitsky (GN) - Kostya is the lead when it comes to setting up and tearing down the circus. They consider the safety of the performers to be their number one responsibility and take it very seriously. Kostya is one of The Curious Carnival’s minor shareholders.

Tristan Trask (GN) - Tristan is one performer in the clown act for the circus. There seems to be a friendly rivalry in the performance, but outside of the tent, Tristan always seems to overshadow Keelan.

Keelan Thatcher (GN) - Keelan is the other half of the clown act for the circus. They have a friendly rivalry while performing, but outside of the tent, Keelan seems to struggle to stand up to Tristan.

Yeva Volanis (GN) - Strongarm and longtime performer with The Curious Carnival. They took time away to fight in the war, and they are happy to be back with those they consider to be their family.

Inspector Taylor Blackbourne (GN) - An inspector with the English government who has come to ensure that the circus is up to code.

Stana Todorov (GN) - Stana, along with their sibling, Serafim, is a dancer with the circus. Stana performs death-defying acts to rave reviews, although they can never seem to get as many accolades as their sibling does.

Colbee Bancroft (GN) - The spouse of Layne Bancroft. They are always prim and polite, but don't seem particularly interested in Layne’s business endeavors.

Alex Jaroka (GN) - One of the carnival crew reporting to Kostya Levitsky. Outside of work responsibilities, Alex tends to be a bit of a wallflower.

Petya Sarkozi (GN) - One of the carnival crew reporting to Kostya Levitsky. Petya has a reputation as a bit of a troublemaker.

Enchanter Grigori (GN) - Enchanter Grigori is a talented hypnotist with a mysterious nature, even to their fellow performers. Mekova Duric is their child.

Mekova Duric (GN) - Lion-tamer in training and apprentice to Emeri. They and their parent, Enchanter Grigori, are fairly new to the circus, but they show a lot of promise.

Gem Overton (GN) - Among the most recent additions to the circus, Gem is an escape artist. They are as elusive outside of the tent as they are within it.

Pashka Stratova (GN) - Pashka and their sibling Sasha were raised at the circus, as their parents were founding members. Pashka didn’t quite take after their parents in terms of athleticism, but found that audiences were quite interested in the tattoos that now cover them nearly head-to-toe.

Ren Cartwright (GN) - The so-called “Heavenly Wonder,” their surreal beauty draws many crowds.

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Extra Tips and Tricks!

Our Guarantee

We care about our customers! For our online game sales, we have a 14-day money-back guarantee. If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, please contact us at foulplaycompany@gmail.com within 14 days of your purchase date for a full refund. We reserve the right to limit customers to one refund per lifetime.