Happy Birthday R.J. (11–15) 18+

Happy Birthday R.J. – a 1980s murder mystery party game with a Texan setting for 11 to 15 guests

"...the game and evening was very enjoyable and it worked very well indeed."
Rob Ivory, Essex, United Kingdom

Recommended for ages 18+
Costs US$29.99
Written by Lisa Butler

Happy Birthday R.J. is a dinner party murder mystery game for 11 to 15 guests and a host – download the free introductory pdf file.

Join us in a thrilling evening of scheming, double-dealing and big, big shoulderpads. You will be in the middle of the action and it will be up to you to wheel and deal with the other guests. Can you achieve your goals, keep your secrets hidden and survive Happy Birthday R.J.? It's up to you.

Happy Birthday R.J.

It is 1984 and the height of the oil boom. Harrington Oil is the most successful oil company in the state of Texas. Tonight is a lavish birthday party for R.J. Harrington held at his parents' ranch - SouthSpoon. What could possibly spoil such a joyous occasion?

Happy Birthday R.J. lasts for about four hours and is suited to an evening. It is often played over a meal – a finger buffet if possible to allow guests to circulate and talk in private.

"We played Happy Birthday RJ for a 13 year old's birthday party (with slight adaptations!). A group of teens who had never done an rpg before had what they described as the best party they'd been to and they are looking forward to the next time. Keep up the good work."
Pam Everitt-Bronze, Essex, United Kingdom

The free introductory pdf file contains an introduction to the game, a cast list of all the characters, and a copy of the Perm Creek Newsletter – plus details of how to buy the game.

These are the characters in Happy Birthday R.J.:

• • Ali Fields – Crystal's sibling, a city lawyer
  • Billy Joe Butler – Jack's best friend and neighbour.
  • Bobby Harrington – R.J.'s half brother, a sweet and caring southern boy. Recently returned from university and started in Harrington Oil.
  • Crystal Harrington – Jack's wife and R.J.'s step-mom, glamorous and gorgeous with the best shoulder pads in town.
  • Deedee Taylor – Sweet Deedee is Dixie's best friend.
  • Dixie Green – R.J.'s lovely girlfriend, a pretty little southern belle.
  • Dolly Douglas – A school friend of Lucille's.
  • Drew Morrison – Drew used to be a doctor in Houston and has recently moved to town.
  • Jack Harrington – R.J.'s dad, suave and sophisticated oil tycoon and old cattle ranching money.
  • Lucille Harrington – R.J.'s half sister, beautiful, buxom but petite little Lucille, butter wouldn't melt!
  • R.J. Harrington – The birthday boy himself, a slick southern boy with a cheeky look in his eye.
  • Randy Coltrane – A friend of Bobby's and the Perm Creek Deputy Sheriff.
  • Rick Harper – An old friend from school and one of R.J.'s most handsome friends.
  • Sam Bond – A good family friend.
  • Sue Helen Butler – Billy Joe's wife, an expert horsewoman.

How Freeform Games Murder Mysteries Work

Happy Birthday R.J. is unlike many murder mystery games. When the game starts, a murder has yet to be committed. However, by the end of the evening it is unlikely that everyone will survive!

Happy Birthday R.J. is played just like a murder mystery game. You may be trying to solve the murder, but primarily you are (initially at least) concentrating on your own goals and objectives. Unlike most boxed murder mystery games, Happy Birthday R.J. lets you decide how to achieve your goals and thwart your enemies.

"Happy Birthday R.J. was a thoroughly good night's entertainment for all. Young and old!"
A Customer, United Kingdom

On the evening of the game the guests are met by the organizer, the Harringtons' butler or housekeeper. They then receive their detailed backgrounds - including dark secrets, objectives and money. When everyone has arrived, Jack Harrington welcomes the guests to his dear son's birthday party. The fun then begins as everyone questions, bribes and blackmails each other. As the evening progresses they may even try to murder one another! Along the way they may uncover some of the Harrington family secrets. What is contained in Eli Harrington's will? Why are Sue Helen and Billy Joe barely speaking to each other? Why does Dixie alternate between looking ecstatic and miserable? And what is Lucille up to? Finally, the party draws to a close and everyone finds out how they did, and what secrets everyone else was concealing.

Extra characters

Sometimes you have too many guests and you need more characters. So we've written a free extra character for each of our games that you can add in, and some of our customers have created their own characters for their parties and are kindly willing to share them.

• • 'Ginger' Roberts – freelance reporter in search of the Big Story. (Any)
    (by Freeform Games)
  • Robin Brown – gym instructor. (M)
    (by Emma Margrett)

Please note that we haven't always tested these – and they may not tie in exactly with our games.