Who Shot the Sheriff (12–15) 12+

Who Shot the Sheriff – a murder mystery party game with a Western setting for 12 to 15 guests.

"I must say, I found Who Shot the Sheriff to be a very enjoyable night. The way the plot was written was cleverly twisted, and led many players (including myself) to believe they had found the killer before realizing they had been following a dead end all along. I was particularly entertained by the classic Wild West feel: there was every type of character from cowboys to indians, and from bartenders to bankers. There was also a good mix of classic good guy characters, sneaky bad guys, and of course, the renegade characters who really don't pick a side and just care about themselves! It was such a great night, and I would definitely participate in another game if I was invited. In fact, I might even just host one myself! "
Jeff Lange, United States

Recommended for ages 12+
Costs US$29.99
Written by Tara Laben

Who Shot the Sheriff is a dinner party murder mystery game for 12 to 15 guests and a host – download the free introductory pdf file.

Join us in a bang-up evening of gold-hunting, investigating, six-shooting and double-dealing. 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 Who Shot the Sheriff? It's up to you.

Who Shot the Sheriff

In the summer of 1869, two stagecoaches set out from the small town of Dustville on a three-day trip across the American West to San Francisco. A new source of gold has been discovered 20 miles from San Francisco, attracting miners, prospectors and businesspeople.

After two days, the stagecoaches stop for a break at a ghost town called Buzzard Creek. It's a chance to water the horses and let everyone stretch their legs. Buzzard Creek is deserted save for a few old-timers, Sheriff Cassidy, Deputy Baxter, Good-For-Nothin' Ned, and the employees of the Gold Nugget Saloon.

Unfortunately, before the horses are ready, a dust storm approaches. Then, gunshots ring out. In the stables, the Bartender finds Sheriff Cassidy sprawled face-down with gunshot wounds in his back, his gun lying beside him. With the passengers and townsfolk gathered in the Gold Nugget Saloon, the full force of the ferocious dust storm arrives, confining everyone inside. Everyone, including Sheriff Cassidy's killer…

Who Shot the Sheriff 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.

"Who Shot the Sheriff is great for younger players, highly recommended. "
Chris Spetter, United States

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

These are the characters in Who Shot the Sheriff:

• • Blaise Sadler – the saloon's only waitress, and the "most beautiful girl in town" winner for three years in a row
  • Christy Martin – an enterprising business owner
  • Deputy Beau Baxter – the new Sheriff Deputy, who only arrived in Buzzard Creek last month
  • Doctor Riley Bones – a doctor famous for traveling the world and discovering exotic remedies
  • Doctor Shiloh Merriwhether – an eccentric doctor notorious for working with the Indians
  • Elijah Entwhistle – a fiery traveling preacher
  • Fitzhugh Smith – a wealthy, gentlemanly city slicker who owns a chain of banks and savings-and-loan companies
  • Good-for-Nothin' Ned – a scruffy local ne'er-do-well
  • Jessie Calhoun – a sharp-eyed female adventurer traveling alone
  • Laughing Owl – an Indian
  • Piper Lee – a poor prospector following the Gold Rush
  • Ruby-Mae Marshall – a fun-loving traveler hoping to start a new life in San Francisco with her feller, Willard
  • Runs Like a Deer – a quiet, determined Indian woman
  • Sam Banks – owner of the Gold Nugget Saloon, and the editor of the local newspaper
  • Willard Preston – a rough and tough-looking traveler hoping to start a new life in San Francisco with his girl, Ruby-Mae

How Freeform Games Murder Mysteries Work

Who Shot the Sheriff is unlike many murder mystery games. Although the game starts with a murder, most of the characters have more important things to do than to investigate it. And the killing may not be over – it is unlikely that everyone will survive the remainder of the evening!

Who Shot the Sheriff 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, Who Shot the Sheriff lets you decide how to achieve your goals and thwart your enemies.

"All in all I'd say Who Shot the Sheriff was a GREAT game! It was the most well thought out game that I have hosted so far. PERFECT for hosts that have experience because of the intricate plots!"
Rob Newbold, Ohio, United States

On the evening of the game the guests are met by the organizer, the Bartender, and welcomed to the Gold Nugget Saloon. They then receive their detailed backgrounds – including dark secrets, objectives and money. The fun then begins as they form alliances, blackmail each other, steal items and maybe even try to murder one another! Along the way they may uncover some of the mysteries of Who Shot the Sheriff? What happened to the money stolen from the Bank of Dustville? Is the "Gold Rush Ghost" an evil spirit, or a human being? Who is the mysterious masked Stranger, and who is the notorious gold-smuggler Handlebar Harry? Depending on what the players choose to do, there are several different possible endings, but finally everyone finds out how they did, and what secrets everyone else was concealing.

Extra characters

• • 'Ginger' Roberts – freelance reporter in search of the Big Story. (Any)
    (by Freeform Games)
  • Doc Faraday – local medical practitioner. (M)
    (by Freeform Games)

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