Candlestick in the Library
What is “Candlestick in the Library”?
Acclaimed author Jeannette de Beauvoir brings mystery-writing to life as she guides participants through the improvised creation of their own murder mystery story… giving them clues from her own experience and imagination!
This is an opportunity to make mystery magic, whether in-person or virtually. It’s fun, it’s clever, and it brings people together!
While typically done for an adult audience, a special version of Candlestick offers kids ages 12-15 the opportunity to try their hand… at murder!
Did you ever wonder how mystery authors come up with their plots, characters, and red herrings? Wonder no more—author Jeannette de Beauvoir’s acclaimed Candlestick in the Library event gives groups of up to 15 people the opportunity to decide whether the culprit is Colonel Mustard in the library with a candlestick, Mrs. Peacock in the kitchen with a rope, or… whomever participants choose to create, along with attendant mayhem, in the improvisational making of a murder mystery!
Participants help supply the victim(s), sidekick, murderer, sleuth, and more, eventually putting the entire story together.
Along with the fun, Jeannette weaves in information about the mystery genre and the craft: the difference between a cozy and a procedural; the importance of sense of place; the formation of characters; and the plot, which most certainly will include a twist. In less than 90 minutes, you'll have created a (semi)-coherent story to rival Agatha Christie—but having a lot more fun than Hercule Poirot ever did!
This is a terrific event for libraries, nonprofits, schools, corporate team-building, even private parties and get-togethers. All that you need supply is a whiteboard and a volunteer to “scribe” for the event!
For more details, including costs and availability, contact Jeannette directly at jeannettedebeauvoir@gmail.com. References are available.
Here’s a sample poster done by one library for the event:
