An estimated 500 amateur sleuths took over downtown Eatonton last Saturday as they investigated a fictional murder, followed a trail of conflicting clues, and considered a cast of colorful suspects during the inaugural Eatonton Murder Mystery Shopping Crawl.
Kirsten Thompson of The Saving Grace Shop on South Jefferson Avenue was one of several event organizers. She said the idea originated with PJ Palencia, co-owner of the nearby Tipsy Turtle restaurant, who had seen a similar event advertised elsewhere and thought bringing a murder mystery experience to downtown Eatonton would create a unique attraction.
“After he mentioned it, we just kind of ran with it,” Thompson said. “It was a lot of fun to put together.”
Over the course of about six weeks, Thompson and several fellow business owners worked together to create the storyline, develop suspects, and plant clues throughout downtown. Participants began their investigation at Barrel 118, where a mock crime scene was staged, and crime packets containing clues and suspect profiles were distributed.
The story revolved around the murder of fictional Dairy Festival Queen Clarabelle Jenkins, who had ended Fern Bloombottom’s three-year reign, creating a possible motive for revenge.
The mystery centered on four suspects: farmer Silas Thorne, bartender Tater Collins, former pageant queen Fern Bloombottom, and Fern’s mother, Lavinia. As participants traveled from business to business, they uncovered clues designed to point suspicion in several directions before ultimately revealing the true culprit.
Participants eagerly immersed themselves in the mystery by visiting participating merchants and gathering information at each stop. Thompson said many carefully analyzed clues and questioned business owners as if they were interviewing real witnesses.
“People were really getting into it,” Thompson said. “They really looked into things. I mean, I had a Bible as my clue, and there was a note in the Bible. They were reading the scriptures and flipping around and looking for more stuff in there.”
The enthusiastic response convinced organizers to make the murder mystery experience a recurring event.
“Everybody who came said they want to do it again,” Thompson said.
Several amateur investigators eventually determined that Silas had poisoned Clarabelle after learning she was involved in a secret affair with the married Collins. However, Kathryn Roper was named the grand prize winner and received a gift basket filled with items from participating vendors. Sabrina Unash also received a gift basket for providing the most creative — though incorrect — solution to the mystery.
“Silas found out that Clarabelle and Tater were having an affair, and he just planted evidence to point to Fern or Lavinia to get people off his trail,” Thompson explained.
Organizers are now discussing future mysteries that could take place quarterly, featuring new storylines, suspects, and crime scenes. Ideas include fall-themed mysteries and a possible partnership with the Georgia Writers Museum during its ghost tour season.
“This was the very first one,” Thompson said. “It turned out so good. We had a great turnout, and everybody’s responses were wonderful.”
Participation was free and designed to introduce visitors to a wide variety of downtown Eatonton businesses. Participating locations included Barrel 118, The Tipsy Turtle, Crooked D Creamery, The Artisans Village Art Gallery, Home Again, Taylor Flowers & Gifts, Red Dog Apparel, Georgia Writers Museum, Sylvia’s Supernatural Coffee Bar, and The Saving Grace Shop.