Have you ever wanted to solve a murder?
Of course you have.
You may have hosted murder-mystery parties in your very own home, complete with costumed characters and curious plots.
But, just in case you haven’t heard, there is something much bigger afoot. It’s Langley’s 26th annual Mystery Weekend, when the quaint Whidbey Island town is consumed for two full days of murder-inspired mayhem.
This year more than 20 character actors will be roaming the streets along with an estimated 2,000 sleuths, picking up tips from 35 clue holders, including shops and other destinations looking to attract late-winter business on Feb. 27 and 28.
“It’s like a big interactive play, but the whole town is the theater,” said this year’s mystery author, Loretta Martin, who lives in nearby Freeland.
This year’s tale, “Male Order Murder,” is the story of one Yuri Enluc, found dead outside the post office, stabbed through the heart.
Though born on Whidbey Island, Enluc grew up in the faraway land of Plotsylvainia.
Having recently returned from abroad, Enluc started a pen-pal service to connect would-be brides of Plotsylvainia with bachelors of Whidbey Island.
Then something went terribly wrong.
“There are three different plots swirling around this victim,” said Martin, who has written or co-written Langley’s annual mysteries for about 15 years.
It’s the job of murder-mystery participants, who pay $10 each or $25 for groups of 4 to enter the contest, to figure it all out.
Most will start at the local visitor center to pick up a copy of the Langley Gazette, a special publication that details the basic facts of the case, all the characters running about town and where exactly to look for clues.
At 1 p.m. on Feb. 27 a coroner delivers his report at City Hall, revealing more twists and turns to the plots.
At 4:30 p.m. Feb. 28, the murderer is revealed at Langley Middle School, apprehended and locked up by local authorities.
That’s also when organizers will award prizes at random to some of those who chose the correct solution. Lesser prizes go to a few participants who misjudge the murder.
Characters put on a quite a show, Martin said, trying to distract participants with red herrings and other tidbits about her story. Cast members this year are coming from the island and across the country, including one from Oklahoma and another from California.
“Their pictures are in the Langley Gazette, so you know who the actors are,” said Martin, a former executive director of the Langley Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the annual event.
Participants don’t have to stay overnight to play, though about half of them do, Martin said.
Day-trippers can play either day, Martin said. They just need to leave their proposed solutions at the visitor center to be eligible for prizes if they can’t attend the big reveal on Feb. 28.
People of all ages enjoy the event, Martin said.
“The silly puns and crazy costumes really appeal to the kids,” she said. “The mystery is complicated enough so it challenges an adult.”
Though Langley is a popular overnight and day-trip destination year-round, Mystery Weekend is special, Martin said. It draws families, groups of friends and even international travelers who plan their visits to Langley around the big, theatrical tradition.
Chamber executive director Sherry Jennings-Mays loves getting swept up in the event, which more than doubles the quaint little town’s population every year.
“It’s so exciting to see so many people show up to solve the mystery, as well as the cast who gets so jazzed about being actors each year,” Mays said. “The entire town gets behind Mystery Weekend.”
Sarah Jackson: 425-339-3037, sjackson@heraldnet.com.
Mystery Weekend
What: Langley celebrates its 26th annual Mystery Weekend with “Male Order Murder,” a murder mystery full of colorful fictional characters. At the center of it all is Whidbey Island-born Yuri Enluc, found dead outside the post office, stabbed through the heart.
When: Feb. 27 to 28
Where: Pick up a copy of the clue-filled Langley Gazette at the Langley Chamber of Commerce Office and Visitor Information Center, 208 Anthes Ave., Langley, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 27 and 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 28.
Entry forms are due to the visitor center by 3:30 p.m. Feb. 28.
The murderer will be revealed at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at Langley Middle School, 723 Camano Ave., and at 8 p.m. on the chamber’s Web site.
How: Mystery clues are all within walking distance of downtown Langley. Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress warmly.
Cost: $10 per person or $25 for groups of four.
Information: See www.visitlangley.com or call 360-221-6765.
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