Amateur Sleuths Solve Mystery, Meet Writers
Mystery lovers and mystery writers converge for a Halloween weekend of murder, mayhem and fun at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa.
Galena, IL (PRWEB) October 7, 2005 -- Can you lose yourself in a good mystery novel? Then imagine living that mystery as you spend a weekend posing as a wealthy socialite who discovers a corpse while on vacation. Suddenly you’re hobnobbing with villains, searching for clues at the crime scene and trying not to look like a murder suspect.
Mystery buffs, new and experienced, are invited to spend Halloween weekend at the luxurious Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa in Galena as murder, mystery and the spirit of Halloween converge for a fun-filled Murder Mystery/Mystery Writers weekend. And for aspiring mystery writers, the weekend offers ongoing conversations with novelists like Libby Fischer Hellmann, an award-winning Chicago writer who’s working on her fifth book “Easy Innocence.”
The Halloween whodunit is presented by Keith & Margo’s Murder Mystery Weekend production company, a leading producer of interactive murder mysteries. The company uses professional actors intermingled with guests to perform a fast-paced thriller filled with cadavers, gunshots and betrayals. And, in an unusual twist, guests will team up with mystery novelists who will spend the weekend helping to crack the case.
“This mystery will be challenging for our more experienced murder mystery. The action begins with a reception Friday evening and it doesn’t take long before someone’s knocked off and rumors fly. Guests quickly begin their detective work examining motives and verifying alibis. But beware; the villain just might be that nice-looking old gentleman sitting next to you!
“This mystery will be challenging for our more experienced murder mystery guests, and, since our guests will be paired with a mystery writer, it will give those new to murder mysteries a coach to help them get started,” said Sue Berning, the resort’s director of special events. “It’ll be a great weekend for beginners, with a twist for those with experience.”
In addition to Hellmann, mystery writers Sam Hill (author of “Buzz Monkey”), Victoria Houston (“Dead Jitterbug”) and David Walker (“All the Dead Fathers”) will use their own detective skills to help guests solve the crime, while also hosting a panel about mysteries and mystery writing. The authors will be available to sign books during Saturday’s mystery writers’ discussion.
“We’ll talk about why we write mysteries and how we go about it. We all write mysteries, but each of us brings something different to the discussion and each of us writes very different books,” Hellmann said. “And we’ll use our experience as mystery writers to help the audience solve the murders during the weekend.”
The weekend continues with a breakfast performance Saturday as the plot thickens, but includes plenty of time during the day for guests to visit Galena’s historic shops and wineries. Or check out the many amenities of Eagle Ridge, which boasts four golf courses, an indoor pool and whirlpool, miles of biking and hiking trails, tennis, boating and fishing.
The tension builds during a Halloween dinner/dance Saturday evening, where you just might find a corpse or two along with the music and food. Events wrap up and murderers are revealed during Sunday morning’s brunch.
The Oct. 28 - 30 package includes accommodations for two nights, the Friday night welcome reception, breakfast and dinner on Saturday and brunch on Sunday. Cost per couple is $600.
Located on 6,800 acres amid the rolling scenery of northwestern Illinois, Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa is just a three-hour drive from Chicago and minutes from the historic town of Galena. Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa provides the nonpareil golf experience, with 63 holes on four outstanding courses. Other amenities at the full-spectrum resort complex include the brand-new Stonedrift Spa, a fitness center with indoor pool and whirlpool, hiking and horseback trails, tennis, boating, fishing, bike riding, and hot air balloon rides, along with three restaurants and a general store.
For more information about the Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa’s Murder Mystery/Mystery Writers package, call (800) 892-2269 or visit online at www.eagleridge.com.
Media Contacts:
Schindler Communications: 312-464-9660
Mollie Cole: mcole@schindlercommunications.com
Robyn Velasquez: rvelasquez@schindlercommunications.com
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