We Tried It: I Spent the Weekend at Neil Patrick Harris' Murder Mystery Party—and Lived to Tell the Tale

Chef Sebastian Sinclair was dead. His death was ruled an accident – or so the story went. But something was not felt…

When I arrived at an exclusive party dedicated to the mysterious murder of Neil Patrick Harris at Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Massachusetts. I knew this was not going to be an ordinary weekend.

“As a lifelong murder mystery fan and theater lover, I jumped at the chance to create something exciting, enigmatic and unique at Canyon Ranch,” Harris, who partnered with Capital One for the event, told PEOPLE. “It was a LOT of work to put on in one weekend, but everyone involved seemed to have a blast.”

The hundred or so guests included Harris’ friends, industry colleagues and a select group of Capital One cardholders, but PEOPLE was the only publication allowed to attend the inquest.

Canyon Ranch in Lenox, MA.

Photo by Adahlie Cole

The mystery began in my room, where I found a detective’s manual and cryptic notes scattered on the bed. One read ominously: “Sebastian’s death never felt quite right to you. Could it really have been an accident? You are here to catch a killer.” Another invited me to a memorial fire that Friday night in honor of the late chef.

At the bonfire, we met the suspects: Sebastian’s lawyer, Vincent Stone; his driver, Charlie Carr; cooking show host Gustavo Bassett (played by Harris’ husband David Burkta); and more. Everyone had a motive, and the tension was high.

We huddled around the fire to warm ourselves in the 30 degree New England weather, covered in blankets – enjoying s’mores and hot apple cider with a splash of brandy. Conceived by chef Dominique Crenn — who also curated the weekend’s menu — the treats added to the immersive experience as the actors stayed in character, dropping cryptic clues.

Neil Patrick Harris with guests at his murder mystery party at Canyon Ranch in Lenox, MA.

Photo by Adahlie Cole

We learned that Sinclair and his driver Carr were involved in a car accident that killed a child.

Later that night I returned to my room to find a new note instructing me to meet Colton Sterling (Neil’s character) at the Culinary Rebel Café on Saturday at 2:30pm. When I arrived, three others were waiting for me and we were given a challenge: make cakes. The winner, judged by Harris himself, would be chosen based on the presentation.

My messy cake—strawberries, blueberries, almonds, and cream I couldn’t name—somehow won, thanks to Harris finding my “completely disinterested” attitude amusing. My reward? Three minutes alone with Neil, aka Colton Sterling, where we discussed possible suspects and theories.

Neil Patrick Harris at his murder mystery party in Lenox, MA.

Photo by Adahlie Cole

On Saturday night, the drama reached its climax during a sumptuous five-course dinner under a heated tent. The menu included Crenn Caesar salad, savoy cabbage, lamb steak in wings and soy cream, along with top wines. But before the dinner was over, the chef’s driver, Charlie Carr, was killed.

Tensions escalated when a dinner guest was poisoned for suggesting that Sinclair’s death was not an accident, putting her in the killer’s crosshairs.

In the end, we learn the killer and his motive: SPOILER: Sinclair’s lawyer and business partner, Vincent Stone, killed Sinclair to hide the truth and save their business.

Neil Patrick Harris with guests at his murder mystery party at Canyon Ranch in Lenox, MA.

Photo by Adahlie Cole

Harris told PEOPLE of the special experience, “Who knows when we’ll be able to create another one… but my creative synapses are firing on all cylinders right now, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that someone dies again soon. Um, wait, it went wrong.. .”

From lighting a bonfire to a dessert competition to uncovering the killer’s motive, every moment was exciting and captivating. By the time the mystery was solved, I was completely hooked – and not ready for the ending. For all mystery lovers, this was a real weekend die for.

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Source: HIS Education