
- BGG rank
- BGG #21,187
- BGG rating
- 6.6
How to Host a Murder: Grapes of Frath
- 8 players
- 180 min
- Complexity 2.8/5
- 1985

1985
Rules assistance for How to Host a Murder: The Chicago Caper
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

For 8 players
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
How to Host a Murder: The Chicago Caper is a board game released in 1985 for 8 players, 180 minutes per game, and ages 18 and up. It was designed by Robert R. Johnson and Anne L. Johnson and its main mechanics are Role Playing.
THE CHICAGO CAPER Philadelphia, September 26, 1928 Coppone Released From Prison!! Chicago gang leader Harold "Hal" Coppone was released today from Awsume State Penitentiary near Philadelphia after serving a six-month term. Coppone, who was jailed for carrying an unlicensed weapon, was met by a group of his men - among them was Chicago gangster Joey "The Rattlesnake" Ratello, chief suspect in the recent killing of Marco "Machete" Molino - and departed quickly in a powerful seven-passenger Lincoln Touring car. While he had nothing to say to the press, Coppone and his men were undoubtedly headed back to Chicago where, it is rumored, they have more than one score to settle. CHARACTERS Molly M. Awbsterr, Earnest ("Bet A Million") G. Ambler, "Silky" M. Adam, Eddie ("Socks") R. Gyle, Malissa F. Orrthot ("Scoop"), S. Treighton Harrow, Anna Maria Carlotta Sassine ("Torchy"), Billy "The Kid" Thrower Game No 20
How to Host a Murder: The Chicago Caper supports 8 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for How to Host a Murder: The Chicago Caper is 180 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists How to Host a Murder: The Chicago Caper for ages 18 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
How to Host a Murder: The Chicago Caper has a complexity rating of 2.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
How to Host a Murder: The Chicago Caper belongs to these categories: Party Game, Deduction, and Murder / Mystery. Its main mechanics are Role Playing. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of How to Host a Murder: The Chicago Caper are: Robert R. Johnson and Anne L. Johnson. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists How to Host a Murder: The Chicago Caper as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.