As the year is winding down, it’s the perfect time to shake up our routines and explore new ways to connect and unwind. This holiday season, I am finding joy in stepping out of my comfort zone—and I encourage you to try the same.
Last night, I attended my first-ever murder mystery dinner, The Dinner Detective, with my daughter and her friends. The evening was an intriguing mix of improv, detective work, and mingling with strangers.
Each guest had a code name (mine was “Gloria,” a nod to my mom), and part of the fun was piecing together clues in a room where no one’s story could be trusted. At our table of eight, I suspected the murderer early on—my mom radar was spot-on—but proving it was another challenge entirely!
The evening was a reminder of how energizing it can be to embrace unfamiliar activities. The mix of laughter, sleuthing, and storytelling left me with great memories and a new appreciation for interactive entertainment.
Coincidentally, my reading life detoured into a couple of “whodunit” experiences in December. I ventured into new reading territory with The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins—a gripping crime thriller I couldn’t put down—and The Housemaid’s Secret by Freida McFadden, a suspenseful page-turner that kept me up late and reading first thing the next morning. While crime and mystery aren’t my usual genres, these books were a thrilling escape from the ordinary.
These small deviations from my usual routines brought new energy to my season. Whether it’s trying an interactive event, reading a new genre, or simply mixing up your schedule, this is a great time of year to embrace exploration.
As we close 2024, consider how you might connect with others or refresh your routine. Perhaps say yes to an activity that feels slightly outside your comfort zone. Joy often comes from the unexpected.
Wishing you warmth, joy, and discovery during your holiday-season escapades—and here’s to making 2025 a year full of connection and new adventures.
Links Du Jour:
Two Minutes Du Jour 
2 responses to “Murder Mysteries, Page Turners, and Shaking Up the Routine”
I loved The Girl on the Train! We did a murder mystery dinner for a birthday party a decade ago and it was a blast
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It’s definitely a fun, interactive activity, and as for the book, I found a new series by another author and look forward to exploring more in the thriller genre.
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