UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Turn the calendar back to October 1875 and you receive an invitation from Rufus and Mary Tallman to attend the grand opening of their new hotel on the muddy Main Street of Upper Lake.

That’s the scene for the hotel’s second annual Murder Mystery Dinner on Saturday evening, Oct. 23.

Guests are encouraged to wear period costume and join a group of professional actors put together by Bert Hutt’s Murder Us Productions in Lakeport.

The evening begins with cocktails at the bar in the Blue Wing Saloon Restaurant and then proceeds across the courtyard to the Hotel, where unexpected events occur.

Efforts are made to solve the mystery during a sumptuous four course dinner in the beautifully decorated Tallman Hotel dining room.

Guests then proceed to the meeting house next door for the final act in the drama.

Prizes will be awarded for the first to solve the mystery and for the most original and outstanding costume.

“Everyone had such great fun with our 1920s speakeasy theme last year that we thought we’d do it again,” said Tallman owner Lynne Butcher. “Kids shouldn’t be the only ones to dress up and have fun this time of year.”

Reservations at $85 per person for the four-course mystery dinner can be obtained by calling the Tallman Hotel at 707-275-2244.