Want to shake things up at dinner? How about a little murder with your meal?

Suspects Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre, which operates out of the Delta King in Old Sacramento, offers just that.

Each Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. guests are invited to become both suspect and sleuth as murder erupts in the dinning hall.

Suspects Productions has been producing interactive theater for corporate and private groups since 1989. They currently team up with the Delta King River Boat in Old Sac to provide the same experience for small groups and individuals ready for a bit of fun.

Upon arrival, recommended between 6:30 and 7 p.m., guests are directed to the Delta Lounge, a bar on the Delta King that overlooks the Sacramento River. At 7:30 p.m. the host, in our case the flamboyant (and fun) Robert (Robert O'Brian), comes to lead guests down stairs to the theatre, where they have assigned seating.

Guests are then encouraged to mingle, as one never knows who might be murdered and who might be a murderer. Each guest is also given a paper on which to record each victim, suspect and motive.

Actors are dispersed amongst the guests so that the action literally happens throughout the room.

At the production I attended, two of the three victims were actually at our table of 10. They sat and chatted in character until shortly after dinner when they were murdered. One was savagely stabbed near the ladies restroom, while the other was poisoned as dessert was served.

Clues were found on various guests throughout the evening and diners were challenged to figure out who the murderer was by the end of the evening. Small prizes where awarded to those who figured out who the murderer was, as well as the guest that threw off the most people by participating in the fun.

For about $40 per person, guests have their choice of one of four entrées (beef, chicken, fish and vegetarian lasagna), plus a salad and dessert as well as the show. The only things not included in the ticket price are drinks - which are a bit pricey. A glass of local wine was $9 and beer was $6 and up.

Although the food was mediocre, the show was well worth the price and for the number of guests celebrating a birthday or anniversary, it seems Suspects is a great place to go for a special occasion.

The Delta King also has a restaurant (the Pilothouse), traditional theater (Capital Stage) and hotel (the Delta King Hotel) for those wanting to extend the stay.

For more information on Suspects, visit www.suspectsproductions.com or call 443-3600. For more information on the Delta King, visit www.deltaking.com or call 444-5464.