Murder mystery sudoku — the daily cases for 10 August 2026

Every detective in the world got these same crime scenes on 2026-08-10 — each difficulty published twice, once untimed and once as time attack. Each case is procedurally generated and then proved to have exactly one logical solution before it is published, including the cases where somebody is lying. You place every suspect back on the map using only their testimony: exactly one person per row, never two in a column. Whoever is left alone with the victim did it.

Beginner — The Golf Course

A 5×5 grid across 4 rooms: Water Hazard, Tee Box, Cart Path, Rough. Seven statements, three squares nobody could stand on, and enough testimony that the surplus is what pins the last two down.

Cracked by 5 detectives so far.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

The testimony

What each person said, and how much of the board it rules out.

Margot was in row 2. leaves 4 of 24 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Margot: 4 of 24.
Margot was in the rough. leaves 1 of 24 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Margot: 1 of 24.
Paloma was in the water hazard. leaves 5 of 24 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Paloma: 5 of 24.
Paloma was in the leftmost column. leaves 2 of 24 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Paloma: 2 of 24.
Xavier was in column 4. leaves 4 of 24 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Xavier: 4 of 24.
Xavier was in the cart path. leaves 1 of 24 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Xavier: 1 of 24.
Irene was in the tee box. leaves 3 of 24 squares

Show the squares Paloma had left

The squares still open to Paloma once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 24.

What the testimony settles on its own

Nobody shares a row or a column, so each placement narrows everyone else. Before a single guess:

Abel can only be in Cart Path (row 4, column 2) — down from 24 possible squares.
Paloma can only be in Water Hazard (row 1, column 1) — down from 2 possible squares.
Irene can only be in Tee Box (row 3, column 3) — down from 3 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Xavier, in Cart Path (row 5, column 4).

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Xavier is ringed in red.

Beginner · time attack — The Museum of Curiosities

A 5×5 grid across 4 rooms: Archive, Library, Rotunda, Garden. Five statements, five squares nobody could stand on, and no assumption anywhere: elimination alone closes it.

Cracked by one detective so far.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

The testimony

What each person said, and how much of the board it rules out.

Alistair was in column 4. leaves 5 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Alistair: 5 of 22.
Marina was in the rotunda. leaves 5 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Marina: 5 of 22.
Ulises was in column 2. leaves 5 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ulises: 5 of 22.
Ulises was in the garden. leaves 1 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ulises: 1 of 22.
Elena was in the library. leaves 2 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Elena: 2 of 22.

Show the squares Elena had left

The squares still open to Elena once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 22.

What the testimony settles on its own

Nobody shares a row or a column, so each placement narrows everyone else. Before a single guess:

Alistair can only be in Archive (row 4, column 4) — down from 5 possible squares.
Marina can only be in Rotunda (row 3, column 3) — down from 5 possible squares.
Elena can only be in Library (row 2, column 1) — down from 2 possible squares.
Kurt can only be in Archive (row 5, column 5) — down from 22 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Alistair, in Archive (row 4, column 4).

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Alistair is ringed in red.

Easy — The Old Observatory

A 6×6 grid across 4 rooms: Lounge, Garden, Dome, Workshop. Nine statements, seven squares nobody could stand on, and enough testimony that the surplus is what pins the last two down.

Cracked by 3 detectives so far.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

The testimony

What each person said, and how much of the board it rules out.

Zaida was in column 5. leaves 5 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Zaida: 5 of 32.
Zaida was in the lounge. leaves 2 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Zaida: 2 of 32.
Ursula was in row 4. leaves 5 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ursula: 5 of 32.
Ursula was in the leftmost column. leaves 1 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ursula: 1 of 32.
Alistair was in the lounge or in the telescope dome. leaves 12 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Alistair: 12 of 32.
Alistair was in the top row. leaves 1 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Alistair: 1 of 32.
Pablo was beside the telescope. leaves 2 of 32 squares
Clara was in column 4. leaves 6 of 32 squares
Clara was in row 2. leaves 1 of 32 squares

Show the squares Zaida had left

The squares still open to Zaida once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 32.

What the testimony settles on its own

Nobody shares a row or a column, so each placement narrows everyone else. Before a single guess:

Zaida can only be in Lounge (row 6, column 5) — down from 2 possible squares.
Rufus can only be in Garden (row 3, column 3) — down from 32 possible squares.
Pablo can only be in Workshop (row 5, column 2) — down from 2 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Clara, in Garden (row 2, column 4).

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Clara is ringed in red.

Easy · time attack — The Botanical Garden

A 6×6 grid across 5 rooms: Orchid House, Garden Path, Cactus House, Palm Pavilion, Lily Pond. Seven statements, five squares nobody could stand on, and no assumption anywhere: elimination alone closes it.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

The testimony

What each person said, and how much of the board it rules out.

Yolanda was in the cactus house or in the palm pavilion. leaves 13 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Yolanda: 13 of 32.
Tristan was in row 4. leaves 6 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Tristan: 6 of 32.
Tristan was in column 2. leaves 1 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Tristan: 1 of 32.
Julian was on the lily pad. leaves 2 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Julian: 2 of 32.
Marina was in the garden path. leaves 4 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Marina: 4 of 32.
Katia was in column 3. leaves 5 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Katia: 5 of 32.
Katia was in row 3. leaves 1 of 32 squares

Show the squares Julian had left

The squares still open to Julian once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 32.

What the testimony settles on its own

Nobody shares a row or a column, so each placement narrows everyone else. Before a single guess:

Yolanda can only be in Palm Pavilion (row 6, column 5) — down from 13 possible squares.
Flora can only be in Orchid House (row 5, column 1) — down from 32 possible squares.
Julian can only be in Lily Pond (row 2, column 4) — down from 2 possible squares.
Marina can only be in Garden Path (row 1, column 6) — down from 4 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Tristan, in Orchid House (row 4, column 2).

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Tristan is ringed in red.

Medium · time attack — The Night Express

A 7×7 grid across 6 rooms: Platform, Galley, Dining, Saloon, Sleeper, Observation. Nine statements, nine squares nobody could stand on, almost as many rooms as suspects, so a room claim nearly names a square, and no assumption anywhere: elimination alone closes it.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

Lettered squares are objects. Most take the square out of play — which is why the counts above are of free squares, not of all of them — but the ones marked below do not: their square is still in play. A — armchair (square stays free) · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · CR — crate · D — desk · G — grandfather clock · SO — sofa (square stays free) · ST — stove · W — window (square stays free)

The testimony

What each person said, and how much of the board it rules out.

Ulises was in the same column as the window. leaves 7 of 44 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ulises: 7 of 44.
Nico was beside the crate. leaves 3 of 44 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Nico: 3 of 44.
Olivia was in the same room as Rosa.
Olivia was in row 4. leaves 7 of 44 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Olivia: 7 of 44.
Paloma was in the same column as the chest. leaves 6 of 44 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Paloma: 6 of 44.
Paloma was in the same row as the carpet. leaves 2 of 44 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Paloma: 2 of 44.
Rosa was beside the armchair. leaves 3 of 44 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Rosa: 3 of 44.
Rosa was on the carpet. leaves 1 of 44 squares
Tesa was in the platform or in the dining room. leaves 14 of 44 squares

Show the squares Paloma had left

The squares still open to Paloma once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 44.

What the testimony settles on its own

Nobody shares a row or a column, so each placement narrows everyone else. Before a single guess:

Ulises can only be in Sleeper (row 1, column 6) — down from 7 possible squares.
Nico can only be in Dining (row 3, column 3) — down from 3 possible squares.
Olivia can only be in Saloon (row 4, column 1) — down from 7 possible squares.
Paloma can only be in Observation (row 5, column 5) — down from 2 possible squares.
Wilfred can only be in Observation (row 7, column 4) — down from 44 possible squares.
Tesa can only be in Platform (row 2, column 7) — down from 14 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Paloma, in Observation (row 5, column 5).

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Paloma is ringed in red.

Medium — The Mystery Island

A 7×7 grid across 5 rooms: Cliffs, Camp, Beach, Cave, Dock. Eight statements, nine squares nobody could stand on, and no assumption anywhere: elimination alone closes it.

Cracked by 3 detectives so far.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

Lettered squares are objects. Nobody can stand on one, which is why the counts above are of free squares, not of all of them. BE — bench · BO — boulder · CH — chest · CO — crocodile · CR — crate · F — floor lamp · P — palm tree · S — shrub · T — tent

The testimony

What each person said, and how much of the board it rules out.

Ada was in the same room as Vera.
Kira was beside the boulder. leaves 2 of 39 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Kira: 2 of 39.
Ivan was beside the tent. leaves 2 of 39 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ivan: 2 of 39.
Vera was beside the floor lamp. leaves 3 of 39 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Vera: 3 of 39.
Cesar was in the same column as the shrub. leaves 5 of 39 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Cesar: 5 of 39.
Cesar was in the same row as the crocodile. leaves 2 of 39 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Cesar: 2 of 39.
Ofelia was beside the crocodile. leaves 3 of 39 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ofelia: 3 of 39.
Ofelia was in the same row as the boulder. leaves 1 of 39 squares

Show the squares Kira had left

The squares still open to Kira once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 39.

What the testimony settles on its own

Nobody shares a row or a column, so each placement narrows everyone else. Before a single guess:

Ada can only be in Cliffs (row 6, column 4) — down from 39 possible squares.
Kira can only be in Dock (row 2, column 2) — down from 2 possible squares.
Ivan can only be in Camp (row 5, column 5) — down from 2 possible squares.
Vera can only be in Cliffs (row 7, column 3) — down from 3 possible squares.
Cesar can only be in Cave (row 3, column 7) — down from 2 possible squares.
Percy can only be in Cave (row 4, column 6) — down from 39 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Cesar, in Cave (row 3, column 7).

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Cesar is ringed in red.

Hard — Movie Night

A 10×8 grid across 7 rooms: Balcony, Pantry, Hallway, Guest Room, Study, Living room, TV Den. Fourteen statements, ten squares nobody could stand on, almost as many rooms as suspects, so a room claim nearly names a square, and one round of assume-and-test after elimination ran dry.

Cracked by one detective so far.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

Lettered squares are objects. Most take the square out of play — which is why the counts above are of free squares, not of all of them — but the ones marked below do not: their square is still in play. A — armchair (square stays free) · B — bookshelf · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CO — computer · F — floor lamp · P — potted plant · R — radio · S — sofa (square stays free) · T — television · W — window (square stays free)

The testimony

What each person said, and how much of the board it rules out.

Paloma was touching the outer wall. leaves 30 of 74 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Paloma: 30 of 74.
Paloma was all alone in a room.
Paloma was exactly 2 rows north of Gordon.
Celeste was in the same column as the sofa. leaves 14 of 74 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Celeste: 14 of 74.
Dante was in the same column as the window. leaves 8 of 74 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Dante: 8 of 74.
Dante was somewhere south of Celeste.
Ximena was in the same column as the floor lamp. leaves 6 of 74 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ximena: 6 of 74.
Ximena was in the same row as the carpet. leaves 1 of 74 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ximena: 1 of 74.
Ulises was in the same row as the television. leaves 9 of 74 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ulises: 9 of 74.
Ulises was all alone in a room.
Alma was exactly 1 row south of the Chauffeur.
Gordon was all alone in a room.
Gordon was in the same column as the radio. leaves 7 of 74 squares
Nobody was in the hallway.

Show the squares Gordon had left

The squares still open to Gordon once their own statements are taken into account — 7 of 74.

What the testimony settles on its own

Nobody shares a row or a column, so each placement narrows everyone else. Before a single guess:

Gordon can only be in Balcony (row 8, column 3) — down from 7 possible squares.

The squares that had to be tested

The rest does not fall out on its own. It takes 34 eliminations of the same move: put someone on a square, follow the consequences, and watch the board contradict itself.

Had Paloma stood in Pantry (row 6, column 1), Celeste would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Celeste stood in TV Den (row 4, column 5), Alma would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Nadia stood in Guest Room (row 1, column 2), Dante would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Put Dante in Guest Room (row 2, column 2) and the testimony cannot be satisfied at all. So not there.

Show what goes wrong

Suppose Paloma stood on the dashed square. Celeste then has nowhere left to stand: every square still open to them is shaded out.

Another 30 squares fell the same way.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Celeste, in Guest Room (row 2, column 5).

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Celeste is ringed in red.

Hard · time attack — The Backyard Garden

An 8×8 grid across 6 rooms: Patio, Garden, Backyard, Pond, Sunroom, Kitchen. Nineteen statements, twelve squares nobody could stand on, and one round of assume-and-test after elimination ran dry — and one of the eight was lying throughout.

The twist: one suspect is an accomplice — every statement they make is false.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

Lettered squares are objects. Most take the square out of play — which is why the counts above are of free squares, not of all of them — but the ones marked below do not: their square is still in play. A — armchair (square stays free) · B — bed (square stays free) · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · FL — floor lamp · FO — flower bush · P — painting (square stays free) · SO — sofa (square stays free) · ST — stove · T — tree · W — window (square stays free)

The testimony

What each person said. One of these 8 is the killer's accomplice and every word they said is false — but not which one, not yet.

Leo was in the same column as the chest. if true, leaves 7 of 59
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Leo: 7 of 59.
Leo was in the same row as the sofa. if true, leaves 2 of 59
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Leo: 2 of 59.
Leo was not seated on anything. if true, leaves 1 of 59
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Leo: 1 of 59.
Tobias was in the northern half of the scene. if true, leaves 32 of 59
Tobias was not lying in any bed.
Tobias was touching the outer wall. if true, leaves 14 of 59
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Tobias: 14 of 59.
Tobias was in the same column as the carpet. if true, leaves 1 of 59
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Tobias: 1 of 59.
Ofelia was in the patio or in the garden. if true, leaves 40 of 59
Ofelia was in the same column as the tree. if true, leaves 36 of 59
Nora was in the same row as the chest. if true, leaves 6 of 59
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Nora: 6 of 59.
Nora was in the same column as the sofa. if true, leaves 1 of 59
Marina was not in the pond. if true, leaves 54 of 59
Marina was in the same row as the sofa. if true, leaves 16 of 59
Marina was in the eastern half of the scene. if true, leaves 8 of 59
Cesar was in the same column as the flower bush. if true, leaves 7 of 59
Cesar was in the northern half of the scene. if true, leaves 4 of 59
Cesar was not beside the carpet.
Victor was not touching the outer wall. if true, leaves 32 of 59
Victor was in the same column as the stove. if true, leaves 5 of 59

Show the squares Cesar had left

The squares still open to Cesar once their own statements are taken into account — 4 of 59.

Unmasking the liar

One of these 8 people is the killer's accomplice, and every word they said is false — but you are not told which. Take each in turn: read their statements backwards and ask whether the rest of the testimony can still be satisfied.

If Leo were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Tobias were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Julia were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Nora were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.

Another 3 candidates collapse the same way.

Only Ofelia survives the test. That is the accomplice, and everything they said is now read backwards.

Read backwards, Ofelia actually told you:

Ofelia was in neither the patio nor the garden.
Ofelia was NOT in the same column as the tree.

What the testimony settles on its own

Nobody shares a row or a column, so each placement narrows everyone else. Before a single guess:

Julia can only be in Backyard (row 8, column 2) — down from 59 possible squares.
Ofelia can only be in Backyard (row 6, column 3) — down from 36 possible squares.
Marina can only be in Kitchen (row 4, column 7) — down from 8 possible squares.
Cesar can only be in Patio (row 2, column 1) — down from 4 possible squares.
Victor can only be in Pond (row 7, column 6) — down from 5 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Ofelia, in Backyard (row 6, column 3). Ofelia lied throughout and was never charged.

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Ofelia is ringed in red.

Expert — The Art School

A 9×9 grid across 7 rooms: Gallery, Atelier, Print Room, Sculpture Hall, Life-Drawing Room, Supply Closet, Courtyard. Sixteen statements, twelve squares nobody could stand on, and two rounds of assume-and-test after elimination ran dry — and one of the nine was lying throughout.

The twist: one suspect is an accomplice — every statement they make is false.

Cracked by one detective so far.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

Lettered squares are objects. Most take the square out of play — which is why the counts above are of free squares, not of all of them — but the ones marked below do not: their square is still in play. B — bookshelf · C — crate · D — desk · E — easel · F — floor lamp · G — garbage can · PA — painting (square stays free) · PO — potted plant · S — statue

The testimony

What each person said. One of these 9 is the killer's accomplice and every word they said is false — but not which one, not yet.

Bianca was beside a garbage can. if true, leaves 6 of 70
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Bianca: 6 of 70.
Gaspar was not beside a garbage can. if true, leaves 64 of 70
Gaspar was in the same row as the potted plant. if true, leaves 6 of 70
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Gaspar: 6 of 70.
Wilfred was in the same column as the bookshelf. if true, leaves 6 of 70
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Wilfred: 6 of 70.
Percy was in the same column as a statue. if true, leaves 15 of 70
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Percy: 15 of 70.
Percy was in the same row as a desk. if true, leaves 4 of 70
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Percy: 4 of 70.
Clara was in the same row as a garbage can. if true, leaves 56 of 70
Clara was not touching the outer wall. if true, leaves 25 of 70
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Clara: 25 of 70.
Tobias was not beside the easel. if true, leaves 67 of 70
Tobias was in the same row as the floor lamp. if true, leaves 7 of 70
Tobias was in the same column as the painting. if true, leaves 1 of 70
Victor was in the same column as the crate. if true, leaves 7 of 70
Victor was in the same row as the painting. if true, leaves 1 of 70
Zaida was in the same row as a desk. if true, leaves 16 of 70
Exactly 2 people were in the atelier.
Exactly 3 people were in the sculpture hall.

Show the squares Percy had left

The squares still open to Percy once their own statements are taken into account — 4 of 70.

Unmasking the liar

One of these 9 people is the killer's accomplice, and every word they said is false — but you are not told which. Take each in turn: read their statements backwards and ask whether the rest of the testimony can still be satisfied.

If Bianca were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Estela were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Gaspar were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Wilfred were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.

Another 4 candidates collapse the same way.

Only Clara survives the test. That is the accomplice, and everything they said is now read backwards.

Read backwards, Clara actually told you:

Clara was NOT in the same row as a garbage can.
Clara WAS touching the outer wall.

The squares that had to be tested

The rest does not fall out on its own. It takes 70 eliminations of the same move: put someone on a square, follow the consequences, and watch the board contradict itself.

Had Bianca stood in Courtyard (row 8, column 2), Gaspar would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Estela stood in Gallery (row 1, column 1), Clara would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Gaspar stood in Life-Drawing Room (row 8, column 5), Wilfred would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Wilfred stood in Atelier (row 3, column 5), Zaida would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.

Show what goes wrong

Suppose Bianca stood on the dashed square. Gaspar then has nowhere left to stand: every square still open to them is shaded out.

Another 66 squares fell the same way.

Estela can only be in Atelier (row 4, column 4) — down from 4 possible squares.
Gaspar can only be in Sculpture Hall (row 8, column 6) — down from 2 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Wilfred, in Atelier (row 2, column 5). Clara lied throughout and was never charged.

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Wilfred is ringed in red.

Expert · time attack — The Mystery Island

A 9×9 grid across 8 rooms: Lagoon, Camp, Dock, Cliffs, Lookout, Wreck, Beach, Jungle. Seventeen statements, thirteen squares nobody could stand on, almost as many rooms as suspects, so a room claim nearly names a square, and two rounds of assume-and-test after elimination ran dry — and one of the nine was lying throughout.

The twist: one suspect is an accomplice — every statement they make is false.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

Lettered squares are objects. Nobody can stand on one, which is why the counts above are of free squares, not of all of them. BE — bench · BO — boulder · CA — campfire · CH — chest · CO — crocodile · CR — crate · F — floor lamp · P — palm tree · S — shrub · T — tent

The testimony

What each person said. One of these 9 is the killer's accomplice and every word they said is false — but not which one, not yet.

Luna was in the same row as a palm tree. if true, leaves 13 of 67
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Luna: 13 of 67.
Wanda was in the same row as the crate. if true, leaves 8 of 67
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Wanda: 8 of 67.
Wanda was in the same column as the chest. if true, leaves 1 of 67
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Wanda: 1 of 67.
Quentin was in the same row as the crocodile. if true, leaves 6 of 67
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Quentin: 6 of 67.
Vivienne was in the same column as a floor lamp. if true, leaves 15 of 67
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Vivienne: 15 of 67.
Vivienne was in the same row as a tent. if true, leaves 4 of 67
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Vivienne: 4 of 67.
Sol was not in the cliffs. if true, leaves 60 of 67
Sol was in the same column as a floor lamp. if true, leaves 10 of 67
Katia was in the same column as the bench. if true, leaves 59 of 67
Katia was in the same row as the crate. if true, leaves 52 of 67
Katia was not in the jungle. if true, leaves 13 of 67
Boris was in the same column as the crocodile. if true, leaves 14 of 67
Elias was in the same row as a floor lamp. if true, leaves 7 of 67
Elias was in the same column as the bench. if true, leaves 1 of 67
Exactly 2 people were in the beach.
Exactly 3 people were in the jungle.
Exactly 2 people were in the dock.

Show the squares Vivienne had left

The squares still open to Vivienne once their own statements are taken into account — 4 of 67.

Unmasking the liar

If Luna were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Wanda were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Quentin were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Oscar were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.

Another 4 candidates collapse the same way.

Only Katia survives the test. That is the accomplice, and everything they said is now read backwards.

Read backwards, Katia actually told you:

Katia was NOT in the same column as the bench.
Katia was NOT in the same row as the crate.
Katia WAS in the jungle.

The squares that had to be tested

The rest does not fall out on its own. It takes 37 eliminations of the same move: put someone on a square, follow the consequences, and watch the board contradict itself.

Had Luna stood in Wreck (row 1, column 1), Oscar would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Put Quentin in Dock (row 8, column 6) and the testimony cannot be satisfied at all. So not there.
Put Vivienne in Jungle (row 2, column 6) and the testimony cannot be satisfied at all. So not there.
Put Sol in Jungle (row 2, column 6) and the testimony cannot be satisfied at all. So not there.

Show what goes wrong

Suppose Luna stood on the dashed square. Oscar then has nowhere left to stand: every square still open to them is shaded out.

Another 33 squares fell the same way.

Luna can only be in Jungle (row 3, column 4) — down from 7 possible squares.
Quentin can only be in Dock (row 8, column 7) — down from 3 possible squares.
Oscar can only be in Beach (row 7, column 1) — down from 2 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Wanda, in Beach (row 5, column 2). Katia lied throughout and was never charged.

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Wanda is ringed in red.

How to read a case above

The grid size is the size of the crime scene, so a 10×9 expert case is a far larger search than a 5×5 beginner one — but the difficulty is really carried by the clues, not the square count. A beginner case tells you almost directly where somebody stood. An expert case tells you where somebody was not, three times, and expects you to do the rest — and on half of them one of those statements is a lie told to protect the killer. If a case lists a motive, naming the right person is not enough on its own; you have to prove why.

How to play · Solving cases with a liar · Techniques

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