Murder mystery sudoku — the daily cases for 13 August 2026

Every detective in the world got these same crime scenes on 2026-08-13 — 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 Night Express

A 5×5 grid across 3 rooms: Locomotive, Observation, Sleeper. Six statements, five squares nobody could stand on, and no assumption anywhere: elimination alone closes it.

Cracked by 4 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.

Ofelia was in the sleeper car. leaves 4 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ofelia: 4 of 22.
Ofelia was in the leftmost column. leaves 2 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ofelia: 2 of 22.
Marco was beside the grandfather clock. leaves 2 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Marco: 2 of 22.
Lorenzo was in row 3. leaves 4 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Lorenzo: 4 of 22.
Helena was in the bottom row. leaves 4 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Helena: 4 of 22.
Helena was lying on the bed. leaves 1 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Helena: 1 of 22.

Show the squares Ofelia had left

The squares still open to Ofelia 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:

Ofelia can only be in Sleeper (row 2, column 1) — down from 2 possible squares.
Dora can only be in Observation (row 4, column 3) — down from 22 possible squares.
Marco can only be in Sleeper (row 1, column 2) — down from 2 possible squares.
Lorenzo can only be in Locomotive (row 3, column 5) — down from 4 possible squares.

The answer

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

Show the solved board

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

Beginner · time attack — The Museum of Curiosities

A 5×5 grid across 4 rooms: Garden, Workshop, Rotunda, Archive. Eight statements, five squares nobody could stand on, and enough testimony that the surplus is what pins the last two down.

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. D — desk · F — flower bush · M — mirror (square stays free) · S — sofa (square stays free) · W — window (square stays free)

The testimony

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

Lorenzo was in the archive. leaves 4 of 23 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Lorenzo: 4 of 23.
Lorenzo was in row 3. leaves 1 of 23 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Lorenzo: 1 of 23.
Margot was in row 4. leaves 4 of 23 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Margot: 4 of 23.
Margot was in the rotunda. leaves 1 of 23 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Margot: 1 of 23.
Fabio was in column 2. leaves 5 of 23 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Fabio: 5 of 23.
Fabio was in the top row. leaves 1 of 23 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Fabio: 1 of 23.
Gaspar was in the workshop. leaves 9 of 23 squares
Gaspar was in row 2. leaves 1 of 23 squares

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 Workshop (row 5, column 3) — down from 23 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Gaspar, in Workshop (row 2, column 1).

Show the solved board

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

Easy — The Art School

A 6×6 grid across 4 rooms: Supply Closet, Gallery, Atelier, Sculpture Hall. Five statements, seven squares nobody could stand on, and fewer statements than suspects — every line has to be squeezed twice.

Cracked by 4 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. 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 · F — floor lamp · G — garbage can · PA — painting (square stays free) · PO — potted plant · S — statue

The testimony

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

Alma was in the gallery. leaves 4 of 30 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Alma: 4 of 30.
Nico was beside the garbage can. leaves 3 of 30 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Nico: 3 of 30.
Vera was beside the crate. leaves 2 of 30 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Vera: 2 of 30.
Selma was beside the floor lamp. leaves 2 of 30 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Selma: 2 of 30.
Cesar was in column 5. leaves 6 of 30 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Cesar: 6 of 30.

Show the squares Vera had left

The squares still open to Vera once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 30.

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Alma can only be in Gallery (row 1, column 6) — down from 4 possible squares.
Nico can only be in Supply Closet (row 5, column 4) — down from 3 possible squares.
Vera can only be in Sculpture Hall (row 6, column 3) — down from 2 possible squares.
Selma can only be in Supply Closet (row 3, column 2) — down from 2 possible squares.
Cesar can only be in Gallery (row 2, column 5) — down from 6 possible squares.
Kaspar can only be in Sculpture Hall (row 4, column 1) — down from 30 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Vera, in Sculpture Hall (row 6, column 3).

Show the solved board

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

Easy · time attack — The Movie Studio

A 6×6 grid across 5 rooms: Desert Set, Editing Bay, Green Room, Backlot, Director's Office. Seven statements, seven 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.

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 — bed (square stays free) · CA — cactus · CO — computer · CR — carpet (square stays free) · FI — film camera · FL — floor lamp · M — mirror (square stays free)

The testimony

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

Victor was in row 3. leaves 6 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Victor: 6 of 32.
Victor was in the rightmost column. leaves 1 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Victor: 1 of 32.
Sol was in the director's office. leaves 9 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Sol: 9 of 32.
Lidia was in the leftmost column. leaves 5 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Lidia: 5 of 32.
Lidia was in the director's office. leaves 2 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Lidia: 2 of 32.
Conrad was beside the mirror. leaves 1 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Conrad: 1 of 32.
Ximena was beside the film camera. leaves 2 of 32 squares

Show the squares Lidia had left

The squares still open to Lidia 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:

Sol can only be in Director's Office (row 1, column 2) — down from 9 possible squares.
Lidia can only be in Director's Office (row 2, column 1) — down from 2 possible squares.
Hilda can only be in Desert Set (row 4, column 5) — down from 32 possible squares.
Ximena can only be in Editing Bay (row 5, column 3) — down from 2 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Victor, in Desert Set (row 3, column 6).

Show the solved board

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

Medium · time attack — The Backyard Garden

A 7×7 grid across 6 rooms: Garden, Patio, Shed, Backyard, Living room, Sunroom. Nine statements, ten 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) · BE — bed (square stays free) · BO — bookshelf · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · D — desk · FL — floor lamp · FO — flower bush · S — sofa (square stays free) · W — window (square stays free)

The testimony

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

Lidia was beside the desk. leaves 2 of 44 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Lidia: 2 of 44.
Estela was lying on the bed. leaves 2 of 44 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Estela: 2 of 44.
Dante was beside the carpet. leaves 1 of 44 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Dante: 1 of 44.
Victor was in column 4. leaves 6 of 44 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Victor: 6 of 44.
Victor was in the same row as the armchair. leaves 1 of 44 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Victor: 1 of 44.
Frida was somewhere north of Estela.
Frida was in the garden or in the tool shed. leaves 14 of 44 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Frida: 14 of 44.
Frida was in the same row as the bed. leaves 3 of 44 squares
Irene was beside the chest. leaves 2 of 44 squares

Show the squares Lidia had left

The squares still open to Lidia 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:

Lidia can only be in Sunroom (row 6, column 7) — down from 2 possible squares.
Estela can only be in Sunroom (row 5, column 6) — down from 2 possible squares.
Bruno can only be in Backyard (row 3, column 5) — down from 44 possible squares.
Frida can only be in Garden (row 4, column 2) — down from 3 possible squares.
Irene can only be in Living room (row 7, column 1) — down from 2 possible squares.

The answer

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

Show the solved board

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

Medium — The Bunker

A 7×7 grid across 6 rooms: Airlock, Dormitory, Radio Room, Generator Room, Hydroponics, Pantry. Eleven statements, seven squares nobody could stand on, almost as many rooms as suspects, so a room claim nearly names a square, and enough testimony that the surplus is what pins the last two down.

Cracked by 4 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. 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 — bed (square stays free) · CA — cabinet · CO — computer · CR — carpet (square stays free) · P — potted plant · R — radio · S — stove

The testimony

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

Marina was in the same row as the radio. leaves 5 of 44 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Marina: 5 of 44.
Ursula was beside the carpet. leaves 1 of 44 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ursula: 1 of 44.
Wilfred was somewhere north of Ada.
Wilfred was in the airlock or in the pantry. leaves 16 of 44 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Wilfred: 16 of 44.
Wilfred was in the same column as the cabinet. leaves 3 of 44 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Wilfred: 3 of 44.
Nora was in column 4. leaves 7 of 44 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Nora: 7 of 44.
Nora was in the radio room or in the pantry. leaves 3 of 44 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Nora: 3 of 44.
Ada was in the dormitory or in the generator room. leaves 12 of 44 squares
Ada was in the same column as the radio. leaves 5 of 44 squares
Ruben was in the same column as the computer. leaves 6 of 44 squares
Ruben was in the airlock or in the pantry. leaves 3 of 44 squares

Show the squares Wilfred had left

The squares still open to Wilfred once their own statements are taken into account — 3 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:

Marina can only be in Airlock (row 7, column 3) — down from 5 possible squares.
Wilfred can only be in Pantry (row 2, column 2) — down from 3 possible squares.
Nora can only be in Radio Room (row 4, column 4) — down from 3 possible squares.
Delia can only be in Airlock (row 6, column 6) — down from 44 possible squares.
Ada can only be in Dormitory (row 5, column 7) — down from 5 possible squares.
Ruben can only be in Pantry (row 3, column 1) — down from 3 possible squares.

The answer

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

Show the solved board

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

Hard — A Walk in the Park

An 8×8 grid across 6 rooms: Playground, Boathouse, Bandstand, Path, Kiosk, Rose garden. Fourteen statements, fourteen 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; the accusation also demands the motive, not just the name.

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. 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. BE — bench · BO — boulder · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CR — crate · FL — floor lamp · FO — flower bush · FU — fountain · S — shrub · 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.

Flora was in the same row as a carpet. if true, leaves 15 of 55
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Flora: 15 of 55.
Flora was in the same column as the fountain. if true, leaves 1 of 55
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Flora: 1 of 55.
Delia was beside the bench. if true, leaves 2 of 55
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Delia: 2 of 55.
Abel was not in the bandstand. if true, leaves 4 of 55
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Abel: 4 of 55.
Abel was in the same row as the fountain.
Horacio was beside a window. if true, leaves 3 of 55
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Horacio: 3 of 55.
Horacio was in the same column as a carpet.
Horacio was on a carpet. if true, leaves 1 of 55
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Horacio: 1 of 55.
Horacio was not in the bandstand.
Rita was in the kiosk or in the rose garden. if true, leaves 21 of 55
Estela was in the same row as a window. if true, leaves 13 of 55
Estela was in the playground or in the kiosk. if true, leaves 5 of 55
Estela was in the same column as a carpet. if true, leaves 3 of 55
Milo was in the same row as a shrub. if true, leaves 13 of 55

Show the squares Delia had left

The squares still open to Delia once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 55.

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 Luna were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Flora were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Delia were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Horacio were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.

Another 3 candidates collapse the same way.

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

Read backwards, Abel actually told you:

Abel WAS in the bandstand.
Abel was NOT in the same row as the fountain.

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Luna can only be in Playground (row 2, column 5) — down from 55 possible squares.
Delia can only be in Rose garden (row 3, column 2) — down from 2 possible squares.
Abel can only be in Bandstand (row 5, column 8) — down from 4 possible squares.
Rita can only be in Kiosk (row 8, column 6) — down from 21 possible squares.
Estela can only be in Kiosk (row 4, column 7) — down from 3 possible squares.
Milo can only be in Playground (row 1, column 3) — down from 13 possible squares.

The motive

This case demands the why as well as the who: naming the killer without proving the motive counts for nothing. 7 motives are in play, and these statements narrow them.

Horacio's motive would have been ambition.
Abel's motive would have been inheritance.
Delia's motive would have been revenge.
Flora's motive would have been jealousy.
Milo was not driven by buried secrets.
Milo was not driven by blackmail.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Milo, in Playground (row 1, column 3). Abel lied throughout and was never charged.

The only motive left standing for Milo is debts.

Show the solved board

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

Hard · time attack — The Bunker

An 8×8 grid across 6 rooms: Hydroponics, Airlock, Workroom, Watchtower, Generator Room, Shelter. Ten statements, ten squares nobody could stand on, and one round of assume-and-test after elimination ran dry.

The twist: the accusation also demands the motive, not just the name.

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 — bed (square stays free) · CA — cabinet · CO — computer · CR — carpet (square stays free) · CT — crate · F — floor lamp · G — garbage can · P — potted plant · R — radio · S — stove

The testimony

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

Tobias was exactly 1 column east of the Diva.
Tobias was exactly 3 rows north of the Butler.
Dorian was in the same row as the computer. leaves 7 of 56 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Dorian: 7 of 56.
Ines was in the same room as Enzo.
Enzo was in the same column as the cabinet. leaves 6 of 56 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Enzo: 6 of 56.
Sol was in the same row as the stove. leaves 6 of 56 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Sol: 6 of 56.
Sol was exactly 4 columns west of the Curator.
Alma was in the same column as the floor lamp. leaves 6 of 56 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Alma: 6 of 56.
Beatrix was exactly 3 columns east of the Butler.
Beatrix was exactly 5 rows north of Alma.

Show the squares Enzo had left

The squares still open to Enzo once their own statements are taken into account — 6 of 56.

The squares that had to be tested

The rest does not fall out on its own. It takes 96 eliminations of the same move: put someone on a square, follow the consequences, and watch the board contradict itself.

Had Tobias stood in Shelter (row 1, column 3), Dorian would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Jonas stood in Airlock (row 1, column 1), Dorian would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Put Dorian in Workroom (row 1, column 8) and the testimony cannot be satisfied at all. So not there.
Put Ines in Airlock (row 1, column 2) and the testimony cannot be satisfied at all. So not there.

Show what goes wrong

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

Another 92 squares fell the same way.

The motive

This case demands the why as well as the who: naming the killer without proving the motive counts for nothing. 7 motives are in play, and these statements narrow them.

Sol's motive would have been revenge.
Ines's motive would have been buried secrets.
Enzo's motive would have been jealousy.
Beatrix's motive would have been ambition.
Dorian was not driven by obsession.
Whoever did it was not driven by blackmail.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Dorian, in Workroom (row 1, column 7).

The only motive left standing for Dorian is inheritance.

Show the solved board

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

Expert — The Botanical Garden

A 9×9 grid across 8 rooms: Palm Pavilion, Garden Path, Compost Yard, Lily Pond, Cactus House, Visitor Center, Tropical House, Seed Vault. Seventeen statements, twelve 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; the accusation also demands the motive, not just the name.

Cracked by 2 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. 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. BE — bench · BO — boulder · C — cactus · FL — flower bush · FO — fountain · L — lily pad (square stays free) · P — potted plant · SH — shrub · ST — statue · T — tree

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.

Julia was in the same row as the lily pad. if true, leaves 9 of 70
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Julia: 9 of 70.
Ulises was in the same row as the statue. if true, leaves 8 of 70
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ulises: 8 of 70.
Ulises was in the same column as a fountain. if true, leaves 2 of 70
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ulises: 2 of 70.
Enzo was in the same row as the cactus. if true, leaves 8 of 70
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Enzo: 8 of 70.
Irene was in the same row as the bench. if true, leaves 6 of 70
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Irene: 6 of 70.
Irene was in the same column as the lily pad. if true, leaves 2 of 70
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Irene: 2 of 70.
Irene was not beside the lily pad.
Beatrix was in the same row as a potted plant. if true, leaves 13 of 70
Beatrix was in the same column as a potted plant. if true, leaves 2 of 70
Wren was in the same column as the lily pad. if true, leaves 55 of 70
Wren was in the western half of the scene. if true, leaves 39 of 70
Horacio was in the same column as the flower bush. if true, leaves 8 of 70
Horacio was in the southern half of the scene. if true, leaves 4 of 70
Conrad was not beside a potted plant. if true, leaves 65 of 70
Conrad was in the same column as the boulder. if true, leaves 6 of 70
Exactly 2 people were in the tropical house.
Exactly 2 people were in the garden path.

Show the squares Ulises had left

The squares still open to Ulises once their own statements are taken into account — 2 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 Greta 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 Ulises were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Enzo were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.

Another 4 candidates collapse the same way.

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

Read backwards, Wren actually told you:

Wren was NOT in the same column as the lily pad.
Wren was NOT in the western half of the scene.

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Greta can only be in Garden Path (row 2, column 1) — down from 70 possible squares.
Julia can only be in Palm Pavilion (row 9, column 9) — down from 9 possible squares.
Ulises can only be in Cactus House (row 8, column 5) — down from 2 possible squares.
Enzo can only be in Tropical House (row 7, column 7) — down from 8 possible squares.
Irene can only be in Seed Vault (row 3, column 2) — down from 2 possible squares.
Beatrix can only be in Seed Vault (row 4, column 4) — down from 2 possible squares.
Wren can only be in Garden Path (row 1, column 6) — down from 39 possible squares.
Horacio can only be in Tropical House (row 6, column 8) — down from 4 possible squares.
Conrad can only be in Lily Pond (row 5, column 3) — down from 6 possible squares.

The motive

This case demands the why as well as the who: naming the killer without proving the motive counts for nothing. 8 motives are in play, and these statements narrow them.

Beatrix's motive would have been buried secrets.
Ulises's motive would have been jealousy.
Conrad's motive would have been inheritance.
Horacio's motive would have been ambition.
Julia's motive would have been obsession.
Whoever did it was not driven by debts.
Whoever did it was not driven by revenge.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Wren, in Garden Path (row 1, column 6). Wren lied throughout and was never charged.

The only motive left standing for Wren is blackmail.

Show the solved board

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

Expert · time attack — The Bunker

A 9×9 grid across 8 rooms: Generator Room, Hydroponics, Airlock, Shelter, Radio Room, Pantry, Workroom, Watchtower. Sixteen statements, twelve 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. 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 — bed (square stays free) · CA — cabinet · CO — computer · CR — carpet (square stays free) · CT — crate · F — floor lamp · G — garbage can · P — potted plant · R — radio · S — stove

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.

Sol was in the same column as the stove. if true, leaves 8 of 71
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Sol: 8 of 71.
Sol was in row 4. if true, leaves 1 of 71
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Sol: 1 of 71.
Hilda was in the same column as a floor lamp. if true, leaves 15 of 71
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Hilda: 15 of 71.
Hilda was not beside the carpet.
Victor was in the same row as a floor lamp. if true, leaves 5 of 71
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Victor: 5 of 71.
Pablo was in the same column as the carpet. if true, leaves 9 of 71
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Pablo: 9 of 71.
Pablo was in the same row as the radio. if true, leaves 1 of 71
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Pablo: 1 of 71.
Alistair was in the same column as a floor lamp. if true, leaves 56 of 71
Alistair was in the same row as the bed. if true, leaves 45 of 71
Marina was in the same column as the bed. if true, leaves 7 of 71
Marina was not beside the bed. if true, leaves 6 of 71
Marina was beside a potted plant. if true, leaves 2 of 71
Delia was in the airlock or in the radio room. if true, leaves 17 of 71
Kurt was in the same column as the computer. if true, leaves 8 of 71
Kurt was in the top row. if true, leaves 1 of 71
Exactly 2 people were in the shelter.

Show the squares Marina had left

The squares still open to Marina once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 71.

Unmasking the liar

If Sol were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Hilda were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Victor were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Pablo were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.

Another 4 candidates collapse the same way.

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

Read backwards, Alistair actually told you:

Alistair was NOT in the same column as a floor lamp.
Alistair was NOT in the same row as the bed.

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Marina can only be in Generator Room (row 2, column 4) — down from 2 possible squares.

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.

Put Hilda in Generator Room (row 3, column 5) and the testimony cannot be satisfied at all. So not there.
Put Victor in Airlock (row 9, column 3) and the testimony cannot be satisfied at all. So not there.
Had Alistair stood in Airlock (row 9, column 3), Victor would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Put Oscar in Shelter (row 3, column 3) and the testimony cannot be satisfied at all. So not there.

Show what goes wrong

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

Another 33 squares fell the same way.

Hilda can only be in Airlock (row 7, column 5) — down from 3 possible squares.
Victor can only be in Workroom (row 9, column 7) — down from 2 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Sol, in Pantry (row 4, column 9). Alistair lied throughout and was never charged.

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Sol 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

The day in review

The day’s standard investigations drew a modest but determined investigative effort across five distinct crime scenes. Annemarie got straight to work on the simpler matters, untangling the three rooms aboard The Night Express in 1m 05s before sweeping through the four rooms of The Art School in 1m 09s. Once the grids expanded, david took over the lead, securing the six-room shelter at The Bunker in 2m 59s. Complications soon followed at A Walk in the Park and The Botanical Garden, where both a liar and a required motive stood between investigators and the truth. David closed out both scenes, clocking 5m 49s across eight rooms in the park and 13m 30s through the eight rooms of the garden.

The time attack boards, by contrast, remained entirely undisturbed by the ticking clock. No detectives stepped forward to test their pace against the five-by-five cases at The Museum of Curiosities or the six rooms of The Movie Studio. The garden path at The Backyard Garden sat just as quiet, alongside a pair of timed inquiries back at The Bunker. The eight-by-eight hard Bunker puzzle had demanded motive without deception, while its expert nine-by-nine counterpart concealed a liar among eight rooms, leaving all five timed dockets completely untouched.

Fastest detectives of the day

Beginner: annemarie — 1m 05s · Easy: annemarie — 1m 09s · Medium: david — 2m 59s · Hard: david — 5m 49s · Expert: david — 13m 30s

The solutions

The solved boards — spoilers for every case of 13 August 2026

Key: red ring = the murderer · amber dashes = the lying accomplice · ✕ = the victim · initials mark where each suspect was proved to stand.

Beginner — The Night Express

Helena (chef) is in custody — the case was closed by 3 detectives.

Easy — The Art School

Vera (professor) ended the day behind bars — convicted by 3 detectives.

Medium — The Bunker

Marina (chef) was named and charged; 3 detectives closed this one.

Hard — A Walk in the Park

The cell door shut on Milo (chauffeur), on the evidence of 2 detectives. The motive — debts — was proved along with the name. Abel lied for them and was never charged.

Expert — The Botanical Garden

one detective put Wren (heiress) away before the day was out. The motive — blackmail — was proved along with the name. Wren lied for them and was never charged.

Beginner · time attack — The Museum of Curiosities

Gaspar (magician) slipped away — no detective cracked this board. The morning mail brought a postcard with no signature and a foreign stamp.

Easy · time attack — The Movie Studio

Victor (curator) was never charged — the day produced no conviction. A hired car left the coast road before dawn and was never returned.

Medium · time attack — The Backyard Garden

Victor (curator) walked free: nobody closed this case. Last seen boarding the night ferry with a single case.

Hard · time attack — The Bunker

Dorian (curator) is still at large — the day ended without a conviction. A berth on the sleeper train was booked that evening under a name nobody recognized. The inheritance was quietly claimed.

Expert · time attack — The Bunker

Nobody named Sol (magician); the file stays open. The harbormaster remembers a late rowboat and no lantern. Alistair lied for them and was never charged.

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Every day's cases — the calendar · ← the cases for 12 August

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