Murder mystery sudoku — the daily cases for 19 August 2026

Every detective in the world got these same crime scenes on 2026-08-19 — 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 Mystery Island

A 5×5 grid across 4 rooms: Cave, Camp, Dock, Beach. Seven statements, six squares nobody could stand on, 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. Nobody can stand on one, which is why the counts above are of free squares, not of all of them. B — bench · C — chest · F — floor lamp · S — shrub

The testimony

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

Marina was in row 2. leaves 3 of 19 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Marina: 3 of 19.
Marina was in the camp. leaves 2 of 19 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Marina: 2 of 19.
Sol was in the dock. leaves 5 of 19 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Sol: 5 of 19.
Sol was in row 3. leaves 2 of 19 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Sol: 2 of 19.
Ximena was in column 3. leaves 4 of 19 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ximena: 4 of 19.
Olivia was in column 4. leaves 3 of 19 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Olivia: 3 of 19.
Olivia was in the bottom row. leaves 1 of 19 squares

Show the squares Marina had left

The squares still open to Marina once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 19.

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 Camp (row 2, column 2) — down from 2 possible squares.
Sol can only be in Dock (row 3, column 1) — down from 2 possible squares.
Ximena can only be in Beach (row 4, column 3) — down from 4 possible squares.
Abel can only be in Cave (row 1, column 5) — down from 19 possible squares.

The answer

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

Show the solved board

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

Beginner · time attack — The Mystery Island

A 5×5 grid across 4 rooms: Beach, Cave, Lookout, Lagoon. Six statements, six 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. Nobody can stand on one, which is why the counts above are of free squares, not of all of them. B — boulder · CA — campfire · CO — crocodile · CR — crate · P — palm tree

The testimony

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

Kurt was in row 2. leaves 5 of 19 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Kurt: 5 of 19.
Ruben was in column 2. leaves 3 of 19 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ruben: 3 of 19.
Ruben was in the lookout. leaves 1 of 19 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ruben: 1 of 19.
Lidia was in the leftmost column. leaves 5 of 19 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Lidia: 5 of 19.
Lidia was in row 4. leaves 1 of 19 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Lidia: 1 of 19.
Petra was in the lagoon. leaves 4 of 19 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Petra: 4 of 19.

Show the squares Petra had left

The squares still open to Petra once their own statements are taken into account — 4 of 19.

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Kurt can only be in Cave (row 2, column 5) — down from 5 possible squares.
Conrad can only be in Cave (row 1, column 3) — down from 19 possible squares.
Petra can only be in Lagoon (row 3, column 4) — down from 4 possible squares.

The answer

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

Show the solved board

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

Easy — The Theatre Royal

A 6×6 grid across 5 rooms: Pit, Stage, Dressing, Bar, Foyer. Seven statements, eleven 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.

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. CH — chest · CR — crate · F — floor lamp · G — grandfather clock · P — piano · 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.

Milo was in row 5. leaves 5 of 27 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Milo: 5 of 27.
Milo was in the leftmost column. leaves 1 of 27 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Milo: 1 of 27.
Tobias was beside the grandfather clock. leaves 2 of 27 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Tobias: 2 of 27.
Vivienne was on the stage or in the dressing room. leaves 8 of 27 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Vivienne: 8 of 27.
Nestor was beside the sofa. leaves 2 of 27 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Nestor: 2 of 27.
Nestor was in column 3. leaves 1 of 27 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Nestor: 1 of 27.
Jonas was in the foyer. leaves 4 of 27 squares

Show the squares Tobias had left

The squares still open to Tobias once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 27.

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 Pit (row 6, column 6) — down from 27 possible squares.
Tobias can only be in Stage (row 3, column 5) — down from 2 possible squares.
Vivienne can only be in Dressing (row 4, column 4) — down from 8 possible squares.
Jonas can only be in Foyer (row 1, column 2) — down from 4 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Milo, in Pit (row 5, column 1).

Show the solved board

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

Easy · time attack — The Night Express

A 6×6 grid across 4 rooms: Observation, Locomotive, Corridor, Platform. Seven statements, eleven 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) · CH — chest · CR — crate · D — desk · F — floor lamp · 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.

Felix was lying on the bed. leaves 2 of 29 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Felix: 2 of 29.
Ines was in the locomotive. leaves 6 of 29 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ines: 6 of 29.
Ines was in row 5. leaves 1 of 29 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ines: 1 of 29.
Katia was in row 3. leaves 4 of 29 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Katia: 4 of 29.
Katia was in the rightmost column. leaves 1 of 29 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Katia: 1 of 29.
Helena was beside the crate. leaves 2 of 29 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Helena: 2 of 29.
Jonas was in the locomotive. leaves 6 of 29 squares

Show the squares Felix had left

The squares still open to Felix once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 29.

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 Observation (row 1, column 5) — down from 29 possible squares.
Felix can only be in Corridor (row 2, column 1) — down from 2 possible squares.
Helena can only be in Locomotive (row 4, column 2) — down from 2 possible squares.
Jonas can only be in Locomotive (row 6, column 4) — down from 6 possible squares.

The answer

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

Show the solved board

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

Medium · time attack — The Bunker

An 8×7 grid across 6 rooms: Shelter, Generator Room, Radio Room, Workroom, Hydroponics, Watchtower. Ten statements, twelve 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.

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 — carpet (square stays free) · CR — 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.

Simon was in the same row as the floor lamp. leaves 5 of 46 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Simon: 5 of 46.
Simon was in the same column as the stove. leaves 1 of 46 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Simon: 1 of 46.
Queralt was in the radio room or in the hydroponics bay. leaves 10 of 46 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Queralt: 10 of 46.
Tamara was beside the crate. leaves 3 of 46 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Tamara: 3 of 46.
Julia was in the same row as the crate. leaves 7 of 46 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Julia: 7 of 46.
Julia was beside the crate. leaves 1 of 46 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Julia: 1 of 46.
Frida was beside the potted plant. leaves 2 of 46 squares
Hugo was touching the outer wall. leaves 23 of 46 squares
Hugo was in row 2. leaves 2 of 46 squares
Nobody was in the workroom.

Show the squares Frida had left

The squares still open to Frida once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 46.

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Queralt can only be in Radio Room (row 7, column 1) — down from 10 possible squares.
Tamara can only be in Generator Room (row 4, column 6) — down from 3 possible squares.
Nestor can only be in Watchtower (row 1, column 7) — down from 46 possible squares.
Frida can only be in Radio Room (row 5, column 2) — down from 2 possible squares.
Hugo can only be in Watchtower (row 2, column 8) — down from 2 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Hugo, in Watchtower (row 2, column 8).

Show the solved board

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

Medium — The Cookie Thief

A 7×7 grid across 5 rooms: Hallway, Guest Room, Dining Room, Nursery, Kitchen. Ten statements, thirteen squares nobody could stand on, 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. A — armchair (square stays free) · BE — bed (square stays free) · BO — bookshelf · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — Christmas tree · GI — gift · GR — grandfather clock · PA — painting (square stays free) · PL — plate of cookies · PO — potted plant · S — stove

The testimony

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

Lidia was in the same column as the potted plant. leaves 3 of 40 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Lidia: 3 of 40.
Zaida was somewhere east of the Butler.
Zaida was in row 4. leaves 7 of 40 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Zaida: 7 of 40.
Zaida was in the same room as Marina.
Kurt was in the same row as the carpet. leaves 11 of 40 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Kurt: 11 of 40.
Kurt was somewhere east of the Chef.
Ximena was in the same row as the bookshelf. leaves 5 of 40 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ximena: 5 of 40.
Ximena was in the same column as the carpet. leaves 1 of 40 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ximena: 1 of 40.
Ignacio was beside the bed. leaves 4 of 40 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ignacio: 4 of 40.
Marina was in the hallway or in the nursery. leaves 19 of 40 squares

Show the squares Lidia had left

The squares still open to Lidia once their own statements are taken into account — 3 of 40.

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 Nursery (row 3, column 4) — down from 3 possible squares.
Zaida can only be in Hallway (row 4, column 7) — down from 7 possible squares.
Kurt can only be in Kitchen (row 6, column 6) — down from 11 possible squares.
Alistair can only be in Nursery (row 2, column 3) — down from 40 possible squares.
Ignacio can only be in Dining Room (row 5, column 2) — down from 4 possible squares.
Marina can only be in Hallway (row 7, column 5) — down from 19 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Lidia, in Nursery (row 3, column 4).

Show the solved board

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

Hard — The Steamship Aurora

An 8×8 grid across 7 rooms: Dining, Hold, Saloon, Engine, Galley, Bridge, Lounge. Thirteen statements, seventeen 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 — 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 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. A — armchair (square stays free) · B — bed (square stays free) · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · CR — crate · D — desk · F — floor lamp · G — grandfather clock · P — painting (square stays free) · S — stove · 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.

Katia was in column 2. if true, leaves 8 of 53
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Katia: 8 of 53.
Katia was in the dining room or in the saloon car. if true, leaves 1 of 53
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Katia: 1 of 53.
Julian was in the same column as the chest. if true, leaves 7 of 53
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Julian: 7 of 53.
Julian was in the same row as the stove. if true, leaves 1 of 53
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Julian: 1 of 53.
Julian was not beside the painting.
Bianca was in the northern half of the scene. if true, leaves 27 of 53
Bianca was in the same column as the carpet. if true, leaves 4 of 53
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Bianca: 4 of 53.
Estela was in the same row as the grandfather clock. if true, leaves 7 of 53
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Estela: 7 of 53.
Oscar was in the same column as the armchair. if true, leaves 6 of 53
Delia was not beside the armchair. if true, leaves 3 of 53
Delia was in the same column as the chest.
Zeno was in the same row as the crate. if true, leaves 7 of 53
Zeno was in the same column as the painting. if true, leaves 1 of 53

Show the squares Delia had left

The squares still open to Delia once their own statements are taken into account — 3 of 53.

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 Katia were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Julian were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
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.

Another 3 candidates collapse the same way.

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

Read backwards, Delia actually told you:

Delia WAS beside the armchair.
Delia was NOT in the same column as the chest.

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Bianca can only be in Engine (row 3, column 3) — down from 4 possible squares.
Estela can only be in Saloon (row 8, column 6) — down from 7 possible squares.
Oscar can only be in Saloon (row 6, column 7) — down from 6 possible squares.
Tobias can only be in Hold (row 5, column 4) — down from 53 possible squares.
Delia can only be in Saloon (row 7, column 8) — down from 3 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.

Katia's motive would have been buried secrets.
Oscar's motive would have been revenge.
Bianca's motive would have been obsession.
Estela's motive would have been jealousy.
Whoever did it was not driven by debts.
Zeno was not driven by blackmail.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Zeno, in Hold (row 4, column 1). Delia lied throughout and was never charged.

The only motive left standing for Zeno is ambition.

Show the solved board

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

Hard · time attack — The Golf Course

A 9×8 grid across 6 rooms: Cart Path, Rough, Pro Shop, Green, Bunker, Water Hazard. Twelve statements, sixteen squares nobody could stand on, and one round of assume-and-test after elimination ran dry.

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 — bench · BO — boulder · D — desk · FL — flag (square stays free) · FO — flower bush · GL — golf tee (square stays free) · GO — golf cart · S — shrub · T — tree · W — window (square stays free)

The testimony

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

Tamara was in the same row as the golf cart. leaves 8 of 62 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Tamara: 8 of 62.
Tamara was all alone in a room.
Tamara was in the same column as the desk. leaves 1 of 62 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Tamara: 1 of 62.
Olivia was exactly 1 column east of the Diva.
Olivia was in the same room as Xavier.
Dorian was in the same column as a window. leaves 22 of 62 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Dorian: 22 of 62.
Rita was in the same column as the shrub. leaves 4 of 62 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Rita: 4 of 62.
Rita was exactly 2 rows north of Dorian.
Beatrix was in the same row as the tree. leaves 7 of 62 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Beatrix: 7 of 62.
Julian was in the same row as the boulder. leaves 7 of 62 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Julian: 7 of 62.
Julian was exactly 8 columns west of the Chauffeur.
Xavier was somewhere south of the Diva.

Show the squares Rita had left

The squares still open to Rita once their own statements are taken into account — 4 of 62.

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Julian can only be in Green (row 8, column 1) — down from 7 possible squares.

The squares that had to be tested

The rest does not fall out on its own. It takes 12 eliminations of the same move: put someone on a square, follow the consequences, and watch the board contradict itself.

Had Olivia stood in Rough (row 3, column 7), Rita would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Helena stood in Rough (row 2, column 9), Xavier would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Dorian stood in Water Hazard (row 5, column 3), Beatrix would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Put Rita in Rough (row 3, column 7) and the testimony cannot be satisfied at all. So not there.

Show what goes wrong

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

Another 8 squares fell the same way.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Rita, in Rough (row 4, column 7).

Show the solved board

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

Expert — The Repair Shop

A 9×9 grid across 7 rooms: Pit Lane, Yard, Office, Storeroom, Car Lift, Repair Bay, Paint Booth. Sixteen statements, 21 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; the accusation also demands the motive, not just the name.

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. CA — cabinet · CO — computer · CR — car · CT — crate · F — floor lamp · O — oil slick (square stays free) · P — potted plant · R — radio · T — television · W — window (square stays free)

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.

Vivienne was in the same column as the cabinet. if true, leaves 6 of 61
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Vivienne: 6 of 61.
Gaspar was in the same column as the potted plant. if true, leaves 8 of 61
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Gaspar: 8 of 61.
Gaspar was in the same row as an oil slick. if true, leaves 2 of 61
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Gaspar: 2 of 61.
Gaspar was not beside the potted plant. if true, leaves 1 of 61
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Gaspar: 1 of 61.
Pablo was in the same row as a television. if true, leaves 10 of 61
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Pablo: 10 of 61.
Oscar was in the western half of the scene. if true, leaves 34 of 61
Oscar was in the same row as an oil slick. if true, leaves 22 of 61
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Oscar: 22 of 61.
Oscar was in the same column as the window.
Dora was in the same row as an oil slick. if true, leaves 23 of 61
Dora was in the same column as an oil slick. if true, leaves 10 of 61
Felix was in the same row as a car. if true, leaves 10 of 61
Ursula was in the same row as a crate. if true, leaves 12 of 61
Walter was in the same column as a crate. if true, leaves 13 of 61
Walter was on an oil slick. if true, leaves 4 of 61
Exactly 3 people were in the paint booth.
Exactly 2 people were in the office.

Show the squares Walter had left

The squares still open to Walter once their own statements are taken into account — 4 of 61.

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 Vivienne 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 Pablo were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Ada were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.

Another 4 candidates collapse the same way.

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

Read backwards, Oscar actually told you:

Oscar was NOT in the western half of the scene.
Oscar was NOT in the same row as an oil slick.
Oscar was NOT in the same column as the window.

The squares that had to be tested

The rest does not fall out on its own. It takes 88 eliminations of the same move: put someone on a square, follow the consequences, and watch the board contradict itself.

Had Vivienne stood in Pit Lane (row 3, column 7), Walter would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Pablo stood in Office (row 7, column 6), Vivienne would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Ada stood in Pit Lane (row 1, column 6), Vivienne would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Oscar stood in Pit Lane (row 1, column 6), Vivienne would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.

Show what goes wrong

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

Another 84 squares fell the same way.

Vivienne can only be in Paint Booth (row 5, column 7) — down from 3 possible squares.
Pablo can only be in Car Lift (row 7, column 1) — down from 5 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.

Dora's motive would have been ambition.
Walter's motive would have been blackmail.
Vivienne's motive would have been jealousy.
Felix's motive would have been buried secrets.
Oscar's motive would have been inheritance.
Ursula was not driven by obsession.
Ursula was not driven by revenge.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Ursula, in Office (row 9, column 3). Oscar lied throughout and was never charged.

The only motive left standing for Ursula is debts.

Show the solved board

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

Expert · time attack — The Bunker

A 10×9 grid across 7 rooms: Pantry, Generator Room, Shelter, Radio Room, Hydroponics, Workroom, Airlock. Fifteen statements, eighteen squares nobody could stand on, and two rounds 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.

Kurt was in the same row as the stove. leaves 7 of 75 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Kurt: 7 of 75.
Dorian was somewhere south of Yolanda.
Dorian was not beside the bed. leaves 72 of 75 squares
Ruben and Gaspar were in different rooms.
Yolanda was exactly 5 columns west of the Diva.
Luna was exactly 1 row south of the Curator.
Luna was exactly 3 columns west of the Colonel.
Luna was exactly 2 columns west of Gaspar.
Tesa was in the same row as the crate. leaves 9 of 75 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Tesa: 9 of 75.
Tesa was in the same column as the garbage can. leaves 1 of 75 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Tesa: 1 of 75.
Gaspar was in the same row as a carpet. leaves 33 of 75 squares
Alma was exactly 1 row south of Luna.
Exactly 3 people were in the shelter.
Exactly 2 people were in the radio room.
Exactly 4 people were in the hydroponics bay.

Show the squares Kurt had left

The squares still open to Kurt once their own statements are taken into account — 7 of 75.

The squares that had to be tested

The rest does not fall out on its own. It takes 213 eliminations across 2 rounds of the same move: put someone on a square, follow the consequences, and watch the board contradict itself.

Had Dorian stood in Pantry (row 4, column 5), Yolanda would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Ruben stood in Airlock (row 2, column 3), Kurt would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Boris stood in Airlock (row 2, column 3), Kurt would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Yolanda stood in Airlock (row 2, column 3), Kurt would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.

Show what goes wrong

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

Another 209 squares fell the same way.

Dorian can only be in Shelter (row 9, column 6) — down from 8 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.

Gaspar's motive would have been ambition.
Dorian's motive would have been obsession.
Yolanda's motive would have been blackmail.
Tesa's motive would have been inheritance.
Kurt's motive would have been revenge.
Luna was not driven by buried secrets.
Luna was not driven by jealousy.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Luna, in Radio Room (row 5, column 3).

The only motive left standing for Luna is debts.

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Luna 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 inquiries began quietly on the standard circuit. At The Mystery Island, three out of five detectives found the truth across four rooms, with annemarie leading the field in 0m 46s. The Theatre Royal saw three successes from four attempts, david claiming the quickest resolution in 0m 58s. Matters slowed considerably at The Cookie Thief, where three of six investigators closed the file, led by a guest detective in 7m 32s. The deeper cases proved entirely unyielding. The Steamship Aurora drew two attempts but zero solutions, its eight-by-eight grid complicated by a liar and a required motive. The Repair Shop, spanning nine rooms and nine rows with identical complications, went completely uninvestigated.

The time attack board offered an entirely silent roster, recording zero plays across every assignment. Untouched files sat waiting at The Mystery Island and aboard The Night Express, both straightforward four-room scenes. Deeper in the archives, The Bunker hosted two distinct challenges: a six-room investigation and a sprawling ten-by-nine scene demanding a motive. Alongside them, The Golf Course remained quiet on its nine-by-eight grounds. Ten cases were laid out on 19 August 2026, and more than half closed without a single footprint left at the scene.

Fastest detectives of the day

Beginner: annemarie — 0m 46s · Easy: david — 0m 58s · Medium: a guest detective — 7m 32s

The solutions

The solved boards — spoilers for every case of 19 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 Mystery Island

The cell door shut on Olivia (journalist), on the evidence of 3 detectives.

Easy — The Theatre Royal

3 detectives put Milo (colonel) away before the day was out.

Medium — The Cookie Thief

Lidia (heiress) is in custody — the case was closed by 3 detectives.

Hard — The Steamship Aurora

Zeno (colonel) walked free: nobody closed this case. The harbormaster remembers a late rowboat and no lantern. The ambition found its vacancy at last. Delia lied for them and was never charged.

Expert — The Repair Shop

Ursula (chef) is still at large — the day ended without a conviction. The morning mail brought a postcard with no signature and a foreign stamp. The debts were settled in full, in cash. Oscar lied for them and was never charged.

Beginner · time attack — The Mystery Island

Nobody named Kurt (butler); the file stays open. A hired car left the coast road before dawn and was never returned.

Easy · time attack — The Night Express

Katia (professor) slipped away — no detective cracked this board. Last seen boarding the night ferry with a single case.

Medium · time attack — The Bunker

Hugo (gardener) was never charged — the day produced no conviction. A berth on the sleeper train was booked that evening under a name nobody recognized.

Hard · time attack — The Golf Course

Rita (doctor) walked free: nobody closed this case. The harbormaster remembers a late rowboat and no lantern.

Expert · time attack — The Bunker

Luna (chef) is still at large — the day ended without a conviction. The morning mail brought a postcard with no signature and a foreign stamp. The debts were settled in full, in cash.

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Every day's cases — the calendar · ← the cases for 18 August

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